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Australia's Socceroos World Cup players, Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill and Harry Kewell pose for team photo in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, May 19, 2010. AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill.
Pim Verbeek dismissed the relevance of Australia’s result against Denmark, but there was plenty of improvement from the farewell game against New Zealand in last night’s 1-0 win.
The critical aspect was keeping a clean sheet.
The inclusion of man of the match Luke Wilkshire was pivotal, not only in defensive duties, but also creativity from the right hand side in the attacking third.
Craig Moore looked more composed, Lucas Neill was his solid self, while Scott Chipperfield also provided something going forward with the Danes looking to create down his flank.
Verbeek’s decision to play with a higher defensive line was also a good one. He exposed the ageing front line of the Danish and the difficult conditions, where the pace of the ball across the surface was decisive in the passing on the ground.
It wouldn’t slow. It wouldn’t stop.
There are still concerns. Two. Mark Bresciano and Vince Grella.
The latter again put in a couple of rash challenges while the former still looks underdone after an injury-plagued season.
Carl Valeri continued to fight for Grella’s spot in the holding midfield position when given his opportunity in the second half.
Richard Garcia, who was given a starting berth, showed a little but there was not much to rave about in a lacklustre opening period.
In truth, Wilkshire and Jason Culina, who moved to the right in the second half, provided much more productivity in the second half.
The goal from Josh Kennedy came after build-up from the right, but in all honesty the opportunity came after sloppy Danish defending and a hesitant goalkeeper.
Improvement in the second half also came through the build up play. The long ball to Kennedy was ditched in favour of a passing game through midfield.
And all this with a minimal influence from Tim Cahill, for a half, and without stars Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton.
The performance might not have been world rattling, but a clean sheet, a victory, acclimatization and major improvement will leave many Socceroos fans pleased ahead of the friendly with the USA on Saturday.
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