Socceroos icon John Aloisi knows all about carrying an underdog tag into a FIFA World Cup – but he thinks the current crop should use it to their advantage.
The hero of Australia’s drought-breaking qualification in a dramatic penalty shootout against Uruguay 21 years ago, Aloisi has seen it all when it comes to experts writing off the green and gold on the world stage.
John Aloisi stands in front of a statue of himself. Getty
Aloisi knows the pressure and expectation that comes with a World Cup, but also the importance of having a nation behind the team.
On deck for Sportsbet’s World Cup launch this week, which featured a 40-metre high inflatable Statue of Liberty in his likeness, alongside former teammate Mark Schwarzer and UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski, Aloisi told nine.com.au that the message was clear and urged the Aussie public to rally around the side.
“It’s pretty surreal, I didn’t expect to see a statue that big of myself, but they wanted to make a splash and get people talking about the World Cup,” Aloisi said.
“The message to everyone is to believe – that’s what we were able to do back in 2005 when we qualified after so long, we got Australia believing in us.
“I’m hoping the country can get behind this current Socceroos squad and believe that they can cause some upsets and go deep in the tournament.”
Very few are expecting the Aussies to cause damage when the tournament kicks off in the United States and a lot of the criticism is coming from the host nation.
The fuse was lit when the groups were first announced by pundit Mike Grella, who labelled the Socceroos as a “lay-up” for the Americans to beat.
Grella doubled down by saying the US team should ‘stay home’ if they were unable to beat the Aussies in their group stage match on June 20 (AEST).
John Aloisi celebrates his winning goal in the 2005 World Cup qualifiers. Getty
The pile-on continued when former US international Alexi Lalas described the Socceroos as “average” and said they would struggle in the tournament.
It’s created an underdog mentality feeling that Aloisi and his Socceroos teammates from the 2006 World Cup know all too well.
Aloisi admitted there was a “lack of respect” coming from some loud voices, but sent a cautious warning to anyone “silly” enough to write off Australia.
“We’ve always been underestimated no matter what, that’s normal for us and that’s been the case since we started qualifying for World Cups,” he said.
“Everyone underestimates us and you only have to look at what we did in 2006 or what the team did at the last World Cup, making it out of a tough group and then taking Argentina to their limits to see what the Socceroos are capable of.
“There’s a lack of respect in the way they’re talking about us, but are they doing it just to create some sensation and hype around their own team?
“It’s very silly to underestimate any team at a World Cup. I know you can say that we’re probably not the strongest team, but don’t call us average or a lay-up.
“I actually think them speaking like that will only add fuel to the fire.”
While players often say they don’t listen to external noise, Aloisi believes that coach Tony Popovic and the Socceroos will do the complete opposite.
“I think it’s actually better to hear that criticism,” he said.
Tony Popovic is entering his first World Cup campaign as coach. Getty
“As a coach, I would use that to my advantage. Other people and especially the opposition are not thinking we can do this, so let’s go prove them wrong.
“Draw on past Socceroos teams and how we were written off and were the underdogs and use that, which I’m sure Popa will do.”
Popovic named his 26-man Socceroos squad earlier this week, and it features a balance of both youth and experience.
Among the more senior players are Matt Leckie and Mat Ryan, who will create a slice of history by featuring at a fourth World Cup, as well as other familiar faces including Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek and Jackson Ivrine.
Nestory Irankunda is one of Australia’s rising stars. AP Photo/Kyusung Gong
Aloisi admitted while there’s not many lines to be drawn between the 2006 squad and this crop, the inclusions of two young guns has him feeling optimistic.
“It’s a little bit different, I wouldn’t say there are too many similarities,” he said.
“We had a lot of experience back then, but none of us had experienced playing in a World Cup, which is completely different.
“We’ve got some good, experienced players in there who have been at a few World Cups already, but we’ve also got some young talented players coming through as well and I think Popa’s got the right balance with the squad.
“You can’t look past what Nestory Irankunda can do at any moment, he is able to create something out of nothing and can score some spectacular goals.
“I’m also interested to see how Cristian Volpato goes, we haven’t seen him in green and gold but he’s a very talented player.
“Harry Souttar also hasn’t played a lot of football, but I know how good he is.
“It’s not about one or two players though, it’s about the whole squad and that’s the mentality we had back in 2006 as well.”
Australia begin their campaign against Turkey on Sunday, June 14 (AEST) in Vancouver before taking on the US six days later in Seattle.
Their group stage will conclude on June 26 against Paraguay in Santa Clara.