Awer Mabil was the star as the Socceroos downed New Zealand 1-0 in their World Cup warm-up match at Suncorp Stadium, though it was a game that raised more questions than it answered about the upcoming World Cup campaign.
The winger scored a stunning long-range effort and threatened all night, the major high point on an evening in which Australia toiled at times against an All Whites side that sit 64 places below them in the FIFA World Rankings.
“Tonight it was a great goal from Awer,” said coach Graham Arnold. “He could have scored more and we need to be a bit more ruthless. We changed the way we played, with pretty much man to man over the whole pitch to get more effort and more energy.
“We still have a long way to go. New Zealand got beat by Costa Rica and could have easily qualified. We lost the physical battle. When you get to the World Cup, you have to win the physical battle.”
Former Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink, who came out of retirement to assist Arnold as part of the centenary of the Socceroos’ inaugural match, was much more optimistic.
“Even if it’s a practice game, it’s very important for confidence that you win,” he said. “This is not a bad team – New Zealand are a very skillful team. I think we should have got one or two more goals.”
Jackson Irvine said he was ‘far from satisfied’ with a Socceroos performance in which they were often dominated.
“There’s a lot we could have done better,” said Irvine. “At the end of the day, winning games of football is what it’s all about and we managed to do that today.
“With the tight preparation and a lot of travel, there’s a lot to be pleased about. A win’s a win.”
Mabil himself was happy to have made an impact after a tough start to the season in which he has been in and out of the team at his new club, Cadiz, in Spain’s top flight.
Amazingly, this was his first Socceroos goal on home soil – the previous seven having all come in the Middle East, which will surely bode well for a World Cup in Qatar.
“It was a nice performance to get my first goal at home,” said Mabil. “All my goals have come in Middle East! That’s not bad in two months to score there! It was nice to get off the mark.
“Before the game, I saw they play three at the back, so if I could go one on one against their centre back, it’s good for me. Jacko won the ball, so I cut in and could strike it. It was good that it went in because that’s what I practice in training.”
Arnold would have been particularly pleased by his combination work with left back Aziz Behich: Mabil was consistently able to cut inside and find the onrushing defender in dangerous positions.
Mabil’s goal was the brightest moment of the first half for the Socceroos in what was otherwise a tight game.
New Zealand, who will not be at the World Cup in November, nearly scored twice early on, with both chances largely of Australia’s own making.
Within seconds of kick off, Trent Sainsbury passed straight to Tim Paine, who could have done a lot better with his shot. In the ninth minute, Chris Wood was able to flick on a simple punt up the field but, again, the finish was lacking with Andre de Jong putting it wide.
Australia did have their chances. Jackson Irvine, excellent in the middle, missed a simple chance off an Aaron Mooy corner and Mabil shot wide from distance.
Irvine also set up what looked a goal on replays only for the whistle to have been blown against him for a very soft freekick.
The breakthrough always looked like was going to be from Mabil. He created once chance via Behich before taking matters into his own hands with a stunning shot after cutting inside off his wing.
The game lost tempo after the break as substitutions kicked in. The All Whites had the bulk of the play, but Australia were happy to sit back and, indeed, had the best chance to extend their lead as Matt Leckie hit the post with five to play.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I think today, Sunday, will be different. Kuol, Devlin, Cummins, Francois, etc - there’ll be speed, energy and hunger. I am feeling this could be a great result for our Socceroos. Hopefully!
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
no global team sport comp anywhere near as big as world cup soccer; yes basketball would be second.
Grem
Roar Rookie
We got to a World Cup in the most popular and played sport on earth – that is a great achievement in itself. I can only think of basketball as the only other sport where you have to qualify to go to a real World Cup. Cricket – you’re in, Rugby Union – you’re in, NRL – we’ll make up pretend countries so it looks like a World Cup, AFL – , etc. Let’s give more credit to what they’ve done so far.
