1-1. That was the final score between Chile and Australia in the last group match of the 2017 Confederations Cup.
After a disappointing 2-3 loss to Germany in the opening game and a very dismal 1-1 draw with a lacklustre Cameroon, the Socceroos went into the Chile match looking to prove a point.
In a previous article, I stated that Chile was most likely to take the 2017 Confederations Cup title, due to their strong list and great lead up. This game also marked the return of captain and main goalkeeper, Claudio Bravo. I have to admit, I had low expectations for the Socceroos leading into this game after their worst game of the year against Cameroon.
(AAP Image/Paul Miller)
As soon as the first whistle blew, the Socceroos were relentless in their attacking and tackling. Chile had flashed of brilliance, but could not seem to get it done in front of goals. Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal looked absolutely lively in the forward half for Chile, but brilliant defence from Trent Sainsbury and amazing goalkeeping from Matt Ryan kept the Socceroos succeeding a goal.
The ways that either team could not score were different. Chile looked to break the defence apart but choked once it came to striking for goal. The Socceroos battled hard to break the Chile defence to only have rushed shots. That all changed once the game went on.
The Socceroos kept making great opportunities for themselves in the forward half. The strikers and attacking midfielders could not get int done though, terrible communication and poor execution stopped the Aussies from securing a lead.
Just after the 40th minute, pure brilliance from James Troisi secured the 1-0 lead for the Socceroos. A sneaky but composed lob over Bravo from Troisi capped a great first half for the Socceroos.
Heading into the halftime break leading 1-0, was a great confidence boost for the Socceroos. A defensive lapse from the Socceroos in the 60th minute saw Chile score the tying goal.
The goal from Chile forward Rodriguez broke a whole nation’s heart. Going into the match, everyone knew the Socceroos had to defeat Chile by two goals to secure a spot in the finals.
It was an outcome every Socceroos fan thought unthinkable until Troisi’s amazing goal in the first half. After the surprising goal from Troisi, a very optimistic part of me though “They can do this, they really can”.
(AP Photo/Mihaela Bobar)
The Socceroos had every opportunity to score the 2-0 goal before Chile scored, but a lack of composure from forwards Robbie Kruse and Tomi Juric robbed Australia of a great upset victory.
The reason why Australia as a nation should embrace the Socceroos is that everyone on the planet overlooked the Aussies from day one. I saw the Socceroos losing two games and drawing against Cameroon. But the score is not what should be looked at, it should be the Socceroos’ intent to be competitive lead by a very fiery acting captain, Tim Cahill.
After the 10th minute, the Socceroos controlled the game. They had Chile rattled for the rest of the match. The five best players on the pitch would consist of three Australians and two Chileans.
The best were Alexis Sanchez, Arturo Vidal, Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo and James Troisi. Sanchez was pure class, Vidal could only be contained by Cahill at some instances throughout the game.
Sanchez and Vidal though did not play the pure, flashy style they normally do. Socceroos’ intensity and pressure made them play a risky style of football, which is unusual for Chile.
The fourth-ranked team in the world were rattled by an inconsistent, young Socceroos’ outfit who had everything to prove. Although the Socceroos did not win, this was a great setup for their upcoming, all-important World Cup Qualifiers against Japan and Thailand.
If the boys play the way they did against Chile, they can beat Japan convinced and absolutely embarrass Thailand.
The biggest question out of the Chile game was where was gun midfielder Aaron Mooy? Mooy has been a pivotal part of the Socceroos’ midfield core this year. Mooy was a sub in the 70th minute of the friendly against Brazil, which was understandable seeing as he was thought to be rested for most of the match.
In the Confederations Cup, Mooy was one of Australia’s biggest stars. Yet in an all important last ditch effort against Chile, he was nowhere to be found? No sources say he is carrying an injury unless kept very secretive, but unlikely.
Ahead of the Chile game, coach Ange Postecoglou said the Socceroos would be playing a different brand of football. Did Mooy not fit into Ange’s master plan against Chile?
At 28, it is very unlikely that Mooy would be rested and/or pulling up too sore to play. It will be interesting to see if Mooy gets a start against Japan in two months’ time!
Euroclub
Guest
so Australia is about 10 to 20 rankings overrated then...
Euroclub
Guest
Who cares about the Socceroos? I just wanna watch great Football. The U-21 European Championship produced some great matches with the final still to come. And the rest of the Confederations Cup. Bring it on.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
robi, the world rankings throw up some anomalies such as once ranking the USA as high as number four in the world at the same time Italy was 11th. That should speak volumes about how much to take the world rankings seriously.
Albert Cid
Guest
Well said Lionheart. We got a team of 2nd and 3rd division players with a big heart, playing against top ranked players. Give them the crédit they deserve. The socceroos played excellent and committed soccer. Very proud (and I was born in Chile but an Aussie now)
Nick Symonds
Guest
"Australia should be proud of the Socceroos" Maybe the title should be "Australia should be less skeptical of the Socceroos". Australia have often been threatening against bigger teams with bigger names in their lineups but it's just things like loss of players through injuries or cards and poor finishing that can make all the difference. When it all comes together one day Australia will reach at least the quarter finals as they almost did in 2006. No question. But more important than the Confederations Cup dress rehearsal result against Chile (keep things in perspective) is that they seem to be working better together as a unit with the new system now. Even if they have left it a bit late for comfort. Hopefully they can now beat Japan and Thailand to qualify for the main event. The one that matters. The World Cup.
