Australia will try and fight its way through one of the toughest groups in the 2014 World Cup.
Ranked 59th in the FIFA World rankings, Australia is often considered a lesser threat during World Cup campaigns. However, the Socceroos participated three times to the international competition and achieved the Round of 16 in 2006, when they got eliminated by the winners of that tournament, Italy.
During the qualification rounds to the 2014 World Cup, Australia initially achieved first place in Group D, winning every game except one loss against second-placed Oman. During the more competitive second round however, the Socceroos reached the second place in the group, with three wins, four draws, including twice against Japan, and only one loss against third-place Jordan.
The Socceroos will have a difficult task in Brazil this Summer
Despite the young average-age of the team from down under, they can count on some very talented and experienced players, like Crystal Palace’s Mile Jedinak. As the team captain, Jedinak is one of the team’s best players, controlling the tempo of the game and maneuvering every play from the midfield. Another threat on the Socceroos is surely Tim Cahill, who plays as a forward for the New York Red Bulls and acts as vice-captain for his national team.
Tim Cahill celebrates his team's qualification to the 2014 World Cup
Angelos Postecoglou, Australia’s manager, is the country’s most successful domestic club coach with two premierships, four championships and one continental title. Due to the very harsh draw, that will see them battling either Netherlands or Spain for a miraculous second place in their Group, the Greek-Australian manager seems to consider this campaign a trial.
Mile Jedinak overpowering Valencia during Australia's game against Ecuador
In fact, Postecoglou included a very young team in his provisional 30-man squad, to give the players he would consider calling in 2018, a real taste of the toughest competition in the world. However, the squad also features some experienced players, as the abovementioned Cahill and Jedinak, but also Mark Bresciano, Alex Wilkinson, and Mark Milligan, all 28 or older. At 25.5 however, the team’s average-age remains dangerously low.
The Australian players celebrate reaching the qualification to the Brazil World Cup
