Coming up with solutions to just about every puzzle posed at the World Cup so far, the Spain match was one conundrum too big for the Socceroos, eventually caving in 3-0 to the world champions.
Playing against a motivated and refreshed side that were keen to avoid a clean sweep, and missing a couple of key starters, the Roos were eventually pulled apart by the quality of Spain’s passing and protection of the ball.
It’s not that Ange Postecglou’s side didn’t have a crack or have a plan to stop the Spaniards. Indeed, in the opening 15 or 20 minutes of each half there was clearly a plan to be aggressive, press high and keep a high defensive line.
It forced the world champions into the type of errors we saw them commit against both the Netherlands and Chile, but have rarely seen over the past six or so years.
Even the great Andres Iniesta was being pressed and only getting touches facing his own goal, unable to turn or link and face the Australian goal, as he does so splendidly.
It was an excellent start from the Roos to both halves. In the first, it took Vincente del Bosque’s men 17 minutes to get it into their front third.
But eventually, in each half, Spain gained the ascendency, taking advantage of the poor distribution from the Australians to gain complete control.
While the Roos had an effective plan to disrupt the Spanish passing game, the plan on the ball wasn’t effective. There was one, but it wasn’t executed.
You could see in the opening 20 minutes that whenever skipper Mile Jedinak had the ball he looked up and out to the right, aiming to hit Mathew Leckie in space.
Given Leckie’s success during this tournament in one-on-one situations, it was an admirable strategy, but was let down by the skipper’s poor execution.
On no less than four or five occasions Jedinak missed his target when trying to release the ball into space for Leckie.
Not that Leckie had as much space as in the opening two games. Del Bosque had done his homework and the excellent Jordi Alba was always paying close attention.
Indeed, just as the Socceroos had planned so effectively against the Dutch, the Spanish had planned well against the Roos.
What they did was block off the outlet avenue of Jason Davidson down the left and instead let the Roos come out on the right, through Jedinak, Alex Wilkinson and Ryan McGowan.
They had clearly and correctly identified a weakness in Australia’s ability to play out on that side.
With Jedinak struggling to hit Leckie, the burden to create fell on Wilkinson and McGowan, and when they failed to deliver the requisite quality at this level, Spain pounced, looking for quicks balls in behind McGowan.
Del Bosque had brought in experienced A-League bound striker David Villa on the left, and he had a great final game for Spain, driving at and beyond McGowan, with and without the ball.
With the Socceroos’ distribution so poor, and the front third missing Tim Cahill’s hold-up play and Mark Bresciano’s poise, Spain took control, and suddenly the creators Iniesta and Santi Carzola started getting in between the lines.
The Roos’ rearguard was forced back by this rolling keep-ball model, and were being tested in every way, just as Postecoglou had suggested they would be in the build-up.
Unable to relieve any pressure by sustaining possession, the Roos eventually cracked under the relentless circulation and vertical runs in behind.
As ever, the orchestrator was Iniesta, playing Juanfran in behind Davidson to tee up the first for Villa, then spotting a static McGowan on the right and playing in Fernando Torres for the second.
Australia had started the second half well after Postecoglou moved Leckie to the number nine role and brought on Ben Halloran for the ineffective Adam Taggart, but again fell into the same trap of not cherishing the ball enough.
They also didn’t have the stamina to sustain the excellence of their pressing in the opening 15 minutes of each half.
The injuries to Mark Milligan, Bresciano and Ivan Franjic and the suspension of Cahill didn’t help, denying the Roos a settling hand or two at key moments. But even with their presence there would have been a wide gulf in quality.
It is a gap the Roos were able to bridge against Chile and the Dutch through organisation, athleticism and strong mentality, but the inability to keep the ball and create anything here chipped away at these very strengths.
As well, quite a few of the Roos went into their shell once the passes didn’t stick. It was a fear we hadn’t seen since the opening 20 minutes of the campaign.
Australia had hoped for a rousing conclusion to its Brazilian adventure, but this was one mountain too steep.
Still, given the circumstances when Postecoglou was brought in, it had been a spirited and stirring campaign from the Socceroos, featuring so many positives in the opening two games and opening 20 minutes of each half here.
