What a difference in the Socceroos

Australia's 1-1 draw with Ghana is a reminder of how this group of Socceroos is capable of tapping in to the type of collective belief that has defined its long and tough road to the 2010 World Cup.

The part we can forget is the fall out from the loss against Germany and the sometimes personal grievances played out on the public stage.

For the 90+ minutes against Ghana, we saw a return to the never say die attitude of Australia's national team.

From a side hungry to expose any weakness in an unpredictable opponent before and after Harry Kewell’s match was cut cruelly short by a referee that I thought was world class but showed anything but that pedigree in Rustenburg.

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan was named man of the match, but if Luke Wilkshire wasn’t the best player on the pitch, then the vuvuzela is an instrument of classical music.

Australia’s character when down a man was as good as I can remember from a Socceroos team.

It displayed equal measure of defensive awareness and attacking ambition against a counter-attacking team.

Pim Verbeek must be commended for his second half introduction of Scott Chipperfield in left midfield. With a point to prove after an off-colour showing against Germany, Chippers provided instant spark out wide.

And in the end, the 10-man Socceroos were unfortunate not claim a late winner.

Pim may not like the point being made but how in the space of six days did Australia go from diminished belief to Bravehearts?

Yes a different opponent and a different circumstance.

But the battle of Rustenburg is a sharp reminder of what is possible in a green and gold shirt.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/david-basheer/blog/1009517/What-a-difference-in-the-Socceroos