A 94th minute winner from Brett Holman ended an unconvincing win in the Socceroos’ farewell match against New Zealand. Some questions were answered, many left unanswered, and new questions raised in the 2-1 win.
The Socceroos were fortunate to be in the game early, defending on the edge of the area and allowing the Kiwis to dictate play.
After Wellington Phoenix midfield dynamo Tim Brown struck one wide, Middlesbrough striker Chris Killen didn’t make the same mistake minutes later.
The ball inside the area looked like it wouldn’t cause harm but the lack of height in the centre of defence was exposed with Craig Moore lunging at air, and Mark Milligan slow to react as Killen got in and behind him to open the scoring.
Following was a horror tackle from Vince Grella.
Lunging, sliding and dangerous, the Rovers man should have been off the pitch for his horrendous challenge on Leo Bertos. For a man who late last week was concerned that the Kiwi tacklers would fly in, Grella produced a shocking late tackle that should have seen red – even in a friendly.
Moments later, Tim Cahill put in a reckless challenge, catching Bertos high on the shin and forcing him off the pitch.
The lack of adventure was evident, so to the intensity and any functionality in the attacking third for Australia. Play was too often broken down 30 yards from goal. Milligan struggled, so to did the underdone trio of Mark Bresciano, Jason Culina and Vince Grella in the centre of the park.
In the second half, Milligan pushed further up the park, Carl Valeri provided Culina with a companion in the middle which brought Dario Vidosic into the game on the left.
Moore’s replacement, new Melbourne Heart recruit Michael Beauchamp, was a major player in the centre of defence. No longer was the defending so deep and his height was critical when aerial balls came into the area.
Culina’s adventurous run forward resulted in a fortunate ricochet for Vidosic, whose first international goal was a superb volleying finish into the ground and into the corner of the net.
The winner was perhaps the best forward interplay by the Socceroos with the exchange of passes leading to Valeri chipping a clever pass for Holman to apply a clinical finish.
But questions remain: how we can rely so heavily on Harry Kewell up front when he has barely played in 2010? Does Craig Moore start in the centre with Lucas Neill or are our World Cup opponents too tall for the both of them? Does this mean we take Michael Beauchamp?
How concerned should we be by our underdone players – Bresciano, Kewell, Grella and Culina?
Regardless, the Socceroos need time to gel and regain fitness. But time is quickly running out.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Exactly Dejan. Why were we playing with one stiker and a 4-5-1 formation against a team like New Zealand? We should have dominated that game from the start with at least 2 strikers and 2 wingbacks. Seems like pratice for the World Cup, where we can expect the same for all our games - defensive midfield, lone striker and hope for a lucky goal or two to get a point or two. No wonder he doesn't want to stck around after the WC after a very quick exit in the first round. Hopefully the players will carry the team despite his ridiculous one paced tactics.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Good call mate.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Dejan - a turtle, a sloth and a snail would have not only moved the ball faster but would have made space as well, especially in the first half :)
TheStinger
Roar Rookie
I think the Kiwi goal was poor defending but no-one has really mentioned that Smeltz seemed to get a slight touch on the cross that took it over Moore's head. Not really Craig's fault. Terrible goalkeeping from Federici though. He managed to make himself tiny and exposed the far post. How he is better than Galekovic is beyond me. Beauchamp should be starting at the WC, he is a gun.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
I echo your thoughts Phil. Playing McDonald as the lone man up front is useless because it doesn't suit his style. Pim plays with one tactic against all opposition when it reality, the Socceroos should be controlling the play and midfield battle against teams like New Zealand. We'll have to wait and see..
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
When it comes to Pim Verbeek, Culina's run was adventurous because he was the only one running with the ball. I guess it's become acceptable to not go forward for the Socceroos because one goal is usually enough. As for passing forward, first and second half there was no more than five passes that went forward to a man before breaking down. The speed at which the ball moved was below-par and will get us nowhere in South Africa.
phil
Guest
Absolute disgracefull first half perfomance. If we do this against Germany, Serbia or Ghana we'll get smashed. Then again if play with one up front that's what you get.
drew777
Roar Pro
Go read my latest article about the match last night, much of the same testaments as you, Dejan.
Art Sapphire
Guest
Dejan - Seems to me you watched the game on TV. Valeri and Jedinak replaced Grella and Culina in the middle of the park for the seconf half. Culina's replaced Bresciano out on the right of midfield after being horriblly ineffectual in the first half in the middle of the park. Only then did became a positive influence. His run was not something I would call adventurous as he had taken up a more advanced role on the pitch. Vidosic was swapped from the right of midfield to to the left for the second half and again he again improved greatly in the second half. Jedinak also also helped Australia deal with Kiwi's aerial and unlike Culina and Grella in the first half he looked to play a quick forward pass whenever he got the ball.