Australia's World Cup second coming

By Sid Astbury Jun 8, 2006, 13:53 GMT

Australian internationals Kaz Pattafka (R) and Krishan Sarkies (L) arrive to a reception by the town at the market square of Oehringen, Germany, Tuesday, 6 June 2006. The Australia World Cup Team moved into its quarter in the near-by Zwieflingen. EPA/BERND WEISSBROD

Sydney - In Australia's last World Cup appearance wide collars and flared pants were in fashion and players took to the field with long hair and big moustaches.

Back in Germany for only their second showing at the game's showcase event, coach Guus Hiddink's team is hoping that history, unlike fashion, doesn't repeat itself.

In 1974 the lads in the green and gold left Germany without winning a match after drawing Chile, East Germany and West Germany in the opening round.

Even this time it was a huge struggle to get into the finals, where they have drawn Japan, Brazil and Croatia in Group F. Entry came courtesy of a penalty shoot-out in the qualifier against Uruguay.

Two saves from Mark Schwarzer, the son of German immigrants to Australia and who got his big professional break playing in Germany, sealed the match after 120 minutes of football ended with the teams 1-1 on aggregate.

And if Australia play like they did in their final warm-up game against lowly Leichtenstein - a 3-1 win against a mostly amateur side that was in front or level for most of the game - a reprise of the depressing performance 32 years ago is possible.

'We played too slow, we gave away two or three chances,' a grumpy Hiddink said after the Leichtenstein scare. 'I don't like the way we started this game. There's a lot still to do.'

There's definitely a feeling that it's now or never for second- chance Australia.

In Hiddink, who took Holland and South Korea to the semi-finals in the last two World Cups, they have one of the best coaches on the planet.

Hungarian-born Frank Lowy, Australia's third richest man, is sparing no expense in this tilt at becoming a significant force in the world game. The squad has taken all 38-rooms in a five-star hotel in Friedrichsruhe, which has its own gym, tennis courts and golf course.

For the first time, Australia is fielding footballers that play at the game's highest level: John Aloisi (Alaves, Spain), Marco Bresciano (Parma, Italy), Tim Cahill (Everton, England), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Zeljko Kalac (AC Milan, Italy), Josh Kennedy (Dynamo Dresden, Germany), Harry Kewell (Liverpool, England), Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England) and Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough, England).

In fact, there is only one member of the team that doesn't play professionally in Europe.

Australia squeaked past Uruguay to get to Germany - then drew three of the toughest teams in the final 32. First up, they play Japan, Asia's best side. Then it's favourites Brazil, the defending champions and the country that came out tops when the World Cup was last held in Germany.

Croatia is another potent force. 'Our goal is to make it to the second round,' said Croatian coach Zlatko Kranjcar. 'I believe we can do it, although it's a tough group.'

Japan, along with Australia, will also be thinking that they are destined to move forward with Brazil.

Hiddink is concerned that either his team will be overawed at their success so far and underperform or that they will get overconfident and imagine an easy passage into the next round.

The former worry is exemplified in this quote from Eindhoven's Culina: 'We haven't been involved in such a long time so it's just a bonus being there.'

Hiddink's worry about overweening ambition is reflected in his comments following the creditable 1-1 draw with Holland in the first warm-up game. 'I saw Japan against Germany (2-2), and it will be a difficult game,' the Dutchman said. 'We are not that cocky to say we'll do that easy. We've no reason to.'

The Australian squad, most of whom were toddlers when their country last played in a World Cup, are being made aware by the vastly experienced Hiddink that their opponents will want to build them up to make toppling them that little bit easier.

Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho has been busy pumping up the Australians in advance of their Group F clash in Munich.

'Anyone with an interest in soccer understands that Hiddink is a magnificent achiever and someone whose name stands for perpetual success,' FIFA's world player of the year said, adding that the Dutchman has 'achieved a unified and winning mentality in his team.'

The Brazil No 10 rated Australia 'our key group rivals' despite statistics which showed them the weakest team.

Japanese playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura, who plays for top Scottish team Celtic, has also talked up Australia's chances in order to ease his side into the usually preferred position as underdog.

'I think the Australians are similar to Japan, and perhaps because of that it will make them the most difficult team for us to play against,' Nakamura said.

If the Australians believe their adversaries, getting through to the next round is little more than a formality.