FIFA World Cup 2010
Australia
 AustraliaFootball Federation Australia (Football Federation Australia) Confederation: AFC Head coach: Pim Verbeek Captain: Lucas Neill Top scorer: Damian Mori FIFA ranking: 21 World Cup Appearances: 2 Team Colors: Best Results
World Cup Round of 16, 2006 AFC Asian Cup Quarterfinals, 2007 OFC Nations Cup Champions, 1980, 1996, 2000, 2004 |
The Australian soccer team, known as the Socceroos (soccer kangaroos), received its third qualification for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, 2010.
The first time the Australians qualified for a World Cup was in 1974, when they faced two German teams (East and West Germany) that easily defeated them with five goals against them and none in their favor. In Germany 2006, the team received its second World Cup qualification. Its qualifying matches became the most watched sporting events in the region, surpassing even some of the highlighted moments of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Australia reached the last 16, along with Brazil in Group F, after defeating Japan and drawing with Croatia. In the second round, the Socceroos did an excellent job against one of the favorites, Italy, keeping the score 0-0 for more than 90 minutes. However, in overtime, a controversial penalty goal scored by Francesco Totti at minute 95 ended the match and eliminated Australia from the games.
In 2007 the Australian team left the Oceania Football Confederation to join Asia, hoping for more scrimmages and to improve its game. It was then that Australia received the qualification to the World Cup South Africa 2010, with a squad with experience acquired in Germany. In its last game against Chile, Australia drew 0-0 and returned home classified as third tier.
The current team of the Socceroos boasts an experienced group of players, who have already won World Cup experience in their last participation.
Players
The Australian squad is ready to send its best players to the field to face Ghana and Serbia, in Group D. In these matches, Australia will start with its superstar and goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer, who allowed only four goals in the qualifying stages. Thanks to him, during the qualifications, his team achieved a record of seven games with no ball in its net.
The defense also has a great reputation, with Lucas Neil an important contributor for his team. In addition, players like Vince Grella, Jason Culina, Brett Emerton, Galatasaray Harry Kewell, and midfielder Tim Cahill, create a formation that promises a good fight in the stadiums of South Africa.
Tim Cahill plays a key role as midfielder; he is both a defensive and offensive player in the pitch. He is an important leading scorer, as he has the ability to place himself in the field and as his passing game is marked as one of the best weapons for a team that is in shape and is ready to play.
Head Coach
After learning from Guus Hiddink, the Dutchman Pim Verbeek was hired as the new head coach of the Australian team. His followers are hoping for a further qualification of his team in South Africa.
Verbeek generates an environment that every team needs, working both on and off the field with his players, creating strong relationships with them. Lucas Neill says of Verbeek, “He has succeeded in creating a positive team spirit, we are willing to follow Pim’s instructions and apply them in the pitch.”
This manager, who has served as the coach of teams like Netherlands, Germany, Japan, UAE and South Korea, is determined to improve Australia’s soccer. Verbeek has turned the Australian defense into one of the best in Asia; the team received only four goals in 14 matches during the qualifying round.
"We will improve our previous performance,” Verbeek stated. “I think in life you have to set goals, and the players have already set their objectives for this tournament. We want to do better than last time, and we will make every effort to do so.”