It was a day to forget for the Australians in their opening match of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. After a stunning start, France simply went to work and used their far superior quality to dominate the Socceroos for the remainder of the contest. So how did the Aussies stack up individually against some of the finest footballers in the world? Here are The Roar’s player ratings for the Socceroos’ opening match in Group D.
Mathew Ryan 6/10
On a day where his goal was directly threatened on more than 20 occasions, Ryan did nothing wrong and was little chance of making a save in each of the French goals. His movement looked reasonable and positioning astute, yet as the French began to cut the Australian defence to ribbons, Ryan stood little chance of making a significant difference.
Aziz Behich 8/10
The Socceroos’ best on what was a tough day to be a defender in green and goal. Clearing off the line, heading to safety on numerous occasions and doing a competent job on Ousmane Dembele on the Australians’ left side, as Kylian Mbappe ran riot on the right, Behich was also the most forward thinking Socceroo, attempting to surge forward where possible and earning the respect of his quality opponents.
Kye Rowles 4/10
Sadly for Rowles, the image of a deer in the headlights came to mind on numerous occasions, as the French dominated aerially inside their attacking area. The 24-year-old was far from awful and never stopped trying, yet along with his central defending partner, was simply out positioned in the box by French attackers for much of the contest.
Harry Souttar 5/10
Like Rowles, Souttar was simply outclassed when it came to positioning from cut backs and crosses, with the French seemingly having devised a plan to expose what they probably consider two cumbersome Socceroo centre-backs. Brilliant in creating Australia’s goal, Souttar did look a little short of a gallop after his extended absence from the game.
Nathaniel Atkinson 2/10
In an international performance he would probably like to forget, Kylian Mbappe terrorised Atkinson down the flank, with the Socceroo completely beaten for pace and skill on multiple occasions. It is no disgrace for Atkinson, yet he received a harsh football lesson.
Kylian Mbappe of France controls the ball against Nathaniel Atkinson. (Photo by Patrick Smith – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Aaron Mooy 6/10
At times during the first half, it appeared Mooy was taking on the French midfield single handed and why two 6s were not employed to combat the threat in the centre of the park is simply beyond me. As the game progressed, the veteran played less and less positively, with his passing also becoming quite sloppy late in the match.
Mathew Leckie 5/10
Instrumental in the opening goal of the game, Leckie worked hard throughout his time on the pitch, yet struggled to make an impact. Unable to push forward on enough occasions to use his passing skills to effect, the French had him under complete control throughout.
Jackson Irvine 6.5/10
One of Australia’s best, Irvine contended most fiercely in the midfield and brought some of the grunt and aggression that this Socceroos side does appear to lack at times. Hit the p[ost with a header at 2-1. Frustration saw a yellow card shown to him late.
Riley McGree 4/10
Despite a few good moments, including a ball that set up Irvine’s headed chance, McGree found it difficult to work his way into the game often enough; starved of possession and controlled well by the French defenders. Graham Arnold could well stick with him, knowing that with the rare touches he had, McGree looked as dangerous as any of the Australian attackers.
Craig Goodwin 5/10
A stunning goal to open the scoring will be a memory for Goodwin that will last a lifetime, yet he also struggled to stay involved in the game for long periods due to French dominance in midfield. Far from a poor performance, yet one lacking impact thanks to the quality in the French team and their ability to starve the Socceroos possession in the front half.
Craig Goodwin celebrates with teammates after he scored the opening goal. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP) (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Mitchell Duke 5/10
One cracking strike that was close to putting the Socceroos two goals clear was the highlight of Duke’s day, yet he ran, chased and toiled admirably up front. It was never going to be a game for dominance from an Australian striker, with possession certain to be well against the Socceroos, yet Duke played the role required as best he could.
Jason Cummings 3/10
It was a disappointing injection for Cummings, as he harried in the front half without any quality service to speak of. With Arnold seeking a positive change and a potential shift in tone with half an hour remaining, Cummings never settled and his team mates were unable to connect with him.
Awer Mabil 3/10
Entering the match with the three points safely in the French bank, Mabil was ineffective on the left side, rarely daring to make runs in behind and have a crack at a French defence that did show weakness in the first half. Along with Cummings, his presence in the match did little to change the Socceroo tempo.
Garang Kuol 3/10
The most exciting player in Australian football was given a short time to impress on debut and looked like a fish out of water. Without quality service and tentative, Kuol lacked the courage to pick up the ball and run fearlessly at defenders as he does each week in the A-League. Hopefully, this experience is contextualised for him and we see him again in Qatar.
Milos Degenek and Keanu Baccus also took to the pitch for the Socceroos, yet judging such limited involvement is unfair to two players who would have enjoyed the experience, if only for a handful of minutes.
Perhaps the best thing that can be said about these ratings is that there is plenty of room for improvement against Tunisia.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
We might have our answer - this was a high, high quality game. Extraordinary come back by Japan against a top line team who was itself on top of its game as well.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Well, Giroud has scored 51 goals for France, a quality national team. Do you reckon Duke will reach that amount for the Socceroos? (it's not impossible given the standard of some of the Asian opposition) I mean fair dinkum, one player scores 2 goals in a 3 goal win, and you're trying to tell me that bloke who huffed and puffed had a better game? C'mon man, get serious.
