The Socceroos have answered a few critics in emphatic style with goals and a clean sheet, to sweep away a lacklustre Czech Republic in a complete performance, with a 4-nil victory.
The starting 11 that took the field for Australia looked as strong as you could ask, with maybe only Mile Jedinak the most likely player to come into the starting side.
Australia started slowly, as the formation and precision of the Czechs early on caused Australia to chase the game. However, the Czechs simply could not take their chances, and in this game, being clinical can be everything.
As Tom Rogic found Josh Risdon out wide, the ball whipped in and eventually came to a charging Mat Leckie, who buried the ball into the net. As the half-time whistle approached, Australia were up front, regardless of their claim to being the better team.
The second half was ultimately all Australia’s, and when Andrew Nabbout hammered home the second, and his debut international goal, Australia calmed down, and started to play some free football.
Further goals to Leckie (for an international brace) and a Degenek deflected goal, along with the cleansheet, would have given Bert Van Markwijk great confidence for the next friendly, and the World Cup itself.
Daniel Arzani also made his debut, with a notable mention to Mark Milligan and Trent Sainsbury commandeering the centre of defence.
Final score
Australia: 4
Czech Republic: 0
With the World Cup kick-off just around the corner, the Socceroos are playing the the Czech Republic in a pre-tournament international friendly at the NV Arena in Sankt Pölten, Austria. Join The Roar for live scores and blog of the match from 9pm (AEST).
For Australia, the World Cup starts tonight. With that first up match on 16 June against a World Cup winning contender to kick off the biggest sporting tournament in the world, now is the time for Australia to mix experimentation with the desire to start showing how they are going to compete in these types of matches.
The Czech Republic are a curious opponent as well, having failed themselves to qualify for the Russian tournament. Will they feel that they have a point to prove, and come out firing, or are their players already in off-season mode? I would wager the former, with Karel Jarolím’s side being eager to put Bert van Marwijk’s team, likely, to the sword.
So what can Aussie Bert try to take from this match, given he is yet to get a first up win as national team coach?
Given he has two games to lock down his likely starting 11 for France, you would think that the regulars (Ryan, Jedinak, Rogic, Mooy, Sainsbury) will all get a run, while the fitness of Tomi Juric might even be put to the test. Fans will be hopeful of seeing a first cap for Daniel Arzani.
And then there is the Cahill conundrum. A surprisingly controversial addition to the 26-man squad (the man is our all-time leading scorer, and has scored in three world cups in a row), it wouldn’t surprise to see him get a fair bit of game time, and if he can re-discover the magic, get him cherry-ripe for Russia.
Whoever Van Marwijk sends out tonight, the key to this performance will be about forming those ever vital combinations.
Whether it’s Rogic or Mooy in the middle pulling the strings, tonight must be about every player reading the calls, learning the movements, and trying to develop a rapport with whomever the chief playmaker turns out to be.
Some defensive solidarity wouldn’t go astray as well, and while this side kept Colombia scoreless in the last match (a minor miracle in itself), Norway poked holes in the Socceroos defensive unit that are still not quite fixed up.
The form of these two teams also could not be any further apart, with the Czech Republic enjoying five victories in their last six matches, while Australia have won just three of their last 12.
Prediction
While Van Marwijk may want to forget the result, ultimately, in any sport, the result does matter, and while I anticipate that the Socceroos will likely come just short, they should have a point to prove in front of goal, at the very least getting some scoreboard pressure to give them a lift in confidence.
Czech Republic 3-2.
lunchboxexpert
Guest
If the Czech Republics best goal keeper hadn't retired from international duty the result would have been closer. What was promising for me was the number of times Jamie MacClaren was putting himself in threatening one on one positions on the the brake. Sure the team needs to work on the connection but it was a start. Against France having an attacking player do this will be critical to Australia getting a good result.
MQ
Guest
I think most of us understand that you can't get too excited about the result last night, the opposition were ordinary at either end of the ground, and at times, didn't look overly interested. Then again, when the scoreline reaches 4-zip, that's a pretty impressive scoreline in anyone's language, and the history books will show that the socceroos defeated a decent European team on European soil, and by some margin. All in all, pretty good warm up as part of preparation for WC, but you and I know that van Marwijk won't give the result a moment's thought as he starts preparing for the next warm up game.
StuM
Guest
I know you boys are mostly keen to support the lads, which is fabulous, but come on.. That Roos side was simply appalling tonight, and will have their ar*e handed to them by all three WC opponents if that is the best intensity and skill level they can muster. Against a Czech team that didn't show any interest whatsoever, we displayed absolutely appalling skillsets. One hopes the Aussies weren't trying too hard also.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Shows how far we went backwards under Postecoglou. First time I have enjoyed watching the Footballroos win for a long time.
Andrew
Roar Guru
Get in!!
perry cox
Roar Guru
Mmm, hate to agree with you Kanga. But you are right.
lunchboxexpert
Guest
France wouldn't be threatened by this performance, Czech Republic would not have worried them in if they were in the EUFA world cup qualification group. But I agree Denmark and Peru have been put on notice by this performance.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Yes it was! Overall, a night to be remembered for sure.
Nick Symonds
Guest
The Socceroos have just handed the Czech Republic their biggest ever defeat. Their next worst result was a 1-4 loss to Turkey in their first ever international match as the Czech Republic in 1994.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Yes ‘Me (must be) tired’ - stupid iOS predictive text... That should be ‘Has mentored...’... ☠️?
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Can barely kick a footy either!
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
So that's why you went to AFL, lol.
hogdriller
Roar Rookie
I thought he did well also, had him down as one of my three to get cut but after that performance.......surely he's in.
Griffo
Roar Guru
It was good to see him get that goal Stuart. Much made tonight of where he has been and how much he’s worked hard to take what is really a second chance. Seems a decent bloke and down to Earth on his chances of a World Cup and a starting spot. Seeing him play he has good technique, aggressive and not afraid to take players on, some real flair, and a good instinct for goal. If he keeps this up who knows, he might take over a little bit that Cahill-esque role of a midfielder turned international striker. I rate him. Not sure why some dismiss him simply because he isn’t a named star in a star league - yet ?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Good point. Always hard to tell in a dominant display.
perry cox
Roar Guru
You are WAY too kind to me Stuart. As always, many, many thanks. :)
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
I don't think that France will be messing around in training after this result!
Griffo
Roar Guru
Technically good, but they need more direct and killer instinct up front. We’re a little wasteful but our defence was good enough that they didn’t have too much their own way. Could really have been a 4-1, or 4-2 scoreline.
perry cox
Roar Guru
Thanks Adelaide. Who would have thought blogging the Socceroos could be so enjoyable?!
Patrick
Guest
Great performance. Will look to build on for better teams who will no doubt punish in a few more situations than the Czechs. After the first 10 minutes, Aus started to get control, Behich and Risdon were great up and down all day whilst not forgetting defensive duties. Two centre backs look composed and never troubled or panicked. Luongo quiet but Mooy covered. Rogic was a bit off, Kruse not sure why he's starting but maybe in there for the X Factor, even with all the subs that Aus made it still looked cohesive and fluid and the game plan didn't drop away. Notable mention, 5 shots on goal, 5 on target for a return of 3 goals and then of course OG.