AUSTRALIA OUT TO DASH MESSI’S DREAM
Argentina are hot favourites to beat Australia in pursuit of Lionel Messi’s dream of winning a first World Cup, but they more than anyone have learned not to underestimate an underdog, especially when they come up against the hard-battling Socceroos at 3am tonight, Hong Kong time.
Argentina suffered one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history with their opening defeat by Saudi Arabia, but recovered their poise to swagger past Mexico and Poland into the last 16.
Australia, ranked 35 places below Argentina, have already surpassed expectations in winning twice to earn a place in the round of 16 this weekend for one of the biggest games in their history.
Both teams have had only two full days to rest, a factor Argentine manager Lionel Scaloni has called “madness” for the sides.
“We’ve almost got no time to let it all sink in, enjoy it ... it’s recovery, recovery, recovery,” concurred Australia’s assistant coach Rene Meulensteen. “But one thing I can tell you, we will be ready.”
Overjoyed and exhausted after reaching the knockout stage for only the second time, Australia will have to play the game of their lives to overcome an Argentina side oozing talent.
They will be relying on the same fitness, muscle and never-say-die attitude that saw off Tunisia and Denmark, epitomised by hulking defender Harry Souttar, who has played out of his skin despite only just returning from a lengthy lay-off.
“They are tough. Anyone who thinks the match against Australia will be easy is wrong,” Argentina’s Scaloni said.
His side will again be roared on by an enormous following as Argentines show themselves to be easily the loudest and possibly the largest fan base at Qatar. Reaching the quarter-finals would be dreamland for Australia, but for Argentina it is a bare minimum of national expectation as they seek a third trophy.
For Messi, it is his fifth and final quest to win the World Cup and match his great predecessor Diego Maradona in the No 10 shirt.