This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

The Biggest Overnight Surprise Is That Australia Wasn't Totally Terrible

Socceroos were not shockeroos, for once.
Yeah, not terrible.
Artyom Korotayev via Getty Images
Yeah, not terrible.

Oh dear, you thought to yourself, as the Socceroos journeyed to Russia to play Germany in the Confederations Cup football tournament. Oh deary, dear.

Having been humbled 4-0 at home by Brazil last week, the signs were not good. But to everyone's surprise, Australia was not totally hopeless. In fact, they showed some pretty good touches out there at the old Winter Olympic complex in Sochi, and even scored a couple of nice goals.

Tom Rogic -- who made HuffPost Australia's list of the best sports people of 2016 who were not dickheads -- scored this lovely goal to make things 1-1. The most brilliant goal ever? Nope. But it showed poise and class, which are two words not always associated with our national men's football team.

And it was needed, after Australia again conceded a goal early. Against Brazil last week it was the first 12 seconds. Against Germany we let one through in the first five minutes -- not ideal but at least slightly less embarrassing.

Rogic was also the main force behind Australia's second, which was tapped home by Tomi Juric.

The Confederations Cup is a tournament held every four years between the teams who have won their regional championships. Australia has a seat courtesy of winning the last Asian Cup.

Facing Germany first up was always going to be a huge challenge. We've actually competed well against Germany in "friendlies" (non-tournament games) in recent years, and even beat them 2-1 back in 2011. Here's a flashback to that memorable day.

Big tournaments, however, are another matter. The Germans made easy work of the Socceroos 4-0 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and were never seriously threatened in Russia.

With games against 32nd-ranked Cameroon and 4th-ranked Chile to come, Australia may not win a game at the 2017 Confederations Cup, but at least we won't go home looking like dunces on current form.

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