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If Sunday evening’s jaunt in Adelaide was a walk in the park for the youthful Socceroos, then last night’s thoroughly enjoyable 0-0 draw against Serbia was the kind of test that will give Holger Osieck much to mull over as he builds towards the start of World Cup qualifiers in September.
The reality is it is far easier to learn more about your team when the pressure is on, against high quality opposition, and that is exactly what Osieck got last night.
Motivated to get some back for what happened in Moenchengladbach last year and no doubt keen to make amends for an abject display in South Korea on Friday, Serbia were clearly in the right head-space for this one.
History tells us when they are in the right mood, Serbia have the technique and quality to take it to any team in the world.
So when they started knocking it about early, and burst forward through the pace of Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic, this was always going to be the stern test it threatened to be.
Any starting 11 that can boast such quality as Dejan Stankovic, Zdravko Kuzmanovic, Tosic and Ljajic is bound to play in neat, short spaces, full of combination and over-loads.
In many ways, it took us back to the Beijing Olympic Games when the Serbian Olympic team, inspired at the time by Tosic, toyed with the Olyroos, only for it to end 1-1.
Here the domination wasn’t as extreme, with the Roos having their periods of control, and a fair share of chances.
But in the broad analysis, Serbia was able to over-load the centre of the pitch and dominate Australia’s 4-4-1-1, giving Mile Jedinak and Carl Valeri their toughest night yet under Osieck.
Not that the central duo had the requisite help from the men behind them, who tended, as they often do, to drop off to the 18 yard box, thus given the technical White Eagles the space to play and run.
With Stankovic, Kuzmanovic and Radosav Petrovic pulling the strings in midfield, and feeding Tosic and Ljajic in the space between the defensive and midfield lines, it proved very difficult for the Socceroos to get a grip.
Michael Zullo, getting another opportunity after impressing in Adelaide, was often caught out, unsure whether to push-on and pressure Tosic, or drop off with his central defenders.
With Lucas Neill and Sash Ognenovski retreating, Serbia were rarely able to get in behind, but they did utilise the space in front of them by taking numerous shots from distance.
Fortunately for the Socceroos, Adam Federici had a night out, and Serbia didn’t have anyone at the pointy end.
At times the Socceroos looked good, most often through the industry and run of Brett Holman, who carried on from his man of the match display in Adelaide with another all-energy effort at Docklands.
Sadly, Holman often foraged in isolation, but for a 15 minute period before half time when he and Archie Thompson threatened to give the Socceroos a cutting edge.
While Osieck failed to address Serbia’s domination of midfield until Neil Kilkenny came on late, he should at least take credit for switching Matt McKay to left back at the break.
This at least controlled Tosic in the second half.
Afterwards he was honest in his assessment, citing frustration. For now he will no doubt take the time to the filter performances over the past few days.
What he will no doubt learn is that his team is still an evolving one, and while it is undoubtedly ready to tackle the World Cup qualification campaign, there is room for more tinkering and development as we build through the qualifiers.
Socceroos player ratings
Adam Federici 7.5; didn’t have a lot to do in the first period, but concentrated hard and was sharp when called to the feet of Tosic early in the second period. Later he produced a string of decent saves from long distance. All up, an excellent game, which keeps him high in the pecking order behind Schwarzer.
Luke Wilkshire 6; not a particularly great camp for a player who has been an ever-present at right back for the past few years. Was out-shone by Rhys Williams, but one of the Socceroos’ most consistent in recent years will bounce back when it counts.
Lucas Neill 6; with not much football under his belt in recent times, must have been delighted to get through the minutes he did. Gave himself and Ognenovski a chance to defend by dropping to the 18 yard box.
Sash Ognenovski 6; a little sloppy on the ball in the first half, fortunate not to get punished for one particular slip-up, but was solid at clearing the ball whenever it came in from the flanks, inevitably well positioned.
Michael Zullo 5.5; started well, bursting down the left flank and whipping a ball in beautifully, before Serbia took control and targeted him. Playing against Tosic was always going to a massive challenge, and after an encouraging display against New Zealand, there’s much for Zullo to take away and learn from this game. With more game time with Utrecht and the Socceroos, defensive game will improve.
Brett Emerton 5.5; a quiet game all round, often spent trying to tuck in and lend defensive support. Rarely saw Emerton bursting forward, and after his recent good form at Blackburn, fair to say he deserves a good off-season.
Mile Jedinak 6.5; Struggled to impose himself physically on this game, mainly because he was often outnumbered by the Serbian over-load of midfield. A mixed night on the ball.
Carl Valeri 5.5; backed up for a second game in three days and really looked to be struggling to keep up, completely outnumbered most of the time. Surprised Osieck didn’t replace him.
Matt McKay 7; another reasonably productive night in green and gold, starting on the left side of midfield and ended at left back, where he was able to control the dangerous Tosic.
Brett Holman 8; another high-octane performance in which he offered plenty going forward. Comfortably Australia’s best outfield player.
Archie Thompson 6; a great opportunity to impress Osieck, and at times it seemed he would take it, looking a real threat for 15 or so minutes before the break. But somewhat encapsulating his life in green a gold, he faded in the second half.
Substitutes
James Troisi 6.5; might have done better with a great chance midway through , but otherwise back up his Adelaide effort by presenting for the ball, managing to get into a couple of good wide positions.
Dario Vidosic 6; not as influential as he was against New Zealand, but whipped in the odd dangerous.
Rhys Williams 7; another excellent cameo, very offensive, always looking to push on support Vidosic. Would have been nice to see him in the middle, either in central defensive or midfield. Comfortably among our best 11, the only question is whether he pushes Wilkshire at right back, Neill or Ognenovski in central defence or Jedinak or Valeri in the middle?
Jon McKain 6; didn’t have a great deal to do, but looked comfortable enough.
Neil Kilkenny 6; not on for long, but brought the Roos some late control, spreading the ball around neatly.
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