Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster joked “someone needs to call Albo and ask for a national holiday” such was the gravity of the Socceroos’ win over Tunisia.
In 18 matches at FIFA World Cup finals tournaments Australia have won just three. The Saturday night victory over Tunisia included another piece of history as the first time the Socceroos have led a World Cup tournament match at half-time.
These are precious moments that have come so rarely in Australia’s history and after Saudi Arabia declared a public holiday following a 2-1 win over Argentina last week, perhaps Australia’s prime minister should indeed be waiting by the phone.
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“It’s very, very precious. Very precious. And going into the last game against Denmark, wow, what a moment for the whole country,” Foster declared on SBS after the Socceroos held on for the 1-0 win.
If not for a 2am (AEDT) start on Thursday the level of pandemonium at live sites for the Denmark match might have set a new benchmark for football matches involving Australia. Perhaps it still will.
This is how the thousands who gathered at Fed Square in Melbourne reacted after the referee blew for full-time, confirming the Socceroos had moved to three points in Group D, putting them ahead of Tunisia (1) and Denmark (1) hours before the Danes were due to kick off against France.
France eventually won that match 2-1. A win will guarantee their spot in the round of 16, while a draw would put their fate in the hands of Tunisia, who must win against the undefeated defending champions France to get through.
It’s a position the Socceroos had to fight tooth and nail for.
”In the second half we had to soak up the pressure,” John Aloisi said on SBS after the game.
“I was questioning if Harry Souttar could back up after 12 months of being out, only playing one game, wow, wow, the recovery tackles he made, the whole back four along with Mat Ryan, the midfield was very good today, it was a sensational performance.”
“Absolute heroes,” added Mark Bosnich.
Foster, who is a renowned football analyst and was critical of the Socceroos for being too passive against France after taking a 1-0 lead was full of praise for coach Graham Arnold’s tactics against Tunisia.
“He got it absolutely right,” he said.
Prior to the game Foster had a question mark on the starting XI picked by Arnold, with just one change made from the team that was soundly beaten by France, injured right back Nathaniel Atkinson replaced by Fran Karačić.
Yet the first half was played at a high tempo, with the Socceroos’ midfield three winning just about every second ball to ensure they won the possession battle and played high up the pitch.
That created chances and it was Mitch Duke who pounced, heading home to capitalise on an excellent passage of play in the lead-up. Duke had been one of the players thought to be in line to be benched yet he was the star of the show.
”The first half was absolutely brilliant and hanging on in the second as they threw everything at us,” Foster said.
“And when he brought on [Ajdin] Hrustic, I think it was the 63rd minute, was perfect.
“[Substitute striker] Jamie Maclaren almost got one across for Leckie as well, so the substitutions were spot on.
“So everything was spot on today, [goalkeeper] Maty Ryan was fantastic, [left back Aziz] Behich was unbelievable, [centre back Harry] Souttar, those last ditch tackles in the last 10 minutes, that was unbelievable, so someone needs to call Albo and ask for a national holiday.”
Yet even in celebration the Socceroos were conscious of what’s to come, with an emotional Duke composing himself in his post-match interview to look ahead to the opportunity his team has earned.
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“I’m going to start crying because it’s such a big moment. For me and my family, my supporters, it’s the best feeling in the world, but you try not to get too caught up in it because the job isn’t done yet, we’ve got one more game to win and get out of the group,” Duke said.
”Honestly, the best moment of my life up to date, in my football career,” he added. “There’s no words. The boys, we made so many sacrifices to get here. It’s the best feeling in the world.”
And do they like their chances against the world class Danes? You bet.
”Confident mate. As I said, we’re trying not to get too caught up in the emotion now. We’ve got one more job to go and time to make some more history for Australia,” Duke concluded.
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