No, this is not a comedy piece and by ‘Socceroos’, I am not referring to any other team but the rightful bearers of the name, the Australian football team. I do believe that Australia can win the 2014 World Cup.
A website dedicated to betting on the World Cup BetOnTheWorldCup.com.au has published an article suggesting the Socceroos are the team to beat at the World Cup? Even though we don’t agree we have with their permission published the three reasons why they can. Enjoy a laugh.
After a 32-year absence following the country’s maiden 1974 appearance, Australia have qualified for three consecutive FIFA World Cups. The 2006 event was a proud moment for the nation but in 2010, controversy and anguish followed. The hopes of 2014 now rest firmly on the shoulders of team captain Mile Jedinak and the rest of his gang. ‘The land down under’ is a continent by itself but has been in the Asian Football Association since 2006. They participated in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds via the AFC and also participated in the 2011 Asian Cup.
View the three reasons below:
1. They’re Tough; Although they left it late, Australia qualified for Brazil 2014 by finishing 4 points behind Japan to claim the second automatic qualification slot. In the final qualifying round, they won 3 games, drew 4 and lost 1, scoring 12 goals and conceding 7. I’ll be the first to admit that these are not great stats but in football, it’s not always about the stats. The Socceroos were able to keep Asian champions Japan at bay over two legs and believe me, that is quite a feat. Japan is a particularly difficult customer, by anyone’s standards. Australia also had to play away against the likes of Jordan, Oman and Iraq. Granted, they are not great football nations but these countries are masters at the game of frustrating opponents. Also, the heat in some of these countries can be quite scorching. While other countries like Spain and Holland might struggle in the heat, the Socceroos wouldn’t mind. Been there, done that.
2. They Actually Have Decent Players; You wouldn’t know it but the Australian National team actually have a few decent players on their squad list. Not only do they have Europe-based players like Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund), Mathew Ryan (Club Bruges), Matthew Leckie (FSV Frankfurt1899), James Troisi (Atlanta), Oliver Bozanic (Luzern), Tommy Oar (Utrecht) and Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), they also have New York Red Bulls forward and talisman, Tim Cahill. Cahill is a match winner and has proven this over and over again in the colours of the National team.
3. In Football, Anything Can Happen; Everyone knows that in life, you will be well served to expect the unexpected. This is especially true in football as the unexpected happens quite a lot. Favourites get toppled (see Athletico Madrid’s La Liga title win, breaking the 9-year monopoly of the El Clasico clubs), Champions get deposed unceremoniously (just ask Manchester United fans), and underdogs spring surprises (see Liverpool’s stunning Premier League challenge). If they can manage to qualify from their group, I believe the Socceroos can go on a giant-killing romp. It is after all, a knock-out tournament from that point onwards and fortune, history says, favours the brave.
Original Article: Bet On The World Cup
