Betting odds Australia

Manager: Pim Verbeek
Captain: Lucas Neill
FIFA Ranking: 16
World Cup Appearances: 2 – 1974, 2006
Best World Cup: 2006 – Last 16

Australia Team Profile

Australian manager Pim Verbeek will be aiming to eclipse the 2006 World Cup which seen Australia go as far as the last sixteen under former manager Guus Hiddink. Australia had to contend with the likes of Brazil, Croatia and Japan in group F and yet Guus Hiddink guided the ‘Aussies‘ out of a very tough group with their only defeat in the group stage coming against the classy Brazilians.

The 2006 finals was just Australia’s second world cup appearance but football has really started to take off down under and for a country that went over 40 years without a world cup apperance before the 2006 finals, the ‘Aussies‘ have now reserved a place in their second successive World Cup. That’s a massive achievement for a country that has only just come to light in terms of producing some players with real quality.

Australia go into the World Cup as the 20th best team in the world according to the FIFA World Rankings. They certainly have the right form heading into the finals but they have one huge weaknesses and that’s their lack of strength in depth. Their first eleven could push even the top teams close but they only have a team right now, not a squad. They have a great chance of bypassing the group stage but when it comes to competing against the classier countries, after some gruelling group games, we expect the Australians to unfortunately come up second best.

Nicknames: Socceroos

Manager

Pim Verbeek is a Dutch manager who spent most of his playing career in the Dutch league with Sparta Rotterdam, Roda JC and NAC Breda. However, Pim Verbeek made a name for himself when aiding South Korea to the Semi-Finals in the 2002 World Cup when he was assistant manager under Guus Hiddink. Before taken over as manager of Australia in 2007, Pim Verbeek led South Korea to a third place finish in 2006 at the AFC Asian Championship and has now guided Australia to their third world cup appearance.

Pim Verbeek prefers to play with two holding midfielders and concentrates his attacking emphasis down the flanks. He tends to employ just the one front man with the tactic of overloading the opposing defence with crosses from the wings. Pim has been criticised back in Australia for playing ‘Dull football’ but remains adamant that as long as his team reaches the finals, it doesn’t matter what style of football they play.

Australia Key Players

Tim Cahill

The Everton maestro has been the best player to come out of Australia for some time, and with the likes of Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell bracing the Premiership in recent years, that’s some statement to make. Not only can the former Millwall play-maker create a goalscoring opportunity out of nothing but he’s made a reputation from being a nuisance in the oppositions penalty area, especially from set-pieces. Despite not being the tallest of players at 5ft 10in, he has an immense talent for putting himself in the right place at the right time and defenders often struggle to pick the little ‘Aussie’ up. Cahill has become a talisman for Australia and he will be crucial to their chances in south Africa.

Mark Schwarzer

The Fulham goalkeeper has bags of experience on his C.V. and has been a sought after keeper throughout his career. When Middlesborough let Schwarzer leave, some Australian critics thought Mark would find it hard to remain as the ‘Aussie’ number 1 in goal but he’s made that position his own and his performances, not only for his country but for his club as well, has reinstated his stance as the best goalkeeper in Australia at current. Schwarzer is the most capped player in the squad with 68 caps and his experience and quality at the back will be a huge boost for manager Pim Verbeek.

Australia Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: Asia
Group: 1
Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 6-2-0
Goals Scored: 12
Goals Conceded: 1

World Cup Potential: 3/5

Football, or Soccer as it’s referred to over in Australia, is growing at a rate of knots ‘Down Under’ and it’s easy to see why when you see the national team performing so well, encouraging the younger generation to take up a sport which had been overshadowed by a number of other sports for decades. The country got right behind their team when they made their first ever appearance in a World Cup back in 2006 and they’ll do the exact same the second time around.