Postecoglou has not only steadied the ship, but ensured we had a competitive team that took it to more storied opponents and garnered some respect back for the national team.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Thanks, Glenn. From what I've been reading, the professionals who assess "this kid can play" (i.e. football scouts) were aroused by Davidson and Leckie. Who is to say how high our arousal would have peaked if we had Kruse, Sainsbury, Rogic & Good playing those 3 matches.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
@Grant Deakin I know a bloke who went to Uni with a bloke in Sydney, who played grassroots Rugby for 15.1 years. He had a proclivity for inserting his finger in male orifices, so he thought "why not mix sport with pleasure" .. he's now a magistrate in NSW so he mixes work with pleasure - but, I digress. Anyway after winning their Rugby GF, this bloke & his team mates had the option of: a) going to watch the Chippendales b) going to the League GF. Let's just say ... they went the buff, not the biff! :-D
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Cool story bro!,excuse me for my ignorance but what in gods name is a warath?
AZ_RBB
Guest
I think you might have a virus on your computer. Everything is repeating itself. Might wanna get that checked out.
Bite Me!
Roar Rookie
Sorry, can't do that. Someone needs to tell the truth about soccer. I played for Kogarah Waraths and Ramsgate Rams for 15 years in total. seeing the game as a enjoyable game to play but boring at the professional level is my right. In 1975 our under 16 Ramsgate Team became the oldest underage team to compete for the club (went til under 18s as well) and we won the grand final. As a reward from the club for our achievements we had the option of going to the Sydney Grand Finals of the Soccer or the League. even the 2 sons of British parents choose the league! Not my problem if you believe the myth of soccer dominance. Countries recently exposed to Rugby sine its inclusion in the next Olympics are loving the game. Give it a go - you may yet qualify as a man playing a game that existed before Soccer!
Glenn Innes
Guest
Fuss - Tired thread but I have had more pressing issues to attend to.What would have aroused me? Spotting a young blokes and thinking... wow this kid can sure play he is going to be a star in one of the gun European Leagues and we can build a team around him - simple as that.
Bite Me!
Roar Rookie
Current research (not soccer hype) suggests the myth of Web Ellis picking up a ball and running with it is total crap. The rules of Rugby were codified prior to those of soccer. All these games games seem have have developed in parallel. The same is the case with AFL, which did not develop in Australia but was introduced here by a Scotsman. Thus the similarities between AFL and Gaelic Football, except that one developed in Australia using Oval Cricket Grounds and a rugby ball while the other developed in Ireland using a Soccer Ground and a round ball. The trouble with the round ball brigade is they believe their own myths! Do a bit of research don't just believe the hype. Oh, sorry forgot you love the worlds most boring beautiful game, run by the second most corrupt sporting body (just behind the IOC)! And just a reminder - Rugby was in the Olympics before soccer and is currently the fastest growing team sport in the World! Not everyone has mothers that are over protective of their poor sons! Just some facts, not soccer myths. Current research (not soccer hype) suggests the myth of Web Ellis picking up a ball and running with it is total crap. The rules of Rugby were codified prior to those of soccer. All these games games seem have have developed in parallel. The same is the case with AFL, which did not develop in Australia but was intri0duced here by a Scotsman. Thus the similarities between AFL and Gaelic Football, except that one developed in Australia using Oval Cricket Grounds and a rugby ball while the other developed in Ireland using a Soccer Ground and a round ball. The trouble with the round ball brigade is they believe their own myths! Do a bit of research don't just believe the hype. Oh, sorry forgot you love the worlds most boring beautiful game, run by the second most corrupt sporting body (just behind the IOC)! And just a reminder - Rugby was in the Olympics before soccer and is currently the fastest growing team sport in the World! Not everyond has mothers that are over protective of their poor weak sons! 'William Webb Ellis, a pupil at Rugby School, is said to have "with a fine disregard for the rules of football, as played in his time [emphasis added], first took the ball in his arms and ran with it, thus creating the distinctive feature of the rugby game." in 1823. This act is usually said to be the beginning of Rugby football, but there is little evidence that it occurred, and most sports historians believe the story to be apocryphal. The act of 'taking the ball in his arms' is often misinterpreted as 'picking the ball up' as it is widely believed that Webb Ellis' 'crime' was handling the ball, as in modern soccer, however handling the ball at the time was often permitted and in some cases compulsory,[45] the rule for which Webb Ellis showed disregard was running forward with it as the rules of his time only allowed a player to retreat backwards or kick forwards.' Check it out yourself - if you are game (unsoccer like!). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QI_%28F_series%29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rugby_union http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Football#cite_note-Douge-7 http://www.rugbyfootballhistory.com/originsofrugby.htm But, of course, you won't. why spoil a good myth!
