As the lowest-ranked team heading for Brazil, Australia’s fourth trip to the World Cup finals was always going to be a challenge even before lady luck abandoned them in December’s tournament draw.
Spain and the Netherlands, who fought out the 2010 World Cup final, as well as South American powerhouse Chile, presented the worst scenario for a nation with a newly appointed coach and a squad in transition.
Australia’s sporting culture insists their teams fight against the odds to the bitter end, but it is difficult to see the Socceroos coming back from Brazil with anything much better than humiliation avoided.
After scrapping their way through Asian qualifying under Holger Osieck, spiritless displays in successive 6-0 friendly defeats by Brazil and France led to the summary dismissal of the German last October.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) decided to go local for his replacement, handing Ange Postecoglou a five-year contract and a mission to make Australia the number one team in Asia.
Postecoglou had just two friendlies - a 1-0 win over Costa Rica and 4-3 loss to Ecuador - to assess the talent at his disposal in an international context before selecting his initial squad for Brazil.
He has drawn the net wide, keeping tabs on some 40 to 45 players.
They include the last remnants of Australia’s “golden generation”, a raft of youngsters plying their trade on the fringes of big clubs or in lower leagues in Europe, and another group drawn from the improving domestic A-League.
Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, a veteran of two World Cups and 109 internationals, made at least one decision for the new coach by retiring on the eve of his first squad announcement.
Stalwart forward Tim Cahill, for his part, will see a third successive finals, while fellow Aussie vet Lucas Neill has been left behind.
Postecoglou has promised to give youth a chance and produce a team playing in the attacking style which brought him success at domestic club level.
Whether he has time to produce a coherent team who can play any system with fluency before their Group B opener against Chile in Cuiaba on June 13 remains to be seen.
At the very least, though, Australia will expect a restoration of the fighting spirit that once defined the Socceroos and was wholly absent in last year’s Brasilia and Paris humiliations.
Five to watch:
Luke Wilkshire, defender (Dynamo Moscow); Age 32; 79 caps. Long-time defensive stalwart will compete with Ivan Franjic for starting right-back spot. World Cup hopes took a blow when left out of the squad for the friendly against Costa Rica, and was an unused substitute against Ecuador. Regularly plays the full 90 minutes for Dynamo Moscow.
Mark Bresciano, midfielder (Al Gharafa, Qatar); Age 34; 73 caps. Explosive and versatile midfielder with an eye for goal who carved out a successful career in Serie A before moving to Arabian Peninsula, originally to Dubai's Al Nasr. Hoping to be one of old hands retained for a third successive World Cup despite Postecoglou's desire to rejuvenate the team.
Mile Jedinak, midfielder (Crystal Palace); Age 29; 43 caps. Rewarded for good form at club level with captain's armband against Ecuador and looks likely to retain it. Defensive midfield stalwart at Crystal Palace, the former Central Coast Mariner is only Australian firmly entrenched in the starting XI of a Premier League club. Ability to hold the midfield will play a crucial role in bolstering an inexperienced defence.
Tim Cahill, midfielder (New York Red Bulls); Age 34; 67 caps. Never had much pace to lose so his effectiveness looks undiminished by age. Always an aerial threat despite his modest height, he still manages to escape his markers and get above much taller defenders. Australia's all-time top scorer with 31 goals and, his country will be hoping, an inspiration to younger players.
Josh Kennedy, striker (Nagoya Grampus); Age 31; 35 caps. Nicknamed Jesus for his distinctive lank hair and beard. Proved Australia's saviour when goal against Iraq in Sydney last June sent them through to Brazil. Traditional target man in a country which does not have that many.
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