Australia at the World Cup

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

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 16th 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.

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.

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.

Lucas Neill -

Every player, especially those with youth on their side, needs a player that can look up to and the Australians have that in captain Lucas Neill. The 31 year-old certainly has experience on his side after spending eight years in the English premiership with Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United. He was also the youngest player to play for Australia when he made his début all the way back in 1996. The full-back looks to lead by example at the back and although he has yet to score his first international goal for his country, he has been a huge influence in their bid to make the finals in South Africa next year.

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.

Qualification:

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

Qualifying Statistics:

- Australia were one of just two sides in the Asia qualifying zone to maintain an unbeaten record throughout qualification. Six wins and two draws resulted in an eight match run without defeat.
- Australia had the leanest defensive record in the Asian qualifying zone with just one goal conceded in their eight qualifying matches in Group 1.
- With 12 goals from 8 games, Australia had the join highest goal tally in the Asian zone.
- The ‘Aussies‘ made sure their players got the full support they needed when playing at home and this showed in their four successive victories back on Australian soil.
- Everton’s Tim Cahill and Blackburn’s Brett Emerton finished qualifying as Australia’s top goalscorers with four goals each.

World Cup Potential:   2 / 5

Australia will be a tricky opponent in South Africa as they have the potential to spring a shock or two. However, they do rely solely on their more influential players and were one of them to hit the injury table, you would have to have serious doubts over their chances. They lack strength in depth within their ranks and it’s hard to see the ‘Aussies’ going all the way in Africa.

World Cup Group D - Table

World Cup Fixtures and Results