Three points, a Tim Cahill brace and Ange Postecoglou didn’t get sacked. The scoreline may not speak for Tajikistan’s defensive resilience, but the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifying win in Dushanbe ticked as many boxes as you could hope for from another lengthy trip.
Postecoglou’s men are moving along nicely on the road to Russia, nine points from nine to top Group B. This second stage of qualification is expected to be a breeze, and the real test comes against Jordan next month, but the Socceroos have been efficient against the three minnows thus far.
The 2-1 win in Kyrgyzstan set the tone. The Aussies are clearly playing the role of David against the bottom three sides, tasked with breaking down stubborn opponents yearning for a point against the Asian champions.
Mile Jedinak’s goal after two minutes there settled things early on, and it wasn’t too much of a concern that Kyrgyzstan were vigorously searching for an equaliser in injury time. The result always looked in the bag.
Bangladesh were far more accommodating. Just six minutes had passed before Mat Leckie broke the deadlock, and the 173rd ranked nation succumbed with a whimper to the gulf in class.
But the Tajikistan match was a lesson in patience. Possession belonged to the Socceroos from the outset, the hosts’ game plan was clear. Postecoglou opted against taking a risk with some of the fringe players, with Tim Cahill, Matt McKay and Ryan McGowan – all players with international pedigree – the only changes to the side that trounced Bangladesh 5-0 last Thursday.
The calming influence of Tom Rogic was missed in the first half. The Celtic man floats through the middle of the park seamlessly and has a penchant for a decisive pass.
The trio of Mark Milligan, Aaron Mooy and Matt McKay were largely formulaic in the first 45. A vast majority of forays into the Tajikistan half resulted in switches to Leckie on the left, a play that quickly became predictable as the home defenders made clear they weren’t to be toyed with.
It’s a credit to the Tajikistan backline that they managed to frustrate their opponents. The Socceroos were expecting to take a lead into the break and the overbearing desire for a goal caused a wave of misplaced passes and errant crosses.
Indeed, by the time Aaron Mooy was substituted on the hour mark, he had made 16 deliveries into the box – those in the second half far more dangerous as the Socceroos set up camp on the corner flag.
Tajikistan’s defenders were moving quickly and made a habit of intercepting passes to spark a counter attack. Though they were happy to throw numbers forward, thankfully for the Socceroos the home side were largely impotent on the break, making for a very quiet night as far as Adam Federici was concerned.
Postecoglou’s half-time words seemed to do the trick. The Socceroos emerged from the break with just as much purpose to attack, but far more method than madness.
Mooy hit the crossbar with a trademark free-kick just six minutes after the resumption and fluidity returned to Australia’s play.
Employing a bit of width worked wonders and they were probing with real purpose. When Cahill headed a Mooy corner over the crossbar just outside the six yard box, the signs were ominous.
Fifty-six minutes in, Mark Milligan finally made the breakthrough. It wasn’t attractive, but inner beauty is what counts with three points on the line.
On came Nathan Burns and Tom Rogic – both starters against Bangladesh – and there was an even greater confidence going forward.
The second goal had Postecoglou salivating. Finally, 15 minutes from full-time, that was what he had been yearning for. There was no early cross this time around, but a brilliant ball from Burns to send Ryan McGowan to the by-line; Tim Cahill tapping in his cutback. That combination from the Netherlands match at the World Cup working a treat once more.
A 2-0 win would have been fine, but the injury-time clincher was well worth the wait. Tommy Oar, unused last week, delivered the ball on a plate for an unmarked Cahill and it was never in doubt from there.
Though Leckie is more dangerous running at defenders, Oar’s final product is tantalising and an easy route on goal when Cahill is in the box.
In his post-match interview, Cahill said he wasn’t just there to make up the numbers. He may be 35, but that’s now 41 international goals for a man who has relentlessly delivered in the green and gold.
He takes the headlines once again. An ultimately comfortable win and the signs bode well for the trip to Irbid in a month’s time.
Realfootball
Guest
Thoroughly enjoyed the game. Ange is doing terrific work with these boys, and what a great store of talent we now have. Fullbacks remain a problem. Davidson simply should not be crossing that badly as a full time pro. Dismally substandard. McGowan did well for that goal, but really apart from that he was poor. Elrich is a much more effective option. I suspect Matt McKay has had his day as a starting 11 player. He is 32 now and just doesn't have the nip in his fee that he used to. Jordan away is going to be a very interesting game.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Great points Ben & Fuss. This was why I really enjoyed the recent performances, I realise they against lesser teams, but the constant probing, the composure not to lose structure, this holds us in good stead for teams that sit deep as we can wear them down with possession. This is where in previous campaigns, we looked terrible against the likes of Qatar, Iraq etc, but much better against the likes Japan. Why because Qatar, Jordon, Iraq, Oman etc, were compact sides who sat deep & we were unable probe & hold possession, but against Japan, we sat deep & defended strongly & countered. We can now play both ways.
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Davidson's crossing was absolutely abysmal and what made it worse was he had no pressure on him for a majority of the crosses he put in, a stark contrast to those that Tommy Oar was firing in when he came on. I'm not sure we don't have options to look at for the LB position, Craig Goodwin perhaps?
Bondy
Guest
These games have been great little hit outs to blood some who are not use to International Football . I was only reflecting last night if Osieck was in charge then maximum points wouldn't have been achieved thus far,well done Ange and the boys ....
