Perhaps it’s fitting that the man who finally unlocked the Olyroos after 81 minutes of stubborn rear-guard action was once one of the most sought-after players in world football.
You don’t play almost 130 games in La Liga for Real Madrid, or score in a UEFA Champions League Final against Juventus, if you’re not a decent footballer.
So when Marco Asensio came off the bench to replace Carlos Soler in the 68th-minute of Spain’s 1-0 defeat over the Olyroos last night, we should have known what was coming.
Nevertheless, it was bitterest of feelings to watch Asensio collect a pass from Dani Olmo, step back onto his left foot and swing over an inch-perfect cross for Spain’s stand-in skipper Mikel Oyarzabal to head home.
Asensio had only been on the pitch for 13 minutes but still looked Spain’s most likely route to goal, springing the offside trap once to almost play in fellow substitute Rafa Mir and generally causing Joel King all sorts of headaches down Asensio’s right-hand side.
He’s on his way out of the Bernabeu this summer, or so the Spanish newspapers say, so perhaps it should have come as no surprise to see Asensio in such a decisive mood.
But after watching the Olyroos drop ten men behind the ball and repel absolute everything Spain threw at them in the second half, it still ended up being a frustrating result.
The Aussies defended as if their lives depended on it for the majority of a one-sided contest, even if their goal led a charmed life at times.
Spain should have taken the lead in the first half when Javi Puedo played in the busy Oyarzabal, only for their skipper to blast his left-footed strike high over Tom Glover but against the underside of the crossbar.
Oyarzabal took the captain’s armband from injured hothead Dani Ceballos and with Barcelona defender Oscar Mingueza also ruled out before the match, it wasn’t even Spain’s first-choice starting eleven.
But they still featured six players from the senior Euro 2020 squad in their starting side at the Sapporo Dome and with the likes of Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simon, Villarreal defender Pau Torres, Barcelona starlet Pedri and Leipzig’s elusive attacker Olmo among them, it was always going to be tough to take something from this game.
But that doesn’t mean the Olyroos didn’t give it a red-hot go, even if they failed to register a single shot on goal in the first half and conceded 70 per cent of possession.
Graham Arnold. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The second half wasn’t much better and it wasn’t until Spain scored that the Aussies finally started to press further up the park, with substitute Nick D’Agostino’s long throws putting some pressure on Spanish goalkeeper Simon.
The Olyroos actually fashioned a clear-cut chance with five minutes remaining, however substitute Caleb Watts was ball-watching when Harry Souttar stooped to get a flick-on and instead of ghosting in to bundle the ball home at the far post, Watt simply watched as it drifted out for a goal-kick.
Worse still for Graham Arnold was the fact that three of his key players all picked up a second yellow card for the tournament, with Nathaniel Atkinson, Riley McGree and Mitch Duke set to miss the game against Egypt through suspension.
The tireless Duke will presumably be replaced by D’Agostino, however Atkinson – who was needlessly booked in the final seconds – and the industrious McGree are harder to replace.
And despite remaining second in the group, the Olyroos will probably still need to take something from their final group-stage encounter with Egypt at Miyagi Stadium in Rifu on Wednesday night.
The Egyptians went down 1-0 to Argentina in the other Group C match on Sunday and don’t really look like they’ve got goals in them.
But following a night in which the Olyroos proved they can stand tall against a top-class European side, they might need to find some answers of their own if they’re going to take anything off Egypt and maintain control of their Olympic destiny.
Bondy
I must admit it was beautiful ball control by the Spanish last night nearly every pass held pin point accuracy by them although most of all their possession led to powder puff shots held well by our Melbourne based keeper . It must be mentioned that we did get 1 shot off on target so they couldn’t completely prevent us . In watching that match last night unless I was watching something else they should’ve beaten us by 2-3 clear goals ,our boys were brave though gutted . The real metal test now comes for the Olyroos with Egypt a draw is good enough to advance out of the group , I hope the boys are up for it they worked very hard in defence last night .. Good to see the Matildas getting back to somewhere near decent form too . Cheers Mike …
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
it was a great ball, but yes, you can see it in the replay above how did the defenders not get that ball?
