Tuesday night’s game in Osaka was an improved performance from the Socceroos that showed Australia can match it against Asia’s best.
As the last scheduled game before January’s Asian Cup, it is critical to assess the lessons that Ange Postecoglou can take from this performance.
In light of this, here is a compilation of the positives and negatives that we can take out of the loss.
Positives
Individual player performances:
There were a few heartening individual performances that will have pleased Postecoglou. Mat Ryan and Mathew Leckie showed once again why they are mainstays in the Australian team with very solid performances, while Aziz Behich and Massimo Luongo put in good shifts in rare starts for the national team.
Behich had a tough assignment containing Keisuke Honda but coped admirably, before popping up with the assist for Tim Cahill’s goal. Luongo, on the other hand, looked good in midfield, showing good touches and a willingness to move the ball forward.
Showing a bit of grit early on:
It was nice to see the return of some of the grit associated with Australia’s performances at the World Cup.
The Socceroos did not show up in the heat of the Middle East last month, but there was some fight shown here in an impressive first half.
European stars Shinji Kagawa and Honda were allowed little time on the ball as they were closed down effectively in the first period.
Periods of good passing moves:
There was again evidence of the attractive brand of football that Postecoglou is trying to implement with the Socceroos.
Trent Sainsbury seems to be picked for his ability to gel into this system, and his ability to control possession was on show as many of Australia’s moves started from the back.
Robbie Kruse getting through 85 minutes:
Although Robbie Kruse was well below his best, it must be remembered that this game was a friendly with a view towards preparation for the Asian Cup.
Kruse, who has been struggling for minutes at his German club Bayer Leverkusen, will have appreciated the ability to get minutes on the board in the lead up to January.
If all else fails, Tim Cahill can still deliver:
One of the most heartening moments of the match was Tim Cahill’s late goal. It shows, at least for the moment, that Australia can still rely on Cahill to be our main goal threat.
A lovely cross from Behich led to an archetypal Cahill headed goal.
Negatives
Defensive errors:
Now this is the hard part, two glaring set piece errors led to the two Japanese goals. It should be unthinkable that a ball to the front post is not cleared by an Australian defender from a corner, but it happened twice in ten minutes as Japan doubled their lead.
The second goal was brought back into the box after it had missed everyone, and Japanese forward Shinji Okazaki was able to turn it into the Australian net from the ensuing play.
These defensive lapses will have to be removed from Australia’s game if we are any chance to a make a decent showing in January’s Asian Cup.
Lack of imagination in the final third:
All game, until Tim Cahill came on, Australia looked like it had no idea what to do when it was given space and time in the final third. There were several opportunities where the front three of Kruse, Leckie, and James Troisi pondered on the ball instead of breaking quickly and exploiting the space that came from good pressing in midfield.
It was frustrating to watch as good chances to get balls into the box were wasted.
The obvious gap in class:
Despite a spirited performance, the gap in class between Japan and Australia at the moment was evident throughout the game. After the first goal, Japan seemed able to cut through Australia’s defence at will, something that does not bode well for a possible match-up in the Asian Cup.
Substitutions at 1-0:
I was personally disappointed that the double change that Postecoglou made after falling behind was quite a negative one. Mark Bresciano and Mitch Nicholls coming on for Luongo and Troisi did little to add attacking emphasis at a time where Australia should have been looking to hit back.
Players such as Josh Brillante and Aaron Mooy who like to bring the ball forward from midfield could have been used to great effect.
Australian Commentary:
As much as it was wonderful to see Australian internationals back on free-to-air television, the completely one-eyed calling of the game was hard to bear. The game was summed up as an “outstanding performance by the Socceroos” in the first half, and a “stern defensive test” in the second half, up to half a dozen times each.
I would love to see a little more balanced football commentary in this country that at least recognises the shortcomings of the current Australian team.
Overall, there were positive signs in the run-in to the Asian Cup, but it was still a very frustrating performance as Australia was unable to capitalise on some good spells. Unfortunately, it is again a solid performance without the result, which can be added to a growing list under Ange Postecoglou.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
What if we celebrated all of the achievements big and small, and weeded out those hell-bent on bringing down a game that is doing a hell of a lot right?
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Nestory Irankunda has sensationally rejected the chance to play at the Paris Olympics this June after a late bid from the Olyroos to include…
Mathew Ryan's tenure at AZ Alkmaar appears to be over, as the Eredivisie side are seemingly moving on from the 93-time Socceroo. The decision…
One down 49 to go. Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi raised some eyebrows this week when he declared himself to be the talisman striker the…
