[size=7]World Cup 2010
Simon Hill says wholesale changes can save Soceroos at 2010 FIFA World Cup[/size]

By Simon Hill in South Africa
Fox Sports football commentator
June 15, 2010

Time and again, while watching Australia's annihilation at the hands of a rampant Germany, thoughts drifted back to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Not the miraculous comeback against Japan - nor the pulsating draw against Croatia. Not even the cruel defeat against Italy.

The match in question was the game most have forgotten - the 2-0 defeat to Brazil in Munich's magnificent Allianz Arena.

That night, Australia lost to a genuine football heavyweight - as they did in Durban. But what a difference in performance.

That night, the 'Roos showed no fear - no respect for reputation, and even though they ultimately went down, they went down fighting, and made people around the world sit up and take notice.

That belief, that swagger of the brash young upstart, was sadly lacking against the Germans. In its place, was a tentative, wary Socceroos side, seemingly unsure it belonged at football's top table.

The strange decision to start Richard Garcia (no disrespect intended - he is a fine player), unnerved the thousands in the stands, and their fears were well founded.

Garcia was by no means the only one to blame. In fact, had he scored with his early chance, the outcome may have looked a lot different. But his selection smacked of fear, given that he is not a genuine striker.


Generally, Australia looked old, tired, devoid of ideas and shackled by Pim Verbeek's rigid system.

What a contrast to the bright young things in the Germany line-up, in which Mesut Ozil in particular underlined why he is such a star of the future. A banger stuck in third gear left trailing by the sleek new sports car.

All is not lost however - and the good news is that Ghana and Serbia, good sides though they are, are not at Germany's level.

But if this World Cup campaign is not to be lost, then Verbeek must act positively.

This campaign is now down to 90 minutes against the Africans - a shootout similar to the Uruguay series in 2005. Then, Guus Hiddink left Harry Kewell on the bench - but this time, he must start, else why bring him to South Africa at all?

David Carney - in my opinion - should also start at left-back. Scott Chipperfield offers great thrust going forward down the left, but it's too much to ask him to work the full flank for 90 minutes. And Jason Culina didn't have his best game on the left side of midfield.

Culina should revert to his screening role (as he did against Germany) alongside Carl Valeri, meaning no place for Vince Grella, who has looked sadly out of sorts in recent games.

Verbeek could also consider installing Michael Beauchamp or even Mark Milligan into the centre of defence alongside Lucas Neill, to shore up a rearguard that has now shipped seven goals in two games - most unlike the Australia team of the modern vintage.

Brett Holman was perhaps the one bright spark (okay, glimmer) against Germany - he deserves a spot in behind Kewell in place of the suspended Tim Cahill.

But most of all, Australia need to recover the verve and zip in their play so evident in Munich four years ago.

Quicker ball transition and tempo (easier said than done at altitude 'tis true), along with better defensive organisation, must be the go against a Ghana side that is strong, technically sound, and within sight of the second round.

That, and the confidence they showed in challenging the world's best four years ago. This may be the last hurrah for the "golden generation" - but if they are to go out, let them go out fighting and flying.

The white flag of surrender is no fitting epitaph to such a talented group of players.