Mixed Feelings... The Socceroos are out, what did you make of their World Cup efforts?

They picked up a gutsy 2-1 win over Serbia yesterday, and although it was not enough to see them qualify for the round of 16, they have restored the pride.

Pim Verbeek will now be replaced as national manager and this will mark the end of the ‘golden generation’ of Australian Football. The likes of Craig Moore and Scott Chipperfield have finished their national careers for the Socceroos, whilst the likes of Vincenzo Grella, Marco Bresciano, Harry Kewell, Mark Schwarzer and skipper Lucas Neill may all have potentially played at their last World Cup for Australia.

There is hope though, the impressive performances of players like Brett Holman, Carl Valeri and arguably Australia’s best performer, Luke Wilkshere, conveying that Australia has some very capable players waiting in the ranks.

But for now, that ends Australia’s World Cup campaign for 2010, don’t forget to let us know your thoughts on their efforts in the poll and in the comments section at the end of this page!

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Play Every Minute!

Offence... Pim looks like he will start both Josh Kennedy (left) and Tim Cahill (middle) up front, finally, some might add.

Why?

Australia always performs at their best when it seems no one gives them a chance. Let’s go back four years. The Socceroos could only manage a pre-match draw with Liechtenstein and journalists were writing us off, claiming we are lucky to score a goal let alone a win. But we made the second round.

Let’s go back even further to the game which meant the Socceroos qualified for the 2006 World Cup. Facing a daunting qualifier against Uruguay, the South Americans took a one-goal lead to Sydney. So much did they dominate in that game that the South Americans said it would be a ‘travesty’ if they didn’t beat the Aussies. The rest is history.

Still not convinced?

Serbia have NEVER won a game against a non-European based team at the World Cup and even more telling is that in those three games, they conceded 10 goals. They couldn’t beat New Zealand pre-tournament, they hardly dominated either. Also, so cocky it seems are the Serbians that Coach Radomir Antic has hinted at resting players on a yellow card so they don’t risk a suspension.

If that is true, which we doubt, he will have to rest his entire starting back line and strikers Zigic and Kuzmanovic. But still, like every other team that has played Australia this World Cup, they think a win is a certain result.

What about those red cards you say?

Well here are the facts. Australia have played more than half of their two games with 10 men and have only conceded three goals in that period. Add to the fact that the two players sent off are arguably Australia’s two greatest players at this Cup.

Some are also suggesting that the Australians will also be unable to keep up with Serbia’s slick possession and passing game. But when you look more carefully, Australia have run as astounding 10 kilometres more than Serbia, so they certainly won’t have time to dwell on the ball.

Who’s the ref though?!

Jorge Luis Larrionda Pietrafesa is his name and let’s hope he’s not the reason behind more idiotic decisions. He is card happy and has come under corruption allegations recently, just what we need. The worst thing is that he is from Uruguay! Who appoints these bloody refs? Hopefully he is a bit happier after Uruguay’s undefeated qualification for the round of 16!

Fact is, when the Socceroos have needed to step up in the past they have. They did it against Ghana and I think they’ll do it again here. Form is loss, draw so technically it should equate to a win next in the cycle! Whether or not it’ll be enough to qualify is debatable, but the Germans and Ghanaians are still both a chance to miss out on the next round so let’s hope they get stuck into each other!

Aus 3-1 Serbia.

Surprise... McDonald cut from Australian squad.

It is believed Verbeek informed the players of his decision shortly after the friendly against New Zealand last night.

The announcement does come as a shock though as the three, especially McDonald and Carle, were thought of legitimate chances of making the World Cup squad.

However, it appears McDonald’s poor form for his country ultimately led to his demise. The diminutive striker, who made his name with Celtic before moving to Middlesborough, is still yet to break his duck on the international front.

Carle and North however didn’t even get a run against the All Whites.

Carle, playing for Crystal Palace in England, has often split opinion in the public, however, many believed his versatile and somewhat unorthodox style of play would get him a spot on the plane to South Africa.

The cutting of North was probably the least shocking of the three considering how long he’s been out for and his poor form playing in Korea. The impressive performance of comeback-kid Michael Beauchamp might have also gone against the former Newcastle Jets captain.

Verbeek will now take his 28-man squad to South Africa and will cut it down to his final 23 after friendlies against Denmark and the United States, respectively.

Who fill get the nod for the Roo's?

Good morning all and welcome to this very special occasion. We have for you today live coverage of the announcement of the Australian Socceroos team for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa!! 31 men will be named for now!

Here is the 31-man squad that will be cut to 23 on June 1:

Michael Beachamp
Marco Bresciano
Tim Cahill
Nick Carle
David Carney
Scott Chipperfield
Jason Culina
Brett Emerton
Adam Federici
Eugene Galekovic
Richard Garcia
Vincenzo Grella
James Holland
Brett Holman
Mile Jedinak
Brad Jones
Joshua Kennedy
Harry Kewell
Shane Lowry
Scott McDonald
Mark Milligan
Craig Moore
Lucas Neill
Jade North
Thomas Oar
Nikita Rukavytsya
Mark Schwarzer
Carl Valeri
Dario Vidosic
Luke Wilkshire
Rhys Williams

Meanwhile, the Socceroos have some work to do before Africa 2010. It was a dogged display by the men in gold, and a game where many proved they have what it takes to ground out a result with backs against the wall. ‘Arry Kewell, Timmy Cahill and the Bresc were solid and Lukey Wilkshire was at his consistent best as usual. However, it was at the back where the problems were obvious.

Rhys Williams is a player with a bag of potential, and I think come the World Cup he’ll be on the plane to Africa. His early send off was perhaps harsh, but going by the book, the Chinese ref had no choice. But he needs further experience between now and then.

Although, it was the performance by the skipper which really had me worried come full time. He was sent on a chasing mission all night against a lightning quick Oman attack. In saying that though, it’s not like the Oman front line leads the world in attacking football. Lucas was simply lacking inspiration, something very concerning for the captain of your country. Usually Lucas would lead from the back, but he was surprisingly sluggish throughout the course of the game and at time just didn’t look match fit.

Perhaps it is that he has been lacking game time at new club Everton, or the fact that this was the first season he missed a ‘proper’ pre-season. Concerned? Slightly, considering we don’t normally concede so many chances on one game.

In saying this, I watched bits and pieces of the Oman v Brazil game, and the 2-0 victory to the South American’s was flattering to the Asian country. They barely had a sight at goal, and Brazil was always attacking.

So, what do we get out of this game? 3 points, a leadership-lacking captain and some real character. We’re looking decent for the World Cup, but we need to fine tune some areas. With Josh ‘Jesus’ Kennedy and Vince Grella still to return,  the future for Australian football is getting greener each day.

Cheers

(Ps. Bloody New Zealanders. Congrats. You will get destroyed in the Cup. And it will be a pleasure watching!)