Ange Postecoglou persisted with his back-three Socceroos formation, an experiment shakily launched against Iraq, and one that reappeared against the UAE.
Its third appearance, against Saudi Arabia in Adelaide, however, was not hugely successful, showcasing the fragility that worried so many when it debuted.
Against Iraq, wing-backs Mathew Leckie and Robbie Kruse were a source of much consternation, betraying the fact that neither are defenders, and as such lack the essential instincts of the craft.
Brad Smith did better in place of Kruse against the UAE, and Leckie overcame his shortcomings largely through sheer athletic supremacy alone. A heightened sense of urgency that spread through the entire team that night against the UAE was enough to adequately disguise the systemic issues that lingered.
That same sense of urgency was not – in spite of what was at stake in this match – present in the first half against the Saudis, a half of football where Australia were gifted an opening goal, allowed to seize a unchallenged second, and yet still went into the break level.
The back three, when in possession, were constantly looking to pass out to the wing-backs, and with good reason; Australia were totally outnumbered in midfield. Aaron Mooy and Mile Jedinak – the latter an unwise passing option when he is under pressure – were swarmed by energetic Saudi players.
Jackson Irvine and Tom Rogic were often seen drifting out wide to avoid the five Saudi players packing the middle, offering little in the way of central support as a result.
To focus on the flanks was not necessarily a bad approach; Leckie and Smith are fine byline attackers, each with a ferocious turn of pace and a willingness to challenge backtracking defenders. But too often the passes out to them were over-hit, or wayward.
Other moments saw the wing-backs overcommit at the wrong time, out of tune with their teammates. Basically, it meant that Leckie and Smith, who were supposed to be quasi-defenders, were left horribly out of position.
The result, when the Saudis counter-attacked, was that the wing-backs were often out of place, with the back three reluctant to send a centre back up to challenge an onrushing Saudi attacker.
Wing-backs can tuck in, forming a back four, when a centre back roams forward to stifle an attack, that’s the theory. Without that support, however, the centre backs clumped and backed off, and the Saudis’ first goal showed how easily a team can scythe through a confused and fretful horde of defenders.
It was a simple give-and-go manoeuvre which sliced right through the middle of the Roos with ease. Ryan McGowan – after taking 56 hours to get from China to Adelaide – was thrust into the starting XI late, replacing Bailey Wright, and his unfamiliarity with the formation was obvious. He described it as “different” after the match.
In other moments, Smith was seen retreating far too deeply, marking empty space, creating a flat back-line and allowing unbridled advance up his wing in a non-counter-attacking situation. Leckie garnished the confusion by offering up the ball to the opposition with some truly awful passes and touches.
(AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
It’s almost as if – and wonders will never cease – Leckie isn’t actually a defender, making the talk that his new club signing him with the intention of playing him at wing-back even more strange. Leckie did set up Australia’s second goal, though, with a wonderful direct run and chipped cross. He looked much more at home up that end.
Smith was replaced by Aziz Behich at the break, and the second half saw a much more energised performance, with Behich typifying the newfound verve. Rogic and Mooy sought out the ball with more vigour, and the Saudis rocked back a little, presented with the physical, dynamic opponents they perhaps expected to turn up a littler earlier.
The passing was crisper, the runs fizzed by a little faster; this was the version of the team we saw against the UAE.
Rogic applied a brutal caress on the ball with his left foot, a wondrous shot, with the ball flying through the air into the top corner with startling clarity, like an arrow expertly loosed from some finely crafted great bow. It was a superb way to capitalise on his team’s forward-swinging momentum.
The Roos were then content to allow the Saudis to play around with the ball on the edges of their own half, only to swarm with intent once progress was made into their own.
Kruse replaced Irvine, and offered a more comfortable on-the-ball presence; Irvine’s place ahead of Mooy in the formation is puzzling, as his goal-threat is best utilised when joining the attack late from a deeper position and shooting from the edge of the box. Many of his goals for Burton this season came this way.
The second half surge was enough to carry the Roos home, and they now sit equal on points with Saudi Arabia and Japan, with the latter to come next in Tokyo.
The three goals from the two Toms were hugely welcome, breaking a considerable drought as far as goals from open play go. After the game, Postecoglou said that playing a certain brand of football was, in some ways, more important than World Cup qualification, doubling down somewhat on his tactical approach.
As idealistic as this statement is, had Saudia Arabia not been so generous in their defending, then this match would have exposed not just his team’s failure to qualify automatically, but also their failure to execute – perhaps even to understand – the system he has put in place.
The Roos were forced to overcome the damage they suffered in the first half, and did so not through the tactical mechanisms finally clicking, but by forcing their way over the line, largely through energy – and Rogic’s individual brilliance – alone.
The wing-back problem has not been solved, and though the Saudis couldn’t fully punish it, it’s likely Japan won’t be so forgiving at the end of August.
CrampsRowZ
Roar Rookie
I agree that it's mostly physicality and urgency that got Aus over the line vs UAE Interesting to see Aus actually score 3 goals from open play against a stingy team I still back Ange but he better not overdo the craziness with selections and systems. The mind boggles at how Dylan McGowan is in the side. He was one of the defenders fiend wanting in pretty much the A-Leagues worst defence and somehow he got selected. Everyone's hating on Ryan McGowan but can hardly blame him considering the new system he was put under. I thought Kruse and Jedinak were good. Mooy and Rogic for me were disappointing, they are our most gifted players but have to be prepared to hustle because international football don't give too many chances.
