Football is not the number one sport in Australia a country renowned for its passion for sports and athletics. The most loved sport in the world football is well below in popularity, compared to the likes of Australian Rules football, rugby, cricket, hockey and athletics.
Thus the Australians have hardly featured in football world cups over the years, yet this year’s edition is special for the country as they set their sights on a second consecutive appearance in the football extravaganza. The football world cup starts in South Africa on the 11th of June, and would run for a month as the tournament arrives in Africa for the first time in its 80 odd year history.
The Australians known as “socceroos” have been placed in Group D in the 32 nation tournament, they are bracketed in what many believe is the toughest group in the event. The Australians would have to brace against the likes of Germany, Serbia and Ghana at the start of the campaign.
The Germans are three time champions having been a potent force in international football ranks for many years now, while Serbia and Ghana are both dark horses with the capability of dousing the hopes of any fancied nations, in the competition. The Socceroos have started limbering up for the event as they held their first public training session in Melbourne on Wednesday, in order to shape up before the World Cup.
However the local media and pundits of the game in the country are not pinning their hopes on the team saying that they lack the bite to make an impact in the toughest competition of them all. Dutch coach Pim Verbeek's defense-based tactics have come under fire from all quarters, resulting in seven clean sheets and no defeats in their last eight qualifiers.
Their build up is in sharp contrast to their campaign in Germany four years ago when Australia swept into the second round of the World Cup. But this time around their ageing squad heads to South Africa burdened by fitness concerns and high expectations. Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer admits that the team has lost the element of surprise that has helped them previously.
Their match tactics that err on the defensive side have also generated complaints about 'ugly' football and a dearth of goal-scoring flair. Their approach is in sharp contrast to the real Aussie attitude, which is full of aggression and ruthlessness, and has helped their cricket team reach dizzy heights and unparalleled success.
The local fans fear that while the Socceroos may be able to bully Gulf States and central Asian nations, they will not have the armory to trouble the world's best, hence a major overhaul in approach is the order of the day. At the same time their defensive approach has not forced away a passionate bunch of followers, who hope that the team will at least match their performance in the last world cup.
In 2006 the Aussies made an appearance in the knockout round, before losing out to eventual champions Italy after a last-minute penalty, midfielder Tim Cahill believes the team should not be written off.
"Without being overly confident you have to try and build people dreams," he said.
The Australians will have their preparation in full swing when they line up a friendly against neighbouring New Zealand in Melbourne on Monday May 24th. The socceroos will depart for South Africa on May 26th.
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