Why Australia Will Win the World Cup 2014

Sunday, June 8th, 2014

The 2014 World Cup kicks off next Thursday and things are really heating up on the final countdown to this massive international event. The general consensus seems to be that Brazil and Spain are the hot contenders for this year’s Cup, but we’ve got other ideas. At Panda Sweeps, we think the Australian team are long overdue their chance to shine – and we reckon they’ve got the goods to walk away with the Cup this year.

Many football fans will underestimate Australia – currently ranked 59th of 59 in world FIFA rankings – but those willing to open their mind to what is possible through determination and spirit will see Australia’s 2014 potential. With an exciting new team of young hopefuls with the ambition to achieve success for the Australian nation, and a Group draw daunting enough to give the side the motivation they’ll need to secure victory, we’re convinced that we’ll be telling the story of Australia’s fairytale triumph for generations to come.

The team’s aim this year is to “show the world what Australians are made of, and test [themselves] against the very best football players in the world.” While this may sound like an ill-advised social experiment, Australia’s adamant confidence in their ability has stolen our hearts and we can admit right now that we are officially sold.

Australia’s Group draw does make for some grim reading – with the Socceroos assuming the role of David to Spain, Holland and Chile’s Goliath. However, while these three teams conceded the lowest percentages of goals from wide positions, it can’t be denied that Australia’s qualification for this year’s World Cup is a promising start for the enthusiastic Aussies.

This is the team’s impressive fourth time qualifying for the World Cup – and we think the 2014 squad have got that special something needed to beat their record World Cup position of 14th place in 1974. And while coach Ange Postecoglou made the decision to cut Josh Kennedy from the final 23-man squad, the man responsible for their World Cup qualification, we’re sure he had his reasons. Postecoglou described the team as “a squad that can do Australia proud”, and we think he might just be right.

Here’s a look at Australia’s World Cup dream team:

Goalkeepers:

Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide United), Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund), Mat Ryan (Club Brugge).

Defenders:

Jason Davidson (Heracles Almelo), Ivan Franjic (Brisbane Roar), Ryan McGowan (Shandong Luneng Taishan), Matthew Spiranovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk Hyundai) , Bailey Wright (Preston North End).

Midfielders:

Oliver Bozanic (Luzern), Mark Bresciano (Al Gharafa), James Holland (Austria Vienna), Mile Jedinak (Crystal Palace), Massimo Luongo (Swindon Town), Matt McKay (Brisbane Roar), Mark Milligan (Melbourne Victory), Tommy Oar (Utrecht), James Troisi (Melbourne Victory), Dario Vidosic (Sion).

Forwards:

Tim Cahill (New York Red Bulls), Ben Halloran (Fortuna Dusseldorf), Mathew Leckie (FSV Frankfurt 1899), Adam Taggart (Newcastle Jets).

In the face of adversity, criticism and straight-up contempt, the Australian all-stars could just walk away with the 2014 Cup. If you’re convinced, why not organise a World Cup sweepstake while there’s still time? There’s no easier way to organise a sweep for this year’s World Cup – and you could be lucky enough to draw the Australian lads themselves.