Soccer
This is only the 5th time Australia to be playing in the Fifa World Cup, though it has never won any Cup so far. Australia has been a strong contender in the Asia and Eastern side of the World. We still have to see how the ‘Socceroos’ will perform in this world tournament. It already has one of the strongest contenders France in its starting group.
Australia who has participated in for the 5 times since its first appearance in 1974, then consecutively from 2002 to 2018. Australia’s current FIFA ranking is 40, 3 rank below since April of 2018. It has been ranked 14 (it’s highest) back in 2009 and lowest 102 during 2014.
CAPTION: Australia vs West Germany 1974 World Cup SOURCE: The Footy Almanac Australia’s best result was being qualified to the ‘Round of 16’ which occurred once in 2006 FIFA World Cup. Back then its group squad members were: Brazil, Croatia, and Japan from Group F. Last time in 2014 in its last match it lost to Spain 3-0, reigning Champion of 2010 World cup. It had lost all its 1st round matches to Netherlands (runners-up), Chile and Spain.
Australia’s new manager for the tournament will be 65 years old Bert Van Marwijk. Dutch Marwijk is renowned for making his home country to the 2010 World Cup Final and currently bringing Saudi Arabia to qualify the 2018 FIFA World Cup after 12 years World Cup drought. The new manager has been heard saying, ‘’it’s all about space. You have to play football within that space, use it. You have to create space for yourself," and wants his own lasting imprint on Australia and return with compliments.
CAPTION: Australia New Football Team's Coach Bert Van Marwijk SOURCE: tagar.id The team captain is Mile Jedinak for the national team. He plays in Aston Villa Football Club as a defensive midfielder commercially. The current squad has 26 members including the captain himself. Tim Cahill is Australian forward who has scored beautifully including his trademark headers. He will be also the star to watch that will be helping his team during the tournament.
Australia’s ‘Socceroos’ is officially supported by its home fans. They will be buying tickets for the world cup in two phases. The main supporter group ‘Socceroos Active Support (SAS)’ founded in January 2015 focuses on keeping the fans together and cheering the national teammates, especially during the international matches.
CAPTION: Australian National Team 2018 During Qualification Match SOURCE: FIFA.com The country is recently going through an international controversy and a diplomatic crisis as the federal government has expelled two Russian spies for a poisoning incident in the UK. It is said that extreme measures will be taken including the boycotting of the FIFA World Cup. There is a fear among fans that Australia might not compete in the tournament after all.
