The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Timmy tremendous, but more needed from Socceroos

22nd January, 2015
Advertisement
What is Australia's football identity? (Image: AP)
Expert
22nd January, 2015
71
1410 Reads

Something wonderfully abnormal happens to Tim Cahill when he pulls on the Socceroos jersey.

This time, it was a thumping Brisbane crowd who got to witness the man in full flight, as his second-half brace against China lifted Australia into the Asian Cup semis.

The 2-0 win was for the most part assured, but Australia will need to piece together a more consistent 90 minutes in Newcastle if they want to topple what lies ahead.

It was a cumbersome and slow-burning start from the Socceroos, who enjoyed plenty of possession but not much purpose or penetration.

China were predictably content to let Australia enjoy the lion’s share of the ball, setting themselves up for a counter-attacking game spearheaded by the jet-heeled Wu Lei.

With a combat defensive block, China were effective in clogging up space in the channels, and the Socceroos’ midfield trio struggled to find the fluidity needed to create danger.

Ange Postecoglou took a considerable risk handing Mark Bresciano his first start of the tournament, given that the midfielder had played only 45 minutes in two appearances off the bench. And the former Parma man was noticeably off the pace initially, guilty of coughing up possession too cheaply on a number of occasions.

Skipper Mile Jedinak also seemed a touch hesitant on the bumpy Suncorp pitch, spraying a few wayward balls and copping an early slice of cheese for his clumsiness.

Advertisement

Australia’s tournament breakthrough Massimo Luongo didn’t see as much ball as he did in the group stage, with most of the Socceroos’ forward thrust coming from the energetic Mathew Leckie.

But it was an unmarked Trent Sainsbury (who put in a fantastic shift at the back), who spurned the best chance of the opening stanza, heading a peach of a Bresciano free-kick over the bar.

Though the Socceroos didn’t have to wait long after the break for the opener.

And no prizes for guessing who popped up.

A Bresciano corner was cleared only as far as Ivan Franjic, whose lobbed header was met by a superbly timed overhead kick from Cahill. The goal lifted the tension and rigidness from Australia’s play, and the Socceroos began to pry open the disciplined Chinese rearguard.

A gorgeous interchanging move ended with Bresciano scuffing one over the bar, before a Cahill turn-and-pivot shot needed to be parried away by Wang Dalei.

Advertisement

As Leckie soon had a glancing header from a corner repelled from close range, there was a sense of floodgates opening, and when Jason Davidson swung one over from the left, there was only going to be one result.

Cahill still had plenty to do, but Australia’s all-time leading goal-scorer has a once-in-a-generation knack for placing things off his noggin.

As Australia began to pour forward and pepper the Chinese goal with a sequence of chances, things started to loosen up at the back, with Maty Ryan’s goal being threatened one too many times.

Although China were unable to capitalise, Postecoglou will be keen to see his side maintain their defensive structure on Tuesday night. Japan (assuming the inevitable), won’t be so forgiving.

Meanwhile, in last night’s other quarter final, South Korea edged past Uzbekistan in a ripping spectacle in Melbourne.

It was far from comfortable for the Koreans, but thanks to their seemingly impenetrable defence and two extra time goals to star man Son Heung-min, they’ll now play either Iraq or Iran for a spot in the final.

I’m still to be convinced by South Korea. Yes, they’ve yet to concede, and yes they’ve passed every test so far without any major concerns. But with their reactive approach, they’ve been more plucky than domineering, so I’ll be surprised if Ki Sung-yueng lifts the trophy in the end.

Advertisement

They do however have the sort of solidarity and hardiness that usually bodes well in a tournament format, and in their Bayer Leverkusen marquee man they have arguably the deadliest marksman in the tournament.

What’s most pleasing about the Asian Cup so far is the way in which the cream has risen to the top. Only the best teams remain, and you get the feeling that only the best of the best will soldier on.

This isn’t a tournament for luck-riders or finger-crossers. Fortune might favour the brave, but only the worthy will be sipping champagne come January 31.

close