Australia’s opening World Cup fixture sees them facing the highly fancied Chile. But coach Ange Postecoglou believes the Socceroos have a secret weapon that could see them through.
It’s not experience. Despite this being Mark Milligan, Marc Bresciano and Tim Cahill’s third World Cup, only six of Australia’s 23-man squad have been to the tournament before.
It’s not playing in the world’s most competitive leagues either. Mile Jedinak is at Crystal Palace. Squad goalkeeper Mitch Langerak plays at Borussia Dortmund, but that’s about it. The rest play in Australia’s domestic A League or in lower divisions/’lesser’ teams throughout the world (including Bailey Wright of Preston North End).
No, Postecoglou’s secret weapon is belief. He may have a point. Chile carry a level of expectation into this World Cup they have rarely experienced. The pressure on Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez to lead an intense attacking line could be their undoing.
Australia travel without any expectation – from the outside world at least– and that leaves them free to play without fear or pressure. Well, that’s what Postecoglou’s hoping.
For the Socceroos to have any chance their defence will have to demonstrate a precision at bus-parking that would put National Express to shame. So a backline of (probably) Franjic, Spiranovic, Wilkinson and Davidson will need to remain resolute and hope that the footballing gods, a dodgy pitch or a display of refereeing eccentricity will look favourably on forward Tim Cahill.
Australia will also be hoping Bresciano (formerly of Lazio; now with Qatari team Al-Gharafa), who has been passed fit following a niggling back injury, will be able to support Cahill in what could otherwise be a rather lonely role.
You can watch Chile v Australia Watch live on ITV or listen on BBC Radio 5 live.
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