World Cup 2018: Socceroos legend Alex Tobin leading 5000-strong Australian fans in Russia ahead of match with France
THE Green and Gold Army is ready for action and the game’s one-time general, Socceroos legend, Alex Tobin, is leading the charge.
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THE Green and Gold Army is ready for action and the game’s one-time general, Socceroos legend, Alex Tobin, is leading the charge.
Tobin, 52, is one of South Australia’s greatest players, notching up 87 games for the Socceroos and 438 matches for Adelaide City.
Tobin and his wife, Caroline, are among 5000 excited Aussies in Russia to watch the Socceroos compete in their fourth consecutive World Cup.
And the couple are making the most of their visit, as well as enjoying the razzmatazz of the opening ceremony in Moscow on Thursday, they took in the sights of the city, including St Basil’s Cathedral.
Fellow Socceroos fans Joy and Mervyn Fiedler were feeling the love from the Peruvian supporters.
“We have found the South American teams very friendly,’’ Mervyn said.
For the first time yesterday, it appeared that World Cup fever had hit the streets of Moscow.
Fans from all over the world mingled happily on a fine Moscow day.
There were plenty of selfies, happy banter and chanting in the streets surrounding Moscow’s Red Square.
The South Americans were the most vocal, with the Peruvians the most numerous.
The iconic Peru jersey of the red slash on a white background by far the most visible on the streets of Moscow.
Australia starts its World Cup campaign tonight, taking on France in the Russian city of Kazan at 7.30pm Adelaide time. France is among the World Cup favourites — ranked 7th in the world, almost 30 spots higher than the Socceroos.
Socceroos legend Tim Cahill will be hoping the rankings count for little, as he aims to equal Brazilian great Pele by scoring in four World Cups.
Back in Moscow, Colombians, Mexicans, Brazilians, Iranians, Germans and Saudi Arabians are among many other nationalities who have arrived to cheer on their teams.
The world has truly come to Russia. All of which is taking place under the watchful eye of the Russian security services.
With terrorists threats ever in the background and the well-known problem Russia has with football hooligans, it would appear authorities are taking no chances.
There are several different arms on the streets.
There are police and military forces, some with lethal looking machine guns.
There are also some black suited types with Tourist Police on their arms.
Alongside a jaunty beret, they carry a long truncheon which hangs below the knee.
The friendly nature of the Russian people and the cosmopolitan nature of Moscow has surprised many Australians.
Australian fan Ben Kirkwood took in a three-hour ballet at the Bolshoi but admits he was flummoxed by it. “It went on too long, way too long,’’ he said with a laugh.
Fellow Socceroos fan Con Nats said he was blown away.
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