Brendo
Guest
I agree Punter but this is just the beginning I believe as the A-league grows stronger (and larger we need to expand desperately from a player development perspective) and the NPL pipeline solidifies we will see better players being identified and developed. I like to think there is a opportunity for a National U17 League and all A-league clubs should be encouraged to create academies imo. Of course all this replies on money. The last couple of rights deals have been about shoring up the current A-League teams but the next one has to be about grassroots and growing the A-League
Guido Tresoldi (@GuidoTresoldi)
Guest
Thank you for your pearls of wisdom Grant. Would you kindly go back to the AFL/NRL etc. sections of the Roar now. Thank you.
realfootball
Guest
No, indeed Jb. Not easy at all.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
You must be a pimply headed adolescent...
j binnie
Guest
Fussball -I think you have to analyse where other contributors are "coming from".GI says he has not seen anything that could be built upon for the future. It is an opinionative statement but shows he has been looking at individual performance wheras you appear to be analysing how the team went against better class opposition and of course using previous matches as a yardstick.. Actually I think both of you could be right in your assessments.We were better than in previous games but rather disturbingly I think GI could be right too for the only players I saw who would be racing certainties for future development were Davidson and to a lesser extent Leckie. Bozanic at 25 may improve but he has been around a long time and IMO may already be at his peak.Ryan is extremely young for a goalkeeper so,as they learn much from mistakes they make, he has lots of time to improve. The other youngster who did get some game time, Oar 23,Halloran 21,Taggart 21, I would like to reserve judgment on, but Triosi 27,Vidosic 27 and Franjic 27 are all at the normally regarded "peak years" so improvement could be marginal.Food for thought. jb.
j binnie
Guest
Fadida -Again ,how right you are.I think you may be getting my point. I am John Smith watching Australia in the World Cup for the first time and I am constantly being told about the "young" team I am watching when in fact 2 of the teams that beat us are "younger".Remember ,all of the names you use to show the huge reduction in average age were not even in the 23 man squad but as "John Smith" I dont know that so I look for all the teenagers running around and find they are just are not there. Thanks for your input. jb
Football_Wunderkind
Roar Pro
England has played 1110 mins of football for a total of 11 goals = a goal every 100.1 minutes of football Australia has played 810 mins of football for a total of 11 goals = a goal every 73.6 minutes of football * this stat is before australia played spain
John
Guest
"Coming up with solutions to just about every puzzle posed at the World Cup so far..." What nonsense. They didn't come up with a solution to any puzzle, especially those that required getting a point!
Lou Lando
Roar Guru
Two exquisite passes by Iniesta. This a very young Aussie squad, no need to be too critical.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
A disappointing yet predictable finish to the tournament. Spain were never going to lose this one, far too much class. A spirited campaign by the Roos with plenty to work on for the Asian Cup.
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Mate I think a statement has been made at this World Cup,the days of defensive rubbish are long gone.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"to be honest I didn’t see much to get too excited about" @Greg Innes One question Q: What would Australia need to have done/achieved in their 3 matches at WC2014 to cause you to be aroused? Had you expected these performances at WC2014? I don't recall anyone posting anything on The Roar that remotely predicted what transpired in the matches against CHI, NED & ESP
MichaelJ
Guest
It's the inconsistency that makes him dangerous. He only needs a couple of minutes of magic and given that 80 minutes of most international games is boring, European defensive rubbish, a couple of minutes is all it takes.