Australia vs England, is there anything more enticing? As never seen before, lets see how the two nations line up now both have exited the 2010 World Cup.
It has been widely seen through Australia that perhaps we have not reached quality of the efforts shown back in 2006 with our dizzying heights of reaching the ‘round of 16’ stages of the tournament, I disagree. And while England’s ‘controversial’ exit of the World Cup has been beaten into us all I am still of the opinion that there are a few but important differences between the two nations which are, that of inability to contain egomaniacs, the heart of some players and probably the biggest difference, the supporters.
But first, let’s start of with the deceptive similarities between the two lands.
Baring a few players our squad was pretty much the same as four years ago (much like England), and despite all cosmetic enthusiasts efforts, there has been no way to stop from ageing and our inexperienced squad of 2006 were dubbed hardened veterans this year in South Africa, the ageing Socceroos in fact had the third oldest squad (28.4), with Brazil second (28.6) and, yep you guessed it, England with the oldest squad in the Tournament (28.8). This lead to a double edged sword from critics for the Aussies, with one half labelling the team as the most qualified team we have had represent the Green and Gold, as well as the half declaring that half the squad weren’t fit enough and slowing down too rapidly.
England on the other hand were backed by everyone with to go a long way with their experienced squad (as they were at the start of every world cup), the household names of Ferdinand, Rooney, Lampard, Gerard and Terry were finally ready to be the first team since 1966 to hold up the golden achievement and with a dream group who could blame them?
Pim Verbeek had unconscious support of the Australian nation, after the progress made by Guus Hiddink, who was to suspect that his fellow Dutchman would lead the team so a stray. But it was a gradual process, for months the team was getting less and less creative, with a disturbing looking tactic of lateral passes and a less than convincing formation of 4-2-3-1 with two holding midfielders and Kennedy on his own up front with the 3 other midfielders were to feed off him. Out of the blue on the eve of the biggest game in 4 years for the Aussies, Coach Verbeek decides to drop Bresciano and Kennedy and play Cahill (who is a star in his own right, but is not a striker) up front against the baby faced Germans. And we all know what happened, so there is no need to re-hash what were the most disappointing moments in Australian Football history. Needless to say, Pim was to blame. While Cahill’s red card wasn’t helpful, if we had gone out and at least played the boring game plan that Pim had insisted on for months, perhaps we may have got a point out it.
But first, let’s start of with the deceptive similarities between the two lands.
Baring a few players our squad was pretty much the same as four years ago (much like England), and despite all cosmetic enthusiasts efforts, there has been no way to stop from ageing and our inexperienced squad of 2006 were dubbed hardened veterans this year in South Africa, the ageing Socceroos in fact had the third oldest squad (28.4), with Brazil second (28.6) and, yep you guessed it, England with the oldest squad in the Tournament (28.8). This lead to a double edged sword from critics for the Aussies, with one half labelling the team as the most qualified team we have had represent the Green and Gold, as well as the half declaring that half the squad weren’t fit enough and slowing down too rapidly.
England on the other hand were backed by everyone with to go a long way with their experienced squad (as they were at the start of every world cup), the household names of Ferdinand, Rooney, Lampard, Gerard and Terry were finally ready to be the first team since 1966 to hold up the golden achievement and with a dream group who could blame them?
Pim Verbeek had unconscious support of the Australian nation, after the progress made by Guus Hiddink, who was to suspect that his fellow Dutchman would lead the team so a stray. But it was a gradual process, for months the team was getting less and less creative, with a disturbing looking tactic of lateral passes and a less than convincing formation of 4-2-3-1 with two holding midfielders and Kennedy on his own up front with the 3 other midfielders were to feed off him. Out of the blue on the eve of the biggest game in 4 years for the Aussies, Coach Verbeek decides to drop Bresciano and Kennedy and play Cahill (who is a star in his own right, but is not a striker) up front against the baby faced Germans. And we all know what happened, so there is no need to re-hash what were the most disappointing moments in Australian Football history. Needless to say, Pim was to blame. While Cahill’s red card wasn’t helpful, if we had gone out and at least played the boring game plan that Pim had insisted on for months, perhaps we may have got a point out it. Fabio Capello, like Verbeek, had an impressive qualifying recording against some daunting opposition 
like Andorra, Belarus and Kazakhstan and was probably the first England manager that could take a breath before drowning in the British tabloids’ criticism and cynical berating. However the love-affair he had with the Three Lion Community and supporters was quickly abolished with some of the squad selections after the injury to Ferdinand were defined as rash and over precaution. And by the second round it had seemed that the Italian also couldn’t put a foot right with the final 11 he put out on the field, with Heskey and Rooney miss-firing in the 1-1 draw with USA the Algerian game was screaming for more flair up front and with an injury to King (Ferdinand’s replacement) Fabio seemed to concern himself with the defensive attributes of the team instead of trusting his squad to solider on. England scraped through with a goal from the energetic Defoe against Slovenia but, as has been reported, was carved up against the clear favourites of the final four, Germany, as they did to Australia in round one.
So now to decipher the vital differences mentioned earlier.
