Is this the greatest moment in Australian sporting history? Arnie’s underdogs’ advance to the knock-out stage feeds into traditional nationalistic narratives constructed around battling the odds, overcoming adversity and ‘punching above our weight.
In this episode, Dr. Tom Heenan, Lecturer, of Sport and Australian Studies in the Monash Intercultural Lab, Faculty of Arts at the Monash University can’t believe that the Socceroos secure a round-of-16 clash with Argentina.
“This triumph stems from the game of multicultural Australia and its communities that have sat on the margins of Australian sport and society. As Australian cricket plays before empty stands, Arnie’s underdogs have united the nation and placed their claim as the national team that reflects contemporary Australian society.” He said.
He also said in this interview that football unites the country. He said this at a moment in the history of an underdog team playing against one of the best teams in the world.
Dr. Heenan said it’s a privilege actually to be on the ground with that position and also be the one who can beat them.
A Game that unite the Country