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Alex Parsons would be a massive improvement in midfield
Nick Symonds
Guest
The trouble with Arzani is that when he first came to light he was a revelation, but since then a whole bunch of other young players have popped up. He has competition now, so people can now be more critical of him than they were before. His dribbling ability gives him an X factor, but he needs more than just that to keep up with the others. Especially when it comes to goal scoring. In addition, many of his dribbles go nowhere and he simply ends up losing possession. If he scored goals or provided assists then his dribbles would mean something, but if he can't do that then the only point of his runs is to draw defenders out of position. Although that can be useful in itself at times. He's still good, but is he as good as the others who are coming through now? STATS: 2014–2015 FFA CoE > 2 goals from 20 matches 2016–2017 Melbourne City NPL > 1 goal from 6 matches 2016–2018 Melbourne City > 2 goals from 24 matches + 3 assists + 6 yellows 2020–2021 Utrecht (loan) > 0 goals from 4 matches 2020–2021 Jong Utrecht (loan) > 1 goal from 6 matches 2021 AGF (loan) > 0 goals from 4 matches 2014–2015 Australia U17 > 1/7 2017 Australia U20 > 0/1 2017– Australia U23 > 3/6 2018– Australia 1/6
Winter A League is Awesome
Roar Rookie
Yeah he is a bit rusty. The idea is there on the passes, his execution is lacking though. However he does attempt passes that break up formations as a half field pass every 10 minutes supercedes great defensive structures.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Is it just me or are others somewhat underwhelmed by Daniel Arzani? He has the makings of a terrific footballer but some of his decision making and passing is baffling. He really didn't have influence against Spain because I think his tricks on the ball were well read by the Spanish players. So far from what I've seen of him in this Olympics I can see why he's hasn't settled in Europe. He's just not very consistent.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Absolutely agree.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
That's an interesting point. I watched the replay countless times thinking how the heck does Oyarzabal, being sandwiched between King and Souttar, get a head on the ball. And then you see that if Souttar had have been in front of Oyarzabal rather than King, we would have easily cleared the ball because of Souttar's height advantage. Dems is da breaks.
Winter A League is Awesome
Roar Rookie
Yeah haven’t seen Mcgree do much in the last 2 games. Its similar to his time at City where you don’t even know why he is on during some games. An overage player jmac would have been a way better choice to go for 3 points. Even Colakovski does more. Let’s hope Arnies optimism about youngsters doesn’t cost the Olyroos a higher place as I think Spain has 3 overage players.
Winter A League is Awesome
Roar Rookie
Deng does very well as the centre back in this team. Keeps everything solid.
Winter A League is Awesome
Roar Rookie
Yeah Spain played through balls behind our defenders into Space that was created by the likes of Atkinson going up. At City it works because all the defenders cover that space. In the Olyroos, the defenders kept their flat formation instead of someone like Jamieson covering Atkinson. Also a press only works if all 10 players press starting from the strikers. This was definetely not happening.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
Remember Spain are the masters of the high press, possession-based football, even up against their European peers. It doesn't necessarily translate to goals though, as we saw in the Euros. Teams like Italy are happy let them run around, but the key difference is they have a clear plan in mind for when they win the ball back.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
Felt like they defended for so long they forgot what their plan was in attack. There were moments early in the halves where they had a game plan fresh in their minds, but Spain clearly ran it out of their heads with their relentless high press.
AGO74
Guest
Good point. Invaluable top class international experience for the World Cup campaign ahead. For example - Rhyan Grant who was first choice not that long ago is now in all likelihood 3rd choice behind Karacic and Atkinson. The benefits of all these youngsters playing regularly in the A-League is really paying off.
