Australia needing a 2-0 win to progress to semis, are 1-0 up at half time over Chile! Is an action packed high class game. Any folks who think AWs would match up well against Socceroos, are sorry in fairy land.
Apart from an aged Cahill, they have no big star names, but I'd say well coached with Ange Pot, and pretty consistent high quality across the field. No A League journeymen, or guys playing French 4th Division. Some youngest guys like Rogic, Mooy & Matt Ryan (now signed by EPL promoted Brighton) who have all come out the A League who could become stars in Europe.
But then with 5x NZ's popn, and large longstanding immigrant football communities (Greek, Italian, Slavic etc) they should be a much better side than us. I'd say only Thomas would go close to making a Socceroos starting eleven.
Think you are right, but to be fair, we know have 2 players in the EPL, 1 at Celtic. 3 in Champions league England, 2 in Bundesliaga , and some in the J league, K league and C league ... most come through the A-League .
Also on the fringe of this side is Goodwin & Amini & Abini to name but a few knocking on the door, plus Burns and Holland .
AP has built a huge squad with 3 players for every position.
We played Germany the current world champions, and lost 3-2, we played the champions of Africa and drew in an even match, we played the number 4 ranked team in the world and drew.
The over all score was 5-4, we finished 3 in the group of death with a one goal minus.
Our key matches coming up are
Aust V Japan 31 August away
Aust V Thailand 3 September home.
Suard'e V Iraq away
Suard's V Japan home.
Table
Japan 19 points
SA 16 points
Aus 16 points
There is a one goal difference between SA & Australia on the table
There is some talk if we make it throught the group stage to the WC to play Iran .
TBH I think the key among other things is a team FFA can make lots and lots of money from meaning filling Suncorp, Homebush or one of the southern states stadiums ... meaning a 50K + crowd with high ticket prices and I don't see the AW's doing this