In fairness, Australia don’t have a particularly bad set up considering they’re one of the outsiders to win the competition. They have a world-class goalkeeper in Mark Schwarzer, a super shot-stopper and a man who commands his box with authority. Their defence doesn’t have many household names but the ones they do have tonnes of grit and determination, and a heap of experience needed on the big stage; Lucas Neill (53 Caps), Brett Emerton (72 Caps) and Scott Chipperfield (63 Caps) three of the more experienced Australian defenders. With Tim Cahill (19 Goals), Harry Kewell (13 Goals) and Scott McDonald (0 Goals) all strutting their stuff in the final third of the pitch, the Australians might just have enough to etch enough points to sneak through what is a difficult Group.

Australia were drawn in a tough group back in 2006 and they battled their way through adversity. They’ve  been put in a similarly difficult group this time around as well. However, while the group does look tough on paper, it’s mainly because it’s a competitive group and that’s good news for the Australians as it means they have just as much chance of making the knock-put stage for the second World Cup running as the rest in Group D; Germany, Serbia and Ghana, of making the last-sixteen. The Aussies could be South Africa’s Dark Horses.

Australia World Cup Betting Odds

Australia to win the World Cup: 500/1 Bet365

Before the World Cup the odds on Australia were 150/1 

Official Australia World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Mark Schwarzer (Fulham)

Brad Jones (Middlesbrough)

Adam Federici (Reading)

Defenders

Craig Moore

Lucas Neill (Galatasaray Istanbul)

Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscow)

Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel)

David Carney (FC Twente Enschede)

Mark Milligan (JEF United)

Michael Beauchamp (Al-Jazira)

Midfielders

Jason Culina (Gold Coast)

Tim Cahill (Everton)

Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers)

Mark Bresciano (Palermo)

Vincenzo Grella (Blackburn Rovers)

Brett Holman (Alkmaar)

Carl Valeri (Sassuolo)

Mile Jedinak (Antalyaspor Kulubu)

Richard Garcia (Hull City)

Dario Vidosic (MSV Duisburg)

Strikers

Harry Kewell (Galatasaray)

Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus)

Nikita Rukavytsya (Twente Enschede)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 Australia Fixtures – Group D

World Cup 2010 Group D - Table

World Cup Fixtures and Results

World Cup betting will pay much head to the deadline announcement day, as it is packed with some interesting International friendly matches. Team have to submit their final 23 man World Cup squads to FIFA on the deadline of June 1st, and while some, like Brazil, have already named their 23, there is much speculation about over the likes of who England manager Fabio Capello will cut from his squad after less than impressive warm up matches. All of the speculation will be over on June 1st, as the world learns who will be showing up at South Africa 2010 from all nations. It will also help in picking out the best of World Cup Odds, because some big players who are waiting on late fitness tests, could have a huge influence over proceedings, whether they make it or not. England’s Gareth Barry is one of the major names up there. All will be revealed,  but the announcements won’t take away from some interesting action, which could also influence your World Cup betting.

Australia v Denmark
The Australians can at least boast that they were the first team to arrive in South Africa for the World Cup. The Socceroos have landed themselves in Group D along with Germany, Serbia and Ghana, and so they have no easy task on their hands. They beat New Zealand in a warm up, but with all respect, that’s not much to write home about. Denmark won their qualification group ahead of Portugal, and it will be very interesting to see what they can do at the World Cup. They have a great chance of moving on to the second round, as they are in Group E with Holland, Japan and Cameroon. Denmark work well as a team and have some threatening talent up front, but it is their defence which will largely get them through. Their defence should be able to keep the Socceroos at bay, and further their claims as being an interesting outside bet.
Australia to win: 11/8 at Coral
Draw: 12/5 at Bwin
Australia to win: 9/4 at Victor Chandler

Switzerland v Costa Rica
Costa Rica gave France a good run for their money in a recent International Friendly, but are not on their way to the World Cup. Switzerland however, have a lot to play for, and will be quietly confident of reaching the second round. Much like Denmark, they are strong in terms of team spirit and fight. They impressed quite well in their qualification group from the European zone, but have to face leaders in World Cup Odds Spain, as well as Honduras and Chile. This match will give Switzerland some kind of taste of what is to come from the Latin sides they will meet at the World Cup, who will deal in speed and movement, whereas the Swiss will take a more neutral, efficient approach. Would lean towards Switzerland edging this one in the betting.
Switzerland to win: 3/5 at Totesport
Draw: 11/4 at Victor Chandler
Costa Rica to win: 9/2 at Bet365

