Australia’s qualification for the Rio Olympics took a huge blow early Friday morning, as the Olyroos fell in their opening AFC Under-23 Asian Cup game 1-0 to the United Arab Emirates.
While Aurelio Vidmar’s side dominated the possession statistics throughout the game, his players failed to create enough meaningful chances in a display that often fell apart in the final third of the pitch.
It was another worrying performance from the Australian youth side, with a focus on controlling the football once again falling to pieces due to an inability to produce shots on goal.
UAE, on the other hand, were organised and disciplined, content with surrendering possession and frustrating the Olyroos with a tight backline and hitting on the counter-attack.
The loss is not a great start for the Olyroos, but neither is it a disaster. There is still time for this team to find cohesion and produce results.
A top-three finish was a minimum requirement leading into the tournament, which would secure a spot at the 2016 Olympics. Failure to do so would prove another setback for the Under-23 setup and would put question marks over Vidmar’s job.
The build-up to the tournament has not been ideal, with no less than seven players who had claims to a starting berth refused call-ups by their European clubs. On top of that, captain and lynchpin Mustafa Amini was forced to sit on the bench after being struck down by a virus for the past five days, and Jason Geria also failed a late fitness test.
The Olyroos started the game strong, dominating possession and employing their characteristically high press when losing the ball in a trademark 4-3-3. Josh Brillante, in particular, was busy early on, his distribution looking tidy in a midfield trio with Steven Ugarkovic and Ryan Edwards.
Yet there was a disconnect between the midfield and the forward line, particularly Jamie Maclaren, whose touch let him down a few times as he struggled to reproduce his blistering A-League form. His work off the ball was exceptional however, forcing his opponents into hurried balls out of defence.
The UAE may have sat back and allowed Australia possession in their own half, yet employed their own intelligent pressing game once the Olyroos moved forward. Wide forwards Andrew Hoole and Connor Pain were continually closed down efficiently when receiving possession, often by two or three players, making it hard for Australia to create clear-cut chances.
An early opportunity for the Olyroos arrived after just five minutes, a sweeping ball from their own half releasing Pain on the left, who delivered a cross back post for Maclaren. Yet the ball was a little overhit and the Brisbane Roar forward sent his shot off target.
The Olyroos almost gifted UAE dangerman Sultan Saif a one-on-one chance versus keeper Jack Duncan soon after, Scott Galloway providing a hospital pass to centre-back James Donachie, who was forced to make a professional foul and cop a yellow card.
Despite all of Australia’s possession, they could not find any fluency in UAE’s half and looked out of sync with each other when the ball arrived in the final third of the pitch. That was more to do with the opponent’s impressive organisation, however.
The UAE ended the half stronger as Australia’s ball retention became sloppier, with Alex Gersbach forced to make a late tackle on left-back Abdalla Ghanim Alalawi in the box and Saif producing a nice turn and shot to test Duncan for the first time.
The UAE recognised early that there was an opportunity to hit their opponents on the break and largely concentrated on sending ball over the top of the defence, as well as getting in the Olyroos’ faces and frustrating them with niggling fouls.
The Olyroos once again produced the first chance of the second half and really should have gone ahead.
Edwards released Pain inside the box after some neat, patient build-up play, yet the Melbourne Victory forward scuffed his shot into the ground and the ball dribbled wide.
Five minutes later, UAE had the ball in the net after Saeed’s wayward header was diverted into the net by Ugarkovic, yet it was thankfully, and correctly, called back for offside.
A change was needed and Vidmar acted on the 60-minute mark, Amini replacing Ugarkovic and taking on the twin No.8 role alongside Edwards as Brillante pushed back into No.6. Yet the UAE had by then taken a hold of the game.
An end-to-end contest emerged, Kazim sending a header straight at Duncan under pressure from a static Olyroos defence, before a classy turn from Amini set up Brillante for a shot on goal from a tight angle.
Duncan produced a superb save with about 15 minutes to play, UAE substitute Waleed Ambar bursting forward unopposed and unleashing a vicious swerving effort that the Randers FC keeper tipped around the post.
Pain was withdrawn for Sotirio to inject pace into the Olyroos line-up with about ten minutes to play, while Antonis came on for Galloway as Brillante moved to right-back, yet the UAE netted the eventual winner soon after.
A half-cleared UAE corner resulted in a passage of calamitous defending, which saw first Hoole and then James Donachie beaten to headers, before Giancarlo Gallifuoco unfortunately diverted the ball into his own net with Ghanim ready to pounce for a tap-in.
There was not much the Victory defender could have done, his attempt to divert the ball helplessly flying past a stranded Duncan.
The Olyroos ramped up the pressure and Maclaren had another chance following a decent cross from Sotirio in injury time, but sent his header over.
