The contrasting emotions of Australia’s agonising Asian Cup defeat may run the gamut between pride and despair and everything else in between, but there’s a vital sentiment which shouldn’t be overlooked from an unforgettable night in Doha – the Socceroos should have won.
For all the undeniable improvements made under the refreshingly attack-minded Holger Osieck, there was one key ingredient missing from an otherwise pulsating display.
It wasn’t a problem against Uzbekistan – although the Socceroos found goalkeeper Temur Juraev in a generous frame of mind – but finishing proved the achilles’ heel on an exasperating evening at Khalifa Stadium.
Like that joke in ‘The Simpsons’ where Lisa joins “the second-best band in America,” it’s almost as though the Socceroos were “born to runner-up” – or at least find new and excruciating ways to lose key matches.
From Australia’s incredible World Cup exit on away goals at the hands of Iran in 1997, to that challenge by Lucas Neill in Kaiserslautern and a penalty shoot-out defeat to Japan in the 2007 Asian Cup, the Socceroos have now added a new chapter in their long and lengthy list of near misses.
And things could have been so different had they demonstrated just a trifle more composure in front of goal.
From as early as the second minute when Matt McKay sliced a shot wide when he had time to take a touch, Australia’s finesse in front of goal deserted them.
At various intervals the otherwise effective Harry Kewell volleyed over the crossbar, turned straight into a pack of defenders and raised his arms in celebration before a scrappy Tim Cahill effort had even crossed the goal line.
It didn’t help that Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima was in stupendous form, but when Kewell failed to beat the Belgium-based shot-stopper after bursting clear with twenty minutes remaining, the signs were there that it was going to be another frustrating evening for Australian players and fans alike.
Substitutes Brett Emerton and Robbie Kruse both came off the bench to good effect, but they too missed chances in extra-time – the latter after Kawashima pushed his header onto the crossbar.
So it was left to Tadanari Lee to steal the limelight with a wonder strike full of technique and power, as the Sanfrecce Hiroshima striker took full advantage of a crucial lapse in concentration in the Australian defence.
One chance, one goal and suddenly the ‘Zainichi Korean’ was reminding everyone of the depth of the J. League: he didn’t even start last season as a first-choice striker in Hiroshima.
Lee’s clinical finish was doubly cruel on Australian fans because it reminded them of precisely what had been lacking from the Socceroos in front of goal.
That Australia failed to win the Asian Cup should take nothing away from a stellar campaign in which the entire squad did the country proud, reminding plenty of sceptics along the way that Australia fully deserves its place in the Asian game.
But if some constructive criticism is warranted, it’s that the Socceroos could surely polish up on their finishing skills and develop a killer instinct in front of goal.
Otherwise we’ll forever be talking about missed opportunities, sighing “so near, yet so far” when Herculean efforts on the pitch deserve far greater reward.
Each and every player ought to be applauded for their efforts at the Asian Cup, and Holger Osieck should take a bow for transforming Australia from timid makeweights into an enterprising attacking force within months.
But if there’s one thing I hope Australia takes away from the Asian Cup, it’s a renewed resolve to bury their chances and finish on the right side of the scoreline.
After all, it only takes one goal to settle a match: a point well made by a certain Tadanari Lee.
fggf
Guest
Thats because every team that faced Spain sans the Netherlands bunkered down with 10 men behind the ball even Germany.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
At least we were beaten by quality :)
Art Sapphire
Guest
Some news of interest "Inter have completed the signing of defender Yuto Nagatomo on loan from Cesena. The 24-year-old reportedly travelled to Milan on Monday morning in order to sign a contract with the European champions. Nagatomo has impressed since arriving in Italy from FC Tokyo and often been labelled as the best left-back in Serie A this season. He also was a member of Japan's Asian Cup triumph in Qatar. Youngster Davide Santon will move in the other direction, also on loan." http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/3276/serie-a/2011/01/31/2331950/official-inter-sign-yuto-nagatomo-on-loan-from-cesena
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I'm with you all the way on this one, Betty
Betty B
Guest
now Phil - I know you like to advance the alternate viewpoint - but it's very hard not to conceive that our boys looked superior for the majority of the final. Their good shots on goal, those with a fair chance of coming off, exceeded Japan's by several. The winning goal was by no means, great. It looked pretty simple really, due to tiredness by Australia more than anything. Funnily though, even if my wallet is now slightly lighter and my pride a tad sore (say nothing of the lost zzz's), I'm pleased Japan won. Asia, I think, will appreciate us much more now when we do eventually win, and we will appreciate that win more too. They say history is important in this game, and we don't have much of that really - but we're building it quickly, so we all will be so much more appreciative when we get there.
Phil Osopher
Guest
I'm not sure you could claim we should have won. The Iran game in 97 yes definitely, but not this one. yep we missed chances, I take your point, and yes we do lack the ability to cut up defences and score clinical goals - and that's why we shouldn't have won. But the main reason we lost was because Japan were very good. In particular their change of tactics with replacements to stop the Australian game was masterfully undertaken, that's why they won basically, and because they are, you have to admit, better skilled on the ball and as a team. Australia could have got one or two in sure, but I though the best team won to be honest. All in all I think that tournament proved Australia is one of the best teams in Asia, but Korea and Japan are better than us at this stage - they play better football. I was far more disturbed by the loss to Iran than this one. Here I thought, fair enough, and Australia didn't do itself any shame really. Against Iran I thought suicide seemed like a fair option.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
But, who does? Even current World Champions, Spain, with strikers like Villa, Torres, Pedro & Llorente, struggled to score goals in Sth Africa. In 7 games, Spain only scored more than 1 goal twice - against Honduras and Chile and didn't even score against Switzerland - despite dominating the play and creating numerous chances. After the Group Stage, it got even worse for the Spanish in front of goal - they managed only 1 goal in each of the 4 knock-out games. Germany, perhaps, has some potent strikers .. but, I saw Mario Gomez miss sitters last season playing for Bayern.
