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Though Australia debuted in 1974 Soccer World Cup with a team made of amateur footballers, their performance was praiseworthy despite being unable to surpass the group stages. However they had to wait 32 years for their second appearance in 2006 Germany World Cup and the Socceroos displayed some impressive football. They defeated Japan, lost to Brazil and drew with Croatia to proceed to the round of 16. They met Italy, the eventual winners and though holding them for 3 minutes till stoppage time, lost to a controversial penalty. This time the Australian football team had a tough qualification round through the Asian Zone and they have proved that they are in tremendous touch which they hope to carry in their third outing in FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

How They Got There?

The Australian football team’s performances in the qualifiers were brilliant. Except losing the away match against Asian champions Iraq and the home match against China, they topped the Group by remaining undefeated in the rest of the matches. In the final round, Australians played incredibly and didn’t lose any of the eight matches. They were way ahead of the other teams in the Group – Japan, Bahrain, Uzbekistan and Qatar and became the third team to confirm their berth for 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The Coach

For a coach whose experiences has been largely limited to coaching clubs in Netherlands and acting as deputy for national coaches, Pim Verbeek has come a long way. Verbeek assisted the legendary Dutch coach Guus Hiddink and Dick Advocaat for South Korea that included the Asian teams 2002 Korea/Japan and 2006 Germany World Cup campaigns. Verbeek was given independent charges of South Korea in 2006 and he led them to the third place of 2007 AFC Asian Cup. In 2007, Pim Verbeek was appointed the coach for the Socceroos. By building a rock solid defense and a well organized Australian football squad, Verbeek guided them throughout their impressive qualifying campaign to reach the finals.

The Team

Would Socceroos Jump Ahead?

Galatasaray’s Harry Kewell and Joshua Kennedy make the Socceroos forward line. An exceptional dribbler Kewell also doubles as a left winger. Australia has a superb midfield led by Everton’s Tim Cahill, known for his goal scoring abilities. Equally important is Blackburn’s right winger Brett Emerton. The duo of Cahill and Emerton is supported ably by Blackburn’s Vince Grella and Jason Culina in the center. Australia conceded only one goal in the final qualifying round and the credit mostly goes to central defender and captain of the team, Galatasaray’s Lucas Neill and Basel’s left back, the underrated Scott Chipperfield. The duo along with veteran custodian Mark Schwarzer form the almost invincible defense of the Australian world cup squad.

Striking Gold

Though Pim Verbeek’s 4-2-3-1 formation had sailed Australia through the qualifiers, critics are skeptic whether this strategy would work against the strong teams. But can the experienced team comprising of Germany 2006 World Cup veterans sparkle in the field? Will the Socceroos be able to continue their qualifying success story in South Arica? Will the Australian football squad be “third time lucky”? We are yet to know!

Others in Group D

1.Germany
2.Serbia
3.Ghana

For a nation that is primarily known for Rugby and Cricket, interestingly New Zealand’s football history is almost eighty years old. But, FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa will mark just their second appearance in the World Cup Finals. New Zealand lost all three pool matches in their debut Soccer World Cup in 1982 at Spain. In between 1982 and 2010, the New Zealand football squad, nicknamed All Whites, had won the OFC Nation Cup thrice, in 1998, 2002 and 2008. Now, 28 years after their first world cup campaign the All Whites will hope to put up some decent performances.

How They Got There?

Passing Their Way

The Kiwis topped their Oceania qualification group by winning the first five games. Post this New Zealand had to wait for 11 months before they met Bahrain, the fifth placed Asian nation, for a two match play-off. In the away match at Manama, New Zealand settled for a scoreless draw with Bahrain. And then came the judgment day for New Zealand in Wellington that had a record 35,194 fans cheering for the home team. In this edge-of-the seat match New Zealand beat Bahrain 1-0 courtesy Rory Fallon’s header in the 45th minute. But it was the second half penalty save by New Zealand’s custodian Mark Paston that ensured the All Whites’ South African safari.

