Never leave a game early.
After a 32-year absence from sport’s biggest stage, the Socceroos returned in the most dramatic fashion, something that was probably fitting given how they qualified for the tournament in the first place. On a steamy day in Kaiserslautern, Australia fell behind in the 26th minute when a cross by Shunsuke Nakamura was not dealt with by Mark Schwarzer and went into the net. The Australian players and fans were frustrated as they felt he was impeded by the run of Naohiro Takahara, but the decision of referee Essay Abd El Fatah stood.
As the second half progressed, Australia pressed further and further forward, searching desperately for a goal. A win was imperative with the defending champions Brazil up next, however things began to look dire as the game entered its final 10 minutes. In the 84th minute, off a Lucas Neill long throw into the box, the ball found its way to Tim Cahill’s feet and he poked home an equaliser, sending the players and fans in gold into rapture. After all, it was their first ever World Cup finals goal.
CONFIRMED: Socceroos to begin second stage of World Cup qualifying in Perth
Having sent on a plethora of attackers, the Socceroos continued to press for a winner and they found one five minutes later. Once again, it was Cahill stepping up and winning the game. After a series of head tennis, the ball was delivered to Cahill, who took two touches and curled the ball in from 20 yards out off both posts. The Japanese had to overhaul their strategy at this point, removing the substitute defender Moniwa, who had come on the help shut up shop. As they now looked for an equaliser to try and salvage a point, Australia hit them with a stoppage time counter-attack. John Aloisi took the ball and resisted feeding it to Viduka ahead of him as it would have been offside, instead making the run himself, firing in to secure all three points and a historic game that everyone watching will never forget.
That’s why we pay him
Anyone questioning the decision to go and hire Guus Hiddink needs only to look at this game to quash any lingering doubts over his aptitude. After his sending off in a recent friendly, Luke Wilkshire looked much more assured in his right-back spot this time round and rewarded the manager’s faith in him.
10 years ago today, this happened. #Socceroos pic.twitter.com/tYZtbBxeTu
— Outside90 (@Outside90) June 12, 2016
One area the Socceroos are not short on is attacking talent and it showed with the impact the substitutes made. Like Harry Kewell in Sydney, Tim Cahill came off the bench and helped turn the game in the Australians’ favour with two goals. Josh Kennedy did not register on the scoresheet but his height proved to be a valuable asset over the Japanese defenders. His final substitute Aloisi made a clever play at the end to provide the third goal to further cement his legacy in Australian football.
A well managed game from Hiddink combined with the fitness and never say die attitude helped get the Socceroos over the line.
A new sense of belief
With the history of Australian football up until November last year, you could have been forgiven for thinking that this was going to be more heartbreak when the Japanese goal went in. But this time, it is different.
While this side might not be worldbeaters, they are the best equipped team to take the field in a long time. There was no dropping of heads by the players and there was a sense that they would be able to fight back. Obviously they would have preferred to do so a bit earlier than they did, yet any win is a welcome one.
Watching this team play, you feel like they are in with a semi-decent chance every game and that they belong on this stage. It helps to have a number of players involved at top-flight clubs as they have seen football operating on the highest stage.
The birth of a rivalry?
With Australia’s move to Asia being officially finalised at the end of this tournament, this might give next June’s Asian Cup a bit more spice if Australia and Japan face off again. Based on this game, the two sides are relatively evenly matched. The best way for a team to gain traction in a new setting is to develop rivalries and the dramatic finish here might be the birth of something special between the two East Asian nations.
If the next few matches can replicate even a fraction of the drama and excitement of this game, we are in for something special.
What’s next?
There will be no time for crazy celebrations in the Australian camp as they have to regroup and prepare for a game against Brazil in Munich on Sunday afternoon. Japan will face Croatia in Nuremberg before that game. With three points already in the bank, the Socceroos are now in a great position to advance as a draw in either remaining game could be enough to send them to the round of 16.
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