Australia

The men from down under have once more sailed through the qualification stage after only conceding one goal in the entire process and became, not surprisingly, the first team to confirm their place in South Africa, providing them with plenty of time to navigate across the Indian ocean to where they set to start their World Cup campaign in Durban on the 13th of June against Germany.

This will no doubt be a tough opener for the country that may be overawed by the stark contrast of their World Cup group, with Serbia and Ghana also been drawn in Group D, compared to Japan, Qatar, Bahrain and Uzbekistan who they faced to qualify for the tournament, none of whom are renowned footballing nations. This point was exasperated in Australia’s 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign, when they earned the largest ever recorded international victory by beating American Samoa 31-0.

Maybe this is doing them an injustice however, the Socceroos that is, as in 2006 they did show us that they really are a jack of all trades when it comes to sport. After having progressed from a group containing Japan, Croatia and Brazil, Australia met eventual winners Italy in the last 16. That last sentence should give you a clear indication as to which way the match went, however, the scoreline of 1-0 does not tell the true story. Italy went down to 10men after Materazzi saw red, and it took a 93rd minute penalty from Totti to avoid extra-time, the first time in World Cup history that a game had been decided by a last minute penalty in normal time.

The men in green and gold are led by Pim Verbeek, who does have World Cup experience having been the assistant to Guus Hiddink and Dick Advocaat, who led South Korea in the World Cups of 2002 and 2006, respectively. The Dutchman has openly criticised the A-League in Australia – their equivalent of the Premiership - and will move on after South Africa, but fortunately this does mean many of the more skilful Aussie players have found employment in Europe in a bid to improve their overall ability and chances of making the squad for 2010.

Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer will no doubt be in-between the posts having had an impressive season for Fulham, culminating in an UEFA Cup final appearance for the 37year old. Dynamic fullback Lucas Neill will lead his country out with Patrick Kisnorbo potentially gaining a defensive starting shirt, having beat off Beckford for the plaudit of Leeds United’s “Player of the Year”.

Leeds’ connection does not end there, as Harry Kewell will play a prominent role upfront, potentially being partnered by Middlesbrough’s Scott McDonald. Whereas, the midfield sees Blackburn provide Vince Grella and Brett Emerton, with Everton’s Tim Cahill also a guarantee for a start. An image of Cahill boxing a corner flag in South Africa is almost inevitable.

If Australia do progress from Group D, a last 16 tie against a Group C team awaits. This could mean a tasty tie against England, where obviously many of the Socceroos play their football. A high intensity, competitive match could be in order, but I believe England will just edge it, meaning the Australians will be an unfortunate casualty, after no doubt entertaining the World during the Group stages.

So, despite having a backbone of relatively good football players, Australia, I believe will suffer the same fate as they did in 2006. They will scrap through Group D in second place, and deservedly so, yet England will pose too much of a scalp. Let’s just hope for England that they in turn suffer the same fate as Australian’s victors in 2006.