Soccer Thoughts

As a kid I grew up playing rugby league in the Western Suburbs District competition, with a season of rugby union thrown in at age sixteen. At eighteen I sustained a serious injury resulting from an intentional kick to the shoulder. After which I thought, bugger rugby, I’ll try soccer. Its emphasis on the ball rather than the man had more appeal.

My father, a handy Aussie Rules player from Melbourne, taught me to kick with both feet. This talent held me in good stead over the next twenty years playing weekly social soccer with a bunch of Eastern Suburbs locals. And much to my regret I’m sorry I didn’t play 'the beautiful game' as a kid.

However forty years ago in Australia, soccer was only played by 'wogs' and 'poofs' and no self-respecting 'tough-guy' would be seen dead, dribbling. A pathetic, xenophobic attitude thankfully buried with the adoption of full scale multi-culturalism and the rise of Aussie stars to the international stage.

As an adult I became passionate over soccer, whether playing for the infamous Bondi All-Stars or following my beloved Tottenham Hotspurs in the English League. This passion peaked when I watched every game of the 1998 French World Cup, won by France whom I backed. Whilst I've not played for fifteen years and my fervour in soccer has waned somewhat, I still love watching the game whenever possible, work permitting.

Having said all that, I have a few thoughts regarding Australia’s hopes for this World Cup. Some press would have us believe the Socceroos are a big chance to progress to the second round. Don’t bet on it. For the Aussies to do so depends on some luck and our ability to avoid injuries. Otherwise we will be exposed for an unfortunate lack of quality depth, so evident in our embarrassing performance against Liechtenstein.

That Australia has qualified for the World Cup should be considered a win already, in the incremental progress toward becoming a formidable soccer nation. We need four more years of top class competition at the national level, via the newly created A-League, at the same time regularly competing in the Asian Cup and international tournaments.

In that time we can develop the next batch of players for the 2010 World Cup from which we should be able to reasonably expect making the second round and beyond. When many of our current stars are in their twilight years, with their best football behind them, I feel it’s a stretch expecting them to do anything special this World Cup.

As for who will win this Cup, I’ve consulted a well-informed mate, an astute judge of international football who’s up to date with all the players and teams. ‘Most likely the winner will come from one of the usual powers’, he said, ‘Germany, Brazil, Italy, Spain, or France. A semi-final dark-horse may be Czechoslovakia’. At good odds, a good bet.

Otherwise I reckon we should expect nothing more of our Socceroos than the hope they acquit themselves honorably and enjoy it. South Africa 2010 is our time to really shine.

Comments

[Enyo]

I wouldn't put any money on Czechoslovakia winning the World Cup if I were you. I haven't seen them play recently, but nobody else I know has either.

I'd suggest the Czech Republic as a substitute outsider ... or England who were crap this afternoon against Paraguay but won while Sweden managed in the same group only to draw against plucky Trinidad & Tobago.

Spain are crap in cup competitions and should be regarded as a hedge at best ... if you're really looking for a European at longish odds the Portuguese are a better bet.

As for Australia, sadly we've neither the depth of talent nor the experience to make a credible mark on this tournament, but one of the sixteen countries to emerge from the group stage will be an outsider and there is no need to be so certain before a ball is kicked in anger (or shin ... by us) that we won't be it.

[ken nielsen]

Yeah, of course you are right. But with a whole lot of luck Australia just might get through to the round of 16 and, long shot though it is, that is worth dreaming of.
I was not impressed by Germany - opening game and all - so I'd bet in Brazil if the odds were any good. Czech Republic are probably the best value for money.
And, hey, I played soccer as a teenager in Sydney, er, 50 years ago and don't remember ever being called a poof or a wog. Twas pretty big in Lane Cove then.

[Turner Mitteron]

A very pesimistic view you have there.
I hope beyond all hope that we make the second round. I love Australian soccer, my 3 sons all played and 2 are still playing into their 30's. It would be a just reward for the new Australian soccer if we advanced and after all the smart, hard work I hope that the second round will be a justified reward for the new team.

GO THE AUSSIES!!!!!

[Zoka]

Hello All,
What do you think, if Zidane was not to hit Materazzi in that finals game would the outcome be different? Would the French have enough strength to actualy score?
I believe that nothing would have changed!
Cheers
Zoka
Zidane Game