As we poise for the mouth-watering quarter-finals where we finally have the heavy-weights slugging it out for a place in the last four, let's reflect on the tournament past.

A world that's been lacking in surprises (as opposed to 2002 where Korea, Turkey & Senegal made a splash). Perhaps Ghana beating Czech was the biggest ripple we had. Then again the Czech are a has-been team that'll require major rebuilding at the next finals... Switzerland did well too, to top their group and Korea were very unlucky to get pipped by the french. Salaude!

And of cos let's not forget the Aussies who qualified for the world cup for only the 2nd time in their history and waltzing matilda-ed their way to the second round at the expense of talented but profligate Croatia. Clearly Guus has the midas touch (wonder how Russia will do at the next tourney). And how unlucky their were to get sucker-punched in the last minute when Italian left-back Grosso 'fell over' the already prostrate body of Lucas Neill (Shun, he can't defend la. Play McEverley instead. At least that lad breaks legs!)

But just when they were getting long-overdue credibility for their football, they decide to open their mouths and all their hard work on the field goes to pieces...

SO... In memory of the fallen socceroos, I append their hilarious quotes from the recent World Cup. Clearly logic and language isn’t part of the syllabus at the Aussie School of Sporting Excellence…

"My parents have always been there for me, ever since I was about 7."
- TimCahill

"I would not be bothered if we lost every game as long as we won the league."
- Mark Viduka.

"Guus Hiddink is the best manager I've ever had at this level. Well, he's the only manager I've actually had at this level. But he's the best manager I've ever had."
- Lucas Neill.

"If you don't believe you can win, there is no point in getting out of bed at the end of the day."
- John Aloisi.

"I've had 14 bookings this season - 8 of which were my fault, but 7 of which were disputable."
- Ned Zelic.

"I've never wanted to leave. I'm here for the rest of my life, and hopefully after that as well."
- Mark Schwarzer.

"I'd like to play for an Italian club, like Barcelona."
- Vince Grella.

"You've got to believe that you're going to win, and I believe we'll win the World Cup until the final whistle blows and we're knocked out."
-Harry Kewell.

"I'm as happy as I can be - but I have been happier."
- Mile Sterjovski.

"Leeds is a great club and it's been my home for years, even though I live in Middlesborough."
- Mark Viduka.

"I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel."
- Craig Moore.

"I took a whack on my left ankle, but something told me it was my right."
- Harry Kewell.

"Germany is a very difficult team to play . . . they have 11 internationals out there."
- Zeljko Kalac.

"I always used to put my right boot on first, and then obviously my right sock."
- Jason Culina.

"The Brazilians were South American, and the Ukrainians will be more European."
- Scott Chipperfield.

"All that remains is for a few dots and commas to be crossed."
- Marco Bresciano.

"One accusation you can't throw at me is that I've always done my best."
- Craig Moore.

"I'd rather play in front of a full house than an empty crowd."
- MarkViduka.

"Sometimes in football you have to score goals."
- Harry Kewell.

And my personal favourite comes from Vince Grella..

"I couldn't settle in Italy- it was like living in a foreign country." -Vince Grella.

If anything, the world cup is poorer in entertainment from their exit...

Enjoy the Quarters!