The Socceroos have done their bit

The Socceroos have contributed, according to the players, and it is now up to the country's administrators and policymakers to capitalize on the enormous increase in interest that their thrilling World Cup campaign has generated.

The focus will now move from their unprecedented achievements in Qatar to those in charge of the game at home and how they will take advantage of the chance that the Socceroos have provided for them when the 26 members of Graham Arnold's squad fly out to their clubs around the world. Tens of thousands of fans defied their body clocks and sleeping patterns to show up at live sites across the country in the middle of the night to watch Australia play. Australia's two-win performance in Qatar, along with their valiant exit in a 2-1 loss to Lionel Messi's Argentina, has restored the team's popularity to levels not seen since the 2006 World Cup.