The Coach

Coaching the national team since 2005, Ricki Herbert is largely credited for inspiring a bunch of relatively unknown footballers to qualify for the World Cup Finals. A center back for the team’s 1982 World Cup squad, he will have the rare distinction of participating in the tournament both as a player and a coach. As a footballer Herbert won three Chatham Cup and two New Zealand Championships with Mt Wellington AFC. As a club coach he won the Chatham Cup twice and the New Zealand Championship once, for Central United. But winning OFC Nation Cup for New Zealand in 2008 is so far his career’s biggest achievement. Ricki Herbert is known for his pragmatic strategies, calmness and in depth knowledge about each footballer in the team.

The Team

All Whites For The Safari

The prolific striker Shane Smeltz who had been Oceania Footballer of the year and record top scorer in Australian A league leads the New Zealand attack. Chris Killen, Rory Fallon and Chris Wood are the other forwards in the team. New Zealand veteran Simon Elliott will be the key midfielder. Captain Ryan Nelsen, the team’s center back and the most renowned player of the All Whites is the backbone of the defense. Left back Tommy Smith will be supporting the Blackburn footballer. Mark Paston is expected to be under the bar for New Zealand, though Ricki Herbert has another option in Glen Moss.
Coach Ricki Herbert has a huge challenge ahead of him. With a team that lacks enough international experience, it will be a tall task to get through the first round itself in South Africa. But can New Zealand defy the odds, avoid embarrassing scorelines and create some surprises against superior opponents? Let’s wait and watch!

Others In Group F

1.Italy
2.Paraguay
3.Slovakia

Nicknamed Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes), the Algerian national football team is back to the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa. In their last appearance in 1986 Mexico Soccer World Cup, Algeria was eliminated in the first round after two defeats and a draw. But Algeria’s performance in their debut 1982 Spain World Cup was remarkable. In their first day opening match Algeria defeated the then reining European Champions West Germany by 2-1. They defeated Chile 3-2 but lost to Austria 2-0. However, West Germany’s dubious 1-0 win over Austria, which many speculated to be fixed, ended Algeria’s World Cup dreams. But this time the Algerian World Cup squad is strongly determined to better their World Cup records.

How They Got There?

Snatching A Berth From Their Competitors

Algeria’s performance in the World Cup qualifiers was nothing less than a roller coaster ride. Algeria won all the six home matches against Senegal, Gambia, Liberia, Egypt, Zambia and Rwanda in the second and third rounds. But they lost way matches to Senegal, Gambia and Egypt and drew against Liberia and Rwanda. In their away match against Zambia, Algeria won 2-1. As a result, they had a one point lead over Gambia, Senegal and Liberia in the first round but were at par with Egypt. Algeria won the one-off playoff match against Egypt 1-0 in Omdurman, Sudan and booked their berth to FIFA World Cup 2010.

The Coach

Algerian Coach Rabah Saadane had a non-descript football career playing for some domestic clubs in Algeria and a brief stint in France. This is his fifth stint as the Algerian national team coach. His first coaching stint with Algeria was in 1981-82 followed by 1986 when the team was ousted in Mexico World Cup. Before joining the national squad again in 2007 Saadane coached them in 1999 and 2003-2004. As a club coach Saadane won the African Champions League for Moroccan club Raja Casablanca in 1989 and the Arab Champions League title in 2007 for Algerian Club ES Setif.

The Team

The Desert Foxes Ready To Pounce

Algeria’s forward boasts of Antar Yahia whose solitary goal against Egypt earned their place in the finals. He and forward Karim Matmour will be eager to prove their goal scoring abilities in the World Cup. Algeria’s main strength is their midfield led by the team’s captain and playmaker Yazid Mansouri. He is supported by the multi talented Karim Ziani and the attacking midfielder Mourad Meghni. The trio of Mansouri, Ziani and Meghni can be dangerous for any team on their day. The backbone of Algerian defense is their centre back Madjid Bougherra and left wingback Nadir Belhadj. Algeria’s main custodian is Lounes Gaouaoui though they have a brilliant backup goalie in Faouzi Chaouchi whose performance in playoff against Egypt had made him a national hero.

After spending 24 years in wilderness, Algeria will try to break their jinx of first round eliminations. But can the 1990 CAF African Cup of Nations winner do it? Can Coach Rabah Saadane inspire a bunch of young and spirited footballers to sparkle in the field? All questions will be put to rest in South Africa!

Others In Group C

1.England
2.U.S.A
3.Slovenia