FIFA World Cup 2022: Mark Bresciano and Luke Wilkshire implore Socceroos to eclipse feats of 2006 team and save the game at home
Two stars of the Golden Generation speak to ADAM PEACOCK about how Socceroos can shock the world and revive football back home.
Like proud elders, two members of the Socceroos’ ‘Golden Generation’ are hoping the current crop smash their own achievements to help spur Australian football to new heights.
Mark Bresciano and Luke Wilkshire have witnessed the Socceroos’ run in Qatar and been blown away at the full scale commitment and togetherness that has manifested in a first knockout stage appearance since their own involvement in 2006.
This run, Bresciano believes, will benefit the players, and the game, more than anyone might have imagined a fortnight ago.
“I’m so happy for them, they played against some of the best players in the world,” Bresciano, who is on the board of Football Australia, tells CODE Sports.
“We were leading in every game, even against France.
“It’s come at the right time. Football in Australia … hasn’t been in the best space, but now with this result, the Matildas playing in a [home] World Cup, it’s all coming back together again.
“We have to take advantage of this moment. Football is not where it needs to be in Australia. And this helps. And all the credit goes to all the boys and staff.”
The legendary midfielder, who played in three World Cups, has been in Doha with his two daughters and says this run to the knockout stages is a lesson for anyone.
“I’m so happy I brought my kids because it shows how much hard work outweighs talent,” Brescinao continues. “That’s what they’ve been able to demonstrate to the world. Hard work works.”
Wilkshire, who burst onto the scene at the 2006 World Cup when called up from Bristol City by Guus Hiddink, says players like Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar, Riley McGree and Keanu Baccus have set themselves up for greater things at club level.
“Every moment in football is an opportunity, and things can change very quickly,” Wilkshire, who went on to a successful career in Holland and Russia, tells CODE Sports.
“The way the world is seeing Australian football again, the heart, the passion, it’s back. And there’s no reason we can’t create more players in the future to go on to these top levels.”
Wilkshire is walking the walk, too, when it comes to developing the next batch. In his role as Technical Director at Central Coast Mariners, he is overseeing the A League Men’s club with the best record of producing Socceroos talent.
He doesn’t want to see generations compared against each other, but rather an endless production line which blurs the lines between eras, with overlapping quality produced to be showcased when the whole planet is watching.
“If we can give younger players the input into what it takes to go to another level, why can’t the game keep growing?” Wilkshire says.
“I believe it’s the environment that we can create back home to improve these players. I don’t believe that the environment‘s been created so far to contest against the best in the world.”
WIlkshire believes the Socceroos have no reason to fear Argentina.
“Got to dream, we’ve earnt the right to be here, so why not?” Wilkshire says.
Bresciano has a tip, too, for the players, who are currently locked away from the outside world, buried in their own cocoon of hotel rooms, recovery rooms and training grounds.
“I played in three World Cups, and only now I realise how good a World Cup is,” Bresicano says. “When you’re a player you don’t see a thing. I would encourage all the boys now in the Socceroos to attend a World Cup, just to know the impact they’ve had.”
“I’ve enjoyed the results we’ve had now more compared to when I was a player.”
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