Match Day: Australia v Italy

The world cup is over for the Socceroos, but we go out with heads held high. The manner of the defeat was hard to take. The lads played very well and looked the goods to progress to the last 8.

I think the Australian Football team has earned a lot of respect through its performances at the cup and surprised a great many people. Even here in the UK, the press have been right behind us. And we are all proud of the lads.

The next steps are important for the football federation, a new coach is needed and the best man available needs to be sought, sparing no expense. This success needs to be built upon.
We now look forward to the Asian cup and then beyond to the next qualification phase for South Africa 2010.

For Shane and I, last night was our last in London and the culmination of a wonderful journey. We were part of football history, we experienced some of the huge party that is a world cup and contributed to it in our own small way. We sung our hearts out, screamed and shouted.

We met many wonderful people from all over the world and made some good friends.

All that said, we both agree that we are ready to come home. We miss our families very much and are looking forward to seeing them again.