by EXCLUSIVE: Michael Clarke hits out at Aussie rules football fans for judging the Socceroos TOO HARD and says Aussies can beat Denmark to qualify for World Cup knockout stage
Australian cricketing legend Michael Clarke knows what it takes to win a World Cup and the overwhelming expectation that comes with it, which is why he wants Aussies to respect the Socceroos a little more for what they have already accomplished.
But the retired skipper also believes the current Socceroos squad have what it takes to become the second Australian side to escape Qatar’s World Cup group stage.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Clarke urged fans to temper their expectations and celebrate how fair it is to qualify for the World Cup final, while nations like Italy, Russia , Erling Haaland’s Hungary and Norway all missed.
Michael Clarke of Australia celebrates with the trophy during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Final match between Australia and New Zealand
Australia’s Bailey Wright and his teammates celebrate victory after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Tunisia and Australia at Al Janoub Stadium
“Look, I think football is an amazing sport and I think it has the potential to be the biggest sport in this country,” he said.
“I think sometimes we probably have high expectations, with sport in this country we have high expectations.
“I think we should be very proud to have qualified and to be at the World Cup.
“For example, Italy are not at the World Cup. Can you even imagine for a second that Italy, they are known for football, they are not at the World Cup – they have not not even qualified.
“So I think we have to be thankful that we qualified.
“Of course we want to see ourselves go through qualifying and qualify, but we just played against France. France won the last World Cup.
“I think we just have to be careful not to judge too hard.
“The players are like, they’re not going there to lose. They do their best and all of our job as fans is to respect that and support them.
Speaking ahead of the game against Tunisia which Australia won 1-0 on Saturday, Clarke said he believed the Socceroos could still win the remaining two games and qualify for the knockout stages, including beating the world number 10, Denmark.
“I think we’re going to win our next two games, really. I think we will find our way,” he said.
Italy’s Joao Pedro reacts after missing a scoring chance in the World Cup qualifier between Italy and North Macedonia that cost them a place in Qatar
‘If we do this, oh my god. What an achievement.
“I think we should be so proud. Graham Arnold, what a coach, tough, tenacious, highly respected. And I think all the players deserve recognition for their qualification.
“I know we want to win everything, but sometimes you have to pay tribute to the other teams as well.” We just got beaten by the team that won the World Cup. Go on.
“Keep the faith, I think we will win the next two games.”
Rogic hadn’t played enough football for West Bromwich Albion to warrant World Cup selection after a long stint off the pitch for personal reasons
Clarke also launched an impassioned defense of Australia star Tom Rogic, which has been controversial outside of the World Cup squad.
He called former NRL star Laurie Daley a liar in an impassioned radio segment on Rogic.
“I just don’t think he plays soccer well enough,” Daley said.
Clarke shot back: ‘No, that’s a lie. You don’t say that, you don’t say that. You don’t choose him because you’re pissed that he chose his family or for personal reasons.
