That sinking feeling after a Socceroos match is back. It’s no Iran feeling. More the Ecuador blues.
A result that no one really wants to treat harshly given the circumstances but one that still sent 50,000-odd supporters home with more questions than answers.
A game that had the optimists clutching for their straws and the pessimists revelling in disappointment. No, we’re not better than Spain because South Africa beat the world champions last year (good try, Twitter). Nor is the World Cup a foray into a graveyard.
If nothing else, the farewell match provided Ange Postecoglou, who has only had three matches in charge, with some valuable lessons to ponder on the trip over to Brazil.
Jedinak will be a crucial plug
One of the most obvious assessments of a frantic first half was the gaping hole between Australia’s midfield and defensive lines. James Holland was predominantly tasked with the holding midfield role, with Mark Milligan and James Troisi gallivanting up field more often than not.
Every time South Africa broke on the counter, they had acres of space in the middle of the park. Perhaps the Socceroos were caught off guard by the pacey visitors, but structure appeared to be a thing of the past.
Ange will consider it a caveat. After all, Mile Jedinak will be the crucial plug just ahead of the defence in Brazil. The skipper played a deep lying role for Crystal Palace all season and, if it wasn’t known before, Postecoglou will be ordering Jedinak not to leave his backline gasping for air, especially against some of the more prolific No. 10s in the world.
Three-pronged attack is sorted
Three of the Socceroos’ best players from Monday night came from the attacking line – Tommy Oar, Tim Cahill and Matthew Leckie. Their mobility, speed and vision provided a bright spark for Australia. How thrilling it was to see a Socceroos side attacking with vigour.
Postecoglou may not be spoiled for options up front but this combination is arguably the best of the lot. The wide channels could be the key to unlocking Spain, Netherlands and Chile and looks promising if the decision-making upfield is improved a tad.
Cahill is more than a pin-up boy
Over the last week, you might have noticed Tim Cahill is in Australia. Well, everywhere. TV, newspapers, the local shopping centre, social media. And there is a good reason for that.
He has class and professionalism in abundance, with his passion for the jersey more evident than in most players. How lucky we are to have someone like him as the ‘face of our game’.
But what football fans want more than a heart warmer is a good footballer. The 34-year-old delivered in abundance. He had no right to get up that high for the goal, but commanded the ball and proved to be Mr. Reliable once more.
It was an overall solid performance from Cahill. Whether he is the best option to lead the line remains a matter of opinion and he seemed to habitually drop deeper to receive the ball. But there is no doubting he is worthy of a starting spot against Chile.
Sydney has had its chance
There is nothing more gratifying than being a short train ride from watching the Socceroos play on the odd occasion they play in Australia. Alas, it seems selfish not to suggest Sydney has been greedy when it comes to international football.
The last three matches on home soil have all been played at either ANZ or Allianz Stadium, with the last interstate match coming in the 4-0 win over Jordan in a World Cup qualifier at the MCG last June.
The friendly against Costa Rica at Allianz in November was played in front of a substantial number of empty chairs. The 50,000-plus spectators there to witness the South Africa draw would have seemed raucous at Moore Park, not so much at Olympic Park.
Regardless, the other major cities will feel they’ve earned the right to pick up the slack. The 2010 World Cup farewell was played in Melbourne, so Sydney was a justified choice. But the 2015 Asian Cup will be a good chance for the likes of Melbourne, Brisbane, and even Canberra to stake their claim for a glimpse of the Socceroos in the future.
Ange is a straight shooter
He warned us that the South Africa match wouldn’t be used as a crash test dummy. He was right. Postecoglou played a side, minus a few forced omissions, that he hopes to send out in Brazil. He made it known that he had the 27-man squad already in mind. He was right.
Curtis Good (injury), Adam Sarota and Josh Brillante were the unfortunate three players not to be handed a plane ticket in a sign that Ange knows what he wants.
He opted to give the true starting XI candidates a chance on centre stage and we can expect the same straight shooter next month. Mind games isn’t his thing. Let’s keep it in the back of our minds that the World Cup will serve as a solid preparation for January’s Asian Cup.
Keep the faith.
Article link: [VIDEO] 2014 State of Origin Game 1: preview. Written by Mitchell Grima, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion
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