While the ‘Road to Rio’ is on a ‘Road to Recovery’ at the moment, the future is looking more promising following a 3-0 win over Canada at Craven Cottage.
A calamitous period for the Socceroos eight months out from the World Cup can be put to bed after defeating the lowly Canadian team.
Young players were blooded, a win and a clean sheet were recorded, and Ange Postecoglou is currently the $1.33 favourite to be coach – a fair indication he will be given the top job.
Holger Osieck got us qualified for the World Cup. It’s now most likely in the hands of Ange Postecoglou to make us a competitive force.
Following consecutive 6-0 thrashings by Brazil and France, Australia can springboard from this win in the knowledge that some of the fresh faces eager to be included come June 2014 can play and rectify the problems seen in the past matches.
Veteran Mark Bresciano was Australia’s steel in attack and is clearly our best.
Rhys Williams was a much needed spark in attack, taking players on from his right back position.
Lucas Neill had a good game despite recent criticisms of him as too old, too slow, and that he should make way for up-and-coming players.
He delivered a peach of a ball worth mentioning, delivering a long ball from the halfway mark to an attacking player down a flank. It was all class.
Mathew Leckie came from the bench to score his first goal for Australia in just his fourth appearance. It was a well worked team goal and Leckie was lively in the minutes he played.
Mitch Langerak in goal made some good saves and looks a promising talent.
Competitiveness and pride were two words spoken after the 6-0 defeats. The Socceroos now need to personify these traits.
Australia has always been an underdog in international football, now more than ever.
But we enjoy being underdogs, we love the pride the players display out on the field – and if they are competitive, that’s all we can ask for. There are high hopes and expectations around them.
Despite a solid win, there was frustration from the commentators (Simon Hill and Robbie Slater, I believe?) during the match.
They stressed, more than once, that Canada was there for the taking. They described the 106th ranked Canada as “a great training opposition” and called them “very weak, very poor”.
Australia, ranked 53rd, still have much work to do, but the platform now to get it done.
JR Salazar
Guest
I wish this team just faced France all over again. What a boring game.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I was trying to be kind earlier.............
HardcorePrawn
Roar Guru
I don't think Australia can take anything from this game, except that the alarming lack of form and tactics continues. It should be remembered that Canada didn't get past the third round of CONCACAF qualifying for the World Cup, getting hammered 8-1 by Honduras in the process, and didn't send a full strength team for this fixture.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I think after the last couple of matches, any kind of win that wasn't a scraped last minute 1-0 will be good for the team.
josh
Roar Rookie
Either way a win is a win. You can only play the opposition in front of you. All clichés but they all ring true.
Stevo
Guest
If we were in reasonably good form we should have won 6:0. As it was, Canada could have had 2 goals if not for some great heroics from Mitch between the sticks. The only blokes on the park that looked international standard were Bresc and Mitch.
my left foot
Guest
I don't think much can be taken from the match, other than it was good to see some younger guys on the pitch and was a bit of a confidence booster. The players were still Holgers picks and Vidmar wouldn't have been able to change much tactic wise in half a week. I just want a new coach selected, so the proper work can begin and see some changes.