Australia’s Socceroos Proud in Defeat to Chile at #WorldCup2014 · Global Voices
Kevin Rennie

Tim Cahill in The Age newspaper's 15 June 2014 edition.
Australians have a long tradition of finding national pride in our defeats. The ANZAC experience at Gallipoli in the First World War is the best known instance. The 1-3 loss to Chile in the #WorldCup2014 is the latest example.
Lisa Singh, a Labor senator for Tasmania in the federal parliament, put it succinctly:
Congrats @Socceroos you make Australia proud #GoSocceroos
— Lisa Singh (@Lisa_Singh) June 14, 2014
Self-styled ‘sports broadcaster’ Francis Leach is travelling with the Green and Gold Army (@GGArmy), as fans of the Australian national team are styled.
Courtesy of Francis Leach.
He is definitely enjoying himself:
Aussies everywhere! Our Brazilian waiter in Gramado (on the right) busts out his @gomvfc scarf! @GGArmy @Socceroos pic.twitter.com/loXGh15mjO
— Francis Leach (@SaintFrankly) June 15, 2014
@geeksrulz was showing some bravado, given that Australia plays Spain in the first round:
Bad luck Socceroos. Valiant effort. More fighting spirit than the World Champion Spain. #CHIAUS #SBSworldcup
— Winker Tiny Abbitt (@geeksrulz) June 13, 2014
The Socceroos know how to reward the faithful:
@Godders_20 Thanks for your support. Here's a signed @Socceroos team photo from Mile Jedinak #GoSocceroos pic.twitter.com/YxwV3yriw1
— Socceroos (@SocceroosReply) June 15, 2014
It would not be football unless there were accusations about the refereeing and cheating. Our solo scorer Tim Cahill joined the chorus:
Cahill blasts ‘cheating Chileans’, referee: Socceroos star says Australia was robbed of a clear penalty in the… http://t.co/Vh7aXzrY18
— Wendy Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Pope (@pinkalchemy) June 14, 2014
Prime Minister Tony Abbott, who is travelling overseas, has continued his problem with names during the trip. After earlier referring to Canadia, he mixed up the name of captain Mile Jedinak, causing the hashtag #Mike to trend down under.
Draped in an Aussie scarf, the PM records a message of support for the #Socceroos and gets the captain's name wrong http://t.co/bonFF07JLJ
— Stephen Spencer (@sspencer_63) June 13, 2014
Political commentator and critic of the PM Van Badham tweeted:
Tony Abbott gets the name of the Socceroos captain wrong. Please JESUS: don't ask him to explain the offside rule. http://t.co/wcp22H0P8f
— Lady Van Badham (@vanbadham) June 14, 2014
But let’s not end on a sour note. Sam McMillan shared this moment:
The World Cup is about more than just winning or losing. Bresciano = class act. @Socceroos pic via @Godders_20 pic.twitter.com/HpLGlQXGF6
— Sam Mac (McMillan) (@MrSamMac) June 15, 2014