A-League Socceroos grab point in Asian Cup opener
By AAP, 29 Jan 2009 AAP is a Roar Pro
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The hastily assembled A-League Socceroos gelled enough to pinch a 0-0 draw against Indonesia in Jakarta on Wednesday night and start Australia’s Asian Cup campaign on a positive note.
In an arm wrestle with few clear chances played on a difficult pitch, an Australian team featuring seven debutants battled manfully to take a point from their first Group B qualifier.
The squad had little preparation beforehand, and also were without coach Pim Verbeek on the sidelines as he serves a touchline suspension hanging over from South Korea’s 2007 Asian Cup campaign.
Despite being thrown together, the Socceroos looked solid defensively, but were disjointed and lacked cohesion in the final third – though they weren’t helped by a stark mix of grass lengths on the Gelora Bung Karno pitch.
Indonesia had perhaps the two best chances of the match, while Australia put the ball in the back of the net in the second half only to have the goal ruled offside.
The home side, ranked 144 in the world – 115 places below the Socceroos – gave the Australians a huge fright in the 35th minute when striker Talaohu Musafri shot just wide after the Socceroos lost possession in midfield.
Then striker Budi Sudarsono found himself in a great position on 62 minutes, but his close range header from a Musafri cross lacked power and failed to test thankful Socceroos keeper Eugene Galekovic.
Socceroos striker Archie Thompson nearly conjured a winner three minutes later – his long-range shot spilled by keeper Markus Horison and just falling short of substitute Matt Simon’s despairing boot.
Adelaide United midfielder Paul Reid went close in the 69th minute, bending a free-kick just wide of the post, before Central Coast’s Simon headed home a cross 14 minutes from time which was correctly ruled offside.
In a four-team group comprising the Socceroos, Indonesia, Kuwait and Oman, the top two sides qualify for the 2011 Asian Cup finals in Qatar.
The Socceroos will bring back their European-based stars for their next match – a World Cup qualifier against Japan in Yokohama on February 11.
Their next Asian Cup qualifier is against Kuwait in Canberra on March 5, when Australia are again likely to field an all-A-League outfit.
AAP gh/tb
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Dave said | January 29th 2009 @ 5:56am | Report comment
Not pretty with quality lacking in the attacking and creative departments but the result is not a disaster. Indo’s looked better than ranking of 144 but also lacked attacking quality.
Pippinu said | January 29th 2009 @ 8:06am | Report comment
In truth, I honestly doubt the A-Team would have done any better.
Finno said | January 29th 2009 @ 9:22am | Report comment
This is the result I feared.
We cannot afford to draw against these countries.
Maybe the A- League is showing its real quality.
Albert Ross said | January 29th 2009 @ 11:20am | Report comment
This is a second-string side thrown together without much prep. Some of The Skippies looked very tired.
The pitch was awful and both sides had problems dealing with it.
Pym was sitting in the stands which cannot have helped.
Simon’s “goal” should have stood as he did not look offside.
I realise that our AFL side would have thrashed the Indonesia AFL side if they had an equivalent Asian Cup fixture. but this will have to do,
Koala Bear said | January 29th 2009 @ 12:27pm | Report comment
I have just return home from the CRSL after watching the Roos play Indonesia… I was impressed with our lads.. one days preparation playing away in stifling conditions and we could have should have one … But happy with the draw .. The midfield were well up to the task and defensively we were sound .. Craig More was as usual reliable and directed the lads perfectly at the back .. However the top third the team lacked understanding and Danny boy I can now see why the Melb Supporters are always on your back.. I don’t think you are up to international standard lad … Simmons looked dangerous but still needs a bit more technique in his game .. Nonetheless, a very useful striker for the future.. I think next year when we have Culina back home this team will grow even more with more games together can improve by up to 50% .. Overall extremely happy…
~~~~~~~~
KB
Joe FC said | January 29th 2009 @ 12:45pm | Report comment
Finno
Japan lost to Bahrain and Iran were held by Thailand so our result is far from a disaster. You underestimate the opposition. I thought our 1st half performance was solid enough falling away somewhat in the 2nd. Looking forward to the Canberra game because I can attend.
Finno said | January 29th 2009 @ 1:02pm | Report comment
Joe FC we should be good enough to win, to rely on other results is a problem.
Question for everyone……what ranking would you put on the A- League Socceroos?
I think Socceroos would be 70 if the Kiwis are in the 80′s
Wales 60, Norway 59th
Pippinu said | January 29th 2009 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
Somewhere in between Wales and NZ sounds about right.
Millster said | January 29th 2009 @ 1:41pm | Report comment
I was watching on an internet stream with plenty of glitches in the picture as often occurs – and you could still see how shit the surface was. So that is my first comment.
Second is that I agree Simon was not offside.
Third this was a good example of the A-League’s limitations which above all are in the front third.
Fourth, I hope our clubs technical guys and scouts were watching and taking notes on a couple of the Indo wide midfielders who looked pretty handy and lively.
Finally, what is it about this Asian comp. The results all across the continent seemed totally against form!
True Tah said | January 29th 2009 @ 1:44pm | Report comment
Maybe Albert Ross was right and there was an international between Australia and Indonesia before the game – at least it would explain the surface of the pitch.