Australia's battling performance against Ghana went some way to restoring the faith of a nation. As Paddy Higgs writes, there is much still to be gained from South Africa 2010.
Dutch legend John van't Schip tells Paddy Higgs what it's like to have ringside seats to the World Cup circus, and warns that Australia should not be written off.
Tim Cahill was one player to grab his chance as the Socceroos surprised many at the 2006 World Cup. Paddy Higgs discusses who Australia's wild cards could be in South Africa.
Paddy Higgs is a sports journalist and editor in Melbourne, Australia. He has contributed to a range of football magazines and websites, having followed the Socceroos from their years of World Cup heartbreak to the side's coming of age in 2006 and its bid to become an Asian powerhouse.