Netherlands v Ghana
World Cup betting at Bet365 has seen Holland quietly creeping up in the World Cup Odds, shortening in price to 10/1 in the outright market. There has been little fuss or news coming out of the Dutch camp, as they have been going about their business without grabbing any headlines. The only big debate was over whether or not Ruud Van Nistelrooy would make the squad. He didn’t as the squad was cut down to size well ahead of the deadline. Holland made the USA look woeful in an international friendly, and took down Mexico as well. Now the Dutch, who got through their abridged qualification group with a 100% record, face World Cup participants Ghana.. For Ghana, they have lost Chelsea’s Michael Essien, but should still be a very strong team, as they showed at the African Cup of Nation. This match will be a great test of seeing where both teams are standing at ahead of the tournament, but Holland should edge it.
Holland to win: 5/11 at Coral
Draw: 10/3 at Bet365
Ghana: 8/1 at Victor Chandler

Portugal v Cameroon
Cameroon have been having to deal with a public spat between Samuel Eto’o and former World Cup star Roger Milla. Milla cited Eto’o for not having done anything for his country. Eto’o who has netted 44 times in 94 appearances for his country, was debating whether to go to South Africa 2010 after the personal attack on him, wondering why he should bother. But boss Paul Le Guen has picked him in his final 23, and the Inter Milan man will be going. Cameroon recently drew against Slovakia, and appear to be lacking a lot of punch, and may not be as much of a threat as hoped on African soil. Portugal have been unconvincing, and their World Cup Odds are reflecting that. They have plenty of talent, but coach Carlos Queiroz has not been getting the best out of them. They showed a lot of bottle in battling and scrapping to overcome a poor start in qualification to reach the finals, but don’t look strong enough. Interesting match, as both teams should be better than they are. Portugal maybe will have just a little more punch.
Portugal to win: 4/6 at Boylesports
Draw: 13/5 at Bet365
Cameroon to win: 4/1 at Paddy Power
 

Group D World Cup Betting Preview: This is a very interesting 2010 FIFA World Cup group, and one which England fans will be keeping a keen eye on. The winners and runners-up of England’s Group C and this group will come face to face in the last sixteen, and will play a big part in England’s World Cup fixtures.

World Cup Teams: Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana

There is a potential clash of England v Germany if one of them wins their group and the other finishes as runner’s-up. Either way, England should well be wary of the threat that the other European team in Group D, Serbia could potentially bring. All expectancy, and betting on Germany at the World Cup, will be on the Germans to win the group. They are the ones with all of the World Cup history, holding the most World Cup appearances along with Brazil. Germany, while fairly comfortable through European qualification, were still pushed all of the way for top spot by Russia. The Germans won out in the end, largely thanks to the heavy goal contribution from Bayern Munich’s Miroslav Klose, who weighed in with seven goals. Germany’s 1-0 win in Russia at the end of the campaign was the crucial turning point which secured automatic qualification for South Africa 2010. Australia did not have any troubles getting through their qualification zone, finishing comfortably ahead of Japan after moving to the Asian qualification zone. The plucky Socceroos will be aiming to make a lively impact in June when they take on Group D. The level of their progress could be determined in the early stages of the competition, as they have to take on Germany in their first game. They will target the other two games as being more winnable, but could in all honesty be struggling not to finish bottom. What can Serbia bring to the World stage? Serbia pushed the French into second place in their qualifying group, and that secured their inaugural appearance at a World Cup. If you want to talk about dark horses out of the teams participating in World Cup 2010, then Serbia could be one of those really good teams to draw out of the office Sweepstakes. Proved that they are a good technical side, with a good eye for goal. Albeit not in the strongest qualification group, they caused a surprise in finishing first and will now grace the World Cup, and should be entertaining. There is no reason for them to have any doubts about picking up second place, and therefore become potential opponents for England in the first knockout stage. African side Ghana will be hoping to build on the modicum of success that they earned themselves at the African Cup of Nations. Plagued with injuries, Ghana fielded a relatively young and inexperienced side at the African Cup of Nations, and still reached the semi finals. If they can field a strong side, then they will be a powerful threat, potentially the strongest of the African nations participating. World Cup betting will have them as favourites to finish in second place behind Germany, but this group will be very tight. Reached South Africa 2010 easily, even being allowed to take their foot off the gas. One of the most intriguing groups in the World Cup and betting may be split. The Germans will be their efficient best, and progress will be expected of them, however, there are serious potentials for a surprise or two here.

