Tim Cahill in The Age newspaper's 15 June 2014 edition.
Australians have a long tradition of finding national pride in our defeats. The ANZAC experience at Gallipoli [1] in the First World War is the best known instance. The 1-3 loss to Chile in the #WorldCup2014 [2] is the latest example.
Lisa Singh, a Labor senator for Tasmania in the federal parliament, put it succinctly:
Congrats @Socceroos [3] you make Australia proud #GoSocceroos [4]
— Lisa Singh (@Lisa_Singh) June 14, 2014 [5]
Self-styled ‘sports broadcaster’ Francis Leach is travelling with the Green and Gold Army (@GGArmy [6]), as fans of the Australian national team are styled.
Courtesy of Francis Leach.
He is definitely enjoying himself:
Aussies everywhere! Our Brazilian waiter in Gramado (on the right) busts out his @gomvfc [7] scarf! @GGArmy [6] @Socceroos [3] pic.twitter.com/loXGh15mjO [8]
— Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) June 15, 2014 [9]
@geeksrulz was showing some bravado, given that Australia plays Spain in the first round:
Bad luck Socceroos. Valiant effort. More fighting spirit than the World Champion Spain. #CHIAUS [10] #SBSworldcup [11]
— Winker Tiny Abbitt (@geeksrulz) June 13, 2014 [12]
The Socceroos know how to reward the faithful:
@Godders_20 [13] Thanks for your support. Here's a signed @Socceroos [3] team photo from Mile Jedinak #GoSocceroos [4] pic.twitter.com/YxwV3yriw1 [14]
— Socceroos (@SocceroosReply) June 15, 2014 [15]
It would not be football unless there were accusations about the refereeing and cheating. Our solo scorer Tim Cahill joined the chorus:
Cahill blasts ‘cheating Chileans’, referee: Socceroos star says Australia was robbed of a clear penalty in the… http://t.co/Vh7aXzrY18 [16]
— Wendy Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Pope (@pinkalchemy) June 14, 2014 [17]
Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who is travelling overseas, has continued his problem with names during the trip. After earlier referring to Canadia, he mixed up the name of captain Mile Jedinak, causing the hashtag #Mike [18] to trend down under.
Draped in an Aussie scarf, the PM records a message of support for the #Socceroos [19] and gets the captain's name wrong http://t.co/bonFF07JLJ [20]
— Stephen Spencer (@sspencer_63) June 13, 2014 [21]
Political commentator and critic of the PM Van Badham tweeted:
Tony Abbott gets the name of the Socceroos captain wrong. Please JESUS: don't ask him to explain the offside rule. http://t.co/wcp22H0P8f [22]
— Lady Van Badham (@vanbadham) June 14, 2014 [23]
But let’s not end on a sour note. Sam McMillan shared this moment:
The World Cup is about more than just winning or losing. Bresciano = class act. @Socceroos [3] pic via @Godders_20 [13] pic.twitter.com/HpLGlQXGF6 [24]
— Sam Mac (McMillan) (@MrSamMac) June 15, 2014 [25]