A late penalty save from birthday boy debutant Danny Vukovic has earned the Socceroos a battling 0-0 draw against Colombia in their international friendly.
Vukovic, 33, who replaced Brad Jones at halftime, dived to his left to keep out Miguel Borja’s 85th-minute spot-kick after he had brought down the striker in the box.
» REACTION: Socceroos vastly improved after meek Oslo performance
It was nothing less than Bert van Marwijk’s side deserved in a display that was a huge improvement on the woeful 4-1 defeat in Norway last week.
Australia rode their luck on occasions in the second half as the South Americans, full of confidence after beating France in their last outing, missed a series of good chances at Craven Cottage.
Borja was the biggest culprit, hitting the crossbar, heading straight at Vukovic from close range and missing at least two more clear chances after a goal was ruled out for offside.
The Socceroos also had their moments with Massimo Luongo and Andrew Nabbout going close.
Van Marwijk made five changes to the side that lost in Oslo with Luongo replacing the injured Aaron Mooy in midfield while Tom Rogic and Tom Juric were recalled to the side.
Brad Jones started in goal for the first time in four years with Josh Risdon replacing Bailey Wright in defence.
Tim Cahill was introduced to the game as a 63rd minute substitute in place of Juric in attack.
Colombia, ranked 13th in the world, started well with the outstanding James Rodriguez at the heart of everything they created in attack.
Despite an entertaining opening 45 minutes the deadlock could ot be broken with both teams having opportunities to score.
Colombia went closest through Rodriguez after a swift move that saw Johan Mojica get the byline and cross into the box, but the Bayern Munich ace blasted wide.
After a tentative start Australia started to get into the game with the recalled Luongo industrious in midfield and Rogic making his presence felt.
Aziz Behich, impressing again at left-back saw a low cross half-cleared by the Colombia defence but Luongo’s fierce drive was deflected wide.
The match will be the last the Socceroos play before heading to camp in Turkey in May as they build up to the opening match in Russia against France on June 16, with friendlies against Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
I would rather be knock out of the world cup playing with a sword in my hand rather than being knocked out holding a feather duster. At this stage of our development we are not going to proceed further past the group stage in any case. I'll support SBS and their views of how Australian Football should be develop in this country and that is taking on the giants of football playing proactive football. BvM will not add anything to the Australian Football development as explained by Fozz. BvM will not add any further respect to our nation with his type of standard off the shelf football philosophy. It's time to be courageous as was Ange Postecoglou's philosophy was; taking Australian Football with a forward thinking model.
Cool N Cold
Guest
yes
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
Some interesting quotes there from our erstwhile experts. Some spot on, others somewhat spurious.
Cool N Cold
Guest
What is your view on Fozz's saying? Is that controversial? Johnno, here in this blog, said "I liked it, i prefer boring dull 0-0 draws to losing by being idealistic and exciting..." (March 28th 2018 @ 9:06am) Take a look on the Socceroos squad, are there still superstars, like in the 2006 golden era? Also, the other group members are very good as France, Peru, and Denmark ranks at 9, 11 and 12 in the world currently. This is a difficult group. Even France is not confident of advancing comfortably, comfortably. Then, how can Socceroos be confident of surpassing 2 of these 3 very good teams? There must be a kind of strategy. If Socceroos keep losing 0-4 as Fozz said, the Australian soccer market will shrink. Fozz's philosophy is "better play will lead to better results later". However, what about "better results before improving to better play"?
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
To describe him as an "exceptional talent" might be a bit over the top. For the moment, he is a good-average A-League footballer. It remains to be seen whether he has what it takes to compete against the very best in the world.
Caltex TEN & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
SBS,Lucy, Fozz and Bash discuss the direction of Australian Football and the appointment of BvM https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/article/2018/03/28/fozz-socceroos-weve-gone-backwards
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
Has Peru only just come into existence? Denmark is not a team which plays with the weight of expectation (unlike France).
Tim Reynolds
Guest
I had a dream about the Soccer World Cup coming up in Russia. Every game finished in a 0/0 draw, and it was left to Putin to decide who would win the Cup. He took a leaf out of the White Australia rule book and set a dictation test for all teams, in a foreign language - Russian. The Russians won the Cup.
Holly
Guest
Jedinak is in for his physicality - something BVM is keen on. I don't understand why the inexperienced at this level Jurman (4 caps - only played against Syria and Honduras) is being touted as the answer to our defensive problems. Trent Sainsbury certainly is the answer to some of our problems.
Holly
Guest
Ryan's incumbency gives him the edge. Also he is playing in the higher quality league.
Holly
Guest
>For the record Brazil 82 lost to dull dour Italy in the final For the record they didn't - it was at the 2nd Group stage :)
stu
Guest
And if all agree he gets out of Celtic, ever ask why he is still there??
Fadida
Guest
I know he's done really will for himself in Holland, but I don't feel secure with Jones goal. There's something flappy about him, and there is always that sense that he's moments from a howler. And he can't kick. But apart from that!
Nemesis
Guest
Grobbelaar is the poser formerly known as Mr Aussie Rules. His life for the past 10 years has been to come to the Roar forum every day to belittle everything & anything about Australian football. He will make sarcastic & demeaning comments about every positive issue. He will over dramatise every negative issue. This is not normal adult behaviour. It's the sign of a deeply sad & disturbed individual.
Mark
Guest
What an odd comment. Peru have exceeded their expectations by making the tournament at all. I’m sure Denmark have very high expectations about getting out of this group and will be very concerned if they don’t.
Mark
Guest
Exactly
tomr
Guest
I think Bert is slightly more optimistic. I think he is trying to get a draw with France, and a win against Denmark and Peru. You have to set high goals, and then you achieve some of it.
LuckyEddie
Guest
Nabbout has always been an exceptional talent and Merrick gave him the freedom to show his skills and ability. From memory Nabbout scored a cracker of a goal for MVFC and big Ange dropped him because he was not 'experienced' enough. Lucky for nabbout Merrick and Newcastle came along.
Lionheart
Guest
Jones has a preference for punching the ball out, rather than catching it. It cost Liverpool, and it may well cost us. I'd prefer Vuka.
Midfielder
Guest
WAz I only stopped playing last year .... but we did have an excellent keeper. ... What I saw was a coach that valued space between his back four, and not to get them too stretched. Its not that uncommon a model, and that 442 is the name of a famous mag n forum...