Thu 24 May 2012 | 
The Sweet Spot
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Enlarge textSBS Senior journalist and World News Australia Sports Presenter Robert Grasso takes a look at why the Australia v Ghana game said more about Australia’s character than the result did.
Harry Kewell argues with the ref after the red card. (Getty)
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One for the doubters who argued the Socceroos would be but a speed hump in the path of a Ghana road train as it mercilessly thundered its way towards the World Cup knockout stage.
But beneath the triangular passes, counter attacks and spectacular meltdowns on and off the pitch, a seminal moment in Australian football was taking place.
If ever there was a Socceroos clash which defined what it meant to be an Australian, to think like one, to act like one, this was it. But more importantly, it proved that trying to adopt another culture’s football philosophy doesn’t always work.
As Australians, we pride ourselves on our fighting spirit. It’s been demonstrated time and time again in the heat of sporting conflict. It’s not in our nature to be defensive. It’s all about going on the front foot. Attacking. Playing aggressively, but always fairly.
Yes. You need the cattle. But you also need to be true to yourself. And your nation. As colleague and Chief SBS football analyst, Craig Foster, eloquently put it this morning, “You have to play true to your culture”.
So what happens when a Dutch coach, fearing a rampant German team, leaves out his key strike force and orders a full-scale tactical retreat and containment order?
A 4-0 hammering and an alleged dressing room revolt is what.
You could sense the tension in the Socceroos training camp after footage filtered through in the aftermath of the German demolition. A lingering image in particular of a surly Pim Verbeek, raging away in front of an astonished Mark Bresciano comes to mind.
In public, Harry Kewell maintained there was no player revolt. Privately, it’s anyone’s guess.
And then of course came the heroics of this morning.
Down a man and conceding a goal after 26 minutes, the Socceroos never stopped trying.
They made a nation proud, the 1-1 all result testament to their fighting qualities.
It is true Australia may be at a disadvantage when it comes to talent and tactics. But it surrenders ground to no one when it comes to courage. Just ask Ghana.
On Thursday morning, the Socceroos face the unenviable task of taking on Serbia in their final group match where Verbeek’s side not only needs to win, but win handsomely.
Tim Cahill returns from suspension for that game, the same man who sent Australia into heart palpitations following his late brace against Japan at the last World Cup.
It’s been said, life isn’t about how hard you can hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit, and still keep moving forward.
Serbia. You have been warned.
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Comments (7)
So true
Words well said Robert. Finally someone in the media making some sense instead of always blaming the other team, the "cheating" Italians or the refs calls. Really, just play the game and show us some guts so we can be proud Aussie's. Its what this country needed and how Australia should have played against Germany.
21 Jun 2010 17:22 AEST
From: The Hague
Aussie Spirit
"If ever there was a Socceroos clash which defined what it meant to be an Australian, to think like one, to act like one, this was it." It's a weak part of our culture that presumes that Australians have the monopoly on "fighting spirit". There's not a country in the world that it doesn't apply to. Just congratulate 11 (make that 10) men on playing professionally and with integrity. Why drag these abstract myths into it
21 Jun 2010 11:56 AEST
From: Desserts of Oman
Mr.
As long as we dont get an Italian ref. or the Serbian team has not been to the school of Italian penalty diving we should be OK!
21 Jun 2010 10:47 AEST
From: Brisbane
Defensive football no go zone
Yes the defensive football game is not the way the game suppose to be played. Create some offensive game and you'll create some chances to goal, as the south American team always do. why playing in the back, If you in the possesion of the ball. run towards the opponent defence and create some opportunities. offensive game always give some result. Tell you the truth, we have little chance against Serbia as they also think like wise to win upon us. So Be warned and act causciously. The world cup
20 Jun 2010 20:11 AEST
From: Sydney
Well Said
Well said Robert. I think you've summed up our performance admirably. Defensive football hasn't been and will never be our strength.
20 Jun 2010 15:39 AEST
From: Maitland NSW
Sharing The Blame
Yes Robert, a much improved performance albeit against the most wasteful team in possession I have ever seen. However lets not hide from the truth , Verbeek has rightly taken the brunt of criticism after the German game but dont forget his assistant coach Arnold who after overseeing two major disasters in Oz football is incredibly still on the payroll .Its time for the Socceroos Old Boys Club [ they all know who they are] to be disbanded so we can have a future in this country.
20 Jun 2010 15:31 AEST
From: Melbourne
Fedup
What i do not like about football today is everyone cheats. I played the game when it was pure, when the only thing you did was use your shoulder. Now its pull shirts, stick out the arm to stop a tackle, dive and roll 10 times for a free kick, when the ball goes out of play put your hand up even though you put it out, The list goes on and on. My 6 year old grandson plays the game and there is no one player in the world that i would tell him to model himself on because they all cheat.
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World News Australia's Robert Grasso analyses the week in sport. Follow @RobertGrasso
Robert Grasso Robert Grasso is an award-winning Senior Sports Journalist, Producer and Presenter for SBS World News Australia.
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23 Jun 2010 15:22 AEST
Michael
From: NSW