I’m well aware that by putting the word “Socceroos” in the title I’ve limited my audience to virtually none, what with there being virtually none of you who have that much interest in sport. You might have noticed that I’ve been trying to cleverly disguise my sports posts by writing an ambiguous first paragraph in order that people might actually read the rest of the post when they get the summary in their feed readers.

This morning’s game was an historic event in the soccer football world. Australia has finally made it to the big time, and made the second round in the greatest sporting tournament in all the world. It’s a funny game, and the cliche goes, and it was funniest to see the contrast in the fortunes of Harry Kewell and Zeljko Kalac.

Kalac was fortunate to have found himself a place in the side as the replacement goalkeeper after Schwarzer had put in some solid, if not inspiring efforts between the posts. For Kalac, however, that was where his fortunes ended. He was as incompetent as it is possible for a goalkeeper to be. He almost dropped the ball into his own net from an insignificant corner. The second goal for Croatia could only be described as a “howler”. He looked a goalkeeper out of his league.

Kewell, on the other hand, was a player who could do little wrong. He played like a man with a purpose. Harry Kewell hasn’t looked that good since he was at the peak of his powers at Leeds. The goal was just the icing on the cake for a player who was involved in just about everything that was happening. Harry, that wunderkind has grown up to be a real hero.

Australia will probably not get past Italy. They are the sort of team that has the skills and the pragmatism to beat the enthusiasm and spirit of Australia. But, you never know, there are precedents. Just as long as Guus doesn’t give us Kalac again…..