It was the coaching feat of a generation and something we might not see again. But what Ange Postecoglou’s done in Brazil is hugely impressive, too.

Once Hiddink stepped aside representative football in Australia went backwards. Pim Verbeek took over and he thought taking a dry defensive approach was the way to go. It wasn’t, and we were humbled in South Africa. Once we realised Pim wasn’t for us we turned to another out-of-towner in Holger Osieck. That was no good either and we only just managed to make it to Brazil. Something we probably should have managed better.

Finally we looked locally and called up Posto. He then made the smartest decision he could have and that was- change nearly everything.

Tim Cahill got the nod, as did Mark Bresciano, but they’re about what’s left from the lacklustre Pim Verbeek/Holger Osieck era.

However, it wasn’t just personnel that changed. It was the way Australia was going to play. Postecoglou said the Socceroos would be attacking, they’d be great to watch and that we’d be proud of them. Some people were sceptical, but I think Ange is entitled to a big fat ‘I told you so’.

Australia surprised the world. The way these blokes went about their business is something we should be proud of. You know that ‘Aussie Spirit’ that people talk about? Well if you braved the early mornings and watched the boys go around it was obvious they had that in spades.

Football powerhouses Chile, Netherlands and Spain each got frights from a group of Aussie blokes who simply had no fear. It was great to see and I am so excited to see where this team can go.

Also I have to mention Tim Cahill and that stupendous goal he scored against the Dutch. If  Tony really wants knights and dames, this man’s got to be a candidate right?