Aussie mind games
Derek Rae
So it's Guus Hiddink trying to plot Italy's downfall in the last sixteen of the World Cup. Ring any bells does it? Italian fans won't want to be reminded that Hiddink's fit, fearless South Korean side accounted for the Azzurri's elimination at this same stage four years ago. Is it unreasonable to think the resourceful Dutchman can repeat the trick with an Australian team, similarly pre-disposed to work their socks off, and perhaps technically superior to the 2002 co-hosts.
The Italians will be foolish indeed if they underestimate the mental fortitude of the Socceroos. Italy might have classier players, but are not generally greater than the sum of these gifted individual parts. Australia, on the other hand, have demonstrated that they can play above themselves, and even more importantly, respond positively to pressure-packed situations, such as against Uruguay in the qualifying decider, as well as against Japan and Croatia here in Germany.
The Hiddink factor can't be ignored. The Australian manager will have his players thoroughly prepared ahead of Monday's match in Kaiserslautern. A DVD of Italy's 1-1 draw against the USA will surely figure prominently during team gatherings at the Socceroos' plush Friedrichsruhe headquarters this weekend. It could be especially instructive.
Nervous, sloppy and totally devoid of a cutting edge against the Americans, Marcello Lippi's team allowed their battling opponents to get under their skin.
Australia, who for me, have more overall quality about them than the current US side, can be counted on to get in amongst their Italian opponents and perhaps sow seeds of doubt in Azzurri minds.
We've given up guessing what sort of team Hiddink will name. It would be a surprise indeed were Zeljko Kalac, jittery and clanger-prone the other night, to be retained. Mark Schwarzer might have his weaknesses, but he has been inspirational for Australia in recent times.
With Brett Emerton suspended, Hiddink might contemplate recalling Luke Wilkshire, who was used at right wing back in the opener against the Japanese. Other than that switch, it's hard to envisage wholesale changes. Marco Bresciano might justifiably have felt aggrieved to be left on the bench in the 2-2 draw with Croatia, yet there's strong evidence that the Parma man carries considerable punch as a second half substitute. The same thing possibly applies to John Aloisi and Josh Kennedy, both used to superb effect by Hiddink in the competition to date.
While Australia deservedly finished second in Group F - they outplayed Croatia for long spells in Stuttgart - the fact that silly mistakes were made is not lost on the urbane Hiddink.
Mark Viduka wasn't mentioned by name in the post-match media conference, but the Aussie boss was clearly unhappy with the negligence shown by his captain: a poor touch on the ball, was followed by the crude concession of a free-kick, which was majestically converted by Darijo Srna.
Similarly, Kalac's howler, failing to stop a weakish Nico Kovac shot, would very often be the difference between success and defeat in the World Cup context. Similar mistakes against the Italians, and elimination will be the inevitable result.
The way I see it, Australia have already 'won' their World Cup just by getting out of the group. When he sat with me in Eindhoven for an ESPN interview back in December, Hiddink called that 'the important second step.'
Is a third step forward now really a possibility?
It would take a brave man to predict that Italy, with all their international know how, will be sent packing on Monday night. But who in their right mind would count out this spirited, all-action Australian collective, managed by the finest tactician in world football.
Just like their country's popular green and gold clad fans, Australia's footballers are making friends wherever their German travels take them.
We best watch it.