Tezza
Guest
Mahler, the reason we are ranked so low is because we don`t play enough international games against quality opposition. When we do play higher ranked teams we perform quite well above what our actual ranking states so I would say that most supporters don`t look at us as a 56th ranked team but more of a top 30 ranked nation as we should be.
Nemesis
Guest
"Because only the best 32 should be there." You obviously don't understand the principles behind the World Cup Finals Tournament. Educate yourself.
Lionheart
Guest
'only the best 32 should be there' silly comment, on two fronts. Firstly, it's clear we can play as a top ten team, at worst top 20. We proved this at the Confederations Cup, and at previous World Cups. Second of course, it's a World cup, with 32 teams attending the finals phase. It's got nothing to do with world rankings or FIFAs rankings, be they reflective of the truth or otherwise, they are meaningless in the World Cup draw. The draw is by region, confederation, which is the only fair method for a World cup. We play off for one of four (and a half) spots in our region (Asia). We qualify to play as part of the Asia region, and we must therefore prove we are one of the best four teams in Asia. It's got nothing to do with the best 32 in FIFAs rakings. Otherwise, it would not be a World cup.
robi
Guest
Then we don't deserve to be in the WC. Because only the best 32 should be there.
Lionheart
Guest
There's every reason to be proud of the Socceroos after that performance v Chile. I missed the Cameroon game, but saw the Germany match in England on ITV and the Chile match on SBS. The pessimism among our media and former players is astounding. Mark Schwartzer predicted on UK ITV after the German game that both Cameroon and Chile would tear us apart. When we scored and went up 1-0, after some spirited and skilful play, the SBS call team described our goal as 'lucky'. For crying out loud, look at what's in front of you. We have a national team that has just played in a high pressure tournament against two of the world's top five teams, and another that's the champions of Africa. We didn't go down in a whimper, as you would expect a team ranked 48 might. We played like a top ten team for the most part, an incredible achievement given the circumstances. Well done Australia. Be proud. Stand tall Socceroo.
Steve
Guest
I actually thought the Chile game was reasonably different to most Ange games, regardless of formations. The tactics reminded me more of the Gegenpress - fast football, high pressing and lots of chances. Socceroos matches previously have been trying to play tikk task - slower, build from the back with less meaningful possession. Whether the change was Ange putting a rocket up their backside, the players realising the situation (win by 2 goals) or simply the players selected (Irvine and Troisi much more suited to Gegenpress than Mooy) is maybe something only the squad knows.
Mahler
Guest
What most pundits seem to forget/ignore is that Australia is around 56th on the international ladder. Any critique has to surely start off from this point. The way some guys carry on you'd think Australia was #1 nation and not playing to its capacity. Guys, we are down in the 50s. Anytime we can beat a higher rated team that;s good news. The draw with Chile was, I suggest, the equivalent of a Class 1 galloper dead-heating with Winx.
Wayne
Roar Guru
I don't follow Socceroos that closely, but have they reached a point where "being competitive" isn't good enough, and actual results (win/draw/loss) is the metric of success? Noticed that shift in the Matildas a few years back; where they went out there thinking they would win, even against higher ranked opponents. It wasn't about being competitive and staying with them, it was about trying to get the W.
Nemesis
Guest
Really? Did you watch the match: Chile vs AUS and that's all you observed? Rush at the opponent & snatch a goal? Is that how you would analyse Chile's game plan also if you had a face-to-face meeting with Antonio Pizzi?
Stevo
Roar Rookie
So what is our new system? Rush at the opponent hoping to cause a turnover and then snatch a goal. Ange's Roar tiki taka is dead, high energy enthusiasm and in you face football is the new way. Let's hope it works consistently enough. I'm in for the ride.
AGO74
Guest
Re your closing comments on Mooy he has played about 60 games (all comps Huddersfield and Socceroos) in the last 10 months including (if he'd played) what would have been his third high pressure tournament game in six days. That tends to catch up with people regardless of how fit they are. That guy needs at least a few weeks off. all being said I think whilst this tournament was not his best foot forward for us I think it showed he is better for us at base of midfield. Unfortunately I haven't been able to watch the game as yet - but my comment at the start of the tournament was that I hope that more than success in the tournament that our team would get used to this system of play. It's so hard to introduce a new system of play when you rarely have players but Ange would never get a better opportunity to do so with team in camp for 3 weeks. They showed decent patches of this against Germany and Cameroon (along with the much reported defensive failings). It appears that our game against Chile was our best example of this new system yet. Here's hoping that our extended period of camp has got the team more comfortable with new system (as well as playing people in best positions to suit system) and we carry this on for Japan/Thailand.