As the crow flies, 1,360 km separate idyllic seaside Sochi from Moscow. But when Australia face Peru on Tuesday (12am Wednesday AEST), Socceroos fans at the Fisht Stadium will have one eye towards the Russian capital. Beating the South American team is not enough. Australia need France to defeat Denmark, and to end Group C’s final match-day with a better goal difference than the Danes. If these stars do not align, the Socceroos will depart the World Cup at the group stage for the third time in a row.
“If we don’t go out and do the job we need to do against Peru there is no point even thinking about that France game,” said Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan on Monday. While the Brighton player voiced his view that the already qualified French side will want to beat Denmark – “if they have any idea of playing for a draw it can be very dangerous” – he admitted that match was not front of mind. “My concern is ourselves here and our game. We will do what we need to and hopefully the rest sorts itself out.”
One element of the equation is simple: the Socceroos need to score. Goals have eluded Bert van Marwijk’s side in Russia, with only two converted penalties to show for 180 minutes of football. The injury induced absence of starting striker Andrew Nabbout will force Van Marwijk to alter a starting XI that was unchanged in the first two matches. The Dutchman was non-committal on Monday about which of veteran Tim Cahill, like-for-like forward Tomi Juric or late call-up Jamie Maclaren might replace Nabbout. “I am not going to discuss here players who play or don’t play,” he said.
The other selection dilemma facing Van Marwijk is Daniel Arzani, the youngest player at the World Cup. Melbourne City’s prodigy caused havoc off the bench against Denmark, making a strong case for additional minutes by bringing potency to an otherwise blunt attack. At the beginning of the tournament Van Marwijk expressed hesitation over starting the 19-year-old. By Thursday that had become: “I will see what I do for him next game.” On Monday, Van Marwijk refused to reveal his plans for the wonderkid. “He is very young, he is very inexperienced, but he is the type of player with a lot of talent that can sometimes make the difference,” he said.
Awaiting Australia in Sochi is Peru, a nation whose lofty aspirations for their first World Cup in 36 years have been shattered by losses to Denmark and France. But while the team has nothing to play for, La Blanquirroja will be eager to repay the thousands of Peruvian fans who have made great sacrifices to support the team in Russia.
“There are a lot of Peruvians here in Sochi,” Van Marwijk said. “Maybe 20,000-25,000. For them it feels like a home game. They play with a lot of passion. They are very dangerous.” Peruvian striker Jefferson Farfan was taken to hospital on Saturday following a head collision in training, and has been ruled out of the encounter.
There are also 15,000 Australian fans in Sochi, including 27 members of the Ryan family on a trip paid for by the Premier League goalkeeper. If the Socceroos can overcome the odds and progress to the last 16, it will be the biggest moment in Australian football since 2006 – when Ryan was just 14. “If we are successful in achieving that tomorrow, not only us as players but hopefully the whole nation will remember that for the rest of their lives,” he said. “Just as the team did back in 2006 in Germany. I for one am never going to forget that night.” The odds are against them, but the Socceroos are hoping that results in Sochi and Moscow on Tuesday will give them another World Cup evening to remember.
