Australia arrived in Qatar two weeks ago to low expectations back home. After an underwhelming qualifying period and a last minute escape from the clutches of Peru in a playoff, there were few outside the squad who thought that the team would get out of their group. Moreover, there were doubts about the capacity of the manager to handle big assignments against quality opposition. The feeling was that we were really just making up the numbers and much commentary suggested the team would soon be on the first flight home.

Then there was the opening match against World Champions France, who seemed to rather too easily carve the Socceroos open in their 4-1 win. Pessimists saw that as the final piece of evidence that we would shortly be exiting the tournament. We were just not good enough.

Funny how things can change around in the space of 4 days. Defeating Tunisia first and then Denmark this morning, both by a solitary goal, has changed gloom to euphoria, with former critics falling over themselves to praise the team. Two wins in a row and three goals from open play have set a new benchmark for any future Socceroo side.

The Round of 16 begins shortly and Australia have the daunting task of taking on Messi's Argentina. Having started slowly with a shock defeat to Saudi Arabia (possibly the biggest upset in World Cup history) the South Americans have looked awfully good in their last two games. Messi is in top form. The team oozes talented players.

Yet who knows? Football is one of those games when upsets can occur anywhere at any time. The Socceroos can only get better and with an ounce of good luck, might take their fancied opponents down to the wire.

Who would have thought?