Two matches. Three suspensions. That has been the story of Australia’s struggle to survive in the group stage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
During Australia’s World Cup opener against Germany, the Socceroos’ main target man Tim Cahill was shown a straight red card after tackling Die Mannschaft’s Schweinsteiger. Germany went on to beat Australia via a 4-0 score line.
Enter the game against Ghana. Kewell received Australia's second red card after committing hand ball near the goal line. Meanwhile, Moore was ruled out of Australia’s next match after being slapped with his second booking.
Tim Cahill was fortunate enough to escape FIFA’s two-game suspension. But can Kewell and Moore suit up once again for the Socceroos. That all depends on how Australia handles Serbia in Nelspruit on Wednesday.
Cahill burst into tears when Schweinsteiger approached him after the final whistle was blown. The German insisted that Cahill did not deserve the red card and tried his best to console the Australian.
Alluding to the suspension, Cahill remarked that the red card was perhaps one of the lowest moments in his football career.
And who could blame the man—the challenge was half-hearted at best.
Quick to come to his teammate’s rescue was Australia skipper Lucas Neill.
"If you look at in on the TV you can see he comes in from behind trying to make a tackle and then pulls out," said the captain.
Cahill was even more upset after learning that the World Cup governing body could slap him with a two-game ban, effectively ending his South African campaign.
Sitting out Australia’s next match, Cahill could only look on as Australia battled out of a 1-1 draw with Ghana. With the draw, Australia gained another lifeline, thus allowing Cahill to return for their do-or-die match against Serbia.
But he will be forced to work doubly hard, as Australia will be without experienced stars Harry Kewell and Craig Moore this time.
Enter stage left, exit stage right.
With 97 international between the two, Kewell and Moore are dangerously on the brink of their international careers, let alone the World Cup.
At 34, Moore entered this tournament with intention of making his international swansong. Kewell, while only aged 31, is still in doubt after an injury-plaagued season with Turkish club Galatasaray.
That being said, it would be painful for both players to leave South Africa like that. Speaking after the Ghana game, Kewell said: "I didn't mean to get sent off. It wasn't a deliberate hand ball. I am devastated.”
"I have had some great moments and I have had some bad moments. You have to take the good with the bad. But we've still got a chance," added the midfielder.
Moore was a little more upbeat about the situation, saying that the team played its heart out against Asamoah Gyan and the rest of the Black Stars.
"I certainly didn't leave anything out there," said Moore. "I gave everything I had, and I'm happy with that."
Meanwhile, team captain Lucas Neill said the Socceroos will try their very best to prolong their stay in order to give Kewell and Moore a fitting send-off, pardon the pun, to their respective international careers.
Australia may very well snatch a berth if and only if they win against Serbia. And with Cahill back in the line up, better not count the Socceroos out.
"Don't give up on us," he said. "In football we see a lot of things, it's all possible," said the senior defender Moore.
On Wednesday, we will see how the suspensions will affect the Australian squad. For now, they have to think on how they can attack without their two best players.
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