The Socceroos deserve our praise

Congratulations are in order for our boys after drawing 1-1 with Ghana, but producing a very fine display worthy of a win.

A strong performance, albeit after a slow and nervy start, showed that Ghana’s trash talk about “dominating” us was a tale of fiction.

Just one thing on that claim of domination before I begin; if your team is only scoring from the penalty spot you should watch your words, especially when you only beat teams with 10 men. Ghana had basically nothing going forward with Schwarzer rarely threatened, suggesting anything but domination. Egg on the face of Ghana is a pleasing sight.

Now, back to the game. A few things changed tonight. Moore pulled his finger out and played out of his skin. Carney made a decent contribution and filled the left back spot well, particularly when getting forward (due to a more organised defense from Neil), and Harry Kewell can’t seem to win a trick.

That send off could have gone either way, and the referee’s angle might have been different from that of the TV, so benefit of the doubt there. Ironic that this referee who has severely dented our hopes is Italian.

Starting with a few nervous passes, Australia quickly dug themselves a rut and it was looking to pan out as another one of those nights.

11 minutes in and a shock; we grabbed a goal. The scorer? Much scrutinised Brett Holman who not only picked up the scraps from a tight angle but provided a good finish.

Suddenly we are on the front foot and a shocked Ghana have clearly underestimated our boys. Kingston in goals for the Black Stars was clearly a liability early on after his fumble and I am disappointed that we couldn’t force him into some more errors.

After about 20 minutes of poor passing from both sides a corner for Ghana ensues. A scramble in the box, the ball pops out, a shot comes in with some wicked movement and strikes Kewell on the chest/arm.

A penalty and a send off? Possibly, but Kewell could argue that he did not move his arm toward the ball, and that his chest did make some contact. Coupled with the fact that it hit him almost on the shoulder I would have argued his case as well.

Never mind, these things are almost to be expected as Australian’s and Italians clearly do not like each other on the field. Gyan slotted home from the spot to level one all Australia held out to the break.

I wonder what was said at half time which inspired not only Australia to take it to Ghana, but for Verbeek to make attacking substitutions.

The second half begins and it is much the same story as the first, except we are on the attack. Knowing that a win is almost essential the urgency in our play picks up and more passes start to stick.

The overlapping defensive play and a few successful long balls start to unlock the Ghanaian defense. Seeing this, Verbeek introduces Chipperfield in place of a somewhat rusty Bresciano on the left and his impact is felt immediately.

Chipperfield’s first touch; a header which goes just over the bar. From then on Chippers had a field day down the left, causing havoc.

We are pressing Ghana more and cracks are starting to show. In a rare attacking display from our coach Kennedy comes on, and again his aerial presence is felt immediately. Ghana start to go to water under the pressure of Kennedy and his imposing aerial presence.

Our best chance of the second half was to involve both substitutes; a ball in from Chipperfield finds Wilkshire up from right back free at the penalty spot. His partially heavy touch allows Kingston to get out and Wilkshire’s shot bounces off the advancing keeper. The ball pops up for Kennedy who scuffs his volley and is saved by a recovering Kingston.

Heads go down as everyone knows that was our golden chance of the second half to win the match.

7 minutes to go, Verbeerk introduces Rukavystya in place of Wilkshire and we attack even more. I would have taken off Carney, but hey, any attacking sub from Verbeek is a positive.

Rukavystya caused some problems as well as the pacey forward was consistently getting to balls before the Ghanaian defense.

Time slips away as we go close but can’t score, and after extra time the game ends at 1-1.

A big blow as we were banking on a win. This result leaves us with a few options;

1. Have Germany destroy Ghana (who didn’t look any more impressive than us) by at least four goals. Then we beat Serbia by two and we go through on goal difference.

2. Have Ghana draw with Germany and have us win by at least four goals to go through on goal difference over Germany.

3. Have Ghana beat Germany and us beat Serbia and we go through regardless of goal difference.

Those are our three options, listed in order of likelihood. Germany will be out to regain some respect after losing to Serbia so a big win is definitely on the cards for the German’s.

Tonight a hungry Australia showed that they can win, and beating Serbia by a decent margin, if we take our chances, is not out of the question. Fate is to play a big role now, and hopefully luck is on our side because it hasn’t been thus far.

All analyzing and speculation aside, we still have one encouraging fact; we saw a different Socceroo side tonight who did step up as many had called for. Well done boys, you did us proud. Now let’s continue this into the Serbia game and sneak through to the round of 16 once again.