World Cup: John Aloisi reveals why Australia can land a huge upset over France

Australia face arguably the most daunting World Cup opener of any side at this year’s tournament in Qatar, but John Aloisi believes the Socceroos can pull off a shock upset over France.

Graham Arnold’s side take on the reigning world champions at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah on Tuesday evening local time, while Australians will be waking up at 6am DST to watch the game. 

The Socceroos have not won a game at the World Cup since 2010, but with Les Bleus suffering a string of injuries to high-profile players, there is reason for optimism among Arnold’s camp.

And Aloisi has revealed why FIFA’s decision to allow five substitutes, rather than three, at this year’s tournament will be of huge benefit to the physical Socceroos against the French. 

‘It definitely helps us, subs make a big difference,’ he told Wide World of Sports.

‘A lot of the teams now at the highest level, their wingers are just so good – and then when they take off the winger they bring on another one that’s just as good.

‘So if you’re fatigued your decision making isn’t as good, so don’t be surprised – and back in the day nobody really made substitutions and took off a fullback – now that can happen pretty much because of that reason.

‘You’re virtually changing half your team, and so that’s a big plus for a team that runs and fights and works hard so you can keep your intensity at that level for 90 minutes.’

Graham Arnold’s Socceroos face a daunting prospect in the world champions on Wednesday

But Australia legend John Aloisi believes Les Bleus will be slow out of the blocks in Qatar

Aloisi also explained how France’s history of slow starts to tournaments could mean that Australia are meeting them at the perfect time and could spring a shock upset over the world champions.

‘Every game is going to have its difficulties and every game is going to have its opportunities as well,’ he added.

‘I see the French game as a massive opportunity – they start their tournaments slow, especially under Didier Deschamps.

‘They’re a pretty pragmatic team – when you look on paper, we shouldn’t have a chance. But when you look at the way that they play their football, if we can frustrate them and make it hard for them to get into a rhythm, you can actually cause them a lot of issues and problems.’ 

He also thinks having five substitutes will favour the Socceroos as the game develops

Looking at Australia’s three group games, the Western United boss believes that the Socceroos need to target three points against African rivals Tunisia, before a final-game shootout against Denmark.

‘I think we can get the win against Tunisia, and I think it will go down to that last game against Denmark,’ he said.

‘That would be very similar to 2006, that last game against Croatia when we needed a point.

‘Hopefully it’s the same case, and how good would that be if we’re fighting until that last game to get something out of the tournament?’