Australia vs. Brazil Preview

Australia doesn’t have to beat Brazil, even if we don’t get a draw, our hopes of progressing from Group F into the second round are very much alive. That is the luxury that the win over Japan has given the Socceroos. We don’t have to chase a result in this match, we can play the game on our terms.

There are four players carrying a yellow card from the Japan match – Craig Moore, Tim Cahill, John Aloisi and Vince Grella. If any of these players were to pick up another yellow they would automatically be suspended from the crucial match against Croatia. Hiddink has the option of protecting these players in order for them to play against Croatia.

However ask any professional sportsman and they will tell you they like to test themselves against the best in the business. Can you imagine Tim Cahill enjoying sitting this game out? World Cups only come around every 4 years and qualifying for one can take 32 years. This is a tournament to live in the moment, play like it’s your last match. Australia should go all out in the game as the world is watching. Beating Japan warranted praise, taking it up to Brazil demands respect.

Australia has played Brazil five times winning once, losing once and coming out equals on three occasions. That’s a pretty handy record against the world’s greatest football nation.

Hiddink will most likely employ his 4-2-3-1 formation. Brazil plays with Ronaldo and Adriano up front and Kaka and Ronaldinho floating around behind them. Moore and Neill will have the task of covering the two Brazilian strikers with Chipperfield and Emerton providing cover. Australia’s two defensive midfielders, Grella and Culina, will aim to occupy the space that Ronaldinho and Kaka love to drift into and setup deadly attacks. Australian cannot give away possession like they did against Japan, as the Brazilians are lethal when they surge forward into the space that has been created.

Australia needs to play to their strengths by playing an energetic and physical game. It was the fitness of the Australian players that made them able to play 4 up forward in the latter stages of the Japan game which led to the 3 goals. If Australia is still with Brazil in the late stages of the game there is every chance of an upset.

Tim Cahill is now 100% and yellow card permitting is certain to start. He should replace Luke Wilkshire who looks out of his league in such a tournament. If Hiddink does decide to rest Moore and Grella expect Skoko and Popovic to be the replacements. This is dangerous though as sending Popovic into action against the Brazilians is like playing Phil Smyth against the Harlem Globetrotters.

Whatever happens though this is what we craved so badly in wanting to reach the World Cup. We’re not here to make up the numbers or be the toys for the big boys to play with. We have to believe we belong on this grand stage with a lead role to play. A spirited display on Sunday will go a long way to earning us this title. Do yourselves proud Socceroos, the world is watching and Australia is dreaming.

Likely team line-up: Schwarzer; Emerton, Neill, Moore, Chipperfield; Grella, Culina; Kewell, Cahill, Bresciano; Viduka.

Our prediction of Australia beating Japan by two goals was spot on and on Sunday we expect Australia to hold Brazil to a draw. Come on Aussies!