Hundreds of Socceroos fans began their morning with hope as they stood decked out in green and gold at Federation Square.
That hope was rewarded when Craig Goodwin gave Australia the lead in the opening minutes of their first FIFA World Cup group game, against France.
Socceroos fans at Fed Square watch Australia play France in their opening match of the 2022 World Cup in QatarCredit:Jason South
The atmosphere was raucous when Goodwin’s strike went in, as people in the crowd leapt in the air and hugged each other.
The crowd was made up of mainly young fans, who knew a win against the reigning champions was unlikely. But they hoped for a close game or even a tie.
The mood dropped as France put away two goals in quick succession to take the lead back.
“It’s not the outcome I wanted but at least they scored a goal, that’s better than nothing,” said 17-year-old soccer player Jordan Pisak.
“It was worth waking up for the first goal they scored.”
Elliott Bartley, Liam Huntington, Jordan Pisak, Isaac Njovu, Jai Luzaic and Oscar Black at Fed Square on Wednesday morning to cheer on the Socceroos.Credit:Najma Sambul
A group of high school students in their final week of exams were counting on 18-year-old rising star Garang Kuol, who recently joined Premier League side Newcastle, to turn the game around.
“Hopefully Garang Kuol will come on in the 60th minute and score a hat-trick,” said Elliott Bartley, 17.
However, much to their disappointment the Central Coast Mariners FC young gun was put on too late in the game to bring to challenge France.
“If he was getting fed the balls that I’ve seen in the Central Coast Mariners games, he would’ve 100 per cent scored three goals today,” said Bartley.
“I feel like the sub should’ve been made earlier,” added Oscar Black, 17. France went on to thrash the Socceroos 4-1.
One man was pelted with bottles and abuse as France scored for a third time, but he said he was an Australian YouTube prankster who had anticipated that his shirt – the French national team jersey – would generate a hostile response from local supporters.
“It’s good content,” he said, his shirt soaked from bottles thrown at him.
Frustrated supporters began chanting “wake up, wake up, wake up” at the screen, but clapped when the defence was good or for good passages of play.
“After the third goal [by France] there was no passion left in the game,” reflected 17-year-old Bartley.
At the end there was a small group of French fans that waved their flag at Fed Square.
“It was my best morning since I’ve been in Australia. 4-1 for France? I think France will win the World Cup,” said Manoah Kenna, 22.
Australia play Tunisia on Saturday night and for fans the only thing left is positivity.
“It’s all good, we play Tunisia on Saturday. Hopefully, we can come out with three points from that and then get a point from Denmark,” said Black.
“We might get through.”