A draw may have been a more deserved final scoreline, yet creating just two meaningful efforts in 90 minutes leaves obvious room for improvement. An obsession with possession in Australia’s youth setup is again proving difficult to implement effectively.
With Jordan defeating Vietnam 3-1 in the other Group D match, it leaves the Olyroos with a sizeable task to qualify for the knockout stages. Anything less than three points against Vietnam in the early hours of Monday morning will almost certainly see an early, embarrassing exit.
Such a scenario would be unthinkable for a squad brimming with undeniable talent, even considering the absent players, and Vidmar has a big job lifting his team to overturn the early setback.
The line-up lacked cohesion and was not good enough in the final third, and players such as Stefan Mauk, Thomas Deng, Brandon Borrello and, pending fitness, Amini must start the next match.
It is not all doom and gloom, however, the Joeys managed to bounce back from an early loss to Germany at the recent Under-17 World Cup and the Olyroos have the ability to replicate that fighting spirit.
A ruthless streak is a must, though, and hopefully Vidmar can produce an alternative line-up that can click in the final third.
FIUL
Guest
Lads put in a very good shift this morning. Vietnam were technically very good & surprisingly (given their smaller stature) able to match the Aussies physically. But, Australia tactically better moving forward. Inclusion of Amini, Deng, Geria, Borello, O'Neill presented a unit that created multiple goal chances, whereas against UAE we had 1 decent chance. Vietnam also had chances. Could easily have been VIE 2-6 AUS
Boban Fett
Guest
I think if the A-League changed the number of visa players to four, or better yet, adopted the three plus one rule, it would force A-League coaches to play more young Aussie strikers and possibly unearth the next Dukes.
j binnie
Guest
Punter - Let's close this discussion. You cite Titch and Red Block statements which were about a different matter altogether,that being "the lack of what is perceived as the connection between midfield and the front three.Items in both those articles intimated that this "lack" had been evident for 40 years. I questioned Titch's "time line".and cited players who "disproved" that thought. Since then you and I have been into a discussion about something totally different,the goal scoroing ability of player/ stikers over the last 40 years.That timeline,as I explained, takes in a 26 year NSL and a 10 year HAL. Now it is evident to all that when researching successfull "strikers" in those 40 years that the majority will come from the NSL ,for very few HAL strikers of note are yet to reach the end of their careers.!!!!!!!!! Now everyone else in these columns appear to accept that factor, so why don't we leave the subject and get on with something more important, for instance, how or where Brisbane Roar can come up with another recognised "goal getter".to replace Berisha.??????.. Just as a matter of interest when watching HAL games this season you will note the main strikers are as follows---- Victory - Berisha, Khalfalla and Barbaroussas; Melb.City - Fornaroli,& Novello; CCM -O'Donovan; Jets -Trifonouvic; Adelaide - Cirio and Sanchez; Wellington - Krishna; Perth - Keogh; - WSW - Castellan and Piovaccari,& Sydney with Smeltz and Holosko; leaving Roar with the only 2 recognised first team strikers, McLaren and Borello as recognised "local " product. Does that not at least tell you how our coaches think????? Cheers jb Please lets move on and we'll agree to have our own opinions. Your football mate jb
Punter
Guest
JB, Titch wrote what Red Block wrote above, that we were let down by strikers (players with the ability to put ball in net), only difference was that titch said this has been happening for 40 years. You agreed with Red Block above about our lack of strikers in the A-League, I agree with Titch that the lack of world class strikers (Dukes withstanding) has been Australia's problem for the last 40 years, not just something that has happened lately.
