Australia is about to commence its fourth football World Cup campaign in a row. This is something which could not have been countenanced thirty years ago, in the so called wilderness years. The single inaugural appearance in West Germany in 1974 (itself, a remarkable feat) might have been the last given the long run of misses, including a famous one against Iran in 1997.

But here we are again, with a new coach and a team of determined, workmanlike players. It is probably unfair to make comparisons with the team of 2006 though people will do so. There is a dearth of individual stars playing with big clubs, but there is a solid mix of youth and experience. We can only hope than Van Marwyk has the developed a team organisation and game plan sufficient to take the challenge up to the French, Danes and Peruvians.

It is a huge ask but still within the realm of possibility. Otherwise, who could dream the big dreams?

A flashback to the historic Socceroo team of 1974: