Four minutes from the Socceroos was all it took. Three goals in four minutes against Saudi Arabia on a rainy night in Melbourne to lift the gloom and take our minds away from a dark and dirty day in Australian domestic football.
We also have to thank football’s capricious nature. It turns villains into heroes and defeats into victories.
This World Cup qualifying match was a dead rubber for the Socceroos, but for the Saudis it was a matter of life and death, and for the first 45 minutes last night it showed.
Not only on the pitch but also on the terraces, where the enthusiastic Saudi fans created a propulsive melodic din to complement the positivity of their team’s play.
A makeshift Socceroos back four and a new-look midfield looked as if they had taken to the slippery AAMI Park pitch wearing ice skates. In the 19th minute they allowed Salem Al Dawsari to waltz in on goal from the left past the Ice Capades of Jade North, Mark Milligan and Mark Bresciano to rifle a sweetly struck shot from outside the box.
It was the least the Saudi’s deserved. They controlled the game, as a static Socceroos team lay deep and found it difficult to make an impression.
Holger Osieck’s decision to play an uncomfortable Spriranovic at left back and North at right back was foundering, as they found it difficult to push up and support the midfield. It was a flat back four that had been superglued into position.
The Saudi goal did snap the Socceroos out of their torpor and this was highlighted by the two revelations of the night combining to level the scores in the 43rd minute. Mark Besciano’s one touch pass split the Saudi defence as Alex Brosque expertly controlled and finished clinically.
Only minutes earlier, what had been a pretty subdued home crowd finally had something to shout about. This was thanks to the gamesmanship and time-wasting of Saud Kariri, who made out as if he had been hit by a sniper from the AAMI Park book depository.
It was great pantomime as the unhurt Kariri was stretchered off and then promptly returned to the pitch to a crescendo of boos. Brosque’s goal was received with gleeful schadenfreude by the home crowd.
Normal service then resumed when the Saudis went ahead again just as the referee was licking his lips for the half time whistle.
The swiftest Green Falcon of all, Hassan Fallatah, showed Spiranovic a clean pair of heels, and with the space afforded him delivered a laser pass to Nasser Al Shamrani, who swiveled and shot past Mark Schwarzer at the near post.
The fact that Al Shamrani got clear of three defenders impersonating statues only added to the gloom as the first half came to a close.
The Saudis were 45 minutes away from joining the Socceroos in the next phase of World Cup qualifying, and began the second half playing a cautious, deeper game.
The Socceroos, on the other hand, played higher up the park and got their previously timid full backs to push into enemy territory.
Archie Thompson came off the bench in the 63rd minute to replace the workmanlike James Troisi on the left of midfield. This was the spark that lit the touch paper.
His first pass, to the hitherto bumbling left back Spiranovic, resulted in the latter delivering a great cross with his preferred right foot to Lucas Neill, who headed the ball in for his first goal in international football.
So everybody thought, except for the linesman who happened to suffer from a bout of double vision as he raised his flag to rule the goal offside.
The pace and intensity of the game lifted and the fateful moment of football caprice had arrived.
It was the 72nd minute to be precise, when another lightning raid by Spriranovic’s nemesis, Hassan Fallatah, saw him whip in another superb pass for Al Shamrani to side foot in and send the Saudis into the next round.
He missed. For some inexplicable reason he tried to hit it with his laces.
It was Al Shamrani’s last touch of the game.
The very next play Spiranovic passed to Thompson on the left wing, who skinned Fallatah, caused panic in the shambolic Saudi defence, slid the ball to Brosque, who cut back to Harry Kewell for the star Roo to tuck away in the bottom corner. The scores levelled at 2-2.
Four minutes later it was 4-2, as the Saudis imploded spectacularly and the Socceroos piled on their misery with attacking verve.
The home crowd became euphoric, each goal celebrated with more vigour than the other. It was the most pleasant kind of shock therapy.
Worries about what had transpired earlier in the day with Gold Coast United had been blasted out of football brain cells for the night.
As we walked home our thoughts were dominated by the wonderful return of Mark Bresciano to the Socceroos after a long absence. His one-touch, defence-splitting passing was a joy to behold. If we are to get anywhere in international football we need more players like him.
Hopefully, Tomas Rogic will be his understudy in the years to come.
We were also happy with the improvement made by Alex Brosque, who ended the game with two goals and an assist. He never looked like the finished product when he was plying his trade in the A-League. The move to Japan has seen him turn into a more complete player, worthy of international football.
The Saudis went into last night’s game with a FIFA ranking of 89, and they played to their ranking, if not worse.
Our next qualifying phase will be much more difficult, but as long as Osieck finds a solution at left back, and with the return of European-based players, we should be confident of seeing our Socceroos join the rest in Brazil in 2014.
And that’s a ray of sunlight that should make us all feel better.
Athas Zafiris is on Twitter @ArtSapphire
Football_Wunderkind
Guest
Read an interesting write up stating how Japan stuffed up by playing a needless warm-up friendly. They won but combined with their loss to Uzbekistan, means they drop a ranking spot. So Australia can now draw Japan in the 4th round and not Korea. I hope we draw Iran.
Axelv
Guest
May very well be. Which also says a lot about Clive Palmer, he was doing this on purpose, I've said it all along!
Johnno
Guest
North Korea were unlucky they would of been a very tricky road trip and cold wether to in north korea.
Athas Zafiris
Roar Guru
Yes fuss, I did notice that in the last 30 minutes 30% of the outfield was made up of MV players. I omitted this fact from the piece as I wanted you to proudly tell this to everyone this. I was being magnanimous ;-) On the face of it makes MV's position on the table even more mind boggling.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Of course, our ranking is considerably better in ELO rankings (notably, Japan's ranking got thrashed by the loss to Uzbekistan).
Athas Zafiris
Roar Guru
Cheers - Axelv. Our ecstasy was Saudi painful agony.
Futbanous
Guest
Axelv Just on that point about The Free Speech slogan,could it directly involve FIFA & the club itself as well as the FFA? From FIFA:- Decisions of the International F.A. Board Decision 1 Players must not reveal undergarments showing slogans or advertising. The basic compulsory equipment must not have any political, religious or personal statements. A player removing his jersey or shirt to reveal slogans or advertising will be sanctioned by the competition organiser. The team of a player whose basic compulsory equipment has political, religious or personal slogans or statements will be sanctioned by the competition organiser or by FIFA.
Axelv
Guest
I think the problem was that Gold Coast said they were going to wear the Free Speech slogan against on the weekend, which is against FFA and FIFA regulations, the match against Wellington had to be cancelled which would have been far worse for the FFA and A-League imo. Their hand was forced, it was becoming beyond a joke. Was at the game last night, was my first Socceroos match in a very long time, absolutely loved it and the stadium fitted the turn out nicely. Second half, as soon as Archie Thompson came on was immense! I can't believe that the Saudi's went from being 2-1 up and progressing to the next round to being 4-2 down and bowing out of the World Cup Finals in the space of a few minutes, it was an absolutely amazing turn around, the Saudi's must have felt crushed and their heart ripped out of them. Such is the pain of football.
Athas Zafiris
Roar Guru
Thanks Mid, I'm relieved the Socceroos result last night gave me the chance to write a positive football piece. Agree, with you. Terrible timing. Should've waited until after GCUs last game of the season.
Whites
Guest
Don't forget the AFC Champions league starts next week. 6 March BRISBANE ROAR (AUS)-FC TOKYO (JPN) BUNYODKOR (UZB)-ADELAIDE UNITED (AUS) 7 March TIANJIN TEDA (CHN)-CENTRAL COAST MARINERS (AUS)
Whites
Guest
An Australia vs Lebanon match would probably fill ANZ Stadium at Homebush.
Midfielder
Guest
Art nice article ... kinda lost in all the carry on with FFA & CP... Can't help but think that FL has scored an own goal... the timing IMO was unbeliverable..
Griffo
Roar Guru
...another superb pass for Al Shamrani to side foot in and send the Saudis into the next round. He missed. For some inexplicable reason he tried to hit it with his laces. It was Al Shamrani’s last touch of the game. This was perhaps the most laziest attempt at getting a foot on ball I have ever seen. He should be feeling pretty crap this morning - key point in the game. But I think the Saudi's lost the game when they started celebrating 'the win' early in the second half. It was all hugs and kisses as the subs were slowly shuffling off the field complaining of 'lung cramp'. After the final whistle you could feel their pain: it was almost their equivalent of our 1997 vs Iran game. We haven't celebrated an early win since then. As we walked home our thoughts were dominated by the wonderful return of Mark Bresciano to the Socceroos after a long absence. I certainly was one who thought Bresciano would be doubtful to ever play for the Socceroos again. What a performance to show on your comeback game. For the most part he was everywhere, linking play and providing options in attack. Question is will Holger alter his formation to include Bresciano in that diamond he produced last night? Another: who will make way for Bresc? Will both McKay and Bresciano be in the same squad?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@ Whites Do the sums - at the most conservative estimates - if handled correctly - the HAL alone cam generate broadcast revenue of $60m p.a. and the NT can generate broadcast revenue of $20m p.a. But, I repeat, you have to do the sums and attack the task using rudimentary financial analysis.
dasilva
Guest
I'm hoping for to be group with Iran I would like to see Australia to beat Iran and knock them out of the World Cup with Kewell scoring being the only remaining survivor of the 1997 campaign. It would be redemption at last It just seems strange that for all our time in Asia we haven't face off against our old nemesis yet. They would probably be our biggest rival in Asia (in terms of the most pleasure we will get out of beating them)
whiskeymac
Guest
there is aways one isnt there....
Whites
Guest
LIVE: FOOTBALL: WORLD CUP QUALIFIER FOX SPORTS 1 138,000 Australia probably have 8 more 2014 qualifyers. At most 5 of them will be in our time zone. We don't need to qualify for the Asian Cup in 2015 so the only other games Australia play over the next 3-4 years will be friendlies. There is no pot of gold with regards to the new TV deal with Socceroos games. Don't expect more then $50m per annum at most fo the next TV deal.
jmac
Guest
yeah I did notice. If we could transport the melbourne crowd around the world for all qualifiers, I think we'd have a world beater in our team in the shape of archie thompson.
jmac
Guest
agree, but for me it was brosque, bresh and harry who were all brilliant - although bresh did take a while to get going. you could see holger's excitement about the performances of these three in the post-match.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
No Round 3 is over and we start again from scratch in Round 4! FIFA rankings are deceptive. I watched the 2nd half of IRN v QAT and both teams were good value - technically excellent and well organised. KSA are ranked 89 but they played a wonderful style of football last night - apart from 4 minutes in the 2nd half. Plus we won't be playing these teams on neutral grounds but in very intimidating places where the locals will not make our lads feel welcome. During the 2010 WCQ several members of the team got stomach upsets when we played UZB away and we'll now take our own chefs to avoid any possible outside interference The Azadi Stadium in Tehran is one of the most intimidating stadiums to play international football - filled with 100k all-male spectators. Then, of course, we'll have to contend with the oppressive heat playing in the Middle East. To be assured of qualifying for WC2014 AUS simply has to win all our home games and pick up at least 4 points away. It's not going to be easy, but this is world football.