Australia travelled to Bangkok with high hopes of putting themselves in a strong position to secure automatic qualification to Russia 2018. However, a strong Thai performance correlated with one of the worst Socceroos showings in recent memory to culminate in a 2-2 draw at the Rajamangala National Stadium.
Here are five talking points from the disappointing result.
Well, first things first.
Heading into this clash, the Socceroos were sitting pretty in second place in Group B of Asian World Cup qualification. However, following this latest hiccup, their third draw on the trot, the Aussies slip to third in the group, behind Saudi Arabia and Japan, out of the automatic qualifying positions.
A third-place finish could prove dire for Ange Postecoglou’s side. The qualification process means the top teams automatically qualify while the third-placed finishers from each group face off in a two-legged tie.
The aggregate winner of these clashes faces the fourth-placed finisher in the South American qualification group, which is currently looking like Lionel Messi’s Argentina.
But don’t panic just yet Socceroos fans; we are only at the halfway point of the third round of qualifying.
The Socceroos have to play each of the other five sides in their group once more to determine the final standings. As things stand, they need to leap-frog one of Saudi Arabia and Japan to secure themselves automatic qualification.
Against Thailand, the Socceroos’ back four consisted of Brad Smith, Matthew Spiranovic, Trent Sainsbury and Milos Degenek (from left to right). Thailand are a side who, prior to last night’s match, had scored just one goal in four qualifying matches, conceding ten in the process.
It’s simply not good enough to be so vulnerable at the back against a side that is substantially weaker than your own, and the blame for this must fall solely on the defenders.
Smith, who hasn’t played a single minute of league football for club side Bournemouth, has started a number of games on the left recently for the ‘Roos. He has copped a fair amount of flak in recent times for the frailty of Australia’s left-side defence and his weakness was exposed once again against Thailand.
The opening goal came down his side as the Thai attack got in behind and left the entirety of Australia’s back four reeling.
Degenek, Sainsbury and Spiranovic looked equally poor at times, and it leaves you wondering whether or not they are the best options available to the Socceroos.
This match was the third consecutive draw for the Socceroos. Do we have a serious problem on our hands? Or is this just a case of a lapse in form?
A draw with Thailand is a terrible result for the Aussies, there’s no tip-toeing around that.
On a humid night in Bangkok, they certainly didn’t show the intensity or skill level we demand of our national team. However, back-to-back draws with Saudi Arabia and Japan, who sit first and second in group B at the moment, are not bad results. As such, it’s not really fair to draw conclusions on the Socceroos’ form based on these three matches.
Their next match is against Iraq in Sydney on March 23 next year and if they don’t perform then, that’s when questions can be asked.
It is not easy to get regular club football overseas. A number of regular Socceroos starters find themselves without minutes on a weekly basis and this is starting to show at the international level.
The likes of Smith, Robbie Kruse and Mat Ryan all started against Thailand having played little to no club matches this season. Should this be allowed to be the case?
Kruse looked reasonably sharp to start with against Thailand, while Smith and Ryan both looked a bit out of sorts throughout. Having said that, they possess the quality to play for the national team, so should their decisions at a club level hamper their selection for Ange’s side?
Goals. Goals. Goals.
Australia did not score a single goal from open play against Thailand. Two Mile Jedinak spot kicks were all that stood between the Aussies and complete disaster.
Cahill’s ability to find the net time and time again for the Socceroos is reaching its end, and there is still no replacement for him in sight.
The Socceroos have now tried the likes of Jamie McClaren, Tomi Juric and Apostolos Giannou up top in Cahill’s place in recent months, all with little success.
Is there anyone who can fill the goalscoring boots of Australia’s greatest ever international scorer?
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What if we celebrated all of the achievements big and small, and weeded out those hell-bent on bringing down a game that is doing a hell of a lot right?
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