During the Sydney Olympics, I happened to be sitting near Les Murray for one of the Olyroos matches.  Every time I needed to leave my seat I was obliged to climb over Les's knees, all the time smiling and mumbling "excuse me" whilst trying to pretend I had no idea who he was.

The fact that Les, a fully-fledged "football legend", was sitting with the fans rather than in the VIP area says a lot about how relatively small the Australian football landscape really is. If you had told anyone in that stadium the Socceroos would qualify for back-to-back World Cups within the next decade, every one of us would have been jumping for joy.

So why is it that now, only four weeks away from facing Germany (Germany !), in front of an audience of billions, there is so little excitement in the air?  Sure, many of the football faithful are scrutinising World Cup Guides and taking an unhealthy interest in Harry's groin, but what about the general public ?

Since the euphoria of 2006, it seems that for the average Australian, the novelty of  the Socceroos has worn off: been there, done that. We're off to the greatest sporting tournament on earth and Aussies have bought the fourth largest number of tickets, but for most of the media this is apparently not worthy of much attention.

Last week, for example, a Sydney newspaper promised a "World Cup Special" but you had to wade through ten pages of ravings about "The Storm" to find it. I felt like "storming" into the street and screaming "I don't give a flying fruit bat whether the whole NRL implodes - Australia's going to The WORLD CUP, morons!"

And we're going there with the best defensive record of any team in the tournament. Am I the only person in Australia who thinks that's a phenomenal statistic ?

"In most countries in the world, I would be a hero," said Pim rather poignantly.  Well, in the words of a nauseating song; "You're my hero," Pim, and the hero of anyone else not jaded enough to see qualification itself as a massive achievement. 

Even among football supporters, it seems there's a general air of "Don't get your hopes up". A recent documentary showed Tim Cahill watching the WC draw at home.  As Australia were drawn to play Germany, Tim's little son commented: "You're dead ! You are so dead !" 

"Try to be positive," suggested his dad. "I am positive," replied Cahill junior, "Positive you're going to lose!"

Yeah, it's a tough group, but there are no easy groups (except England's, as usual). We have injury concerns but so do Ghana and Germany (ashamed to say I actually punched the air when I heard that Adler was out ) but even with the fittest squad in the world, all of our matches will be nail-biting. 

Although Germany's track record is frankly, terrifying, there are defensive vulnerabilities in their current squad. If we can manage a draw of any kind with them it will be something to be celebrated long and loud.

Dream : 1-1

Reality : 0-0 looks beautiful to me (don't expect the soccer knockers to understand)

Nightmare : 1-1 until 92 mins when Gomez scores (again)

The Black Stars are just as formidable opponents, having shown top form at the Africa Cup of Nations even without their big names. Like us, however, they have faced a goal drought so this match could become a case of "first to score wins".

Dream : Australia 1 Ghana 0

Reality : Australia 1 Ghana 0  (an exquisitely timed header from Timmy)

Nightmare : Ghana 2 Australia 0 (too fast for us)

Serbia are often described as "technically gifted"  (football speak for "be afraid, be very afraid").  High on national pride and team spirit under coach Radomir Antic.

Dream : Australia 1 Serbia 0

Reality : Australia 0 Serbia 1

Nightmare : Australia 0 Serbia 2 (two dodgy penalties and Grella sent off in first half)

It will take hard work and a bit of luck for Australia to match their performance in Germany, but whatever happens surely they deserve unqualified and highly visible public support.

The good news is that an official Socceroos song is being recorded. The bad news is that it's being recorded by Rogue Traders. Please - don't leave it to a squeaky voiced woman in a mini skirt to fire up the nation. It's our personal duty as Socceroos fans to spread some excitement and national pride among our friends and workmates. Do not rest until the state of Harry's groin is on everyone's lips !

Remember : when it comes to the small world of Australian football, we're all just six degrees from Les Murray's knees.

I Won't Bore You With My Squad List But........

When the squad is announced this week, I'm hoping for a few wildcards alongside the usual suspects. Carle and Oar could provide some spark in the midfield, Ognenovski is sorely needed in defence while Rukavytsya and (forgive me) Joel Griffiths could give us options up front.

But the outsider I'm really crossing my fingers for is Heffernan. Few players have worked harder or done more to prove themselves worthy of a call-up, including a punishing regime at Huddersfield Town and his fantastic performance against Kuwait.

Good luck, Heff. 

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