Group D Betting Stats (World Cup History form in brackets)
(Final outcomes of Golden Goal, Extra Time and Penalty Shoot Out results count as wins or losses)

Germany: As one of the countries with the most World Cup history, there is not much competitive history between the combatants in this group. Germany did beat Australia 3-0 at the 1974 World Cup in their only encounter, and have not played Serbia as they are at the moment, nor have they encountered the African’s Ghana. Should all make for very interesting viewing. (P92, W55, D19, L18)

Australia: Still relatively inexperienced, but gutsy and sprightly nonetheless. Have only managed one win in their 7 World Cup matches, and in tough, competitive group here. Only that one piece of history against Germany as above, and have not played either Ghana or Serbia. (P7, W1, D2, L4)

Ghana: Strong African side with a lot of potential if they roll out their strongest line up, but even their youth looks promising, even if lacking experience. Have not encountered any of their group opponents in the World Cup before.  (P4, W2, D0, L2)

Serbia: This is their first visit to the World cup as the nation of Serbia. Therefore no history, which makes them great dark horses. (P0, W0, D0, L0)

World Cup Group D - Table

Group Stage Fixture List

World Cup Betting at Ladbrokes for Outright Winner of Group C, has Serbia at 7/2, Ghana at 4/1, Australia at 5/1 and Germany are favourites at 10/11 (and 9/1 to Win the World Cup Outright).

Manager: Pim Verbeek
Captain: Lucas Neill
FIFA Ranking: 16
World Cup Appearances: 2 – 1974, 2006
Best World Cup: 2006 – Last 16

Australia Team Profile

Australian manager Pim Verbeek will be aiming to eclipse the 2006 World Cup which seen Australia go as far as the last sixteen under former manager Guus Hiddink. Australia had to contend with the likes of Brazil, Croatia and Japan in group F and yet Guus Hiddink guided the ‘Aussies‘ out of a very tough group with their only defeat in the group stage coming against the classy Brazilians.

The 2006 finals was just Australia’s second world cup appearance but football has really started to take off down under and for a country that went over 40 years without a world cup apperance before the 2006 finals, the ‘Aussies‘ have now reserved a place in their second successive World Cup. That’s a massive achievement for a country that has only just come to light in terms of producing some players with real quality.

Australia go into the World Cup as the 20th best team in the world according to the FIFA World Rankings. They certainly have the right form heading into the finals but they have one huge weaknesses and that’s their lack of strength in depth. Their first eleven could push even the top teams close but they only have a team right now, not a squad. They have a great chance of bypassing the group stage but when it comes to competing against the classier countries, after some gruelling group games, we expect the Australians to unfortunately come up second best.

Nicknames: Socceroos

Manager

Pim Verbeek is a Dutch manager who spent most of his playing career in the Dutch league with Sparta Rotterdam, Roda JC and NAC Breda. However, Pim Verbeek made a name for himself when aiding South Korea to the Semi-Finals in the 2002 World Cup when he was assistant manager under Guus Hiddink. Before taken over as manager of Australia in 2007, Pim Verbeek led South Korea to a third place finish in 2006 at the AFC Asian Championship and has now guided Australia to their third world cup appearance.

Pim Verbeek prefers to play with two holding midfielders and concentrates his attacking emphasis down the flanks. He tends to employ just the one front man with the tactic of overloading the opposing defence with crosses from the wings. Pim has been criticised back in Australia for playing ‘Dull football’ but remains adamant that as long as his team reaches the finals, it doesn’t matter what style of football they play.

