There is a peculiar alchemy to Australia's campaign so far. It is not elegant, nor particularly easy on the eye. But what the Socceroos lack in polish...
There is a peculiar alchemy to Australia's campaign so far. It is not elegant, nor particularly easy on the eye. But what the Socceroos lack in polish, they have compensated for with a ferocious, almost obstinate will to survive. They have played with the kind of low block that frustrates purists and the sort of transitional play that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats. It has been a tournament of grit, not grace, and for the neutral it has been compelling theatre.Graham Arnold's side have not so much conquered their group as they have dragged themselves through it, kicking and screaming. Every match has felt like a cup final, each tackle carrying the weight of a nation's expectation. They have shown tactical flexibility when needed, shifting from a desperate rearguard action to sudden, clinical breaks that remind you of just how dangerous they can be in the final third. The question now is whether they have the legs left to go again.And what a tasty clash awaits. The United States present a completely different kind of test. Where Australia have relied on sheer defiance, the Americans possess athleticism in spades and a transitional speed that can tear apart the most disciplined of blocks. This will be no time for squeaky bum time; if the Socceroos drop too deep, they will be picked apart. If they press too high, they risk being exposed by the runs of their opponents in behind. It is a tactical tightrope that demands absolute concentration.Can this Australian side, so resilient yet so limited in possession, really trouble a USA outfit brimming with Premier League talent and Champions League experience It is a question that will be answered on the pitch, not in the pre match analysis. One thing is for certain: they have not come this far to simply make up the numbers. Their journey has the feel of a team that believes, against all reason, that something special is possible. That belief, as much as any formation or strategy, could be the decisive factor.This is not a clash of titans. It is a clash of characters. And on a good day, character can carry you a long way. The nation will be watching, hoping that their team can once again bottle that indefinable spirit and cause another upset. The stage is set for a proper scrap.