Freycinet1803
Roar Rookie
McKay wasn't that bad ... did his job, but very much a no frills player who was probably put into the team because Australia expected a bit more from the Tajik offense. Davidson is still young, and there aren't many options behind him ... so hopefully some regular football in the Championship can improve his game. Defensive he has improved of late, but again hard to tell against the weaker teams just how well he has improved that aspect of his game. His crossing was terrible last night ... might get a gig in the NRL with those cross field bombs though!
Catnap
Guest
I think we learned that Davidson and McKay have had their day!!!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Can only speak for myself, but "best players" has no significance to me - it's so subjective based on what criteria the analyst values. E.g. I place extremely high value on players' movement - to create space, draw an opponent, press an opponent - even if they rarely touch the ball. But, others may not value this aspect of the game. Then how do you compare a central defender who wins ever tackle & every ball in the air against a midfielder who distributes every ball to perfection? Last night, I thought every outfield player did his job well. No one really stood out. If I had to pick a Man of the Match it would've been Aaron Mooy (he was also my MotM against Bangladesh).
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I've never understood why soccer articles and match summaries don't include a list of the best performed players for each side in the game reported, like they do in Aussie Rules. This is a pretty simple reporting enhancement, I reckon.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Good points, Ben. I think we have a fair idea how Ange's plan will work against the more technically competent Asian teams ... he did coach Australia to be Champions of Asia only 6 months ago :-) 6 matches: 5 wins, scored at least 2 goals in all the wins; 3 clean sheets, created multiple chances every match
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
It is to an extent. What happened in the past is we faced technically competent sides like Iraq who sat deep. We lost some of our shape as we tried to rush the ball into the bus and were exposed on the counter, and they countered well and with blistering pace. The patient game reduces the scope for getting caught out in this way. It will be interesting to see what happens when we face a more technically competent side that sits deep, something that Jordan may present.
Jack
Guest
8 matches undefeated. Starting to look very nice for ange his on a great run. We have one bye in next window not sure if ffa will line up a friendly to mix things up but jordan is 100% the big challenge away from home. Great times to follow my beloved roos
Midfielder
Guest
Kaks A old saying that most people only know the first part and this applies in many ways to Football fans in Australia. The part most are aware of is “”” Never under estimate your enemy””” The other half that most are unaware of and I think applies to many Football fans although it is changing …. “”” Never over estimate your enemy””” Today’s gloom issue a very militant and self-opinionated union from what I can see is playing very hard ball …. Another is the media deals signed by the NRL and AFL there is no money left for us… and SBS moving the A-League back to their number two channel. Yet we are the most played game in Australia, have by far the biggest global reach and have been steadily building both the game and national domestic competition. Football with the FFA Cup, the W-League, the ACL, has by far the greatest range of matches to sell. The trick is to first survive and second for over 3 to 5 to 10 years have growth in time the increasing global reach of Football will assist. If people want instant growth and other sports to vanish it’s not and never will happen. Just enjoy were we are.
Slim
Guest
That second goal was fantastic. McGowan's precise pass was gold. Burns and Oar were immediately outstanding off the bench too.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Thanks. Yes, it's good to know the FFA seems to be following a path that will reap benefits in the long term; albeit with short-term disappointment of missing London Olympics and failure at recent u17 & u20 tournaments. It all takes time. My suggestion was we'll see the first full team of players educated under the new system around WC2022. That's when we can assess the success/failure of the FFA's strategic vision for football. This article also validates the FFA strategy which has 3 broad dimenstions 1. Create a national football philosophy 2. Devise a national curriculum/methodology that codifies this philosophy 3. Educate coaches, who will educate the players "Why Belgium Is The Hottest Country In Football" http://www.esquire.co.uk/culture/features/3834/why-belgium-has-the-most-exciting-footballers-in-the-world/
AVictory
Guest
Ahhhh, this comment finally appears after 30 minutes in the wildneress...
Kaks
Roar Guru
Look at this one Fuss http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/jul/02/world-cup-2010-germany-flair Written 4 years before Germany won the world cup. And to think they continued on this path even after making the 2002 world cup final. They knew then that the result didnt actually tell the whole story.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Well said, Midfielder You, I and a few others kept the faith during the dark times... we could see what the FFA was trying to do & re-education takes a long long time. Check out this article about how the current World Champions were created .. .. it didn't happen overnight. It required a whole new development & scouting philosophy and buy-in from every club from the elite to the grassroots. It took Germany 16 years from "bottoming out" to lifting the trophy. "How German football rose from the ashes of 1998 to become the best in the world" http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/sep/05/germany-football-team-youth-development-to-world-cup-win-2014?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
Kaks
Roar Guru
I must admit, I was one of those who thought like that. Then again it had more to do with Osieck being manager and the performances under him.
Midfielder
Guest
Another brick in the wall ... life is good... Enjoyed the match and credit to AP he rested the players who needed resting... Just think we still have Ryan, Kruse, Amini, DeSilva, Griff, Sainsbury to name but a few to add to the squad our depth is getting better .. Love to if I could be bothered to go back to all those threads and posts who said the A-League and Football generally in Australia can no longer produce a quality team... poo..ey on your shoes we are just getting stronger and look at the overall talent in the U 23 ... good times ahead..
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
True enough. We just need to be clear that there are 20 more nations competing at this Stage of Qualifiers than were present at the same Group Stage for WC 2014. So, we need to realise the standard for many opponents will be much lower than we have ever seen since the days in Oceania.