Could Australia have gone all the way?

Question

I know that it's all in the past, but on reflection (hindsight is a wonderful thing) do you think that Australia could have gone all the way to world cup victory (assuming a ref with eyes was overseeing the match of course)?

Considering:
1. Australia were knocked out of the Finals by the winning team Italy.
2. That the Italian victory over Australia was spurious at best.
3. Italy have had some trouble with soccer regulations and match fixing recently.
4. The blatant handball in the goalbox that was not awarded (in Aus v Ita).
5. The silly penalty shot given when Totti took a dive over Neill (in Aus v Ita).
6. The ref didn't blow the whistle at 90 +3', but allowed play to continue to 90 + 4-5'.

Answer 1

It's an interesting question.

The simple fact is that the team that won the world cup only beat Australia by CHEATING! Nobody can deny that, it was there for all the world to see.

Nobody ever truly imagined Australia to be a serious contender for the cup but it makes one wonder.

If only the competition was decided by football skills rather than cheating and "acting" skills and of course more inept than usual refereeing.

Answer 2

There are a lot of factors that could have led towards an Australian victory...however, you don't know for sure how the game could have gone. If they hadn't given the penalty shot, they might have scored at the free kick, if the ref had stopped the game at 90+3 they would have lost a minute. It's not worth wondering "what if", things just go that way sometimes. I never had even maybe possibly considered thinking about Italy winning the Cup, what with Brazil and Germany being so good, but things just went wrong for them and good for Italy and France, and then Italy won. In penalty shots, no less, where the goalie stands no chance except if the shot hits the crossbar. So that one missed shot by France = win for Italy.

Answer 3

No because if they had managed to get past the Ukraine, they would've been knocked out by Italy. Anyway it wasn't as if the Australians were completely dominating the Italians during the game. They were one man up and the Italians still had more shots at goal. By the way it wasn't Totti who went over Lucas Neill it was Grosso so get your facts right, next time.

Answer 4

you are generous! spurious is a kind word!

basically italy got throuhg by cheating and I suspect a corrupt or stupid referee (or both)

that said they would have needed a lot of luck to go futher than the semi but they deserved the semi - the italians did not

by the way I am not australian not anti-italy but i did think an injustice was done!

Answer 5

Hmm.. I only knoew about the dive. but not about the time 90+4-5

Answer 6

Australia could of made it to the semi's


That game against Italia, where Totti won by a penalty kick was a **** call. They didnt deserve it

And as far as Ukraine, they have one player...SHEVCHENKO.
Australia would of beat them too. But thats as far as they could of went. Germany would of totally beat them.

Answer 7

Yes, any team could go all the way. But it would be highly improbable for the Aussies to do it...Gee the Americans drew with Italy, so they should be joint champs.

Answer 8

The answer is NO . Ukraine will eat them alive, or Germany will bury them in the Semi .

Answer 9

no they have no talent.The game with Italy they looked good because the Italians never played to their game.The should stick to rugby.

Answer 10

Yes they would italy is crap and should'nt have won GO SOCCEROOS!