Socceroos To Play in South Africa - 2010 World Cup

Doesn’t just looking at that heading make your heart beat a little faster, the adrenalin start surging a little faster? If you are a passionate Socceroos fan you will know exactly what I mean.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie

We’re going to be hearing that a lot over the next couple of weeks, so let’s get it in print right now so all those overseas reporters know exactly how it’s spelt. Anyone reading this would think I was a fan! The Socceroos have had a long hard battle to achieve recognition for their skills and abilities in Australia, but the upcoming 2 weeks will see the culmination of their efforts coming together.

Recognition of soccer in Australia has been a struggle, and the Socceroos have worked hard to compete for recognition given the NRL and AFL have such a strong hold on our Australian sports fans. But that is slowly changing. This 2010 World Cup may be just the kind of shot in the arm that rockets soccer from a fringe sport into mainstream Australian sports. Interestingly figures provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that amongst boys in particular soccer has a 20% lead in popularity compared to other sports.

Soccer has grown considerably in popularity amongst the younger generation, since the success of the Socceroos in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Industry analysts say there are key indicators that Australian Rules Football will divide its success with Soccer. No doubt a few diehards will dispute that fact, but only time will tell.

Socceroos History

Just to give you a bit of background history, and because I like talking about them, the Socceroos are the Australian National Football Team who represent Australia in international association football competitions. Association football is known as soccer in Australia. The name the “Socceroos” was originally devised by Sydney journalist, Tony Horstead in 1967.

Australia has been represented at two FIFA World Cup tournaments and has been an Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) champion four times. The highest ranking achieved to date in the FIFA World Ranking has been 14^th. This year, 2010, Australia was top of their group for the World Cup qualification without losing a match and only having to concede one goal. Well that’s enough of the history lesson, but you probably knew most of that anyway. Let’s move on to what’s happening now.

The Lead In to 2010 World Cup

Australia defeats New Zealand 2-1 in Melbourne, Victoria. Australia defeats Denmark 1-0 in Roodepoort, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. United States defeats Australia 3-1 in Roodepoort, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa.

One of the drawbacks Australia faces in being such a multi-national country is that we have many players with dual nationalities, consequently when World Cup time comes round they have to choose where their loyalties lie as to which country they should represent. This means we often lose some of our better players when we need them most.

The Team Departs

Early last week the 28 strong squad of Australian Socceroos left for Johannesburg filled with enthusiasm and high hopes. The squad hasn’t been changed much from the one that played the World Cup in Germany 2006. Ok, so some of them are four years older but, that can equally be good as well as bad, after all that extra experience has to be worth something. 

They were sent off in style with a yellow and green “Socceroo” on the side of the Australian Qantas Boeing 747 plane. This opportunity to take part in the 2010 World Cup is without question the climax of the careers for many of those players.

After arriving, the football team will immediately commence their pre-match trainings. There will be a warm up match between Denmark and Australia on the 1^st; 5th June with the United States with the first match being with Germany on the 13th June. The final stage of elimination means only 23 out of 28 people will be able to play the World Cup.

For The Aussie Supporters

Having been in England during the World Cup in 2002 I can appreciate the enthusiasm of passionate fans and supporters. It’s something you really have to experience to understand, the atmosphere was electric, flags hung from the houses in nearly every street, and if you happened to be working when it was time for England to play a game everyone downed tools and headed for the nearest TV until the game was over. It was just an amazing feeling and even if you weren’t a fan or supporter you just got caught up in all. Now it’s Australia’s turn, and we are setting ourselves up to be every bit as supportive.

When ticket sales for the 2010 World Cup went live there was a mad scramble by thousands of Australian soccer supporters. A million tickets for all 64 matches were made available for sale, which guarantees a sizable green and gold presence when the Socceroos are playing. It has been estimated that over 17,700 Australian fans are heading to South Africa for the games.

Australian 2010 World Cup Guide

Australia's draw

- Monday, June 14: Germany v Australia, Durban, 4.30am

- Saturday, June 20: Ghana v Australia, Rustenburg, midnight 

- Wednesday, June 24: Australia v Serbia, Nelspruit, 4.30am

“Hot Spot” Viewing From Australia

If you weren’t lucky enough to score a ticket or be able to trot over to South Africa to watch the games, Australia has stepped up to the plate to provide some alternatives to make sure you don’t miss out. Who says Aussies can’t be as enthusiastic as any other country? A number of venues have been set up in major cities so you can congregate with fellow supporters and watch the games live on massive TV screens. It might not be quite as good as being there, but believe me it will be pretty close.

