After a lengthy absence the Australian Socceroos have returned to Germany, the scene of their last FIFA World Cup appearance in 1974, where they once again will take part in what is considered the biggest sporting event on the planet.
"After thirty-two years it's been a long time coming," Sydney FC defender Jacob Timpano told The Epoch Times.
"We probably could've made [the Cup] four years ago when we were beaten by Iran which was pretty disappointing and now we've finally made it."
His team-mate and co-defender for Sydney FC, Mark Milligan, is playing with the Socceroos World Cup squad who under the direction of genius Dutchman Guus Hiddink have become cohesive, confident and competitive.
In blazing fashion last year a revitalised Australian side qualified for the Cup by defeating twice former champions Uruguay in a penalty shootout at Sydney's Olympic stadium, then went on to beat European champions Greece in a warm-up match last month and then held out for a draw against the world's number two side, the Dutch on Sunday.
Impressive as their lead-up has been the Socceroos will have to step up even more as they enter the World Cup with a tough grouping which will see them playing Asian champions Japan, Cup favourites Brazil and Croatia.
Not long after their arrival at their training camp at Oehringen in south-west Germany on Tuesday, Australian assistant coach Graham Arnold told the ABC that when they arrived; "there was about 1000 people" from the town who gave them a warm welcome.
In total 31 visiting national teams this week have been welcomed by the host nation who are also preparing for over one million visiting football fans. It is also the first time since the fall of the Berlin wall, 17 years ago, that the world's focus will be upon a reunified Germany.
The German Ambassador to Australia Mr Martin Lutz, told The Epoch Times that the World Cup is a huge event for his country which is preceded only by the Munich Olympics and the Soccer World Cup in 1974.
"In Germany, soccer is by far the most popular sport. Germans are fanatics about soccer. I myself follow the German league from here," he said.
The German football team has been finalists in seven of the 17 World Cups since the first tournament held in Uruguay 76 years ago.
Mr Lutz said that the hosting of the World Cup had benefited his country. "For us, economically we have had a phase of stagnation through the last few years.
"There is now much more optimism," he said.
"People are now much more optimistic, they are looking forward to the future. We have invested a lot in infrastructure, stadiums railways and so on."
The World Cup begins Friday June 9 with the opening match between Germany and Costa Rica in Munich.
FACT BOX
Australian SBS TV coverage of the Socceroos FIFA World Cup campaign.
Australia v Japan – June 12 – 10.30pm (AEST)
Australia v Brazil – June 19 – 1.30 am (AEST)
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