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’.
Bondy
Guest
I 'll back that up as well ,can the F.F.A. do better of course they can but overall i think their doing not to badly .
Futbanous
Guest
Yes Fussball they aint perfect ,but given that competing in Asia is a new experience for fans,players,coaches,administrators,back up teams,the lot in fact,theres bound to be a steep learning curve. Difference between the past & present is that now were forced to keep learning or we'll be left behind by other member nations of the AFC,both interrnationally & domestically. .
Griffo
Roar Guru
Started reading the Crawford report a few weeks ago. It just seems so foreign the setup and issues back then compared to the structure today, and it wasn't all that long ago when you think about it. Even the over-use of the word 'soccer' seems a bit weird to me now ;-) Not that there aren't still issues, but comparing then and now, you have to admit progress has been made.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Wasn't the Uzbeks in our group the last campaign, where we won 1-0 away? The proverbial 'banana skin' of the group that for one reason or another didn't reach potential. Uzbeks are good on their day but would question their mental qualities if they are under pressure to win a do-or-die. Even so, all in this list should seem difficult at the moment: Jordan playing well and we are yet to see how we fare in Thailand... :-)
jmac
Guest
I agree - I think the Federation cops a lot of stick - and sure it is arguably warranted - but we sometimes take for granted the good work they do and what they've achieved. It's pretty remarkable where we are at when you think back to how things were in the early 00's, when Chippers had to fly himself out for an international tournament!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Absolutely! I've often been accused on this forum for being a "fan-boy" for the FFA but it's not that I think they're perfect - far from it. Rather, I think they're doing a pretty damn good job and we've come a long long way in 6 years. If we don't get complacent and all the football family keeps working together, there is only "blue sky" ahead for Football in Australia.
jmac
Guest
thanks fuss.. so I googled it, and whereas he was Head of High Performance, JB is now mainly working as the "head of National Football Development with responsibility for ensuring the delivery of national programs to football’s large community participation base"... and incurring the wrath of craig foster in the process! someone at the FFA though, looks to be doing a fine job with respect to what I mentioned above ;)
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Beautiful work, Futbanous!
Futbanous
Guest
Something very apt about this excerpt from Wind in the Willows. No prizes for guessing who is Mole & who is Rat:- "This has been a wonderful day!' said he, as the Rat shoved off and took to the sculls again. `Do you know, I`ve never been in a boat before in all my life.' `What?' cried the Rat, open-mouthed: `Never been in a--you never--well I--what have you been doing, then?' `Is it so nice as all that?' asked the Mole shyly, though he was quite prepared to believe it as he leant back in his seat and surveyed the cushions, the oars, the rowlocks, and all the fascinating fittings, and felt the boat sway lightly under him. `Nice? It's the ONLY thing,' said the Water Rat solemnly, as he leant forward for his stroke. `Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING--absolute nothing--half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Simply messing,' he went on dreamily: `messing--about--in--boats; messing----' `Look ahead, Rat!' cried the Mole suddenly. It was too late. The boat struck the bank full tilt. The dreamer, the joyous oarsman, lay on his back at the bottom of the boat, his heels in the air. `--about in boats--or WITH boats,' the Rat went on composedly, picking himself up with a pleasant laugh. `In or out of 'em, it doesn't matter. Nothing seems really to matter, that's the charm of it. Whether you get away, or whether you don't; whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else, or whether you never get anywhere at all, you're always busy, and you never do anything in particular; and when you've done it there's always something else to do, and you can do it if you like, but you'd much better not. Look here! If you've really nothing else on hand this morning, supposing we drop down the river together, and have a long day of it?' "
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Apparently, "the rower" was not even at the game! On 5 Sep 2011, From @ Craig_Foster FFA head of football develpmt, John Boultbee handing out Rowing medals at World Champs. Mustn't be anything to do in football, then.. Get the feeling Fozz is not a fan of "the rower"! ;-)
jmac
Guest
and when you consider the cultural differences and differences in just about everything else that goes along with some of the countries visited, and the requisite logistical headaches, the role of the support team(s) around the squad is absolutely crucial. I don't know for a fact, but you suspect that the Australian setup is all over this like a rash, and make things just so, so the players can focus on training and playing. when you see the physical readiness of the team in those conditions the other night in the kingdom, after that sort of turnaround with travel (4 flights!) etc, you just have to take your hat off. and they seem to be always up for games - or at least most of the time. I'm not sure who it is - is it the rower john boultbee - who takes credit for this?
