Tags: soccer, football, world cup, australia,
So now that the sting of the defeat in the world cup of Australia by the forces of evil Italy have subsided, i have realised that other than winning money on teams i have money on in the sweep, i really don’t care what happens anymore in the world cup. My team is eliminated after putting up one hell of a fight and suprising the world by a sudden ability in a game we are not renowned for. Its nice to see.
But its also drawn me to ponder aspects of our national identity. After the inital reactions that our team was robbed by an overly dramatic opposition who can take a tumble at the slightest opportunity, a sense of national pride decended accross the nation as we reflected on a job well done. In Australian history its a common belief that the real birth of Australia as a nation wasn’t at federation when Australia became its own nation but rather instead Australia was truely born on the far away shores of Gallipoli during world war 1 that although from a militiary perspective was a defeat after stalemate, was a huge victory for national pride and self respect. Its almost as if the same line of reasoning has broken out in regard to our Soccer team. Not expected to qualify for the world cup by many, instead they not only made the final 32 nations but then made it to the final 16 against what were the favoured teams. Australian pride in adversity is alive and well it seems. Thats why the team is getting a tickertape parade when it comes home in August. For a job bloody well done.
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