Grem
Roar Rookie
And how good a result is that when Channel 10 as a station rates so poorly, and as Chris pointed out – they are only friendlies.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Chris you're spot on. We're an a evolving piece of work. It will be very interesting to see Australian football 10 years from now
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
Thats bc one of the kiwi dudes thought it was rugby league
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
Channel 10 say 328000 viewers No mates - you will say anything
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Roar regulars, is it just me or do the rest of the team need to up their movement, speed and tempo to match Mabil's? There just seemed to be a lethargy. And I guess Irvine had a point in that they flew in from the other side of world had a bit of a training session and a day or two later played an international. With Qatar, there'll be a planned period for settling in prior to commencement of the tournament.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Harpers observations that I was referring to is usually that young player 10 meters back is to blame for a goal when the older player gets beaten, or if the older player has lazed off and hasn't tracked back he blames the younger player who tracked back from 20 meters but was too late. Nothing to do with skills. Yes a lot of the older players and foreign players a lot of them have great skills. How many players do you have now with top level overseas experience in the A-league recently quite a lot. In the case of Brisbane Roar you have Austin they lose to a NPL team, was it the fault of Miluesnic who was clear on the byline, but where was Austin. Was it a lack of experience and football knowledge and skills? In the case of Melbourne Victory they recruited how many foreign players with premier league and championship experience under Brebner. In the NSL you have the case of Northern Spirit who Slater, Arnold, Crook from top level in Europe and Marusic the skilful import . There isn't a skills deficiency its just normal and exagerrated by looking at these imports and older players.
chris
Guest
Wow. Those are really impressive figures. Good to see both mens and womens rating really well in these friendlies.
jbinnie
Guest
brainstrust - It is extremely hard to follow your logic in this reply which I am assuming was sent to me. The fact that no ALM player started this game actually points a long way towards what I was saying to Waz. You seem to agree that the standard of play in the ALM has depreciated but go on to blame what you term as "being the lazy overseas players" who "hang around" picking up a pay cheque. This of course is a highly opinionated observation that is actually pointing out that most of our ALM teams don't agree, as most are actively seeking players with overseas experience (ie foreigners,) to boost their poorly performing teams. Lately we have seen a new trend in player procurement that also points to a lowering of our standards where "young hopefuls" are venturing overseas only, once assessed by their new bosses, to be loaned out to lower division teams, or sitting on benches as subs. This in effect has actually increased the number of "young hopefuls" who have returned to play in the ALM. and that too is a trend that adds to the overall deterioration of our standard. You go on to denigrate the coaching as "stupid" and surely you must agree, if this is true, it is not helping to raise our standard of play. You then isolate a commentator, a reasonably experienced educator and ex player as being super critical of young players when in fact he may well be using a basic standard of assessment to reach his conclusion. I tend to agree with Harper's observations when I watch young local players struggle with what you and I should regard as basic football skills, 5 in number, heading, ball control, passing, shooting, tackling, and basic football theory. Until our youngsters become more adept at these skills, and knowledge, I fear we are going to struggle to improve the standard of our top professional league. Cheers jb. ck.h
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
I am not expecting Australia to do well at the World Cup, but i still look forward to watching their games to see how they go against powerhouse France for a start.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
TV ratings were a shocker with only 209,000 watching, While Matildas game against Canada drew more then 500,000
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
shadow of his former skills - too much back passing these days
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Top A-league players who could have been selected into the Socceroos? I cannot think of many, but just one, Jake Brimmer. But is he good enough? Any other players? As for Arnold, it was sick when he selected Fornaroli.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Mooy is a liability. People talk about his performance against Peru and UAE his passing was better yes, but his defensive work was non existent, and others had to track back for him.
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
You said something like that about Thursdays game, 1 - 4 wasnt it?
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
you said something like that about Thursdays game - 1 - 4 wasnt it.
TK
Guest
Didn't think Mooy performed above the domestic boys either while we are criticising.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
What you say doesn't make any sense as no A-league players actually started the game. The reason the ALM has deteriorated is not the young hopefuls, usually the best players in the side are the young hopefuls. The problem is the old who hang around forever and entitled players usually foreign players who dont put in any effort. It would be great if the A-league became a development league instead of a retirement league that it is now. In the case of Roar last season its slightly different , I think its stupid coaching and playing players in the wrong position though there was an element of being too tolerant of senior players being lazy and slacking. This is reinforced by the blindest and dumbest commentary mainly Andy Harper who blames young players every time a senior player slacks off.