Create your to stream all 64 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2022ᵀᴹ live and free any time on your favourite device.
Even the most ardent Socceroos fan must be fearing the worst entering Australia’s opening match of the FIFA World Cup against France next Wednesday morning.
But life is too short to live in fear and there’s reasons to be believe that the Socceroos can shock the world and secure what would be the most famous win in Australia’s football history.
The last time France entered the World Cup as the defending champion was in 2002.
Les Bleus were overwhelming favourites in the opening match of the tournament against Senegal and few gave the Lions of Teranga a chance.
What followed, was one of, if not, the greatest upset in World Cup history with Senegal winning 1-nil in Seoul.
The late Papa Bouba Diop scored the only goal of the match in the 30th minute to etch his name into World Cup folklore.
It was a disastrous campaign for Les Bleus as they finished bottom of their group. It also marked the first time the holders had been eliminated in the first round since Brazil in 1966.
This French side will also have to buck a recent trend which has seen the past four World Cup winners from Europe fail to reach the knockout stage.
Not since Brazil in 2006 has a defending World Cup champion won their opening match of the tournament.
Italy in 2010, Spain in 2014 and Germany in 2018 all started their title defence with a loss or a draw.
Are you starting to believe now Australia?
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold will also be encouraged by the way France has conceded goals in recent matches.
In two of their past three games, a corner kick has led to Didier Deschamps’ side conceding.
Set pieces could prove the difference if the Socceroos are to do the unthinkable and the returning Harry Souttar will fancy his chances of scoring a famous goal for Australia.
After all, when the two nations met at the last World Cup in Russia, it was an Aaron Mooy free kick that led to a handball in the box from Samuel Umtiti with Mile Jedinak equalising from the penalty spot.
It took an 81st minute own goal from Aziz Behich involving Paul Pogba, who won’t play in Qatar, to secure victory for France against the Socceroos in Kazan.
Again, are you starting to believe Australia?
This World Cup will also be played in what Socceroos’ coach Graham Arnold calls the side’s ‘second home’.
Unable to play regular matches on home soil during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Socceroos used Qatar as a base for the bulk of their qualifying campaign.
Qatar has become a fortress for the Socceroos, recording victories over Oman, China, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Peru in their past five games in the gulf nation.
Australia is also familiar with Al Janoub Stadium, having played Jordan at the venue in the lead up to the final round of World Cup qualifiers in June.
Given the unique circumstances of this World Cup, the familiarity of Qatari conditions could provide an extra edge for the Socceroos.
Australian fans can rest assured, Graham Arnold will make this team believe they can beat France.
Few gave his side a chance against Peru in June, and they proved the doubters wrong then.
Arnie wants his side to resemble 11 boxing kangaroos against France and it’s almost time to find out if they can land the knockout blow.
WATCH every match of the FIFA World Cup 2022ᵀᴹ LIVE and FREE on SBS and