Firstly, the supporters, It brought tears to my eyes each time I heard the Australian national anthem sung by at least 30,000 Aussies wearing green and gold at each of the three group games played around South Africa, it was a sight unseen before and it indeed made me so very proud to call myself an Australian. England on the other hand, while they were probably more in number and the sigh of relief could be heard all the way back in London when the final whistle went in their last round match, the supporters embarrassed themselves with a onslaught of ‘boos’ and jeers after the 0-0 game with Algeria which caused a nasty reaction from the always refined Wayne Rooney. So I put it to the England supporters, choose a side and stick to it, while I am not the biggest fan of your football team, its completely unfair to have such a bi-polar approach to you country’s national team! Either love them, or hate them. And just remember how hard it is to do what they do.
like Andorra, Belarus and Kazakhstan and was probably the first England manager that could take a breath before drowning in the British tabloids’ criticism and cynical berating. However the love-affair he had with the Three Lion Community and supporters was quickly abolished with some of the squad selections after the injury to Ferdinand were defined as rash and over precaution. And by the second round it had seemed that the Italian also couldn’t put a foot right with the final 11 he put out on the field, with Heskey and Rooney miss-firing in the 1-1 draw with USA the Algerian game was screaming for more flair up front and with an injury to King (Ferdinand’s replacement) Fabio seemed to concern himself with the defensive attributes of the team instead of trusting his squad to solider on. England scraped through with a goal from the energetic Defoe against Slovenia but, as has been reported, was carved up against the clear favourites of the final four, Germany, as they did to Australia in round one.So now to decipher the vital differences mentioned earlier.
Firstly, the supporters, It brought tears to my eyes each time I heard the Australian national anthem sung by at least 30,000 Aussies wearing green and gold at each of the three group games played around South Africa, it was a sight unseen before and it indeed made me so very proud to call myself an Australian. England on the other hand, while they were probably more in number and the sigh of relief could be heard all the way back in London when the final whistle went in their last round match, the supporters embarrassed themselves with a onslaught of ‘boos’ and jeers after the 0-0 game with Algeria which caused a nasty reaction from the always refined Wayne Rooney. So I put it to the England supporters, choose a side and stick to it, while I am not the biggest fan of your football team, its completely unfair to have such a bi-polar approach to you country’s national team! Either love them, or hate them. And just remember how hard it is to do what they do. Australia 1 – 0 England
The managers as mentioned earlier had a tough time of it to say the least. Both men’s integrity and ability was questioned, and while Fabio took England to the group of 16 and Pim mustered an inspiring performance out of the team both, for me, are out of their depth.
Australia need a coach that is going to be both discipline and creative to ensure the beautiful game continues to grow back home, and while Craig Foster may have gone over board with some comments of Pim’s ‘betrayal’ he is not on his own, many would feel, cheated, this world cup.
England needs a father figure to try turning the over confident, underachieving band of brothers into a well oiled, disciplined, excitement machine. But to achieve this, he will need to be a manager with a little bit of self admiration and unfortunately Liverpool have snapped up Roy Hodgson…
Australia is rid of their issue and ready to start again, while England has signed theirs for $6M for another campaign.
Australia need a coach that is going to be both discipline and creative to ensure the beautiful game continues to grow back home, and while Craig Foster may have gone over board with some comments of Pim’s ‘betrayal’ he is not on his own, many would feel, cheated, this world cup.
England needs a father figure to try turning the over confident, underachieving band of brothers into a well oiled, disciplined, excitement machine. But to achieve this, he will need to be a manager with a little bit of self admiration and unfortunately Liverpool have snapped up Roy Hodgson…
Australia is rid of their issue and ready to start again, while England has signed theirs for $6M for another campaign.
Australia 2 – 0 England
Finally, Who ever watched the Australia Germany game, would no doubt have had the same thought as I, how on earth will these guys bounce back and after conceding the penalty and losing Harry Kewell in the Ghana game the situation looked all but hopeless, but the humility and determination of the team dug deeper than imaginable and pulled through a wonderful second half and our best performance against Serbia in the final game in particular with the performances of Cahill, Emerton, Neil, Wilkshire and Holman something to remember for a long time and truly depicted the spirit of a determined, passionate group of people.
While England showed a bit of metal on the field in thei
r last game, there seemed to be a lack of confidence from the injured captain as he declared that the players were to have a crisis talk, then Capello said that no such thing occurred and Gerard wasn’t sure which way to turn when asked. But what concerns me most about dear Gerrard is his mentality, and I wonder if it has spread like a disease throughout the camp, but when asked (after the Algeria game) how disappointed everyone was and if Algeria deserved the point, his reaction of ‘… yeah the boys are really disappointed and yeah this is their world cup so good on them, but we really need to improve’ made my blood boil, just exactly who do you think you are? What gives you the right to completely sully an entire nation’s effort? Take a long hard look at yourselves, for you are not the be all and end all of footballers, and you’re over inflated egos are the main apprehension obstructing your mediocre performances and true success.Final: Australia 3 – 0 England
So to the Australian supporters who believe we have had a disappointing cup. We received more points than a third of the teams including Italy, France and Greece. We have a chance to start again with a new coach and new players like Rukavytsya, Wilkshire and Valerie just to name a few. And the support from such a young nation in terms of World Game experience was awe inspiring.
Here’s to the next four years!
Here’s to the next four years!