For  Brisbane Fans: Well one advantage you will have in watching in Brisbane, it’s a fair assumption the weather will be good, even though it’s the middle of winter, it’s not called the sunshine state for nothing. Maybe not quite as hot as South Africa but you can imagine anyway. We all know Brisbane’s a great city, and it’s busy right now getting all those fantastic little pubs fitted up with huge screens so you can watch the game close up and yell out your support to your heart’s content.

After all you’re not going to miss seeing a goal on screens that size. The main hub of activity for seeing World Cup live action, apart from the small friendly pubs will be in Fortitude Valley. If you haven’t been there before it’s an experience, hundreds of supporters will be flocking round, and so you’ll feel right at home. It’s expected that, right through from June to July the “Valley” will be packed full of football fans, standing room only - just joking, you might find a seat, though maybe a fold up chair might not be such a bad idea.  But if you are going there to cheer your team and talk about the games with thousands of other supporters, do you really care?

Live Hotspot Locations: CBD: Fortitude Valley: Bunk Backpackers

For more information about Brisbane Venues go to:

 http://www.bbmlive.com/World-Cup/watch-world-cup-live-brisbane.html

For  Sydney Fans:  If you are a New South Welshperson (did you notice how politically correct that was)  then you will agree Sydney is the place to watch the World Cup live. Let’s face it there will be lot’s of action, there’s always lots of action in Sydney, but this event will surpass itself. This is one event that you won’t be sleeping through, whilst you record it to watch later, if you are a true fan that isn’t even an option; it’s all being made available for you to get yourself over to the big screen.

I don’t think anyone would disagree when I say the pubs are the best place to watch football, and without question Sydney is just full of pubs of all shapes and sizes. A pub is where you want to be to watch the 2010 World Cup live. Depending of course on just where exactly you live, but the majority of popular spots have got coverage. Kings Cross is well known in the Sydney popularity stakes, and attracts all the tourists anyway, but now we add in football fans to the mix…interesting!

If you are a Darling Harbour fan like me you will already know there are lots of great pubs to be found. The latest news is that Darling Harbour is hosting the Sydney International FIFA Fan Fest. Starting June 11 through to July 12, Sydney's Darling Harbour will be football city packed to the rafters with football enthusiasm and with lots of fun for the rest of the family thrown in. You get to watch live broadcast matches at 9.30pm, midnight and 4.30am on the massive screens. It’s got to be the next best thing to actually being in South Africa at the games.

If you think the city might be a bit too packed for you, take a trip out to Surry Hills where you will find some discerning football fans watching the World Cup live. If you are into deep and meaningful discussions on tactics, rules of the game, and just generally want to voice an opinion this is the place for you to be.

Let’s not forget Darlinghurst, another great little place for you to watch live World Cup action in Sydney. Darlinghurst has an identity of its own, you’ll see when you get there. But of course it’s also got loads of pubs, every one of them full of atmosphere and just waiting for you to watch the World Cup live with them, oh, and maybe buy a beer or two.

Live Hotspot Locations:

 Sydney CBD: Wynyard Hotel, Jackson's on George, Scruffy Murphy's, PJ O’Brien’s Irish Pub, Cargo Bar, James Squire Brewhouse, Paddy MaGuires, Maloney’s Hotel, City Hotel, V Bar, Pyrmont Bridge Hotel

Darlinghurst/Surrey/The Cross: The Gaff, Scubar, The Empire Hotel, Crest Hotel, Kings Cross Hotel

Eastern Suburbs: Cock and Bull, East Leagues Club, Coach and Horses Hotel, Regent Hotel

For more information about Sydney Venues go to:

http://www.bbmlive.com/World-Cup/watch-world-cup-live-sydney.html or: http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/2010-world-cup/news/1007043/Sydney-ready-for-World-Cup-party

 

 For Perth Fans:  Well we all know Perth’s a bit off the beaten track in terms of distance from the rest of Australia, but they are no less enthusiastic about their soccer than the rest of the country. Particularly since there are so many original UK born residents living there. And I am sure I don’t need to tell you they can get a bit excited about their soccer games (it’s ok for me to say that, I grew up with a passionate soccer dad). Try travelling on a train with a load of Chelsea supporters that have just won a game, you’ll know what I mean then.  So if you are planning on watching the World Cup live in Perth you are guaranteed lots of avid supporters just dying to talk about the game and watching the action.

