Finding goals at the World Cup has proven problematic for the Socceroos and the key question heading into the 2022 tournament is just who will add their name to Australia’s short but storied list.
Just six Socceroos have steered a ball into an opponent’s net at the FIFA World Cup, with Tim Cahill leading the way with five goals. Mile Jedinak (3) and Brett Holman (2) are the only other multiple scorers, while Harry Kewell, Craig Moore and John Aloisi all have a lone successful strike.
Across a total of 16 World Cup matches, Australia averages less than a goal a game (0.68), have scored more than two goals in a match just once, and been held scoreless on eight occasions.
It is a record that explains quite bluntly, accurately and disappointingly why the Socceroos have exited World Cup play in straight sets on four of their five campaigns, with the 2006 Round of 16 appearance against Italy still the high watermark.
Tim Cahill of Australia celebrates. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Considering the 31 goals conceded in World Cup play and a mere two match wins across the five tournaments, the significance of any goal is magnified. It is a rare feat and even more so when four successful spot kicks are removed from the count.
Doing so leaves just nine goals scored in open play from around 1740 minutes of action, an average of a goal at the World Cup every 193 minutes.
To advance beyond the Qatar group stage, the Socceroos need to score more often. That raises a circular and frustrating thought process for fans: where those goals will come and, even more importantly, how they will be created.
Coach Graham Arnold has selected an arsenal of front-line players. Jamie Maclaren, regardless of his doubters, has scored for fun at club level in recent times, Martin Boyle, Mathew Leckie, Awer Mabil and Garang Kuol look most likely to lay on quality balls for him to do so, while Craig Goodwin and Riley McGree have the explosive abilities to pop up with something special.
Strikers Jason Cummings and Mitchell Duke, despite not being in the prolific form of Maclaren, are also excellent options.
Ajdin Hrustic and Aaron Mooy are most likely on the edge of the box, while Maclaren, Goodwin and Cummings should accept any penalty responsibilities.
While that’s pleasant and pleasing on paper, the reality is that against two skilled and desperate European defences in the forms of France and Denmark and a quality Tunisian side, Maclaren will have a much tougher time than in the significantly weaker A-League.
Yet rather than directing all blame and responsibility on the man at the front of the arrowhead, something Adam Taggart has unfairly been a victim of, the men sitting in the attacking pockets and providing service will in fact be the players that determine the Socceroos’ success.
To have any chance, Boyle needs to be buzzing on the right side of attack, with Mabil and Goodwin getting in behind on the left frequently. McGree, Hrustic and Jackson Irvine need to play the ball forward wherever possible, with the opposite still plaguing the squad at times.
Positive contributions from Aziz Behich, Nathaniel Atkinson and Bailey Wright from the back will also be important in the overall shape and structure.
Aziz Behich for Australia (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
Perhaps most crucial will be tempo and Australia’s tendency to sit back and possess aimlessly in central midfield must be avoided. Pressing high in an attempt to turn the ball over is modern football 101 and maintaining a frantic and chaotic tempo in the front half is a non-negotiable.
Of course, doing so for an entire match is near impossible, hence coordinated waves of pressure must be implemented and the timing of them well understood.
The timing and use of substitutions then becomes vital, with the introductions of players like Cameron Devlin, McGree, Kuol, Goodwin and others required earlier rather than later, to ensure that the tempo is maintained for extended periods.
Familiarity with the conditions in Qatar will be an asset, and there will be some oddities and both football and cultural challenges faced by a few teams unaware of the intricacies of the country.
Arnold will construct a plan to break a long-term scoring drought at the World Cup. Nothing would warm the heart more than seeing the net ripple more often.
That bucking of history will be the one and only chance the Socceroos have of advancing beyond the group stage.
Cameron Handley
Roar Rookie
Well, we shall see, but I've just bet Australia to be the lowest scoring team at the World Cup at $15. The more I've looked in Tunisia, the more I just see no path for Australia to score a goal with the talent at our disposal.
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
You don't have to be as good as Le Bron to score against him. And we all know that Football is a funny game. It is completely conceivable that the boys have a cracker against France, keep them out and snag a late winner to take the game. That is the glory off Football being such a low scoring game. It is not always the best team that wins.
Cameron Handley
Roar Rookie
I could have worked every single day on being a great basketball player, and I was never going to be LeBron James, due to be 5'11 and 81kg. There are certain things that can't be overcome by belief.
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
Such a defeatists attitude. We have absolutely nothing to lose, so why not dream big. If you can dream it, you can do it!
