The Socceroos performance so far in the 2018 World Cup got me thinking about a chat I had with Pete Curulli in a MUCH earlier edition of the Game On AUS podcast.
Now – I’m writing this assuming that EA’s FIFA ranks Australia the same way that Konami’s Pro Evo Soccer does… as in, not very high.
For years now, in the various editions of Pro Evo that I’ve owned (yep, I’m one of the rare PES people), whenever I play as Australia, the team is usually really shit house.
Like, next level shit house.
Sure, there’s a potential argument in the fact that I’m probably not a great player, but nonetheless…
But back to their version of “Australia”… the players are slow, clumsy, and I can not tell you the amount of times a striker (Viduka, Kewell, Cahill right through to Leckie) missed an open shot at goal… by a MASSIVE amount.
Factor that in with a sluggish midfield and slow defenders who can’t keep up with anyone and there’s a reason I can never win the World Cup as Australia.
Well, the International Cup in PES’s case 😉
What irks me more than anything is that in sport in general, Australia has a fairly strong track record of lifting in big games. Particularly in soccer.
I probably don’t need to go through ALL the games, but the history of the Socceroos makes for a fascinating read if you’re into sport.
Look at how many times Australia have stood up in big games… add to that, the performance last week against France. Once again, we were dudded in a big game by a questionable call, but the team itself could hold its collective head high, knowing we took it to one of the best teams in the world.
Pity the same can’t be said for the video game version?
One day… ONE DAY… I hope the game makers factor in team confidence into team performance in video sport games. PES sort of tackle (pun intended) it in Master League, but having played in team sports myself for over 35 years, I know how much better a team can play if they go into a game confident.
Like the old saying goes… a champion team will always hold their own against a team of champions.
Like our Aussie Socceroos 😉
Written by: @dantheinternut
