The equation is simple for the Socceroos tonight when they take on Guam in the third of their 2013 East Asian Cup qualifying matches: score, and score many. We’ll have live scores and live streaming from 8.50pm AEDT.
Over the past 48 hours there have been some serious questions asked of Socceroos coach Holger Osieck following the 1-1 draw with DPR Korea, with the German’s conservative position at the selection table firmly in the spotlight.
The expectation going into the 2013 East Asian Cup qualification tournament was the Osieck would give some of Australia’s rising talent not yet ready for the senior team some experience in the green and gold.
Instead the likes of Tomas Rogic, Eli Babalj and Aaron Mooy all watched from the sidelines as their more experienced teammates were largely outplayed by the North Koreans.
The ageing bodies of Archie Thompson, Brett Emerton and Richard Garcia will need rest after two matches in three days so it is hoped that the younger brigade should see action tonight.
With DPR Korea handing out hidings to Guam and Chinese Taipei the chances of the Socceroos finishing atop the five-team group have slimmed, and they’ll need to likely win their last two matches by a combined total of at least 12 to qualify.
It will require a positive, attacking attitude from the beginning, something that might be easier in theory than in practice on the evidence of the team’s first two matches.
But ultimately, the result is only half-important. What should take precedence is the opportunity to examine Australia’s next generation and determine who might be ready to travel to Brazil in 18 months’ time should the team qualify.
Roger
Guest
Yea, I get that dasilva. It's just that the copped such a grilling 2 days ago (with people specifically saying that there is no way we can make up goal difference) about these games, surely you'd think a reasonable person would have to eat their words? Even if it is only half of them? ;)
Cameron
Roar Guru
I have got to say it did make for quiet an interesting read though. ;) I go for the Roar btw oh and I don't hate any other a-league team. :D
Cameron
Roar Guru
Fuss, I don't doubt Australias chances of qualifying for their third successive world cup but making comparisons to Japan is silly. They have won 4 out of 5 with the other result being a 1 all draw with us when we were at home. We still have to face them on their home soil which sure as,hell won't be easy and with the socceroos performances in WCQ's below par you can't be assured we beat them. We have played 4 and won 1 match, 1! Draw 2 and lost another and you would think if Australia were to lose it would be against Japan. I find not much need to address qualification as I am fairly confident even if past results are concerning, that we won't have too much trouble. But I seriously doubt after our next 4 games and Japans 3 that we will close the gap of 8 points! To be remotely close they need to draw 3 and we win all. One of their games is against us, let's just count that a draw. We are still 8 points behind with only 3 games and they still have 2. You are one bloody confident Australian supporter but not a realist. The gap will not close so easily. Especially if we lose 1 match. 1 loss could even mean qualification isn't guaranteed till our last match.
Neuen
Roar Rookie
Is that a football score or a water polo result?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Let's assess WCQs after all 8 games - I doubt there'll be much difference between JPN & AUS final points. Remember, JPN has played an extra game than AUS. JPN has played: * 3 home & 2 away AUS has played * 1 home & 3 away
dasilva
Roar Guru
People wanted to sack holger for the performance in the WCQ and not specifically for this tournament. The performance against HK and North Korea were just fuel added to the fire Nothing he does in this tournament is going to stop people calling for his sacking when that call has been going strong ever since the Jordan loss and sometimes even before that match Even if Holger defeated north korea and hong kong comfortably, there will still be people calling for his sacking If Australia were topping the group in the WCQ no one would have called for his sacking in this tournament
dasilva
Roar Guru
Mooy just needs to work on his finishing inside the box. Although the finishing outside the box was great
Roger
Guest
Just 1 more goal would have been perfect tonight. But then, before the game, I would have taken a 6 goal margin :)
Griffo
Roar Guru
As Mooy got into the game more he went from a leftenant to the midfield general in second half, particularly when Rogic went off. Agreed, Rogic and Mooy worked well together, McKay also did well, Antonis, too. Liked Behich's attacking runs from left back as well. Have to temper that with the opposition but still, more creativity and attacking intent overall. And our free kicks were a real goal scoring weapon from Mooy that would be handy against any opposition.
Griffo
Roar Guru
It seen Taipei play but anything is possible with tonight's lineup at this point. Maybe a 3 to 4-0 for North Korea against Hong Kong but if HK play like they did against us the other night with a good, vocal home crowd behind them, well...anything might be possible :-)
Roger
Guest
Mooy was amazing. Mooy + Rogic give me great hope :)
Roger
Guest
I reckon we'll see a 4-0 to 7-0 against Taipei. Which IMO will get us across the line.
Ballymore
Guest
The usual disclaimers about the quality of the opposition, but I thought Antonis looked adept on the right flank. Mooy > Rogic tonight.
Roger
Guest
Oh ok. So despite beating them 9-0, we'll still in the sack Holger camp? Huh. That's a 4 goal margin higher than NK did. You know that right?
JohnL
Guest
Qantas - grow up and quit trolling. Whatever disagreement of opinion we had the other day is in the past, and I am not interested in living in the past.
JohnL
Guest
and milligan beside Mooy
Griffo
Roar Guru
No problemo kellett, been fun doing so :-)
Punter
Guest
Thanks Griffo for updates. Well done socceroos, now same GD as Nth Korea, just have to beat the score by Nth Korea v Hong Kong in our game against Chinese Tapie.
Griffo
Roar Guru
I suppose a lot of ifs and buts about tonight's lineup against either Hong Kong or the greater test against North Korea. We'll never know that one. Our defence was rarely tested tonight and we were given a lot of space at times but we smelt blood going into this match and looked hungry for a goal frenzy rather than sit back. A lot to do to appease some with that sort of attacking lineup against higher ranked opponents needed to be seen I think. A game away maybe of getting that opportunity next year with another display against Taipei...
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
I know Archie got the quickest hat-trick on record tonight, but I can't go past Matt Smith as man of the match... Dino Djulbic could only stand in Smith's giant shadow, as Australia's other central defender...