Caltex, TEN & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Just when you think you have heard it all before---Sampaoli is moving on with another new system and quite frankly I like it... I reckon Ange, will pick up on this and go with it tonight. :) Argentina manager Jorge Sampaoli will play a 2-3-4-1 formation against Singapore tomorrow.
Cool N Cold
Guest
The final result should be Australia wining Saudi Arabia 4-2. Even without the gift from the Arabian goalie, Australia should have won 3-2. Just because of the not awarded penalty, Australia had not won comfortably and stayed 3rd on the table. That penalty can be critical eventually at the end of this round of qualifying matches. Should that penalty be given and converted, Australia ranks 2nd on the table. I just do not know why not so many journalists and fans focusing on this not given penalty.
Caltex, TEN & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
JB - The marking of your opposite No. is important as well. In the Roo vs SA match I didn't see much of that going on from our Aussie boys. I felt our boys in the first half were marking space and not players. I don't mean standing along side your opposite number; I mean I didn't see our players closing down or anticipating an interception that was on---we were stagnate and flat footed in between opposing players marking space.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
I agree the system is 'shaky', but is that due to the 'newness' of it and the players are not yet playing it right, or is it not being coached properly by Ange? To me, we have looked extremely vulnerable to the quick counter in the Iraq and Saudi matches, and we've been lucky we haven't conceded far more. The thing that I think about though, is that the back 3 is a recognised system used by some well respected managers, so why do we struggle so much with it and look so vulnerable? It seems either Ange hasn't fully got a handle on it himself, or the players are not playing to his instructions.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
The Saudis are actually a pretty decent team. We may not know their players as household names, but they were well organised and pressed us hard in the right areas, and geez they are technically very good, with some sublime skills and great first touches.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
Agree Ken. I'm sickened most by the celebrities like Dave Hughes, Susie O'Brien and Peta Credlin who have nothing at all to do with football making out this was a huge international incident, but not even mentioning the match at all. I'd really just prefer they tried to make their money or espouse their politics without bringing football into it. Football is supposed to be separate from and above politics, not part of it.
Nemesis
Guest
The thing is ... a lot of people DO NOT get contracts with Leverkusen, Hertha Berlin. There are literally tens of thosands of German kids wanting a spot. Add the tens of thousands from rest of Europe, Africa, Sth America, etc. and you realise how big an achievement for Kruse & Leckie to have done what they've done. I think many Aussies don't appreciate how difficult it is to get a pro contract in the Top 4 Leagues.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Plenty of players get contracts. What I'm commenting on is the specific skills of some of our players who to my observation are lacking in some areas.
Mickyo
Guest
Lol, you Honestly think the Saudis care one iota what we think, or any non Muslim. It isOK under taqiyya to lie to non believers to smooth things over, that is s fact Have a guess which country funds plenty of mosques, preachers of hate etc etc, look up Saudi Arabia and Wahhabi. The west is stupid and blind to these people and they treat us as such.
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
The difference is Chelsea play this formation week in, week out.....our NT team don't.
Pauly
Guest
Hear hear. Though the usual suspeca tend to stay away from articles unrelated to the code's standing in Australia, growth and expansion, and TV deals/ratings.
northerner
Guest
Sure, because it was absolutely their plan to do something that would make them look like jerks in the world press, thereby embarrassing their country and their people, and forcing their bosses into abject apology mode. Sounds like a brilliant strategy.
Midfielder
Guest
Remember to jump over to the following link for our state teams. Starting to get some traffic need a lot more. http://www.theroar.com.au/2017/05/15/missing-league-try-watching-local-club/
Midfielder
Guest
Live on Facebook we continue with the FFA Cup Edgeworth v Lambton Link: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1341738112588765&id=310038959092024 Already up to 9k views. Lets share.
TheVolley
Guest
After watching Brazil vs Argentina last night , we will be in trouble if we persist with this back 3 formation against Brazil. Argentina played with back 3 and got sliced open by Brazil a few times. We are talking about Argentina a team overflowing with talent and technical abilities, and Brazil did not send their strongest squad. On the the other hand, Brazil found it difficult to play uot of defence because of Argentina's extra man in midfield and their high pressing. Socceroos could not even stop Saudi Arabia from playing out of defence with our extra man in midfield. Our pressing does not seem to be organised/effective. It's clear to me that Socceroos have no idea how to play this formation, or Ange does not seem to know how to instruct our players to play this formation effectively. We cannot pay out of defence and we cannot stop our opponents from playing out of defence. Big issues here. Brazil won't suffer any 2nd half fade outs like Asian opponents. Will be interesting to see Tueday's game.
Mickyo
Guest
That's ok that's you have no perception of reality, they knew exactly what they were doing and why.
Mickyo
Guest
Your head is planted firmly in the sand, soccer has nothing to do with it, your ig no rance is astounding
Midfielder
Guest
LIVE #FFACup on Facebook Valentinine FC V Broadmeadow LINK: https://t.co/zRn3NHCBvc Ping @NNSWF @nplnnsw @FFACup #football #soccer #sport
Nemesis
Guest
But, your premise is wrong. Kruse, Leckie & Co do have the technical skills to get them professional contracts in the best domestic league in the world and at clubs who could choose tens of thousands other players before them. But, at International Level they don't consistently produce the technical proficiency. This is what separates the World's Best and The Rest. World's Best produce the technicals under pressure all the time; The Rest don't do it consistently. If they produced consistently, they'd be World's Best.