The Road To Germany 2006 - Part I

Marc Fox on Australia's attempts to qualify for World Cup 2006.

Qualifying for the World Cup Finals has become the game’s obsession in Australia. The latest generation of supporters have witnessed nothing but disappointment ever since the Socceroos’ sole finals appearance in West Germany 31 years ago.

FIFA’s decision to renege on an offer to allow Oceania’s group winners a direct route to the World Cup further rankles with the Australian public. From the federation’s first attempt to qualify in 1966, the leading nation has been forced to play off against sides from Asia, Europe and South America. Only twice have the Antipodeans been successful.

Being the dominant force in Oceania is a double-edged sword. Australia are rarely tested as they typically stroll through the regional group stages alongside New Zealand and the Pacific Island nations. Then once every four years, they struggle to match a powerful side from a seasoned footballing zone.

To reach next year’s finals in Germany, Australia must first get past the Solomon Islands (FIFA ranking 134) in September’s play-off double-header. They then face the fifth-placed South American nation (currently Colombia – FIFA ranking 25) in a daunting decider.

Which is why the Confederations Cup is so important.

It’s Australia’s only competitive action against sides anywhere near them in the world rankings; their only meaningful run-out against the standard of opposition they’ll likely meet in the CONMEBOL play-off.

In his notes to the world’s media prior to the Confederations Cup, Football Australia Chief Executive John O’Neill stated openly that the quality of the opposition in these matches would prepare the Socceroos ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers. The priority for coach Frank Farina was crystal clear.

Which makes the final analysis of Australia’s displays in Germany rather uncomfortable reading. The Socceroos returned home empty-handed from a tournament in which they have previously sparkled, suffering three straight defeats.

Despite these losses, Farina maintained there were positives to take from the competition.

Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka are not irreplaceable

So long the standard bearers for Australian football, the Socceroos coped with the absences of their most famous exports. Kewell missed the tournament after succumbing to a groin operation while Viduka was selected for the squad but made little impact in just two halves of football.

Happily, according to Farina, their replacements were the standout performers of the three-match campaign.

John Aloisi and Scott Chipperfield received the coach’s plaudits for their impressive contributions. Aloisi, the former Osasuna forward who’ll play Champions League football with Panathinaikos this season, struck twice each against Germany and Argentina, finishing runner-up to Adriano as the tournament’s leading scorer. Moreover, the consistent striker once again proved he could make the most of limited service. Aloisi’s four strikes stretched his tally to 21 goals in 35 internationals.

Chipperfield of Swiss champions Basle played on the left-side of midfield and combined generous crossing with defensive discipline. Although arguably Harry Kewell offers more going forward, the reliable Chipperfield is better suited to Australia’s system, can fill in at left-back and provides greater stability and balance than the Liverpool star.

The preferred system has been determined

Despite a plethora of attacking options, Australia’s performances proved the players operate best under their tried and tested 4-5-1 formation. The coach experimented with the team’s structure – from starting with two upfront to playing just three at the back – but other variants left Australia’s defence looking vulnerable.

As it was, the Socceroos conceded ten times in three games, many of the goals described by Farina as “soft and stupid”. In truth an aging rearguard was often outfoxed as much as outplayed.

The Confederations Cup will have taught Farina that deploying five across the midfield is a requisite, particularly looking forward to November’s potential South American outing. Such a quintet errs of the side of caution without being overly defensive. Two from Tim Cahill, Mark Bresciano and Josip Skoko, footballers whose instincts attract them towards goal, can still threaten in attack with a targetman furthest forward.

Australia don’t know when they’re beaten

Farina has moulded a team that are resolute and gritty but too often make it hard for themselves by conceding first. At no point during this tournament were the Socceroos ahead. Similarly, earlier this year, they went behind in friendlies against Iraq and South Africa.

It’s not as if the players start slowly – quite the opposite. Australia were first out the blocks against Germany and Argentina only to be sucker-punched around 15 minutes in. Forever chasing the game made their opponent’s intricate short passing appear ridiculously simple.

Records show that when Australia take the lead, they invariably keep it. Patience is essential: the longer the game remains deadlocked, the better their chances.

The players are not scared of the big stage

One major positive is the Socceroos are full of know-how. All members of the Confederations Cup squad have played top-flight European football. Furthermore, Farina was unable to call on three of his more experienced regulars in Parma duo Vince Grella and Mark Bresciano and Birmingham City’s Stan Lazaridis.

Opening the competition in the brand new Waldstadion in Frankfurt against the hosts offered further proof the players are not intimated stepping into a hostile atmosphere. Ultimately, though, Farina’s spin doctoring just wasn’t enough. The day of Brazil’s 4-1 victory over Argentina in the Confederations Cup Final, four years since the coach had steered Australia to the semi-finals, Farina had been dumped by the increasingly impatient FFA regime. For a highly competitive sporting nation unused to losing, qualifying for the World Cup Finals has become a mission not for the fainthearted.

Australian A-League Factfile

A-League Clubs

Adelaide United

Central Coast Mariners

Melbourne Victory

Newcastle United Jets

Perth Glory

Queensland Roar

Sydney FC

Wellington Phoenix

The teams are based in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Newcastle, Brisbane, Gosford and Wellington, New Zealand
A squad no greater than 23 players is allowed
A minimum of three players must be under 20 years of age
As with most Australian sports, a salary cap has been imposed: A$1.5m per annum
One designated 'marquee' player can be paid outside this cap
Top four sides at the season°s end will play-off to decide the eventual champions in February 2006