Australia Team for World Cup 2010

The Guus Hiddink led Australian team in 2006 qualified for the FIFA World Cup after 32 long years and even managed to reach the knockout stage, but lost the match via a last minute goal by eventual champions Italy. The current team features many of the players from the last World Cup and is coached by Dutchman Pim Verbeek. The socceroos booked a berth in the finals, becoming one of the first nations to secure the top spot in the group without losing any matches and conceding only goal.

Pim Verbeek’s Socceroos remained undefeated through 8 games and finished on top of the group, with just two games ending in a draw and conceding just one goal in eight games with 20 points, five clear of Japan’s 15 points.

 

Australia has come to rely on attacking midfielder Tim Cahill over the years as he had put Australia back on track with a spectacular goal showcasing his abilities. On the left flank Galatasaray’s Harry Kewell keeps watch, while Vince Grella and Jason Culina form the central midfield. The Australian team is more known for its Defensive capabilities Lucas Neil is the central pillar of the Aussie defense with support from Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Pim Verbeek served as an apprentice under Guus Hiddink before stepping out of the shadows and taking Korea Republic to the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. Verbeek assumed coaching responsibilities of the Australian national team in December 2007 and has built the team a rock-solid defence and focused on strong forwards on the flanks. Under Verbeek, the Socceroos have become a highly motivated and focused team.

 

Australia has qualified for the World Cup just twice, with the second qualification coming in 2006 in which they performed quite well considering the team has not qualified for the World Cup in the last thirty two years. This world cup witnesses a much stronger and focused team from Australia, determined to make it further than their last attempt.

 

The Pre-World Cup list of players for Australia is given below.