Saffi
Roar Rookie
Fair ratings Stuart. I thought Behich was our best but an 8 may be a bit high. On Cummings, I was a supporter initially of his inclusion but after watching his awful last CCM game I was very concerned. My concerns were unfortunately correct. He was just terrible when he came on. Here’s hoping for a better effort by the boys against Tunisia.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Giroud was unmarked for the 2nd goal, there were 2 Socceroos close by ball watching that should have been marking him as there was no one else in the area . If a player scores a tap in and a free header from close range they are a tap in king. Giroud is old and was never world class. I told you which two Socceroos made the byline your completely wrong on that just like you wrong on Giroud being marked.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Oh yeh, Duke outplayed Giroud on the night! When Giroud headed his 2nd home, he was being marked by two socceroos! Let me explain something about football to you. When a player scores 2 goals, even if that's his only 2 touches for the game, and the team wins by 3 goals, well, that's a good night out for that footballer! He is going to get some pats on the back from team mates and coach alike. The fact that Duke had a ping from 30m and it whizzed past the corner of the goals doesn't quite make up the difference, nor his huffing and puffing along the way. Here's another pointer for you - world class players can often get the job done and don't look like they have raised a sweat - the huffing and puffing doesn't make up for the quality. Quite obviously I was being facetious about Goodwin, I'm simply underscoring that no socceroo made the byline during the game (while it was a procession up the other end - are you sure you were watching??).
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Goodwin didnt hit the byline, McGree hit the byline for the Irvine cross,and Behich got there late in the game. Giroud hardly saw him, the tap in and the free header ok. Duke covered more ground worked a lot harder, and his near shot was better quality than anything Giroud did. Are you pretending you watched the match, maybe asleep in bed at the time.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
That's extraordinary. I knew this sort of situation had been brewing with Japanese footballers, but I honestly wasn't aware it had reached this level. We're talking socceroos circa 2006, actually, Japanese team might almost be better in that regard (of players in good leagues). And on top of that, those who remain in the J-League are in the best comp in Asia. I note Japan plays Germany at midnight (tonight) - one worth watching!
Free flowing FC
Roar Rookie
The general criticism directed at Atkinson is pretty harsh imo. Personally I think he did pretty well against one of the worlds most lethal forwards. He stopped him quite a few times when the ball was constantly directed down the LW. The second goal can’t be put solely on him.
Lacebug
Roar Rookie
Nathaniel could always get a run with players more of his ability level, like in Dubbo or Coonabarabran.
Stephen Lacey
Guest
I like how the Socceroos are employing the innovative Swiss Cheese Formation for their defensive play. Nathanial Atkinson should perhaps stick to playing with teams of his own level...he'll find them places such as Woy Woy or Dubbo.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Do the socceroos have someone like a Giroud leading the line? And even if Duke was the quality of a Giroud, did Duke have anyone hitting the by-line both sides up to 10 times per half. In fact, did any socceroo hit the byline for the whole 100 min? I'd say Goodwin came the closest, and he actually scored!
scoots
Roar Rookie
Regarding your assessment of Duke..."he ran, chased and toiled admirably up front" .... disagree on that one completely. Apart from his attempted cracking strike, I thought he did very little, and provided no urgency or intensity to chase and harass when the French defenders had the ball. It seemed to me he was carrying a strain or something, because he's usually pretty good in that respect.
Towser
Guest
In relation to what I referred to previously an article about Japanese football development. Strikes me that the difference between Japan and Australia is that they have had a PLAN for a while now. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63559988
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
A few players had some moments, but man for man, they were all completely outclassed, no socceroo could hold a candle to any of the French players. France could put out a 2nd string side, and the result would be similar, the gulf in talent is enormous. Just a bit of musing on my part. Which socceroo is similar to a player like Griezmann landing one perfectly placed, weighted pass after another into the opposition third? Well, there was none out on the pitch this morning. The sad truth is that the closest we have (even if he's a long way off it) was sitting back at home.
Bruce
Guest
Not just Atkinson. Souttar played like a lame donkey. He has clearly not recovered from his knee injury and his mobility and pace was not international standard. Sad but true. His greatest attribute in qualifying (his 2 metre height) is less likely to be useful against Denmark who are also a tall side.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Atkinson stopped MBappe on a couple of occasions versus Behich stopping Dembele hardly ever. In attack Behich was a lot better plus he didnt give away a goal but given the defense 8 is a ridiculous rating. Mooy taking on the French midfield singlehanded? Mooy did nothing, Irvine came forward and pressed, the French went wide not through the middle. What passing are you talking about, it was Souttar who played the ball forward long. Giving Mooy 6 is absurd. Leckie made quite a few runs, its not like he got passed to properly, the goal he had to bring down a long ball with a superb touch. `
Franko
Guest
I'm not sure if Atkinson or Rowles landed a bruise. Remember Markus Babbel saying his WSW boys were too nice, he'd be happy for them to date his daughter, this game had a similar feel. They are young, I hope they learn.
Towser
Guest
Everybody is always an expert after results like this, including Foz, Boz and Aloisi on SBS. Old Stan Matthews the “Wizard of dribble” said when asked what he put down his footballing ability too, he answered “Skill at Speed”. Meaning his ability with the ball at his feet. I would add to that it’s not just the physical skill at speed , it’s also the “ Mental speed of thought”. So Physical/Mental skill at speed. How do you get that by honing that combo in the highest leagues/competitions on a regular basis. Using the Mbappe and Atkinson match up as an example. Mbappe plays for the best club in France, alongside Neymar etc, that regularly goes deep into the ECL later stages. Also for the National team in Europe. Arguably up against the best World football has to offer consistently. Atkinson Heart of Midlothian and for the National team in Asia. Hence Stuart’s 2/10. You can’t change the Confederation, but you can produce better players to get into the highest leagues in World Football, that’s the bottom line and always has been for World footballs “Battlers” be they Aussies or otherwise.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
honest Stuart, they played a lot of qualifiers in Qatar and they do play at home in summer, they should have had energy management down pat by now. I felt there were long periods where they didn't have a go, just sat back as you say. But of course, France is a far superior team. Bring on the women I say.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
They had a go and were beaten by a far superior team. Just sat back too far as the energy reserves sapped. Very predictable except for the goal I guess.