With All-White Rory Fallon’s fiery pre-“friendly” comments about possible injuries for Socceroos players and how New Zealand were going to get stuck in as there was no such thing as a friendly, his men may have got more than they expected at the MCG.
Soccerooss’ midfield anchor, Vinny Grella, led the charge; lucky to escape a straight red card in the first half for his two footed tackle, and Cahill, later in proceedings, rode his luck with a slide tackle that ended up turning a New Zealand defender over in the air.
It seemed the Socceroos had decided to get stuck in as well and Bertos was the one to come off second best.
At the local pub, there were no cheers after Cahill’s tackle (or is assault a better description), rather, a resounding “OOhhhh” groan that resonated the pain Bertos was enduring.
These two incidents were not to detract from the play, however. With tempers cooling, both sides played out a fairly even match and New Zealand were good for the lead. Although their goal resulted from some sloppy defending, the boys from across the ditch were a constant threat and nerves were more than warranted every time Australia’s play broke down.
What Australia lacked in a quick move forward, often pulling up and playing back when approaching New Zealand’s penalty box, New Zealand did not. They pushed on, backed themselves, and created some good opportunities.
Had it not been for some luck and inspired defensive work, Australia might well have suffered a somewhat embarrassing defeat.
If this match was to be used as a measure for the World Cup, I would say that we are in a spot of bother, and New Zealand are in a better position to go to the round of 16 than us. Overcoming Slovakia and Paraguay does not seem too great a task for New Zealand after this match.
Arguably, Paraguay and Slovakia are no better than Australia, and New Zealand matched our boys for good portions of the match.
I saw an interesting statistic at half time; Australia had controlled 53% possession but New Zealand had spent more time in our half.
This was evident in our play; we would push forward, get two thirds of the way up the pitch and then all of a sudden, whilst New Zealand were back peddling, decide to stop our forward momentum and pull back.
ABSURD!
Even more groans echoed throughout the pub as a potent looking attack was killed off by none other than our own strikers. It’s a shot in the foot, really.
We cannot be racing at defenders with the pace that McDonald, Bresciano, Cullina and the like possess only to not back ourselves and stop the play. If we keep that nonsense up it will not only be a tall order to progress from our group, but it will be a tall order to even score against our strong opposition.
Pulling back to go out the other side might not be a bad idea for some of the time, except it was every time that we were pulling back, and some of the time it was breaking down with New Zealand good on the counter.
One bright point of the match was that the so called defensive Pim changed on two attacking players in the form of Tom Oar and Nikita Rukavysta. The former, although only playing a small portion of the match, provided a spark down the left flank which we were badly lacking.
The lad came on and his first influence on the game was a penetrating run through the All Whites from midfield, and he did not pull up and attempt to lay the ball backward as his compatriots had been doing all match.
Did Oar push his case for a World Cup spot?
I think he more than settled it and I will be surprised if he is not to make an appearance, especially against Ghana.
I have not mentioned the goals yet for a very good reason. I think the previously addressed issues overshadow what was a thrilling game.
So now, the goals. No real brilliance in either of the team’s efforts, except for Vidosic’s fine finish.
Sadly, all three goals came from defensive mistakes and luck.
Had the Australian defender (his name escapes me now) not allowed Chris Killen to get basically inside him then New Zealand would not have scored. If not for a lucky tackle on Cullina, the ball would never have popped out for Vidosic.
The last goal was the only one of some class, but New Zealand were ball watching and I don’t suspect our World Cup opponents will be quite so lenient on us. The ball to Holman was precise and his finish composed. Good bye Nick Carle.
Holman just assured that you won’t be going to South Africa.
Onto the result; a lucky win for Australia. New Zealand were unlucky not to bury a few more and Australia looked lack-luster in the final third, often failing at the last few passes, the last run, the last cross or the finish.
There was squandered chance after squandered chance and for the first time I really noticed us miss a Viduka up front.
My forecast for the World Cup; (with all patriotism aside) Australia missing out on the round of 16 and almost running last. New Zealand missing the round of 16 on goal difference only.
My patriotic forecast; Austrlia to win the whole thing. New Zealand? It does not matter what they do because they will demolish Italy 7-0 and us Aussies will claim that win as pay back for last year’s abomination of a result.
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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?
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