- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Australia's player Joshva Kennedy, center, scores his second goal against Saudi Arabia's player Osama Hawsawi, left, and Saud Kariri during their 2014 FIFA World Cup Asia qualifying soccer match at the Prince Muhammad bin Fahd Stadium in the eastern port city of Dammam, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)
Confronted with some very trying conditions after a long haul to Dammam and extreme temperatures when they got there, the Socceroos showed the strength of their mentality, coming up with both the game-plan and performance to come away with a resounding 3-1 win over Saudi Arabia.
It is a victory that takes them to maximum points in the group, two wins from two, and after Thailand managed to beat Oman 3-0 in Bangkok last night, the Socceroos now sit three points clear of the Thais and five clear of both the Saudis and Oman, firmly in pole position.
This was a controlled, composed and professional performance from a team now well versed in the process of travelling across Asia, navigating the logistics, and getting a job done.
Whereas the process on the road during the most recent qualification campaign was about battening down the hatches and defending for a point, here there was a more balanced template, with Osieck sticking with the 4-4-1-1 which has hitherto served him well.
While Tim Cahill was left out of the starting 11, it restored Brett Holman to his more customary role as the second striker, there to link Osieck’s midfield and front line, something that was patently absent in Brisbane on Friday night.
The other link came by restoring Matt McKay to left midfield, with Michael Zullo drafted in behind him. With Mile Jedinak also restored to the centre of midfield, after Neil Kilkenny made way, the “midfield five” had the look of a V8 engine, all power.
While the look of the midfield was all hustle and bustle, the tactics were far more controlled and defined, as the Socceroos took their time, building into the match.
In fairness though, it took Osieck’s men some time to gain control, as Frank Rijkaard’s hosts showed most of the early spring in the final third.
Ten minutes in the Saudis had their best chance of the opening period when Lucas Neill was beaten for pace by down the left by Haif Hazazi, who played a square ball across the Socceroos defence.
Carl Valeri, tracking back diligently, got himself a little too close to Mark Schwarzer, with his goal bound clearance fortunately blocked by the feet of the Socceroos custodian. Fortune.
A few minutes later they broke into the left channel again, where a ball was fizzed across Schwarzer and wide.
The Roos were showing a few early signs of struggling to adapt to the conditions, with the paces of the Saudi troubling the back-four.
But Australia stuck to the patient build up game-plan, often slowing the tempo down to walking pace. Soon enough the passes started sticking, with the ball finally moved into the top third after 25 minutes.
Soon the Socceroos’ two main drivers, McKay and Holman, were each making penetrating runs towards the Saudi goal, both shooting wide.
But, with the break approaching, the momentum was clearly shifting towards the visitors, and when Luke Wilkshire managed to get himself forward down the right flank, he was able to provide an accurate cross for Josh Kennedy to head home.
It was one of Wilkshire’s first forays forward, proving, as many had argued after the Thailand game, that it’s all about the quality and positions of the delivery from the wide areas.
It was great to see the Socceroos adjust so effectively.
Giving them the confidence to continue with their game plan, the Roos were able to play on the fragile mentality of the hosts, and when goalkeeper Hasan Al-Otaibi erred with a clearance early in the second period, Holman pounced.
Pilfering the ball high up the pitch, the AZ Alkmaar man was able to drive at the opposition defence, playing in Kennedy, who kept calm, finishing with aplomb for his 12th Roos goal in 25 appearances.
Two chances for the Nagoya striker, two goals, 2-0 up, and the Roos were well on their way to two wins from two games.
But then came a brief scare, as Zullo, who had otherwise had an excellent evening, gave away a penalty after a clumsy challenge. Naser Al Shamrani, despite the best efforts of Schwarzer, who blocked the initial penalty, was able to tuck away the rebound.
Once again it was a test of Australia’s mentality, one they passed when Japanese referring Yuici Nishimura adjudged Kennedy had been brought down in the box, giving Wilkshire an opportunity from the spot.
After the scare in Brisbane, this was a far more polished display from the Roos, one that will give Osieck much relief.
Asked if was looking forward to a rest, he answered; ‘No. Now I’m in the rhythm’.
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.