The Socceroos win over Japan yesterday was sensational - one of the greatest Australian sporting moments. The latest Australian code of football which is undertaking a meteoric rise and becoming a love by all Aussie sport fans.
We have never been a soccer nation but now Rugby administrators must be concerned with the threat that soccer both internationally and domestically is posing upon our winter sport choices. With over 1 million children all ready enrolled in soccer, the world cup will only enhance the playing numbers, ala the effect the Ashes had on cricket last summer.
To score three goals in eight minutes is an almighty feat especially against the Asian champions, Japan. Tim Cahill, Josh Kennedy and John Alioisi provided the spark the Australian attack so desperately needed. Not to discredit Marcus Bresciano or Harry Kewell, but these names were unknown to the everyday Aussie, who are now tainting our soccer stars as heroes, emulating the success of League and Union legends such as Wally Lewis or David Campese.
A transition of Australian culture and the embracement of soccer, the international football is encouraging for our presence on the world sporting stage. Showcasing our diversity and talent, these soccer players must give credit to the management behind them.
Guus Hiddik, the mastermind. What a superb coach, and how lucky we are to have him at the helm at the time when Australian soccer was reaching a boom. Guus has turned a mediocre team into a team that needs to be take notice of. His success against Uruguay, The Netherlands and now Japan are Australian soccers greatest claims.
I for one had no interest in soccer until the A-league rolled around, we defeated Uruguay and world cup fever came to town. John O’Neill must be commended for his leadership of the Football Federation of Australia. His success as Australia Rugby Union Chief Executive Officer can now be paralleled for what he has done for soccer in Australia.
The foresight to develop a national A-League competition, employ a renowned world coach and bring the hype and media attention to the game in this country can all be thankful to John and Frank Lowy. Do not discredit the service SBS has also provided to this game.
Les Murray and Simon Hill lead a commendable commentary team and analysts. The coverage has been professional and given soccer much credit.
Australians love to celebrate. They love their sport. They love the victories in sport. They love their heroes. They love to share a beer or two or three with any Tom, Dick and Harry in celebration of feats like this.
The most positive outcome of this world cup and Australia’s success will not be the rise of soccer or the formation of heroes, but the potential power soccer has to combine Australians together as one, under one banner, one nation, arm in arm.
With the Cronulla race riots now dead and buried, soccer can be the vehicle used to combine our ethnic and racial differences, united under one sense of Australian pride and values, one sense of nationalism.
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