To see the fans in Brisbane...

On the eve of a new challenge on the path to South Africa 2010, I renewed my contact with some of these passionate followers to share their views on how this evening’s game might unfold.

With many Green & Gold Army associates being spread across the globe, not all can make it back for the Brisbane clash and so will satisfy their healthy obsession by linking up with various technologies, organised and informal gatherings.

Heather Kayatz, a veteran of World Cup campaigns including the 1974 finals in West Germany, and before that internationals since 1960, reckons “...our injured stars will be missed but I’m sure the other players will step up.”

Ray Fuggle, who first saw the Socceroos play versus Uruguay in April 1974 and that infamous karate chop incident on Ray Baartz, believes "...we will miss the creativity of Kewell and Bresciano but still we’ll be fielding one of the strongest line ups so far in this campaign.

“I’d love to see Cahill and Kennedy both on the field at the same time to capitalise on our obvious strengths in the air. As for weaknesses, it could well be dealing with the speed of the Qatar counter attack with Moore and Neill not exactly what you would call quick players and (this) may be exploited. Also, you can guarantee the Qataris will pull every trick in the book to waste time and slow the play,” adds Ray.

Kristina Cowmey expressed confidence in Pim, whom she rates as one of our key strengths based on his knowledge and extensive first hand experience of Asian football.

“He has changed his tactics and line-up to suit each game and a big plus is that Tim Cahill is back. However, one weakness is that some of our squad are not getting full game time with their respective clubs back in Europe and don’t often get time together,” says Kristina.

Ben Weekes who was first inspired by international football at the World Cup Youth tournament on home soil in 1993, agrees that losing key players through injury was a big loss but “...we’ve got Super Tim back, so need I say more?"

Ben is also worried about the ability of Qatar’s skilful Quintano to take on our reunited central back pairing, but conversely has a “...feeling that Scotty McDonald is going to post a goal or two up front”.

Looking forward, Luke Wimble thinks that “...to rest our key missing players lets them recover properly and will surely add strength for our games in Bahrain and Japan.

“Having Cahill back and our backline are our biggest strengths while my biggest worry is the weather”.

Certainly the forecast for Brisbane this evening is looking a little ominous, though it’s very doubtful that the Qataris would want rain.

From this small sample, even with at least quiet and measured confidence, predicted score lines are all in the vicinity of 1-0, 2-1 and 2-0.

Mike Polak and Andrew Seymon inform me they will be joining a legion of expats based in London at the well known Walkabout hotel/pub in London’s West End for a brunch-time kick off that will no doubt (hopefully) extend post game to healthy afternoon and evening of celebrations.

Meanwhile Michael Rumbold a traffic engineer who calls Bahrain home will have to be a little more reserved and content with an internet radio or streaming feed whilst juggling his various office commitments.

Like his distant comrades, Michael is confident of a home win in advance of helping to organise accommodation and pre-game functions for the travelling Green & Gold Army’s visit next month in Manama.

Another ex-pat, Todd based in the remote northern limits of Canada’s British Columbia at William’s Lake (seven hours drive from Vancouver) will be connected live via internet streaming, an increasingly popular technology that is now shrugging off some of its early teething problems.

One can only wonder what other constraints and tyrannies of distances Socceroos fans around the world in far away cultures are going to overcome to satisfy their football passion.

Back in Brisbane, the Green & Gold Army are about to converge on their ritual pre-game function at the Pig ‘n’ Whistle hotel at the Riverside Centre (with free shuttle buses to and from the stadium), while many thousands of other loyal fans will meet at Kitty O’Shea’s and Caxton pubs.

And across Australia, the Green & Gold Army has organised live pub venues in every State capital (plus Newcastle) for supporters to share the experience.

There have been more gains off the field too, with Football Federation Australia opening up a lot more chances in Brisbane for fans to meet and get up close to the playing squad.

"We are also very pleased that FFA provided open training sessions and public events that are especially thrilling and inspiring for younger fans, including potentially some of the next generation of football talent in Australia,” says Jason Vamvakaris a Brisbane-based supporter of Greek Australian heritage who has so far attended every home and away World Cup qualifier in this campaign.

My own prediction for the game? Well I’m very confident in the ability of Pim’s squad to do the job and the get another big result that we all hope for. And once again our 12th man will surely be able to help lift the team even if that by the second half, the game remains tight.

As always. I’ll be mixing it in the Home End at Suncorp and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else on this epic journey to South Africa 2010!

To see the fans in Brisbane...


Pablo Bateson travels the globe with the Green And Gold Army, and has been a Socceroos fan since watching Pele play for Santos versus Australia at the Sydney Sports Ground as a young kid in 1972. Pablo has attended every game in the current campaign for qualification and is committed to all future qualifiers on the road to the South Africa 2010 WC final.