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It was terse, tense and occasionally intemperate – but nothing could separate these sides, after a seesawing coverage that saw Saudi Arabia take the lead, lose the lead, trail, and then gain back parity – that’s where it ended.
Both teams would feel they should have won, but neither should complain of a point, given the evidence at hand.
Australia’s next challenge comes in more familiar climes against a much more familiar opponent. No team less than Japan will await the Socceroos in Melbourne on Tuesday night.
I’ll be on for that, so join me at 7.45pm (AEDT) for that.
At full time in Jeddah, it finished Saudi Arabia 2-2 Australia, and Australia maintain their lead in Group B with seven points from three games.
Final score:
Saudi Arabia 2-2 Australia
The Socceroos return to the balmy desert heat of the Middle East, as World Cup qualification continues in Jeddah, where Saudi Arabia will play Australia on Matchday 3. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:45am (AEDT) on Friday morning.
Greater days have graced Australian football’s identity, especially in the last decade. Kaiserslautern in 2006 and Sydney in 2015 come immediately to mind. In years to come, few will recall Abu Dhabi in 2016, but on footballing terms, the Socceroos’ 1-0 triumph over the United Arab Emirates last month could stand at the top of the pile.
Radical claim as it might be, given the UAE’s modest footballing ability when compared to the world standard, Australia’s endurance was on fine display that evening, in oppressive conditions against an enthused opposition. When the theoretically stronger challenges that await in upcoming Confederations Cup and potential World Cup campaigns in Russia come, Australia will have done it the hard way.
The road is far from over though, if a trip to Jeddah isn’t warning enough. This game against Saudi Arabia is followed by a rematch with rivals Japan in Melbourne next Tuesday. Anything less than six points will be viewed disappointingly by Ange Postecoglou – such has the weight of expectation been raised of this team.
Saudi Arabia only trail the Socceroos on goal difference so far in qualification, having also secured two wins from two last month. Yet the results bely the performances, with the Green Falcons requiring three late penalty decisions in their favour to edge past Thailand and Iraq. Their coach Bert van Marwijk, famously in charge of the Netherlands’ progress to the 2010 World Cup Final, will focus his side to be obdurate and physical in its play, and seek to blunt the creative influences within Australia’s midfield.
Van Marwijk has an entirely domestic squad at his disposal – midfielder Nawaf Al Abed has been the scorer of the team’s three penalties, and will be the playmaker in a likely 4-5-1 defensive formation.
Having sought to operate with compressed space in midfield, van Marwijk will likely play two holding midfielders in Abdulmalek Al-Khaibri, while Salman Al-Faraj may be pushed back to protect the back four.
The Saudis’ most potent attacking threat comes via Al Abed and veteran midfielder Taisir Al-Jassim, while wingers Fahad Al-Muwallad and Yahya Al-Shehri will work in tandem to supplement the lone striker Naif Hazizi.
Saudi Arabia will likely base their gameplan around the counterattack, and withstanding Australia in a game of attrition, as is van Marwijk’s wont.
For Ange Postecoglou, the win in Abu Dhabi serves as an accurate blueprint on what to expect against the Saudis. Hostile conditions, and an even more boisterous 60,000-plus crowd are expected inside the King Abdullah Stadium. Such prospects didn’t deter Australia’s aggressive approach, and are unlikely to do so again.
Postecoglou will likely play a 4-4-2 diamond formation, with in-form Celtic forward Tom Rogic likely to hang off the lone striker Tomi Juric.
It may serve as a nod to once again confine Tim Cahill to the bench for a late cameo if needed, while Mathew Leckie and Robbie Kruse occupy the flanks.
Mile Jedinak may wear the armband, yet the midfield strings are largely pulled by Aaron Mooy, who has been a revelation at Huddersfield Town since linking with them in the off-season.
Either Mark Milligan or Massimo Luongo will partner Mooy in central midfield, while Jedinak will protect a back four likely to feature as McGowan, Sainsbury, Spiranovic and Smith.
Mat Ryan should also take his place, despite losing his first-team spot at Spanish giants Valencia.
Anything less than victory would be deemed a disappointment for the Socceroos, and the reward of going to Melbourne against the Japanese with nine points will serve as adequate motivation. Expect another game of attrition, with Australia able to get the job done.
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