World Cup Expectations

The Socceroos are ready for the World Cup, and so am I, dammit! The Socceroos deserved to lose to the Netherlands the other night but managed a remarkable draw, with more of that Schwarzer magic that sent the Aussies to Germany in the first place. The Liechtenstein game was a lame one, but I've got faith that it's all part of coach Guus Hiddink's plans.

I actually think we are capable of progressing to the next round. There are always surprises. Crap countries get in every year, because soccer teams are so inconsistent. Greece wins the European championships and can't qualify for the World Cup the following year. All it takes is a few lucky breaks and we could scrape through.

Brazil can go ahead and win our group, it's not even important. Croatia are hit and miss, even losing to Ecuador in their first World Cup in 2002. Japan don't have the home crowd and quite frankly, look like a "little brother" version of Australia's team. We've got better strikers, midfielders, goalkeeper...hell, we've even got Jesus (below) on our side. Your move, Sherlock.

Socceroo striker Josh Kennedy has been known to turn water into ... goals.

I'd have to say Brazil will win the Cup, beating Germany. Of the dark horses, I suggest France will play really well (i.e. minimal surrendering) and the Czech Republic might cause a few surprises.

Hopefully Australia cause surprises too. We may have been to the Cup finals before, but we still haven't won a game or scored a World Cup goal yet. I bet Guus has a giant checklist of accomplishments to achieve in Germany. Keep those pens poised, I've got a good feeling about this World Cup fandangle thingy...