One advantage Perth has over ‘easterners’ is that it’s a bit closer to South Africa, than the rest of the country - if you want to be factual, about seven hours closer, so the time difference is a bit easier to manage, and you might not have to be taking so many ‘sickies’ from work to get to watch all the games.

Better give you some directions for Perth seeing as its so far away. Northbridge is a pretty good place to start, tourists love Northbridge, and then after the games you can relax and enjoy a bit of the nightlife if you want to celebrate for a while. Definitely a good place to watch the World Cup live in Perth from June 11 to July 11.

Last but not least you have to consider Freemantle or Freo as it’s known to the locals. About 20 kilometres south of Perth (give or take a few kilometres, I haven’t been there for a while) Anyway it’s not far from the city and since the days of the Americas Cup it got renovated into up market and trendy. It is definitely worth a visit to watch the World Cup live there. Freemantle really is totally unique with an atmosphere and  ambience of its own. Lots of quaint little pubs and the friendliest people you could hope to be watching a game with.

Live Hotspot Locations:

CBD: The Old Swan Barrack

Freemantle: Newport Hotel.

For more information about Perth Venues go to:

http://www.bbmlive.com/World-Cup/watch-world-cup-live-perth.html

For Melbourne Fans: Do I really need to say anything about Melbourne or do you know it already? Well maybe I best say a few words we wouldn’t want all those Melbournites to feel left out.  Watching the World Cup live in Melbourne will be an experience that you aren’t likely to forget. We are talking here about a multi-cultural city with thousands of enthusiastic football supporters, so how could it not be a stand out experience. In fact Melbourne has a few extras, not common to the other cities. What if you want to go on a pub crawl and watch the games in different pubs, you don’t even have to have a car, just hop on a tram, that’s something most of us don’t get the chance to do every day. You can even watch the World Cup live on the big screens over at Federation Square, or Fed Square as the Melbournians call it – it will definitely be an experience to share World Cup moments with other fans in Fed Square.

If you prefer to be outside the city limits why not try St. Kilda which is one of Melbourne’s most popular suburbs with lots of international residents. You can imagine the action’s going to be pretty lively in the pubs round that area. You can even take the family and let them wander around doing the tourist thing while you watch the live action. 

Well there’s no shortage of pubs in Melbourne as you can be sure there will be plenty of action around the Fitzroy, Richmond, Dockland areas. You are not going to run out of choices when looking round Melbourne for your perfect spot to watch the World Cup.

Another thought to keep in mind is that, Australia is trying to get the World Cup for 2018 or 2022, and Melbourne is on the cards for being one of the likely contenders, so there’s no harm in checking out the best spots a bit in advance!

Live Hotspot Location:

CBD: Sherlock Holmes Inn, Turf Bar

St. Kilda: Pint on Punt

Windsor: Lucky Coq

Fitzroy: Bimbo Deluxe Bar

For more information about Melbourne Venues go to:

http://www.bbmlive.com/World-Cup/watch-world-cup-live-melbourne.html

Other websites:

If you would like to visit some more websites about the Socceroos, other than the ones I’ve already talked about, you might be interested in the two following blogs. 

http://australia.worldcupblog.org/ is the team’s blog as they take on the World Cup – this is definitely an exciting read! You may also be interested in http://sportsaustralia.com/football/fifa_wc06/, which tracks the World Cup and the Socceroos and will help you to stay completely up to date!

Choosing your location:

Hopefully you have managed to find one of those little hotspot locations that will be just right for you. My suggestion is go and have a quick checkout of the place first, just to make sure. After all there couldn’t be anything worse than being disappointed on the day because something wasn’t quite what you wanted. 

This is a major event for the Socceroos and Australia, something all the Aussie football fans, have waited years to see, so make sure you drain every last drop of enjoyment out it. Think of it as a practice run for when we get the games in 2018 - then we can do it all over again!