You know that the Socceroos have done something special when Les Murray quotes Winston Churchill.

'Football is not about justice', said Les in his passionate address to the nation after the Socceroos win against Serbia, 'it's about honour and glory.'  While his speech was amusingly dramatic and I could swear he made almost the same speech in 2006, I still loved every word.

When the history of the Socceroos 2010 World Cup campaign is written, let us hope the team gets the credit it deserves for one of their greatest sporting comebacks ever.  We were all in pain after Germany and unpleasant things were said in the heat of the moment. A lesser team might have sunk and disappeared but the Socceroos fighting spirit is their greatest asset.

Not even red cards or some dodgy coaching decisions could kill their will to fight on. To say they restored national pride is a massive understatement. They played out of their skins for 90 minutes with two stunning goals and some brilliant defence.  Brett Holman now deserves a personal apology from all those who ever doubted his potential. (I won't say I told you so)

Pim also redeemed himself, although history will not treat him as kindly.  More aggravating than his Germany stuff-up are allegations that he spoke scathingly about his players to the Dutch press after the defeat.  If true, this demeans him not just as a coach but as a human being.

Serbia were valiant and worthy opponents and it is a travesty that Ghana have finished above both of us without scoring from open play.

Even from a neutral point of view (ha ha), Ghana vs USA will be a one-sided contest rather than the unpredictable encounter we might have had between USA and Serbia/Australia (This is being approved as the the game is being plated - KA).  The only possible question mark is over the refereeing decisions, which seem to have been weighted against USA on several crucial occasions.

Still, like Australia, the USA are high on self-belief and look unstoppable. "Yes We Can !" say the fans' banners and yes they will.  Sadly, it's goodbye to the fantastic Ghanain supporters.

As for the other match, expect a lot of huffing and puffing from England before Mezut Ozil gets a hat-trick. Bookmark the British tabloids because 'hilarious' headlines featuring classic anti-German sentiments are sure to follow (anyone remember "Who Do You Think You're Kidding Mr Klinsmann ?" with the comic Hitler references ).

I could suggest one : "England - Ozil And Out".

The Socceroos may have lost their campaign but at least they were gutsy losers.  England, as usual, have barely scraped through the tournament's easiest group and are deluding themselves they can still be contenders.

What is astounding is their increasingly lame excuses for lacklustre performances. The latest one from John Terry is that the team is apparently suffering from being so far away from home and families.

Oh dear! Poor babies! They can't get chip butties or watch Coronation Street for a couple of weeks - how traumatic.  While Australian footballers relocate themselves and their families to the wilds of Russia, Asia and the Middle East, these guys stay their whole lives in their English comfort zone.  It's not uncommon to find EPL players who play for the club they supported as children, never leaving their home suburb or the group of players they've played with for decades.

Could this be the reason that they cannot seem to cope on the world stage ?  Does their insular and individualistic football world simply not prepare them to face the personal challenges and intense team unity needed at the World Cup ?

Perhaps EPL players need to arrange some sort of footballer exchange with a tougher football environment : Siberian First Division perhaps or Wellington Phoenix.

South Africa has been a rollercoaster ride so far and it seems like months since Group D began with that terrible day for Socceroos fans.  I feel emotionally drained and sleep-deprived but strangely revived by seeing Italy leave the building weeping melodramatically. (Maybe Les is wrong about that justice thing.)

Soon another underperforming European 'giant' will join them while only men in stylish cardigans will survive to take Group D's hopes into the Quarter Finals.

"Eh, never mind love, better luck next time. Now who's for a brew and a couple of HobNobs ?"