This is it, the final hurdle. Under profound pressure, the Socceroos will contend with Peru for a place in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Once again, the Socceroos have drawn the short straw and are forced to take the long route in the prospect of World Cup qualification.
Australia’s cream of the crop is currently poised by a mishmash of affections, assumptions, and pressures from all stakeholders considering their recent form.
But the glancing win over the United Araba Emirates on Wednesday morning reassured many that the Socceroos still hold the desire and ability to solidify the penultimate place in the World Cup.
Interest, Subsidy, Opportunity
Former Socceroo Luke Casserly spoke to Kick360 on this déjà vu situation. Casserly gave insight into the unbridled importance of World Cup qualification and why it is essential for the Australian footballing landscape.
“Australia being in the World Cup is important for three reasons,” Casserly said.
“Firstly, the interest in football peaks at the World Cup. The whole nation watches Australia when we’re in a World Cup.
“Since the interest in football increases, we see a bounce in registration of players. We also see a bounce in the commercial interest in football. It’s such a massive tournament, and the interest in football peaks then. So, for that, I’d certainly love us to be there.”
“There’s also a financial windfall that comes into Football Australia that the game needs. Our game just doesn’t generate enough revenue to do everything we need.
“Then, on the playing side, when we have players do well at these major tournaments, they will often get moved to better clubs.
“From the last World Cup, Aziz Behich and Trent Sainsbury ended up at PSV. Obviously, the more players we have in the better leagues and clubs, the better our national team is going to be.”
“So, for those three reasons: The opportunity for our players to perform on the world stage and perhaps propel their club career; the financial reward; and the interest that being at the World Cup generates for the game back home, is why it’s so important that we need to be there.”
Then vs Now
Looking back four and a half years ago, Australia played Honduras over two legs in the same situation; win, and you’ve qualified for the World Cup. The Socceroos delivered in that second and home leg, reigning victorious 3-1 courtesy of a Jedinak hattrick.
“It’s actually someone like Mile Jedinak that was the dominant force,” Casserly stated
“[Jedinak] intimidated teams, broke up play and organised the team on the pitch.
“We need people to step up and take those leadership roles. It helps when Aaron Mooy is out there, and now we’re seeing Ajdin Hrustic step up into that role as well.”
A second-half masterclass performance against the UAE by the midfield of previously mention Mooy and Hrustic, and Jackson Irvine saved the Socceroos as they began to own the flow of the game.
“I look forward to seeing Hrustic play again. He’s a talented player, and he’s got a lot of belief in his own abilities. He’s that x-factor player that can make something out of nothing. In games like this, it can be those special odd moments that those types of players can produce and do something.
“Hrustic’s strike off that corner, the technique on that was fantastic, and that’s what he can produce; that can be the difference between winning and losing the game.
It was a different narrative in the backline who were often outclassed, gifting the UAE chances that could’ve easily been capitalised upon.
Now playing a technically passionate Peruvian side, the doubts around the Socceroos’ ability need to be squandered early in the contest.
“The [defenders] on the pitch were not the most experienced.
“It’s understandable that there might have been nerves, but regardless of who plays, we have to be super compact, and our concentration levels have to be top-notch for 90 minutes when we play Peru.”
The Importance of Qualification
Speaking of passion, Peru always showcases their awe-inspiring fight and grit on big occasions, as seen hands-on in Australia’s 2-0 defeat in 2018.
The intangible idea of unyielding spirits and ‘playing for the badge’ is a notion the Socceroos should embed within their conscious come Tuesday morning to equal, if not surpass that level Peru will indefinitely hold.
“With this Peru team, there’s a level of desperation. It means life to them to qualify for this World Cup. They’re going to be prepared to go to every length possible, and we need to be able to match that.”
“When we played Peru [in 2018], we were just drowned out by the Peruvian support.
“There were so many stories, with Peru not having qualified for the World Cup for so long, of people selling their house to be there.”
As mentioned, Australia’s qualification is also decisively important in comparison to Peru’s. But for Australia’s case, it is necessary because they’ve become so accustomed to this quadrennial event.
In the scenario the Socceroos fail to qualify, there would be a sea of despondency tears surging throughout bedrooms, livings rooms, and Federation Square.
In saying, it is not only the 28-man Socceroos battalion that needs to be 100 per cent focused. The supporters, both the Qatar entourage and home dwellers, must be armed to cheer Australia on in one of the most critical fixtures to date.
“The Australian supporters go to the World Cups in one of the largest numbers of any supporter group.”
“I remember at the World Cup in 2018 when we played against France, Paul Pogba said, ‘with the Australian support, it felt like an away game’.
“Of course, it means a lot to our boys and us to qualify for a World Cup, but there’s just another level of passion and intensity that goes with this Peruvian team. We need to be prepared to match that.”
“I know the Socceroos have the passion, but throughout this World Cup qualification campaign, we probably haven’t seen it from time to time. With everything on the line in this one game, I’m sure we will see it.”