STxza
Guest
We still don't have killer finishers =( just the way it is.
Matsu
Guest
Not interested in Carney. There are other talented young players who could step in for Nagatomo (though perhaps not quite as well), such as Michi Yasuda (21), who just signed for Vitesse Arnhem. Maybe if Frank Lowy offers two shopping centres and the design specs for Tim Cahill's tattoos ? ? ?
Art Sapphire
Guest
correct - the two best chances were created by Nagatomo. How about a swap Mastu? we'll give you Carney for Nagatomo. Frank Lowy will throw in one of his shopping centres as compensation :)
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Have to agree with Ben, it's a bit far fetched to call that shot "simple" - he's wrapped his foot round a ball about hip high first time, and it's gone like an arrow into the roof of the goal - you could muck around with that shot on your own all arvo, and you'd be lucky to hit a few as good as that (out of hundreds of attempts).
Matsu
Guest
This is a very accurate description. But I think it also points out a much more serious weakness of Australia's (and Osieck's) style of play. While they did hoof a lot of balls into the box for Cahill to try to knock down, almost every one of them was identical - looping rainmaker passes intended to produce a"jump ball" at the penalty spot. There were few - and though I cant recall precisely, there might not have been any - rushes to the byline or challenges at the side of the box followed by a low line drive across the face of goal. I cant recall a single cross from Australia that had the same trajectory as the two from Nagatomo (the goal-scorer, and the one Okazaki headed just wide). Those are the balls that Kennedy gets served by the dozen at Nagoya, and he has a very good sense of timing to make his run, get his head (or foot) in front of a defender, and ricochet the ball home. I agree that Kennedy has a poor first touch, and this is why he isnt even more dominant in Japan than he is. Despite being joint top-scorer, Kennedy isnt viewed with "fear" by opposing defences, the way that they fear players like Juninho, Marcio Richardes or Hisato Sato (the guy who started ahead of Lee Tadanari at Sanfrecce). But what he does do, he does well. And Stojkovic has constructed a philosophy that uses his abilities to the optimal degree. I think this is the key to good coaching (and I always viewed this as Holger's shortcoming). A good coach has a philosophy that works, and he tries to find players that fit the philosophy. A GREAT coach takes whatever players he has, and crafts a football strategy that utilizes their skills to get the best result.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
To be fair, "dead ball specialists" Honda and Endo didn't force Schwarzer to make a save - blasting balls high and wide. I reckon Iraq and Bahrain forced more saves from Schwarzer than did Japan. The goal stunned me b/c Japan didn't even look like scoring - for 119 minutes, Lucas and Og didn't seem bothered in the slightest ... thanks to great screening work by the midfield.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
The development of the next generation is interesting. At the recent u19 Asian cup, Australia lost 2-3 in the Final against North Korea. I have a sneaky feeling that the Australian u20 squad that will compete in the u20 FIFA WC, will form the core of the next "golden generation" of Aussie footballers with names, including: Birighitti, McGowan, Kantarovski, Bulut, Oar, Leckie, Antonis, Amini, Petratos, Davidson, Danning, Babalj, etc. Add names like: Langerak, Kruse, Dugandzic, DeVere, etc. who are too old for the u20 squad, but will be part of the squad to play the 2012 Olympic qualifiers later this year and the future looks bright. Interestingly, Japan did NOT qualify for the u20 WC, since they were beaten in the 1/4 final by Sth Korea.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
The reality is that Japan has a large group of players in their early 20's who are playing top flight football in Europe and are regular starters for their clubs; we don't.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
It was a shot that wasn't under pressure from a defender however "very simple" is a bit off the mark, try watching it again. Certainly it was a hell of a lot more difficult than the myriad of chances we had that didn't even force Kawashima into a save.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Good articles. Nagatomo is 24, playing in the Serie A, already with 40 caps. The question is a good one: where are our 24 year old players with 40 caps? They don't exist.
floppybottom
Guest
tuckerman, lee took the shot well, no doubting that, but it was a very simple shot at goal. if he missed that shot it would of been the worst miss of the match. once more you exagerate the japanese players abilities. time to get some perspective i think.
Futbanous
Guest
Heres a couple of interesting articles containing pertinent points about Japanese & Australian foootball. First about the quality of their coach . Hosieck is good but so is Zaccheroni attracted by Japan's status in world Football. :- http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/sports/soccer/31iht-CUP31.html Also their "Golden Generation" appears to be younger according to this article:- http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/31/sports/soccer/31iht-NET31.html. The goal provider is 24,scorer 25. Maybe this is as a result of the J-League developing quality players by their early twenties able to step into the National team & are experienced by 25. Certainly the case for Nagatomo(goal provider) at International & club level & Lee(Scorer) at club level. Remember something said about Germany having a similar MO. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuto_Nagatomo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tadanari_Lee
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
His first touch isn't just poor, it's nothing short of atrocious, the worst I've ever seen at Socceroo level. Leckie, Ruka and Burns will hopefully come good. I have my doubts about Kruse. I think he will ultimately fall a fraction short (of international standard). But making the jump from 20 year old with potential to a consistent NT player is not straightforward. There was a time when we saw Djite as Dukes' natural successor.