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
Agree. Not a typical No.10, but He is dangerous around that 18 yard box. He has also played a very odd No.8 role in recent games for Aus. In defence often standing shoulder to shoulder with Mooy, but how many times has he been seen in the attacking 6 yrd box?? I reckon he could play more of that Tim Cahill or Brett Holman spot, perhaps not necessarily as the play making No.10 but a late entering second striker. I like your 4231 set up a little more, and also works well with the stable of other attacking player we have coming in as subs.
Cameron Handley
Roar Rookie
I think you're clutching at straws mate. Lack of talent, lack of athleticism and lack of plan won't be overcome by 'geez it's a bit warm'. Most of our starting XI also reside in Europe full-time.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
ok, so current temps in e.g. Denmark are average 6 during the day and close to 0 at night, and that Copenhagen, right on the ocean, it will be colder inland. Move to 28 from that and trust me, I have done it, it feels like a freakin' heatwave
Cameron Handley
Roar Rookie
28 isn't hot enough for us to have a discernible advantage
Garry
Roar Rookie
"Poll’s calamity occurred at the 2006 World Cup. He showed two yellow cards to the same player yet did not send him off. Later he showed the same guy a third yellow, and belatedly brandished the red. It was an infamous blunder. Fifteen years on, the stain it left on Poll’s life remains indelible." "For reasons Poll has never fully worked out (despite countless nights lost to thinking about it) he put the letter “C” in the right hand, yellow column alongside the 3 there. That wasn’t Aussie Joe. It wasn’t just someone with an Aussie accent. It was an actual (innocent) Aussie, Craig Moore." ..havent discovered for sure but he appears to be a football speaker & commentator and alive! :happy:
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
On the 26th Aust v Tunisia at approx 1300 Doha time (2100 AEDST), that's a leveller, but at the same time France plays Denmark the following day......temp at 1300 around 30 degs The next game day is on 01 Dec when Aust v Den at 1800 Doha time (0200 AEDST) so that means with an average of 30 degs still warm, potentially better for us than the Danes. France v Tunisia same time, same day. Food for thought
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Grem, If my calculations are correct, there is currently 8hrs difference between AEDST and Doha. So considering the Aust v France game will be at 0600 AEDST next Wed morning, the temp should be around 22 degrees if the game is at about 2200 Doha time. That caters for the French (handbags!!). On the same day, at around 1600 in the afternoon Doha time, Denmark will play Tunisia, which means the temp will be around 30 degs. Good for the Tunisians!!!
Cameron Handley
Roar Rookie
Garry, if you look at the spine of that Belgium team, they're relying on KDB way to heavily. Lukaku is washed, Eden Hazard is washed and isn't playing any regular minutes, and relying on the corpses of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen in a back 3 is less than ideal. Germany lack a striker, unless you believe Timo Werner can score 4-6 goals at a World Cup. Sure, he might, but I'll take the bet that he won't. Whilst both teams may be favoured due to past successes, they are both heavily overvalued in the my opinion.
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
I don't dislike him at all. There is no doubt he knows where the net is. I just think it worth noting that he is the A League top goal scorer (especially this year) not based on goals he has created or earned. His 7 or so goals from 6 starts this year is extremely misleading when you look at the way he has hit them. 4 pens and only 3 in open play, of which one was a lucky deflection that should have been Nabout's. Remove the pens and he has only hit one more in open play than Austin at the Roar. When we are talking about a team that we are unsure where the goals are coming from at the WC, we really need to be starting players that are going to make something happen, not simply capitalise on another player being fouled in the box stepping up to take the pen.
Will
Guest
Of course they can score, I don't know why this is a concern considering we haven't kick a ball yet. Im confident we can and possibility get a result or two providing how we go during the games. We have players capable of doing something special in the final third, and of course set pieces especially with the great delivery from Mooy and Goodwin is possible too. Anything is possible.
Ad-O
Guest
You need guys that are playing regularly at Champions League level to really move the dial at a World Cup. We don't have any. Let alone one that plays in the front 3.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Or go for a 2-5-3 formation. Very common in table soccer.
Nick Symonds
Guest
2-3-3-2 Cummings-Duke Goodwin-Irvine-Hrustic Devlin-Deng-Baccus Rowles-Souttar
Nick Symonds
Guest
"Japan are making a quarter-final." - Tunisia recently beat Japan 3-0 in a friendly. Their opponents are Germany, Costa Rica (rank 50) and Spain.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
What’s your definition of air conditioned, the qualifier against Peru was 28 degs inside the air conditioned stadium
Garry
Roar Rookie
‘Denmark and France are both far, far better than Belgium and Germany.” huh?? Belgium is one of the favourites & was maybe THE favourite last time. Like Portugal recently they havent perfomed well at the pointy end but squad wise theyve had great players. Germany are perennial favourites.