AGO74
Guest
Our press didn't work - they were too skilful. Hence dropping back just comes as a natural outcome of being unable to get the ball. Spain were at a completely different level to Argentina. Doesn't detract from our efforts against Argentina (they still have players playing at top level in Italy, Spain and Russia - let alone the Argentine top flight). But when Spain is able to bring on a sub who has made 200 appearances for Real Madrid and our subs play for WSW and Mariners, it shouldn't be that surprising how the match was played.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
The problem happened in the previous match, the guys that were clearly tired out and not subbed off by Arnie when they were 1-0 and a man up then were just not able to back up. The plan A by Arnie was to press higher up than Argentina but they were stuffed after 10 minutes. Spain pressing the Australians was top notch and their left side had the pace and fitness to match Atkinson who was able to run out. Wales and McGree didnt make the runs for the long through balls, and they didnt go to contest the second ball from the long balls to Duke. They tried to play the ball out with short passes and Duke wasn't able to hold the ball up. Arzani was the only threat early and then against thats where McGree and Wales should have been in the area like they were against Argentina. I think McGree being suspended is not bad, he has been dissapointing fitness which I though was his strength. The others though that is an issue. The long throw by Milligan was what got Arnie through to 2008 , now we saw that come back into it except the throws were straight to the goalkeeper.
Will
Guest
I was hoping we hung on for a draw but it wasnt to be. Spain were too good even when we got the ball back we were hesitant with our decision making and we gave it away too easily but to be fair Spain tactically were too good without the ball and nullified our transition options. Just shows the levels we need to get to facing the world's best but its also no disgrace either facing a team that put Italy on the back foot at the Euro's either so no shame in that effort. In fact Spain did this to almost every team at the Euro's so this was always going to be very hard game and to come from almost unscathed is a good effort. The good news is we only lost 1-0 so we still are in second place through GD, so in reality a draw against Egypt will be enough to make the quarter finals which will be quite a feat for a team where we didnt expect from much in a very difficult group. How does Arnie deal with Atkinson's suspension given how important he's been as a fullback, does he move Deng back there or does he bring in Pierias who is more attacking minded but maybe defensive more suspect? Does he move to a back 3 to protect the defensive and help Pierias go forward? Also McGree will be a loss but its not bad as its made to be if Arnie brings in Watts or maybe brings Piscopo back from his injury problem, all of a sudden Australia has more creative options with Arzani and Tilio if necessary too. Hopefully the boys can do it and make the knockout stages as it will be some feat and a boost for Oz football in general.
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
10 minutes of the Olyroos coming away with a point when Oyarzabal popped up with the decisive goal – a cross from Real Madrid maestro Marco Asensio left Joel King and Harry Souttar ball watching? Am i right here? I watched the replay and Oyarzabal is clearly covered by two Aussie defenders (#3 and #5), they are both man-to-man on the Spaniard Oyarzabal I cant believe they let him out reach them so easily. Very very poor defending by the two Aussies. These errors are unacceptable and cost you games.
1974Matty
Roar Rookie
Thanks for posting Nick, the spain v egypt highlights confirmed what I saw in the argentina v egypt game. On the few occasions that Egypt got near/in the opposition box they generally look pretty clueless and toothless. Obviously they can defend, but being forced to go for a win will surely open up some space for our boys :)
Nick Symonds
Guest
The Socceroos lost 3-0 to Spain in the 2014 World Cup, so at least 1-0 isn't as bad as that. But when it comes to this loss against Spain and the Matildas loss to Sweden and even a few times in the Olyroos match against Argentina, there were examples of poor passing. That's something that needs to be worked on. Bad passing leading to turnovers is best avoided. The cards will also be problematic, Tilio or Piscopo could replace McGree and Pierias or Rich-Baghuelou will have to fill in for Atkinson. If you had Tilio, Piscopo and Arzani all on at the same time they'll give the defenders a hard time tracking them all. - Egypt vs Argentina 0−1 - Extеndеd Hіghlіghts & All Gоals 2021 HD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow339t6rH7o Egypt vs Spain - Extended Highlights & Goals 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWgoLFFv_lA