Socceroos’ Craig Moore, right, and teammate Tommy Oar model the new team jerseys in Sydney, Australia, Tuesday, April 27, 2010. Team officials say the new uniforms are the most environmentally friendly and technologically advanced in soccer’s history. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
The Socceroos face the New Zealand All Whites at the MCG tonight in their farewell match at home before heading to South Africa for their second consecutive World Cup. Join Tony Tannous here from 7:30pm EST for a live analysis of the match.
The match is the last opportunity for Socceroos players to impress Pim Verbeek, who will trim the squad by cutting eight players from the current 31-man squad before they jet off to South Africa.
But this game will be more than just a friendly exercise with trans-Tasman pride at stake against our biggest sporting rivals.
Part celebration to commemorate the qualification of both New Zealand and Australia to the same World Cup finals in history, the match will also boast a large number of players from the A-League.
Key questions to be answered are:
– Which players will impress and book their ticket to South Africa?
– Will there be angst between the two teams?
– And how many fans will turn up to the ‘G’ to farewell the Socceroos?
Join Tony Tannous from 7:30pm EST and comment as the game unfolds. Have an iPhone? Follow the blog and post directly from The Roar’s iPhone app.
Bruce Walkley
Roar Guru
Jedinak should be the first man picked after Schwarzer, Moore, Cahill and (subject to fitness) Kewell. Sat on the game beautifully and controlled the midfield in the second half. Old head for a hard road. Can't believe some of the rubbish I've seen written in the past couple of days saying he was playing for his place.
Stevo
Guest
Kiwis looked OK for periods but they can easily be exposed with a swift flowing counter attack. They'll find the WC tough. And so will the Socceroos with that performance. I take some comfort knowing that we can play much much better like the game against Ireland last year. I have my fingers crossed. Vidosic looks the goods. Grella, Moore should stay at home.
et
Guest
BLOODY LUCKY. Hardly deserved to win that one - kiwis had more time in opp half, more balls into the 18 and more shots as well as the better chances. Should have been a red to Grella also
Tony Tannous
Expert
Disappointing not to see Carle, especially considering the reports about him training well. Verbeek will trim his squad tomorrow and it would be a big surprise if he was included given he didn't get a run today. As for Oar, I've never quite seen him as a serious option, but he might go as a back-up along with a couple of other youngsters. Holland is a favourite. If either Valeri or Jedinak miss out, they will be very unlucky. All of that awaits, and no doubt you will get all the analysis here on The Roar, so thanks for joining us tonight and do join us again.
zach
Guest
Australia's last chance to farewell the Socceroos before the World Cup saw the MCG a little over half full. Maybe the AFL should have let them have Etihad for the bid - and kept the MCG, considering the respective crowds at tonight's match and Friday's Geelong Collingwood game.
sunshinecoaster
Guest
Grella should have got a red card,same tackle against Germany hes off without a doubt
David
Guest
We won!
Tony Tannous
Expert
Of the regulars, concerns about Moore, esp.
Tony Tannous
Expert
One of the other features of the second half was at least seeing the fullbacks integrate on occasions, and it was Carney who actually drove infield from the left to set up the winner, combining with Holman and Culina. Wilkshire and Chipperfield are the obvious choices, but it was good to see Carney getting 90 mins into the legs and having at least some influence. Not quite convinced about Milligan at right back though. Pity North didn't get a look-in. Ditto Carle.
Tony Tannous
Expert
FULL TIME SUMMARY (cont); Overall though, a fairly sketchy performance the Socceroos, who were really exposed by NZ's physical aerial assault in the first period. Even in the second period Fallon had a great chance to make it 2-1 to the visitors. While the idea is to be peaking for the Germany game, there is much work to be done to get this unit on song. Ultimately the Socceroos got the result and showed the requisite character to bounce back in the second period, and that is a characteristic to be admired, but the fear is that Germany will match the mentality and do better in the technical aspects. What was exciting though was seeing the likes of Vidosic, Valeri, Jedinak, Holman and Beauchamp step up.
JR
Guest
I think you are slightly generous to NZ who are a pretty limited side. Generation next looked good for us, I thought. Let's see how we do against stiffer opposition. I'd like to see more straightforward goal chances, those little bits of luck and poor defending won't happen in big games.
Tony Tannous
Expert
FULL TIME SUMMARY; A much better second half from Australia, but it's hard not to feel for the All Whites, who deserved at least a draw. The Roos got their late winner after a neat build up which involved a bit of interchange on the edge of the NZ box, a lay-off from Culina to Valeri, who dinked a delighful ball into the box, where Holman finished with aplomb. What was great to see from an Australian perspective in the second period was the team playing higher up the pitch, with pressure applied in the NZ half, which allowed Neill to get his foot on the ball and start the Roos play. The two holding midfielders, Valeri and Jedinak did well, winning alot of ball and spreading it wide Vidosic and Culina, who had a good influence. They were able to pin Boyens and Smith back.
Tony Tannous
Expert
94' FULL TIME. Australia 2- New Zealand 1.
Tony Tannous
Expert
93'; Goal Australia, 2-1. Holman. Great little dink over the top from Valeri, great finish Holman
JR
Guest
that's how it's done, eh? what was everyone saying about Holman?
Tony Tannous
Expert
90'; Elliott has been immense for NZ, along with Fallon, while Nelsen has been rock solid
Tony Tannous
Expert
89''; Socceroos looking the most likely, but NZ still treating with the occassional counter
Tony Tannous
Expert
86'; Neill has been very good on the ball yet again, while Jedinak, our best defensive header, has won alot of aerial balls in the second period.
Muzza
Guest
Can you put the score in from time to time, just as a reminder?
Tony Tannous
Expert
83'; little rhythm in the game thanks to a succession of changes for both sides, but Australia the dominant team, keeping the ball better