World Cup Countdown: The ones to watch for Australia

With 24 days until the World Cup starts, we continue our run down of the team previews. 

After focusing on France on Sunday, we turn our attention to Group C counterparts Australia. 

The Socceroos face a tough task in their quest to progress to the next round of the tournament having been drawn alongside France, Denmark and Peru in their quest for success. Ange Postecoglu guided Australia to the finals having overcome Honduras in their playoff, but quit having secured their place at Russia 2018 as he battled intense speculation over his future. 

Despite the reports, the 52-year-old deserves praise for guiding Australia to the World Cup, yet it’s now down to Bert van Marwijk to continue his good work. The Dutchman takes charge of Australia after a two-year stint as Saudi Arabia boss and will remain at the helm until after the World Cup, where Graham Arnold will succeed him. 

However, it hasn’t gone quite according to plan for Van Marwijk since succeeding Postecoglu. Australia have failed to win their two games under the Dutchman, losing 4-1 to Norway and drawing 0-0 Colombia and have meetings with Czech Republic and Hungary before facing France next month. 

Plenty, then, is riding on the performances of Aston Villa man and captain Mile Jedinak as Australia aim to curb the European giants' fluid attack, The 33-year-old bagged a hat-trick in the 3-1 win over Honduras to guarantee Australia’s place at Russia 2018, but it’s his defensive qualities that will be crucial at the World Cup. 

The experienced Jedinak has averaged 1.7 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game in the Championship this season and he’ll hope to end the season in the Premier League as Villa gear up for the Championship playoff final meeting with Fulham. His defensive discipline is key against free flowing France and a Christian Eriksen inspired Denmark, while Peru are no pushovers either. 

Should Jedinak shield the defence effectively, then it’ll allow for his midfield teammates to push on and support the attack, notably Huddersfield’s Aaron Mooy. The 27-year-old scored four and assisted three for the Terriers in their debut Premier League campaign and his surging runs for deep are tough for any opponent to keep in check. 

If anything, though, Australia’s meeting with France comes at the ideal time as they gear up to face Didier Deschamps’ Les Bleus outfit first. It could take longer than expected for France to play to their full potential and there’s very much a chance for a sting in the tail when these two face off next month. 

A compact midfield will go a long way to frustrating one of the tournament favourites and opens up the possibility of an early upset in Russia. Van Marwijk, however, needs his key midfielders to perform to the best of their abilities if Australia are to ease through Group C.