Australian as Sterjovski

BEDFORD ROAD: So ahead of tonights showdown, what can we say about the Socceroos? Before the tournament I thought we were every chance to make the second round, and now on the verge, even though I'd desperately like us to go through, going out in a hard fought game tonight would not mean this tournament was a disappointment.

It's been a wonderful two weeks, from Tim Cahill's delirious double to Lucas Neill's powerful, precise tackling, we have looked like we belong. I never thought I'd be desperately hoping for an equaliser in the last ten minutes against the Brazilians. Yet somehow the Socceroos played well enough to take me on a flight of fancy, contemplating a different opponent after topping our group ahead of Brazil.

It wasn't to be and it was some consolation that the late second goal was scored not by a Ronaldo or a Rohnaldino, certainly not a Socrates, but a Fred. A name that seems far more comfortable before a Gasnier, a Churchill, or a Skilton than it does in the exoticism of the Selecao. But then maybe you could just call it another strike by three-meat-and-veg Australia against the beautiful game.