Monday, June 12, 2006

Countdown to Japan

It is the day before the evening (Qld time) when we will see Australia lock horns with Japan in our first (and second ever) World Cup outing in over 30 years. I am excited. In my view we must beat Japan by more than 2 goals to have a realistic chance of winning the group. I see us at best losing by 1 goal to Brazil and probably drawing with Croatia. So the extra goal to see us through comes against Japan.

Our last warm up against Leichtenstein produced a 3-1 win, but not as convincing as I would hope. Lets hope that was the exorcism of complacency and perhaps some useful experimenting, eg with beanpole striker Josh Kennedy (our answer to England's ex-Southampton striker Peter Crouch, without the robotic dancing). Time will tell. I can only trust that Guus Hiddink's Asian experience will stand us in good stead against the Japanese.

Prediction: Australia 3 Japan 1

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