That'll do Pim. That'll Do.
07/06/09 12:46 Filed in: Socceroos
We are a Football Nation torn.
On the one hand, we breath a collective sigh of relief as we gain a point in Doha and qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
On the other hand we have that familiar empty feeling that comes with winning ugly. Maybe we were spoilt by Guus Hiddink.
The analysers will tell us all that we need to change our system drastically to play and be successful against the European powers. The knockers will say they were bored to tears. The bandwagoners will puff up their chests and parrot the morning papers. Those of us old enough to own scarves and jerseys that carry words like ‘Australian Soccer Association’ and ‘Soccer Australia’ will remember the ghosts of qualifications past - cue the drama of the 1994, 1998, and 2002 campaigns.
For me, for the first time in a long time - actually, the first time ever - I found myself agreeing with ABC pundit Gerard Whateley’s comments on Offsiders this morning:
We need World Cup qualification to get into the Nation’s sporting psyche. Let’s not take a World Cup qualification lightly. We ARE there, one year early, undefeated and with zero against on the group table. We may not be there next time around because next time we simply might not be good enough, lucky enough, smart enough.
As for South Africa 2010, yes, we have plenty of work to do. Verbeek has already given hints in his post match interview that the defensive and conservative approach is an important platform from which he can build. But, to build a team is one thing. To build a footballing nation though, we need World Cups under our belt, and that is the point.
We may be a Football Nation torn, but every time we qualify for a World Cup, we get closer to becoming a Football Nation.
On the one hand, we breath a collective sigh of relief as we gain a point in Doha and qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
On the other hand we have that familiar empty feeling that comes with winning ugly. Maybe we were spoilt by Guus Hiddink.
The analysers will tell us all that we need to change our system drastically to play and be successful against the European powers. The knockers will say they were bored to tears. The bandwagoners will puff up their chests and parrot the morning papers. Those of us old enough to own scarves and jerseys that carry words like ‘Australian Soccer Association’ and ‘Soccer Australia’ will remember the ghosts of qualifications past - cue the drama of the 1994, 1998, and 2002 campaigns.
For me, for the first time in a long time - actually, the first time ever - I found myself agreeing with ABC pundit Gerard Whateley’s comments on Offsiders this morning:
I do think that's why it's so important that we don't take this morning for granted. Because in all likelihood we won't make the next World Cup is the risk. I know it's not the celebration of kicking the penalty goal and having the signature moment, but I agree with you, I turned the radio news on this morning and it was the third item in sport and I think it should be the lead item in the news full stop.
We need World Cup qualification to get into the Nation’s sporting psyche. Let’s not take a World Cup qualification lightly. We ARE there, one year early, undefeated and with zero against on the group table. We may not be there next time around because next time we simply might not be good enough, lucky enough, smart enough.
As for South Africa 2010, yes, we have plenty of work to do. Verbeek has already given hints in his post match interview that the defensive and conservative approach is an important platform from which he can build. But, to build a team is one thing. To build a footballing nation though, we need World Cups under our belt, and that is the point.
We may be a Football Nation torn, but every time we qualify for a World Cup, we get closer to becoming a Football Nation.
0 Comments