< Why support the Socceroos? >

1) Harry.

2) I like supporting underdogs. Hahaha. So that effectively rules out Brazil! Those who aren't exactly too underdogs like Angola, Togo, etc, but at least a team recognisable enough for me, and still considered underdogs. Australia are definitely considered underdogs in a group that consists of Brazil, Japan and Croatia. Most seem to think that Brazil and Japan are the favourites to go through in this group.

3) It's a rather likeable team. I don't exactly like Viduka because he looks like an ex-classmate I didn't really like, but other than that, I find no reason why I should dislike the rest of the team. Some don't like Lucas Neill because of what he's done to our players, but Harry says he doesn't really mean it. Timmy Cahill is fine with me, and the rest I don't exactly know much about them anyway! Comparatively with other countries, like how I hate at least half of the England squad, find the Dutch and Italian arrogant, can't stand the Japanese since they played Singapore in the WC qualifying, the Aussies are the most likeable! They don't have airs about them, have a good manager, fighting spirit and teamwork!

4) My brother works there, is staying there with my sister-in-law for 2 years.

5) Geographical position. If I'm not wrong, Australia is our closest neighbour in the WC! I've not measured Japan's distance from us, but I think Australia's closer....?

6) I've been to Australia the most times, and will be going to Australia this month! After Malaysia, Australia is probably the country I've been to the most. I went to Gold Coast, Brisbane when I was 12, went to Perth last June, and this June, I'll be going there again! In fact... in less than 2 weeks, I'll be there! From what I've observed during the few overseas trips I've gone to, Aussies are the next friendliest after the Thais, though it's obviously easier to communicate with Aussies than with the Thais. This June, my entire family will be going to Gold Coast first for a few days, before going to visit my brother in some place called Toowoomba. Hopefully, there'll be some kind of WC atmosphere there which I can soak in, and I'll catch Australia v Brazil there on TV! YAY!

7) Previous Socceroos experience:
Okok, I'm a newbie when it comes to supporting the socceroos. I can't even name you the entire squad without referring. I definitely know more about the Spanish, English, Brazilians than the Aussies. But that didn't deter me from supporting the Aussies when they played Uruguay in the WC playoff. I've seen a couple of penalty shootouts, and this was one of the three occasions in the past year where the team I supported ended up on the winning side.



Though I knew only half the team, I found the Aussie spirit really something to be proud of. They fought hard for each other, and that was how they clinched that victory and their spot in the Finals in Germany!