Finally got a chance to watch the whole game V Denmark, very impressed with Australia's intensity, much better than I've ever seen in the past.
They seem to have this never say die attitude which enables them to punch above their weight, they just dont give up. I did like some of our attacking moves, not used to seeing that from an Australian team of the past.
We have improved so much.
Yep, this is what I've been saying. We have been a rock. Frequently outplayed by better teams but somehow manage to stay in the games. Harry Souttar has been outstanding.
Also, our group was the only group that had two top 10 ranked teams in it. We were the lowest ranked team (by a distance), yet we ended up on the same amount of points as the current champions.
Anyway, Germany (11) and Belgium (2) have been knocked out.
Teams ranked above us that we scored more points on the table are: (we have 6 points)
Ranking/Points
USA (16) - 5
Iran (20) - 3
Wales (19) - 1
Poland (26) - 4
Mexico (13) - 4
Tunisia (30) - 4
Denmark (10) - 1
Spain (7) - 4
Germany (11) - 4
Croatia (12) - 5
Belgium (2) - 4
Costa Rica (31) - 3
Serbia (21) - 1*
Uruguay (14) - 1*
* (One game to play)
Belgium (2) went out despite having Croatia (12) and Morocco (22) and Canada (41) in their group.
Germany (11) went out despite having Spain (7) and Japan (24) and Costa Rica (31) in their group.
Spain this morning were 20 minutes away from elimination with Costa Rica leading Germany 2-1 at the 70th minute. Unfortunately, they capitulated and lost 2-4 to Germany so Spain went through.
Our achievements so far cannot be understated.
The only teams that have 6 or more points (so far) are
Netherlands
Senegal
England
Argentina
France
Australia
Japan
Morocco
Brazil
and Portugal.
We have exceeded all expectations so far and our wins should not be understated nor ridiculed.
I was expecting we'd be going out in the group stage and maybe jagging a point or two vs Tunisia and/or Denmark.
Are we a great team? Absolutely not.
Will we beat Argentina on Sunday morning? I highly doubt it.
But this has been a cracking World Cup (despite the location and original decision).
Also great for Asian football is that Japan topped Group E, ahead of Spain, Germany and Costa Rica.
I wonder what the odds of that would have been, as well as our group, before the tournament started!!!