Socceroos exit a disappointment, but time to park the hate
After watching the boys being knocked out of the World Cup, I had to go straight to training.
My teammates were trying to have a joke with me about it. I went to training feeling nothing but sick for those guys.
They have more than likely sacrificed so much of their whole life to be there. It's not just what everyone sees on the TV for the past two weeks.
While people weren't even thinking of the World Cup three years ago, you can bet they were working on it every day.
Giving up something, uprooting their families, missing out on family weddings, births, funerals and sacrificing their happiness, just to be there the last two weeks.
Yes of course there are many great things about being a professional athlete, sure. The pay (if you're a male athlete), travel the world doing something you love, being a part of amazing brands and obviously competing at the biggest sporting events in the world.
In no way do any of these things warrant the amount of hate some people have shown this team.
Yes we didn't win a game, yes we underachieved in our country's eyes and yes the coach made some decisions we all didn't agree with, but I am so proud to be Australian and the Socceroos made me so proud this week.
Maybe it's just me, but I have never questioned someone's will or fight when they have sacrificed so much.
It has been amazing to see how the Socceroos captured the nation these past two weeks and hopefully we can learn from it.
We played good football, we defended well, we had standout players but we just couldn't finish. Easier said than done.
We have the Aaron Mooy of the midfield, the Trent Sainsbury of the defence, who is the next Tim Cahill for us up front?
We need someone who is going to score nine out of 10 times they are called upon. Good game or bad game, they score. Tap in or in the top bins, they score.
I am proud of the Socceroos, I am proud to be Australian and I am so proud to be able to represent this country.
Watching the World Cup this month has inspired me, made me want to be better, train harder and prove the world wrong that Australia can be world champions.
Next up France 2019, it's the Matildas' turn and I can't wait.
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ABC .net
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