Our team was the worst performing nation at this World Cup before this match. We were the laughing stock of world football after our heavy defeat.
The team was crucified by the media. There was calls for the immediate sacking of Pim Verbeek. There were questions about whether our team was too old and whether our players weren’t good enough. There were rumours of infighting and indiscipline within the team.
However, all of that didn’t matter when the Socceroos played their hearts out today with 10 men and gained an honourable draw against Ghana.
Lucas Neill and Craig Moore, who had poor games against Germany, regained their form with a commanding performance holding out the Ghana side. Wilkshire showed why he is one of the most dependable players for the Socceroos, defending well and executed some dangerous crosses. Bresciano and Emerton were lively up front and for the few minutes Kewell was on, he was lively and winning a lot of fouls in dangerous areas.
The much-maligned Brett Holman showed why he has scored 58 goals in the Netherlands by showing quick reactions from the keeper mistake and slotted the ball into the back of the net. This poacher’s effort would have made the missing Cahill proud.
After the goal, Australia started to sit back and Ghana started to get back into match. From a corner, Anew powered his way past Wilkshire and Emerton and cuts back to Mensah whose powerful shot hit Harry Kewell’s arm. It wouldn’t be a Socceroos match at the World Cup without referee controversy as Harry was sent off and Schwarzer couldn’t repeat his heroics as Gyan slotted in the equaliser.
There is a lot of doubt whether the handball was deliberate but nevertheless it did hit his arm which prevented a goal and it was understandable (even if it may not be correct) why the referee gave it a red card.
Afterwards Lee Addy made a crude studs up tackle from behind on Mark Bresciano. It was certainly a red card offense and much worst tackle than the one that got Cahill got sent off. Nevertheless the referee was lenient and gave him only a yellow card.
Despite playing the majority of the match with 10 men, Australia still controlled the game with a cultured passing game and had even amount of possession with Ghana.
The much-maligned Pim Verbeek had a good match with not only selecting the right team and having them play in a fluent manner. He also made three crucial tactical substitutions that worked in our favour. Scott Chipperfield came on and immediately got a chance with a missed header. Joshua Kennedy came on and made a nuisance and won some key headers. We continued pressing on and created the best chance of the match with Wilkshire’s one on one with the keeper and Kennedy’s mishit on the rebound.
We were brave this match and got an honourable draw. Unfortunately the shadow of our capitulation to Germany hangs over the side as goal difference becomes important.
The formula is we must beat Serbia and hope that Ghana wins and unlikely victory over Germany. If there is a draw, we have to overcome a seven-goal difference between us and Germany, and if Ghana lose we have to overcome a five-goal difference between us and Ghana.
The chances are we will be going home after the 23rd of June, but if we can repeat our performance against Serbia then we will go home with respect showing the world that we can play good football.
For those who want to dream, look back to the Confederation Cup last year where USA defeated Egypt 3-0 and Italy lost to Brazil 3-0, causing USA to qualify to the semi-finals by overturning a four-goal difference, showing that it’s not over until it’s over.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Socceroo Cameron Burgess has put Ipswich within touching distance of the Premier League after a 2-1 win over Coventry in the English Championship. Kieffer…
Who stood out from the Australians both here and overseas in a busy week of the world game? Goalkeeper - Mathew Ryan- 3-0 win…
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?
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
Nestory Irankunda has sensationally rejected the chance to play at the Paris Olympics this June after a late bid from the Olyroos to include…
