Sport
World Cup hopes over, but Aussie pride on a high
The Socceroos have been sent packing from the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, however the side is being celebrated in Australia for their fighting performances – particularly their recent loss to the highly-fancied Netherlands in the group stage.
After smashing World Cup holders Spain in game one, the Dutch side was pushed to the brink at Porto Alegre against the Socceroos, who lead the Netherlands 2-1 during the second half.
Tim Cahill cemented his place in Australian sporting history with yet another World Cup goal, which many have said is his greatest ever. He has now scored five goals across three World Cup competitions, making him Australia’s most prolific goal scorer in World Cup history.
Cahill’s volley came just a minute after Arjen Robben scored to give the Netherlands a 1-0 lead.
After halftime the Socceroos capitalised on a handball penalty to go 2-1 up against the Dutch. Captain Mile Jedinak slotted the penalty kick in the 54th minute, but from there the Netherlands landed two goals through Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay.
The Socceroos will tell you they didn’t go to the World Cup for honourable losses, but it hard not to be impressed by the national side’s efforts against such tough opponents. They lost 3-1 against Chile in the first group match in Cuiaba after failing to capitalise on their opportunities.
The loss to the Netherlands was compounded by the other result in Group B – Chile beat Spain 2-0 which closed the door on Australia’s chances of moving beyond the group stage. Both the Netherlands and Chile will now progress to the round of 16 with Australia and Spain left to fight out a dead rubber.
The national side will have to find a way to beat Spain without Cahill, who received consecutive yellow cards, making him ineligible for the game at Curitiba. Australia and Spain will play their final World Cup match on Tuesday June 24.
