There’s plenty of talk kicking around about the Socceroos winning the Asian Cup at the first attempt and so there should be. Remember, the Socceroos were the only Asian Confederation side (although representing Oceania at the time) to make the knockout stages of the World Cup last year disposing of top ranking Asian side Japan along the way. But we’re seeing some voices of reason from the likes of Vinnie Grella warning that complacency and the heat and humidity may prove to be the Socceroos' biggest challenge in their quest to be Asian Champions.
In my view the reason the Socceroos’ performance in Germany ended up being the light bulb moment for many Aussies was the fact that it was perceived as being a phenomenal achievement to just get to the tournament. A country like Australia getting to the last 16 was widely regarded as something worthy of mainstream recognition. Indeed the biggest period for merchandise sales for the Socceroos was after the Croatia game… when mainstream Australia finally jumped on board of their now worthy football team.
Which brings me to my point… someone within the football industry said to me last week that for the long term regard in which the Asian Cup is held in Australia, it would be better if the Socceroos failed at the first attempt. My first reaction was to question their footballing sanity and mop up the coffee I’d sprayed all over the table… there’s me thinking of my Asian Cup Winners Special section in FourFourTwo and the huge traffic this site would surely get along the way. But since then I’ve thought about it a number of times and if the Asian Cup were to 'put out' to the Socceroos on the 'first date' would mainstream Australia ever be able to look at the cup in the same way again?
My fear is it will be dropped into the “easy” basket and will struggle to regain the respect of the wider audience… respect it surely needs to secure the standing it deserves to become a permanent fixture as the second most prestigious tournament the Socceroos can win in world football.
Don’t get me wrong… as a fully paid up football tragic nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see the current crop of Socceroos walk away with the silverware and I’ll be in Bangkok lending my voice to make that happen. I’m just concerned that a win at the first attempt will leave the general public feeling the Aussies only have to turn up to win the thing and in my opinion that would be a bad thing for the tournament in the long run especially if Australia have aspirations in one day hosting the event.
I think for the Socceroos to walk away with the trophy they will have to beat some good sides along the way and deal with the conditions and traveling involved and be at their best for three weeks. If they win it they will have earned it and will be worthy Champions of Asia. I just hope the wider audience sees it the same way.
In my view the reason the Socceroos’ performance in Germany ended up being the light bulb moment for many Aussies was the fact that it was perceived as being a phenomenal achievement to just get to the tournament. A country like Australia getting to the last 16 was widely regarded as something worthy of mainstream recognition. Indeed the biggest period for merchandise sales for the Socceroos was after the Croatia game… when mainstream Australia finally jumped on board of their now worthy football team.
Which brings me to my point… someone within the football industry said to me last week that for the long term regard in which the Asian Cup is held in Australia, it would be better if the Socceroos failed at the first attempt. My first reaction was to question their footballing sanity and mop up the coffee I’d sprayed all over the table… there’s me thinking of my Asian Cup Winners Special section in FourFourTwo and the huge traffic this site would surely get along the way. But since then I’ve thought about it a number of times and if the Asian Cup were to 'put out' to the Socceroos on the 'first date' would mainstream Australia ever be able to look at the cup in the same way again?
My fear is it will be dropped into the “easy” basket and will struggle to regain the respect of the wider audience… respect it surely needs to secure the standing it deserves to become a permanent fixture as the second most prestigious tournament the Socceroos can win in world football.
Don’t get me wrong… as a fully paid up football tragic nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see the current crop of Socceroos walk away with the silverware and I’ll be in Bangkok lending my voice to make that happen. I’m just concerned that a win at the first attempt will leave the general public feeling the Aussies only have to turn up to win the thing and in my opinion that would be a bad thing for the tournament in the long run especially if Australia have aspirations in one day hosting the event.
I think for the Socceroos to walk away with the trophy they will have to beat some good sides along the way and deal with the conditions and traveling involved and be at their best for three weeks. If they win it they will have earned it and will be worthy Champions of Asia. I just hope the wider audience sees it the same way.
