By Alan Nicolea -
August 11th 2008 @ 11:25am
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Loading ...Argentine tango too much for Australia
It was the five seconds that every knowledgeable football fan would cherish. The telepathic ability of Juan Roman Riquelme and Lionel Messi destroyed an Olyroos defence which had looked strong despite their fair element of luck.
But fifteen minutes from time, fortune had run out for Australia.
A delicate cross was met near the far post by Lavezzi to volley home his side’s classification for the next round and send the Beijing faithful into raptures.
After luckily beating the Ivory Coast, Argentina got less than they deserved against Australia.
Sergio Batista’s side approached the Olyroo defence with both clarity and precision. There were seven golden opportunities for ‘la seleccion’ to seal the deal, but constantly lacked the killer punch and, at times, were thwarted by Australian goalkeeper Federici.
Nevertheless, Argentina came out with a dominant attitude.
Their passing game was far too superior for an Australian side still with much to learn about the instincts of playing football on the ground.
Although yet to find the form displayed at Barcelona, Messi was once again critical for a side keen to repeat their golden effort achieved in Athens 2004.
He’s explosive velocity – in the midst of the noise and applause from the dedicated fans in Shanghai – allowed Argentina to forge chance after chance at the Olyroos goal.
While Australia did have some opportunities at the Argentine goal, poor finishing by Archie Thompson and co. failed to strike fear in the South American giants.
Despite some hiccups in defence, Argentina was by far the better team.
They were led brilliantly by Riquelme and Mascherano in the middle of the park. Two world class players who showed the ingredients necessary to dominate their Australian opponents.
In the second half, the Olyroos did find more continuity in their game thanks to good runs by Kilkenny.
But Argentina is Argentina, and when the star power in the side shines, the majority of their rivals can only hope that luck is on their side.
For the Olyroos, that luck came to an end when Napoli star Lavezzi slotted the ball home in the bottom left hand corner. In the play leading up to the goal, it deserved a finish.
It was a goal that showed the gulf in class between Argentina and the rest of their opponents.
Prior to their showdown with Australia, ‘La Seleccion’ has won the past two under 23’s World Cups, not to mention a gold medal in Athens.
With classification now in their pockets, Argentina will look to build on their clarity in attack and defence against Serbia. The individuals of the side believe that repeating the gold achieved in Athens is far from mission impossible.
If anything is certain, Serbia better be on their best behaviour.
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(4)
Pippinu said | August 11th 2008 @ 5:46pm | Report comment
You haven’t had too much to say about Argentina’s final 10 minutes.
Pippinu said | August 11th 2008 @ 5:49pm | Report comment
Is there such a thing as an Under 23 World Cup?
Alan Nicolea said | August 11th 2008 @ 6:16pm | Report comment
Hey Pippinu
That was a typo mate. Argentina have won the past two Under 20’s world Cup. Good for you for pointing it out. As for the final ten minutes, Argentina played possession football – something Australia struggled to do for 75 minutes, and it is why South American players are so successful in what they do. The Olyroos played on the counter for the majority of the match. Brilliance my friend eventually wins out.
Pippinu said | August 11th 2008 @ 8:08pm | Report comment
I only raised it because much has been made about Australia playing 10 men behind the ball – as if it’s the first time that anyone has ever thought of the idea in the history of the game.
Yet the crowd was booing Argentina in those final 10 minutes, so I just wondered whether we might find double standards at play occasionally, and whether, as latins, we are a bit more forgiving of what we allow latins to get away with and how critical we might be of nations such as Australia.