The west of Sydney is the focus of entire continents this weekend, and certainly the focus of every football-loving fan in Australia.
Fans, eyeballs and even VIP’s and VVIP’s (yes, there’s a difference – at the games, they are split into two different functions. Don’t dare try to be a VVIP if you’re only a VIP) will converge on the scene of so far, our greatest modern day football triumph.
There’s a bit of a debate at FOX as to what is potentially the greater achievement – qualifying for the World Cup in 2005, or winning the 2015 Asian Cup.
My vote probably rests with the snapping of the 32 year drought in 2005, when we snuck past a very good Uruguay outfit to make it to the World Cup after so many near misses and utter heartbreak.
That’s not to undervalue what this team and what Ange Postecoglou has been able to do.
Three months ago, questions swirled around this team like they do to the mind of a kid starting school for the first time. There was still excitement for the impending task, but no-one was totally sure of how it would turn out.
Over 40 players were tried and tested in the 13 months since Postecoglou’s appointment. The way he wanted them to play had wavered too greatly – attack, attack, attack! – but sifting through the required personnel to carry out the masterplan was testing patience. Patience many had lost long ago, with the water treading that took place since the highs of 2006.
Now it all seems worth it.
Two wins in 12 before this tournament has turned into four wins from five since, not by accident.
And the way it is taking place, taking it to the opposition full throttle is enjoyable to watch.
A colleague, who was born outside Australia once told me – “Australians never like to find out they aren’t good at something”.
It’s so true, we can’t stand it. It makes us boil. Not to get all jingoistic, but it’s a big reason why this team is one to be proud of – the notion of submission has been banished.
Sure, it may need to be refined when we resume against the powerhouses of world football (in March, we play Germany in a friendly) but that’s not now.
Hopefully the issue will be forced upon South Korea, like in Brisbane, as this time, unlike two weeks ago, one of the multitude of chances is taken not spurned.
If we do win it in the most dramatic fashion – be it through a Tim Cahill bicycle kick in the 94th minute, or western Sydney boy Mile Jedinak scoring the decisive penalty in a shootout – maybe it will surpass 2005 as our most memorable night.
Whatever the case, however it’s done, should Australia triumph, it would cap an impeccable three weeks of football in the best way possible.
