Australia

Although this may not seem obvious, this year’s World Cup is not the main competition for Australia in close future. Playing good football and creating a team before the 2015 Asian Cup – that’s Soceroos’ aim.

End of the golden generation

Next year, main Asian’s football competition will be played on Australian soil. And Australia want to win it, especially having reached the final in 2011. Ange Postecoglou decided to choose youth over experience and accelerate Australia’s transition from the team of 2006 to a team from 2015.

Most of the golden generation of 2006 (they reached Round of 16 in World Cup) is now gone. Leaving Lucas Neill was particularly hard, but even though he is the most experienced player around and was undoubtedly a great footballer at his best, he is after his peak years and might be too old to step up.

Raw talents recognized in Europe

Tom Rogic is the symbol of this new Australia’s team. He was spotted by European scouts and moved to Celtic last year but decided to return to Australia after not having enough game time. He still is a relatively young player, turning 21 this year and might be a surprise this year. But only if he’s concentrated enough.

He is pretty much a raw talent. His ability to dribble and pick a right pass is there, but he can also be flat in games, struggling to find himself on the pitch.

Another good youngster is Matt Ryan, a goalkeeper playing currently in Belgian Pro League’s club Club Brugge. He had a great season recently and was voted the best goalkeeper in the league by the players. He showed consistency in form that indicates composure and skill. At 22 he might be the next big thing in European football – he has about 15 years of goalkeeping ahead.

Premier League veterans

But still, Australia has some experience in squad. Tim Cahill is out of the Premier League, but shows good form in MLS nonetheless, playing currently in New York Red Bulls. On the other side of Pacific, Josh Keneddy’s form in Japan’s Nagoya Grampus is also generally good. He was also the best scorer in qualifiers.

In midfield they have Mile Jedinak, who had a great season in Crystal Palace and played a role in club’s fight for survival in the Premier League. Jedinak is a great ball-winning midfielder and was also picked by experts in the league’s best XI alongside the likes of Yaya Toure or Luis Suarez.

Playing style

Australia plays a dynamic, physical football. They depend on their wide man to launch counter-attacks. Postecoglou will utilise a 4-2-3-1 formation with a solid back four and two holding midfielders protecting the box.

Coach

Relatively unknown abroad, Postecoglou is a popular manager in Australia, winning the A-League title back in 2011. He is generally a attacking minded coach and he took a job with 2015 Asian Cup in mind.

Schedule and BETEGY predictions

13th June, Cuiaba: vs. Chile (0-2)

18th June, Porto Alegre: vs. Netherlands (0-3)

23rd June, Curitiba: vs. Spain (0-3)

Australia probably has the toughest job in this World Cup, being drawn with teams that are among the favorites to win the whole tournament. They have just 5% of qualifying to the knockout stages and should not only return home with no points, but also with no goals scored.