jmac
Guest
for me, the greater impact came from sticking b.holman up front than from dropping cahill - ie, you could possibly play tc and bh up front together and still be fluid, although from what we saw in damman you would stick with josh for now. and I guess the job done by the wide players is important as well eg mckay. I think there's a role for a player like kruse in there somewhere too. ah, selection dilemmas - how marvellous!
Futbanous
Guest
Just on what Tony mentioned yesterday about fortitude,mental strength. You can be masters of technique,but when push comes to shove,well some teams always carry several spare pairs of underpants(Dutch I believe usually hire a truck for that purpose). Not so the Socceroos. Whilst most qualifying groups in other confederations(South America excepted) require players to cross no time zones or one at most,our players have to cross the most by far. Not only that but then they have to reverse the order & go back over nearly the same amount of time zones again to Saudi Arabia. Dont know about others ,but whenever I've caught a plane from Europe to Australia I spend a week gripping imaginary handles in the toilet to stop myself falling over. Cant imagine getting off a plane Tuesday & playing a game Friday,then turning round back on another plane & playing Tuesday. Consider also the Thais travelled over hardly any time zones. Check peoples eyes getting off a plane from Bangkok in comparison to those from Europe ,you'll see the difference. Thankfully some people besides Tony do notice the difficulties & the mental strength of our players.From article below:- "The Socceroos had just come off one of the longest journeys ever known during continental qualification for the World Cup. Travelling from Brisbane to Dammam is a tiring trip at the best of times but when you have played on the Friday night and then have a game four days later, to perform as Australia did was impressive." http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/953744/john-duerden:-pressure-mounting?cc=3436
jamesb
Guest
CB and DM are two areas Australia need to find players.
clayton
Guest
Feeling pretty good about the level of competition across the park for the roos now ... e.g. a couple of years back a clubless carney might have expected to still have a lock on that left back starting spot - but now he has some competition and will have to earn that spot back, if he can. The only spot that worries me a bit is the centreback spot - is Neill still necessarily an automatic selection? At the moment he is, but I don't think he should be ... would like to see him get a sub round the 60 minute mark in a qualifier, just to see how a younger, faster pairing would go. Would give him a gee up as well.
Bondy
Guest
Tim's one of the most tenacious footballers i've ever seen ,as an Arsenal supporter we desperately needed somebody like tim last year, a grafter who can just get the ball in the back of the net, although would not be seen by Wenger as technical . It's been mentioned before on threads here,and i've agreed things dont look quite right when tim plays for Australia ,but im not asking for him to be omitted from the squad .
Stevo
Guest
Agree about Kennedy. This should also give the rest of the team confidence that banging the ball in high is just one of a few options and that Josh can also be good on the ground as well. Josh's game seems to have matured in Japan.
Marc in Jordan
Guest
The first Jordanian goal was a beauty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8lMILYHXuU&feature=related
Marc in Jordan
Guest
Jordan would be feeling confident of beating Singapore and Iraq at home, so thats maybe 4 wins out of 6 games and maybe enough to get them through to the next round?
Marc in Jordan
Guest
Hi Tom Went to this game. A sold-out fanatical crowd. Tickets cost approximately $7 for VIP, $4 and $3 for the worst. The first goal by Jordan was a cracker. A pretty even game; China could have snuck a point as Jordan defended in numbers at the end, and were literally dropping like flies, with genuine injuries and to milk time. Lots of shabab in the streets celebrating afterwards, and not a drop of alcohol in sight. Jordan was a very happy country last night.