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Socceroos on the rise
Just over three years ago Australia qualified for their first FIFA World
CupT in 32 years by the narrowest of margins courtesy of a penalty shoot-out
win over Uruguay.
As has invariably been the case over the years, Australia had to wait
until the final day of qualifying across the globe, yet this time around
the Socceroos could be the first team to win their way to the 2010 FIFA
World Cup South Africa.
Currently well placed at the top of Asian Group 1, Australia could book
their ticket to South Africa as early as 1 April if they defeat Uzbekistan
in Sydney, scene of their epic win over Uruguay in 2005. Provided other
results go their way in the previous matchday three days earlier, Australia
would join hosts South Africa as 2010 participants.
Coach Pim Verbeek has built up a settled and experienced squad with a
defence notoriously hard to penetrate, which has helped Australia reach
an all-time high FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking of 27.
The journey so far
The current campaign began in encouraging fashion for Australia as they
recorded an emphatic 3-0 home win over Qatar, in what was Verbeek's first
match in charge. Australia ultimately reached the final stage of qualifying,
progressing along with Qatar through a tough group with Asian champions
Iraq and China eliminated.
It wasn't all smooth sailing though, with Australia losing in neutral
Dubai against Iraq, while a 27-year undefeated home FIFA World Cup record
was forfeited as a second-string team lost against China in the final
group match. Despite recording two defeats and a draw over the six matches,
the Socceroos progressed to the top of the four-team group.
Halfway through the final stage of qualifying, Australia are now two points
clear of Japan and six ahead of Qatar and Bahrain, with four matches remaining.
Australia's tortuous FIFA World Cup history has been marked by failed
sudden-death play-offs on six occasions since 1966. This time however,
Australia are in the unaccustomed position of having room for error.
It is a quantum leap for the nation that missed out on France 1998 despite
remaining undefeated in the qualification campaign. "We want insurance,
so others can worry about the do-or-die games," said Australia captain
Lucas Neill after the recent scoreless draw in Japan. "No more penalty
shoot-outs, please."
The way ahead
With three of their remaining four matches at home, Australia will be
optimistic of achieving their qualification goal prior to the final match
in June against Japan.
The defensive capabilities of the team have been strengthened under Verbeek,
led by Australia's most experienced goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and centre-back
pairing Craig Moore and skipper Neill. The trio are veterans of Germany
2006, though Moore only returned to the line-up in October after a lengthy
absence from the national team, including a period out of the game due
to surgery for testicular cancer. The Socceroos have conceded just one
goal in four home matches, and a total of four goals across their ten
matches to date.
Next up are an Uzbekistan side that will be desperate to get their slim
qualification hopes back on track, but they will find the Australian side
a different prospect to the defence-orientated line-up that took the field
in Yokohama last week. Verbeek is also hopeful of having Harry Kewell,
and even long-term absentee Mark Viduka, return to the squad.
"Next we have Uzbekistan, we play in a great stadium, with a good
atmosphere, and we have one week preparation, so we're looking forward
to that," says the Dutchman. "So I'm very pleased, but again,
we're still not qualified, and we must be aware of that."
FIFA World Cup Ticketing
The FIFA World Cup is an incomparable event. If you plan on attending
South Africa 2010, be sure to sign up, for free, to the FIFA.com Club
before ticket sales begin on 20 February. It's just another reason to
join The Club, which also includes Fantasy Football and Predictor games,
complete with fantastic prizes.
FIFA.com,
18 February 2009
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