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Hungary vs Australia |
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|---|---|---|
International Friendly |
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| Groupama Arena Budapest, Hungary | ||
| Hungary | Australia | |
| 1 | SCORE | 2 |
| 5 | Shots | 3 |
| 3 | Corners | 4 |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
The Socceroos have competed their match preparations for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with a 2-1 victory over Hungary in Budapest.
In a strange finish, two late own-goals, one from each team, tripled the goal tally after Australia looked to be cruising to victory with just a few minutes of normal time remaining.
Hungary were the better side for long periods and started the match well. The Socceroos were under pressure at the back and the home side had a couple of chances in the first half that were not far from finding the net.
The Australians defence did well and despite doing little attacking of their own, entered the break with a chance to re-group and re-think their approach. Tom Rogic was hardly sighted in the first 45 minutes and Josh Risdon was under constant pressure as Hungary attacked down the left flank.
Bert van Marwijk made changes at intermission and Mile Jedinak changed the dynamic in the midfield. The Hungarians did seem to tire as the second-half unfolded and new Socceroo Daniel Arzani exploded on the scene with a stunning goal, albeit aided by a poor effort from the keeper.
The goal looked like the match winner, however just minutes later Trent Sainsbury and Brad Jones lost communication and a sloppy own goal was the result. Whilst not heart breaking, it was disappointing for the Socceroos, although some might suggest a draw would have been a fair result considering the general flow of the game.
Moments later, Arzani was influential again after sliding a ball through for Jackson Irvine whose centering pass was also deflected into the back of the net for an own goal.
Both goals were unexpected and unusual and will remind the Socceroos just how fickle football can be on the world stage.
The Socceroos walk away after a solid hit-out where the manager will have learned a little more about his players. He must now finalise their preparations for the opening clash of the tournament with Russia.
Final Score
Hungary 1 Australia 2
Final score
Hungary 1
Australia 2
The Socceroos complete their preparations for the 2018 World Cup with a final and friendly hit out against Hungary in Budapest. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 1:30am (AEST).
After an impressive display against the Czech Republic in Austria, the Australians arrive in Hungary looking to add another layer of confidence ahead of the World Cup Finals which begin in less than a weeks’ time.
In a perfect opportunity to try a few different combinations and potentially give game time to players who missed out in Austria, the score will mean less than the approach.
It will be interesting to note how Bert van Marwijk attacks this match, with Tomi Juric and Mile Jedinak in need of a hit out prior to game one of the group stage.
That leaves a headache for the manager as he would also like to get a few miles into the legs of Dimi Petratos and Tim Cahill, to ensure they are ready to roll when called upon in Russia.
The training has been hard and intense and the team looked well organised and confident against the Czech unit last week.
The Hungarians won’t be at the finals and currently slot in at No.49 in the FIFA rankings. Despite sitting well below the Socceroos, they are a talented team and will look to pressurise the back four of Australia with balls in behind in order to use their potential height advantage.
Prediction
The odds suggest this will be an intriguing contest and the Hungarians will take the chance to impress against a team on its way to the big dance in Russia.
Considering the civil nature of a friendly and an absence of anything too aggressive in terms of challenges, I’ll tip a few goals either way between two well-matched teams.
Hungary 2, Australia 2
Catch all the action on The Roar live coverage from 1:30am (AEST).