AUSSIES: PRIDE OF ASIA
20 December 2008
Written by: Scott Weigand
Australia are in the worlds top 30 nations for the first time
Following the release of the latest world rankings by FIFA for December 2008, Australians have good reason to feel optimistic about the rise of Australian football. The latest rankings put Australia at an all time high of 28 and also continue Australia's recent dominance of the Asian Football Confederation with Japan still ranked second.
Much discussion has surfaced in recent times by football fans in response to the media stating Australian "soccer is in crisis" which are proven to be flawed with these latest rankings, Adelaide Uniteds excellent showing in the Asian Champions League and at the club world cup and the form of our overseas stars at club level.
So much so that we can look forward to an even better world ranking with continuing success in world cup qualifying and Asian cup qualifying. A good showing in 2010 should we qualify which looks most likely will also help with this. But it is the reforms put into place by the FFA including the introduction of small sided games and the National Youth League which have the best potential to improve playing standards for future generations of Socceroos.
With the likes of Kewell, Viduka, Cahill, Culina nearing the latter stages of their professional playing careers it is a timely boost, one that is sure to produce players with even more flair and skill which will elevate the Socceroos to a new level, hopefully culminating in a home world cup win in 2018 or 2022.
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