The Matildas are in a deep, dark hole. A high-profile court case, a seven-month stretch without a full-time coach, a series of poor results and an ill-advised radio rant has turned Australia’s favourite team into a national punching bag.

The Socceroos are about to resume their tightrope pursuit of a direct qualifying berth at next year’s World Cup, but the outlook for them is also fairly bleak ahead of this month’s must-win clashes against Indonesia and China. Three of the team’s best centre-backs are injured: first it was Alessandro Circati, then Harry Souttar, and now Hayden Matthews – the Sydney FC product who has made an immediate impact at English Championship outfit Portsmouth since transferring there in January for a record fee – is confirmed to be out for the rest of the season with an ankle problem, leaving coach Tony Popovic desperately short of defensive options.

But there are better days ahead.

In the early hours of Sunday morning (AEDT), the Young Socceroos, the men’s under-20 national team, created history by winning the Asian Cup for their age group. Undefeated.

Most of the country was tucked away in bed when they prevailed 5-4 in a penalty shootout over Saudi Arabia, thanks to a Mark Schwarzer-esque one-handed save by Steven Hall with the final spot kick – but the significance of this achievement should not be slept on.

This team had already made history by reaching the semi-finals and clinching a spot at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in........

© Brisbane Times