There was no hiding the disappointment among Australia’s high-profile players when they made their first appearance at the Asian Cup at a near-empty Rajamangala stadium in Bangkok.
The Socceroos had been told their matches had been sold out, and that they could expect the sort of reception normally reserved for pop stars.
But when the players marched on to the stadium to play Oman for their first game, then Iraq in their second, it immediately became apparent that someone had been pulling their legs.
Only a few thousand people had bothered to turn up to each game and the Australians hardly turned in the sort of displays that will pack them in next time. They drew 1-1 with Oman and then lost 3-1 to Iraq, prompting an angry outburst from coach Graham Arnold.
“As far as I saw some players didn’t even want to be here,” Arnold said. “They can blame the heat and humidity as expected but this was about attitude.”
The Australians had been told that Thais are among the most fervent football fans in Asia, and they would be the headline act because so many of them play in the English Premier League, which is widely watched in Asia.
The Football Federation of Australia (FFA), which ditched Oceania for Asia in search of tougher opposition and the lure of bigger tournaments, admitted they were surprised by the paltry attendance.
“They’re big Premier League followers so we expected they would be coming out to watch Australia’s Premier League players,” said John Boultbee, Australian soccer’s head of high performance. “The players are happy with everything here… but I know they were very disappointed by the crowd.”
Julian Linden is in Bangkok covering the Asian Cup
Trackback
7 comments so far
Do you think Australia may be starting to regret the decision to look to Asia? Hope so! It’s been hilarious so far — keep it up!
- Posted by RafaHow about trying CONCACAF next, lads. Could be the start of a world tour while you find a confederation you´re happy with.
- Posted by Jack Doylelol! they can go around the world if they want to. i think australia need more determination playing for their country.
- Posted by footballwijaaWow, blame the heat? Last I checked, some parts of Oz in the summer is as hot, if not even hotter than where they playing at now. No excuses about the heat. humidity maybe.
Australia thought Asia would be a pushover for their world cup efforts. They shouldn’t think too highly of themselves and be complacent. From unfancied in South American confederation to favourites in Asian federation. The unfortunate thing is that outside cricket, Aussies only always perform well if they are the underdogs. So perhaps moving to Asian federation was a bad move.
- Posted by Five TimesHa ha ha… it is great to see teams actually from Asia getting stuck in to Australia! Everyone seems to try that bit harder against the “blow-ins”. They though the Asian Cup would be easy - such arrogance!
- Posted by footiefanAgreed. It’s back home for you, lads, with tails between legs.
- Posted by Londonhahaha off they go home, tail between their legs.
- Posted by stew arkers