j binnie
Guest
Punter- You seem determined to make a point here that I am pushing the NSL before the HAL!!!. My friend,go back and read what Titch said,using 40 years as a time measurement and my reply to him about people who had "made the grade" as strikers since that time ,that time being 1975!!!! As you well know the NSL did not start till 1977 to obviously most of the strikers I mentioned ,now "finished", would have,at some time or other played in the NSL.Ok???? Now it was you who introduced the strikers who have emerged in the last 10 years and my comment concerning your nominees actually stated they had a fair way to go to "catch up". The only reason I included figures was to point out, and I stated this,how far your nominees had to go, This was not a "criticism" it was simply a figure ,and much as you praise my "credentials",I do not have a crystal ball,and cannot tell you how many goals your "HAL nominees" will score before they end their careers. Nowhere did I suggest these player had not "earned their stripes" playing in the HAL, but it appears you think I have a "hidden agenda" against the players that are being produced now. Punter,it is in your head,and I sincerely hope this explanation clears what is obviously a mis-understanding on something I originally wrote in reply to Titch's statement.. Cheers jb ps In all "national " appearences, under age and senior , here are the figures you need Damian Mori -played 58 scored 34 goals Paul Trimboli - played 46 scored 16 goals Bobby Despotovski - played 4 scored 5 goals pps I do believe Damien Mori is one of the highest goalscorers to ever have played in Australia with a 654 game career spanning 21 years scoring 368 goals.jb
Punter
Guest
JB, I have watched football as long as you, maybe not with your credentials or may not have your vast knowledge. I enjoy your posts, however i do find that you have been a critic of the production line of the A-League. See quote above, '“system” (which is now about 5-10 years old,'. Now I argue, Trimboli, Mori & Depotovski all had great NSL careers, but never made it O/S & I don't remember too many of their contributions for Socceroos when the big boys came back from their O/S clubs. Arnold & Mitchell, very good professionals who had great o/s careers, I do wonder how they would have gone in this era, as my memory of those 2 were not wonderfully gifted footballers, definitely not in the Burns & Kruse level. These days the big centre forwards needs to have skill as well. The A-league is producing as many quality players as did the NSL, it's just not produced the superstar like Dukes or Harry. They are the 2 that standout.
j binnie
Guest
Punter - You should read again. I did say your nominations were "all current and still had to prove themselves".That meaning may have escaped you but it simply meant they have not yet finished. The figures were simply given so you could compare the task ahead for these lads.. Don't know any other way of using figures to compare so where did you get the HAL/NSL connection? The figures by the way are for their "senior" careers from "day one" with all clubs and of course all national team levels Cheers jb.
Punter
Guest
JB, you make the mistake of measuring players who have finished their careers & those who are either starting or in the middle of it. Outside of Viduka, I would say by the end of their careers, Kruse, Leckie & Burns will have have had as good a career as those others you mentioned. Good chance for Juric as well, the jury still out on Taggett & Bulut. I think you are either short changing the A-League or talking up the NSL.
j binnie
Guest
Punter - I did not forget the players you mention but was addressing Titch's 40 year claim and the players you mention are all current,and have still to prove themselves as proficient strikers,not only in their local leagues but in the "national "scene". For the sake of the discussion look at the goals scored by those players I mentioned in their careers,club and national and compare them with your nominations. Farina-183, Mitchell -105, Viduka- 267.Trimboli,-135,Mori,- 368, Despotovski -180, Arnold 180. Kruse -33,Leckie-58,Taggart -31,Bulut-23, Juric - 39, Burns - 46. As you can see there is still a fair way to "catch up". Cheers jb.
bobbym
Guest
Vidmar is a pissant coach.
bobbym
Guest
Vidmar has to go. Put an old hand in like Kosmina to toughen up these hairdo softies. Vietnam draw. Jordan to win.
Bob Brown
Roar Guru
Its not the players, its the coach. Get rid of Vidmar now and his assistants and invest in a top class youth coach. In fact, he should have been sacked after his last failure. Even Gombau was a top line youth coach and would have got a much better effort out of the boys. The progression of the Socceroos and any improvements against other nations, have to be made at youth level first.
Punter
Guest
JB, you forgot, Robbie Kruse, Leckie, Nathan Burns, Taggett, Juric & Bulut!!!!!
jbinnie
Guest
Titch - At 40 years I think you maybe just go back a bit too far,after all, we have had Johnston,Kewell,Viduka,Arnold,Mitchell,Farina,Krncevic, & Patikas who have all been regular goalscorers in top leagues in Europe,while at "home" we had Trimboli,Mori,Kosmina,and Despotovski who were all very well performed goal getters. cheers jb
Waz
Guest
Thanks LB, and I was genuinely interested as this was a middle of the night, junior representative game that typically only attracts your die-hards. Very pleased that you are actually one of them. I like multiple sports too having been raised playing soccer, rugby and cricket which translated into followship as the knees gave way. None of the codes though seem to appreciate that in addition to the core support many fans are actually sports fans which to me makes the code wars over the decades rather pointless: it fractures the fan base for one and produces your atypical sycophantic supporter which social media gives an outlet too further polarising support and attitudes. Any way, hopefully the next match brings to talk about on the football :)
Lionheart
Guest
Good question.
Paul
Guest
We are missing the following players who were not released by their respective clubs. ikonomedes, Irvine, Smith, De Silva to start with. Why wasn't Mabil in the side. Vidmar should stop picking favourites
TK
Guest
Was going to make the comment about playing familiar teamates together but you are all already onto it. Hope to see it happen next match.
Chris Aloi
Roar Rookie
Haha well spotted, inexplicable because I went back to referring to him as Juric after that!
Fadida
Guest
Is that Juric's new nickname? Tomic :)