Australia Key Players

Tim Cahill

The Everton maestro has been the best player to come out of Australia for some time, and with the likes of Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell bracing the Premiership in recent years, that’s some statement to make. Not only can the former Millwall play-maker create a goalscoring opportunity out of nothing but he’s made a reputation from being a nuisance in the oppositions penalty area, especially from set-pieces. Despite not being the tallest of players at 5ft 10in, he has an immense talent for putting himself in the right place at the right time and defenders often struggle to pick the little ‘Aussie’ up. Cahill has become a talisman for Australia and he will be crucial to their chances in south Africa.

Mark Schwarzer

The Fulham goalkeeper has bags of experience on his C.V. and has been a sought after keeper throughout his career. When Middlesborough let Schwarzer leave, some Australian critics thought Mark would find it hard to remain as the ‘Aussie’ number 1 in goal but he’s made that position his own and his performances, not only for his country but for his club as well, has reinstated his stance as the best goalkeeper in Australia at current. Schwarzer is the most capped player in the squad with 68 caps and his experience and quality at the back will be a huge boost for manager Pim Verbeek.

Australia Qualification for the World Cup

Sector: Asia
Group: 1
Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 6-2-0
Goals Scored: 12
Goals Conceded: 1

World Cup Potential: 3/5

Football, or Soccer as it’s referred to over in Australia, is growing at a rate of knots ‘Down Under’ and it’s easy to see why when you see the national team performing so well, encouraging the younger generation to take up a sport which had been overshadowed by a number of other sports for decades. The country got right behind their team when they made their first ever appearance in a World Cup back in 2006 and they’ll do the exact same the second time around.

In fairness, Australia don’t have a particularly bad set up considering they’re one of the outsiders to win the competition. They have a world-class goalkeeper in Mark Schwarzer, a super shot-stopper and a man who commands his box with authority. Their defence doesn’t have many household names but the ones they do have tonnes of grit and determination, and a heap of experience needed on the big stage; Lucas Neill (53 Caps), Brett Emerton (72 Caps) and Scott Chipperfield (63 Caps) three of the more experienced Australian defenders. With Tim Cahill (19 Goals), Harry Kewell (13 Goals) and Scott McDonald (0 Goals) all strutting their stuff in the final third of the pitch, the Australians might just have enough to etch enough points to sneak through what is a difficult Group.

Australia were drawn in a tough group back in 2006 and they battled their way through adversity. They’ve  been put in a similarly difficult group this time around as well. However, while the group does look tough on paper, it’s mainly because it’s a competitive group and that’s good news for the Australians as it means they have just as much chance of making the knock-put stage for the second World Cup running as the rest in Group D; Germany, Serbia and Ghana, of making the last-sixteen. The Aussies could be South Africa’s Dark Horses.

Australia World Cup Betting Odds

Australia to win the World Cup: 500/1 Bet365

Before the World Cup the odds on Australia were 150/1 

Official Australia World Cup Squad

Goalkeepers

Mark Schwarzer (Fulham)

Brad Jones (Middlesbrough)

Adam Federici (Reading)

Defenders

Craig Moore

Lucas Neill (Galatasaray Istanbul)

Luke Wilkshire (Dynamo Moscow)

Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel)

David Carney (FC Twente Enschede)

Mark Milligan (JEF United)

Michael Beauchamp (Al-Jazira)

Midfielders

Jason Culina (Gold Coast)

Tim Cahill (Everton)

Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers)

Mark Bresciano (Palermo)

Vincenzo Grella (Blackburn Rovers)

Brett Holman (Alkmaar)

Carl Valeri (Sassuolo)

Mile Jedinak (Antalyaspor Kulubu)

Richard Garcia (Hull City)

Dario Vidosic (MSV Duisburg)

Strikers

Harry Kewell (Galatasaray)

Josh Kennedy (Nagoya Grampus)

Nikita Rukavytsya (Twente Enschede)

last update: 18 June 2010

World Cup 2010 Australia Fixtures – Group D

World Cup Group D - Table

World Cup Fixtures and Results

World Cup Group of Australia