With the 2022 World Cup approaching rapidly, there should be optimism among Australian supporters.
Stability
Coach Graham Arnold has been with this group of players for four years now, but that’s not to say there hasn’t been challenges along the way.
Failing to defend the AFC Asian Cup in 2019 and qualify for the World Cup through the regular group phase left Australian supporters disappointed. However, it should not be assumed that coaches and players don’t learn from such experiences.
It’s been four years of preparation for the squad – a strong prelude for some success in Qatar.
Unknown
No-one is expecting Australia to do anything at this World Cup. The Socceroos qualified through a back-door route via a penalty shootout.
The likes of Jason Cummings and Marco Tilio are examples of players waiting to shine on the globe’s biggest competition.
Onlookers will see the side as a walkover, but they shouldn’t be so sure. It was close scores in the 2018 World Cup and could be the same again in 2022.
Character
It would have been all too easy for this team to fold and roll over after failing to qualify at the first time of asking.
Rumours were swirling surrounding the future of the coach as blame shifted away from the players.
However, these players took responsibility and ground their way to a spot in Qatar.
How could we forget Andrew Redmayne? The Sydney FC shot-stopper – who hadn’t had his finest season for the Sky Blues, an epitome of stepping up when it matters following his heroics against Peru.
The big stage will galvanise this group.
We’re actually quite good at the back
It’s three clean sheets in a row for the side as well as an already stout defensive record over the past year. Back-to-back victories against New Zealand without conceding is promising preparation.
With the attacking aspect of the team struggling at times, a good defensive base is an asset most will envy heading into a World Cup.
Feature image credit: Alen Delic
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