Taking the hard road. It’s something the Socceroos know too well. The fans too.
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We took the longest path in history of any nation to qualify for the World Cup and it hasn’t got much easier after falling in the opening game to France.
Fittingly, the road from Kazan to Samara proves just as testing. In truth, it’s unlike any other we’ve seen so far.
For five hours our taxi driver weaves, props and stops to avoid a mine field of holes, dips and humps - only to get the speedo back to 140km per hour as soon as he gets the chance.
Any moment I try to take to get a moments shut eye is met with a stiff whack on the forehead by the window. We shoot each other occasional nervous glances as the best of Russian electro pop powers through the speakers.
It’s slow, but we make it to Samara unscathed and our newly acquired Russian SIM Cards quickly come in handy.
After seven days of sponging off our sensible mate’s personal hot spot, we soon remember the value having a working phone as we land at our accomodation without much fuss.
We dump the bags and hit the streets again. Lacking the same history and grandiosity of Moscow or the Tatarstan culture of Kazan, Samara provides something different all together.
It’s not much on the eyes, but it might just be Australia’s kind of city. From the moment we arrive the somewhat harsh summer sun is beating down and the locals are shuffling straight to the beach as soon as they get the chance.
It’s not quite the same golden sand as our own but the water of the Volga River still acts as a familiar meeting point for the locals.
We resist the urge to get our somewhat sloppy holiday rigs out and opt for a beer instead. There is plenty to choose from nearby and they’re good.
We decide it would be rude not try out more of the local drop and make our way over to the Fan Zone to gauge the mood less than 48 hours out from kick off.
The Danes appear confident. One chirpy young lad clad in red and white boldly tries his best to make a pass at some of the locals.
They are having none of it. And rightly so. Maybe a first up win against Peru has given him some added confidence?
There’s no doubt they know they are the box seat to progress in the Group stage in our place. Still, the Australian mood is upbeat as well.
Despite a first up lost to Cup contenders France, there remains belief among the travelling contingent that our campaign won’t be cut short here.
The burns from a frustrating VAR decided penalty and unfortunate deflected Paul Pogba goal are undoubtedly still raw.
But we know we’re not in Samara just to make up the numbers.