Australia’s long-suffering fans are bracing for another World Cup anti-climax Tuesday when the Socceroos face a Peru side desperate for a victory that may send their opponents home.
Pipped 2-1 in the final minutes by France and left agonising over their failure to win a thrilling 1-1 draw against Denmark, Australia face the South Americans for the first time knowing even a win could end their hopes of remaining in Russia.
Coach Bert van Marwijk led his native Netherlands to the 2010 final, where the Dutch were undone by Andres Iniesta’s extra-time winner for Spain.
So far in Russia, the 65-year-old has been both encouraged and frustrated by a side showing marked improvements defensively but little progress in the creative play that leads to goals.
“Scoring,” said Van Marwijk when asked prior to their crunch Group C match against Denmark what Australia lacked most.
“We have to play and create more chances.”
Failure to beat the Danes in a match that did have bright spots such as exciting teenage striker Daniel Arzani coming off the bench and forcing a great stop from Denmark ‘keeper Kasper Schmeichel sorely dented their hopes of reaching the last 16 for the first time since 2006.
– ‘Belief still there’ –
In a country where football is vying for support against traditional heavyweights like Australian rules, rugby league and cricket, the knives are already out for the Socceroos.
Online haters have abused midfielder Robbie Kruse and members of his family on social media.
Captain Mile Jedinak, who has scored both of Australia’s goals in Russia from the penalty spot, insists their campaign is not over.
“The belief is still there. And we will keep holding on to that until it’s taken away from us,” said Jedinak, the heavily bearded defender who plays for Aston Villa in the English Championship.
But sitting third in Group C with one point from two games, Australia need to score goals, beat Peru and hope already-qualified France’s decision to rest key players does not hamper hopes of a French win over Denmark that would potentially give Australia a lifeline.
“It’s a must-win game for us,” said Josh Risdon, the Western Sydney Wanderers defender who is one of several players tipped to quit the struggling A-League for Europe.
“We know Peru are a good side but we’ll make sure we’re ready come game day,” said defender Aziz Behich, who quit Melbourne Heart in 2013 for Bursaspor in Turkey.
“We still have to do our job… I’ve got a lot of belief that France will do the job against Denmark.”
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