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Match two and Tunisia, it was a fork in the road moment in Australian football, a match the Socceroos had to embrace with all the ferocity they could muster.
They did that and more. It was almost if they channelled twelve years and three World Cups of frustration into this one high octane performance.
Harry Kewell was a key part of the only Socceroos team that has qualified for the knockout phase of a World Cup, the famed golden generation of 2006.
He says if Australia can replicate the intensity showed against the North Africans they can do something special.
“They have given themselves a real good chance of qualifying to get through if you get through, anything can happen. There’s something special happening with this team they have got a lot of stick over the years it hasn’t quite worked out, but I can really see the commitment throughout this whole team and I think they have got a good chance.”
Kewell also feels it’s important that young football fans in Australia who weren’t old enough to to appreciate the euphoria of 2006 get their chance to experience joy with the class of 2022.
“It is important because in football we don’t get to celebrate too many times especially in Australia, moments like this are important. I just hope we can give a little bit more back.”
If France beats Tunisia in their final group match, Australia only needs a draw to progress. It could be the same scenario as in 2006 when Craig Moore netting from the penalty spot and Kewell’s dramatic equaliser was enough to create history.
But he’s very wary of any thoughts from the current playing group of sharing the points with Denmark in the final match of the group.
“I don’t think we go out there and look for a draw, I think if you have that in your mindset you are straight on the back foot. You have to go out and play the way that we played. If we play anywhere near close to what we produced against Tunisia, we have a chance. If we play beyond that, we have a very good chance.”
Mitch Duke’s goal against Tunisia was just reward for his commitment to the cause. He made good on his pre-match message to his family, where he told them “I will get on the scoresheet.” His first touch in the build-up was an audacious flick to Riley McGree and then to adjust his header after Craig Godwin’s cross took a deflection was the ultimate strikers instinct.
But it was the emotion of the moment celebrating with a J symbol for his young son Jaxson that will live with him and his family forever.
“It was a completely awesome moment for me, and to share that moment with my son and not only share it, but I think he outshone me and he’s a bigger superstar than I am," Duke said.
"It’s got such good reactions and credit to the guys filming it because they caught that moment perfectly, and from him to me doing the same celebration back to each other is a moment I will remember that for the rest of my life. When he gets a bit older and appreciates it, I’m sure he’ll be buzzing as well.”
Duke’s man of the match performance should not only be assessed in scoring the defining goal of his career.
His work rate in defending from the front, closing space, and pressing at the right moments made Tunisia’s task of playing out with assurity a whole lot more difficult. He is determined to match that work rate against the Danes.
Harry Souttar has been the revelation of the tournament for Australia. He defended Australia’s penalty box like a man inspired by the injury setback that nearly derailed his World Cup ambitions.
His defensive numbers against Tunisia were so impressive, considering he’s only played 180 minutes of senior football since his knee reconstruction 12 months ago.
Souttar’s late tackle on substitute Taha Khenissi was perfectly timed, as clean as a whistle and arguably the most crucial defensive challenge of the tournament so far. Feeling it most acutely was central defensive partner Kyle Rowles who lost the ball in midfield that led to Tunisia breaking quickly.
“I felt very vulnerable when that happened. It wasn’t my greatest moment that’s for sure, I looked up and saw H (Souttar) swallow him up in three strides. I said thanks to him after the match about five times. I think I owe him a couple, that’s for sure,” Rowles said.
“Full credit to H [and] what he’s done - he’s been out for 12 months or so, and to play like he did and back up in four days is monumental.”
Souttar, Rowles and the entire Socceroos team are now focused on their World Cup rematch with Denmark at the Al Janoub stadium. The Danes have been frustrated in both matches played, unlucky not to share the points against France. Kylian Mbappe, as he so often does, found a way to express his outrageous talent to claim a late winner for the reigning champions.
The Socceroos have faced adversity, in virtually every step on their long and winding World Cup journey. They will have to tap into their reserves and desire one more time, to match the feats of 2006.
How to watch Socceroos v Denmark LIVE and FREE on SBS
Thursday, December 1
Group D - Australia v Denmark
1:00am - 4:30am (AEDT) - kickoff at 02.00am
LIVE on SBS and SBS On Demand
