Australia failed to qualify for this year's Cup, so we'll give a brief rundown of what transpired for Oceania's representative, NZ. We'll also revive our memory of the previous CC in 1997, where the Socceroos performed so bravely, barely 2 weeks after that fateful game against Iran.
Confederations Cup: July/August 1999
NZ was placed with Germany and Brazil in the group phase, as well as USA, so qualifying
was going to be near impossible. USA was first and an upset looked promising with NZ
frustrating USA for most of the match. Unfortunately for NZ, USA power eventually
brought results with two quick goals. NZ scored a consolation with a deflected free
kick from Zoricich. With NZ failing to win the "easy" game, it really was
all over, and just performing well against previous World Champions the main objective.
Against Germany, again they held up well - and almost scored early from a corner -
until a German free kick hit the post in the first half, rebounded in front of a German to
slot home. Not long after sloppy defence let Mattaeus score on the counter to lead
2-0 at half time. Germany then just closed down to settle on the lead which allowed
NZ to get a some shots in, but none really troubled the German goal. Brazil was
next, and even with them resting many players, a slaughter appeared likely, but again NZ
managed to keep a vastly superior opponent in check. After a 30 metre screamer in
the first half, Brazil's only other goal came very late in the game, whilst NZ's Lines
missed a relatively easy one to leave the game finished at 2-0.
In other games, USA beat Germany 2-0 to go through as the second placegetter. They did lose unluckily 1-0 to Brazil in and earlier game after USA's McBride missed a penalty and Jones missing several other good opportunities. In the other group, Mexico remained unbeaten to go through along with Saudi Arabia, who just made it in front of Bolivia and Egypt in a very competitive group.
Semi finals
Brazil matched up against SA and USA vs Mexico. After SA levelled at 2-2,
Brazil went rampant to scored 6 unanswered goals. The other game contrasted with no
goals scored until Mexico got the winner in sudden death. USA goalie, Keller,
performed heroics, just like against Brazil in the group stage, but just like that game,
the forwards could not capitalise.
The final
USA went on to beat SA comfortably (3-0) for third place, whilst Mexico faced Brazil in
the final. Mexico scored the first 2 goals, but Brazil eventually levelled early in
the second half via a penalty. Brazil looked like they were back in town, and with
Mexico without their best forward in Hernandez, it did look ominous. Amazingly
though, Mexico scored the next two goals, only for Brazil to answer with one all in the
space of 17 minutes. 4-3 with half an hour to go, but the plucky Mexicans held on to
win their first major championship at world level and to remained undefeated throughout
the tournament. The 110,000 at the Azteca went wild so too the whole city. It
really was a great performance which maintained their 18 year unbeaten record at the
stadium. For NZ and Oceania, it was good performance too, as it reinforced the issue
that Oceanic football is not that far behind the eight ball and that their representatives
are unlikely to be embarrassed any more than other confederations in world tournaments.
Indeed, Fifa's decision to give one direct spot for 2010 is surely vindicated as
NZ's performance at least equalled most of those from other "developing"
confederations at the last World Cup.
The Future
As for the future of the tournament, again, the best European team in France failed to
turn up, this time as World Champions. This meant Brazil filled that spot with
Bolivia then replacing them as the South American Champions. Mexico as hosts meant
USA came in to represent CONCAF, whilst the Euro Champs - Germany - decided to turn up,
unlike last time. Probably more to do with the bidding of the 2006 World Cup than
anything else, as like ManU is doing with the club championships. Snubbing Fifa
sanctioned tournaments would be sending out bad signals. But for the fans, the CC
was great, and though there was no TV coverage here, the football and enterprise of the
teams seemed high, and the attitude serious. Hopefully Australia will take the next
Oceania Championships more seriously next time to ensure they qualify for the next CC.
Confederations Cup
Saudi Arabia
Confederations Cup: December 1997
Australia backed up after that heart-breaking Iran game to perform competently and
workmanlike against a Mexican team that underestimated them. Viduka score just
before the half, with Aloisi not long into the second half after a nice counter attack.
In fact, Australia seemed content to play tight in defence and hit on the break.
Mexico then brought on their best strikers and eventually scoring via a penalty.
Things look shaky again for Australia but they managed to hold firm and eventually
sealed the game, again on the break, when Foster placed in a nice cross for an unmarked
Mori to score. 3-1, and it was now Brazil. Brazil started on fire, but were
greeted with stoic defending. The 5-man defence, and Bosnich, frustrated them, but
in doing so, left their attacking options thin. The best chance was a counter attack with
Viduka's shot from close range being saved by Dida. Nil-nil left them equal with
Brazil and requiring only a draw, to ensure qualification. Mexico rebounded to hit
Saudi Arabia 5-0 who also lost their first game 3-0 to Brazil. But if Mexico lost to
Brazil in their final game, it did not matter how Australia went against SA. So, Viduka
and Kewell were rested, and even though Australia dominated play, failed to score.
Instead, a SA player cut a swathe through Australia's defence to score just before the
half. Viduka and Kewell then came on to try and get the goal back, but still failed
to convert chances despite dominating play. It was just not meant to be, but hopefully
Venables tactics of resting players will payoff in the semis. As it turned out it
did not matter as Mexico lost 3-2 to Brazil sending Australia through.
In the other group, Czech Republic substituting for Germany as Euro Champs qualified along with a youthful Uruguay. South Africa blew early leads in 2 games, to lose to Uruguay (4-3) and the Czechs (2-1). Against the UAE, they conceded a goal after only 47 seconds, and despite totally dominating the game, end up losing that too, this time 1-0.
Semi Finals
Against a Uruguay lacking the flare and creation of previous games, Australia
again were content to sit back and hit on the break. Even then, they still rode
their luck and Uruguay should have scored at least once, but instead, the game went into
sudden death at 0-0. Within 2 minutes, Ivanovic placed a nice ball in space for
Kewell who promptly cut in and unleashed a powerful drive from the edge of the box.
It was too much for the goalie who could only palm it in. The other game saw the
classier Brazil ease past the Czechs 2-0. Brazil were at least pleased that the
Czechs showed some flare as Brazilian coach Zagallo was critical that other teams were
intent to just hold Brazil. For their efforts, the Czechs went on to win the third
placed game 1-0 over Mexico - again, a goal keeping error sealed a game.
The final
Australia were totally outplayed - again - but this time some defensive errors
and quality finishing consigned Australia to a 6-0 loss. A most one-sided final, but
still entertaining, as we really saw Brazil at their best. Anyway, below is an
e-mail written at the time in response to a stupid comment from a friend. It
basically covers everything and examines "what went wrong".
What went wrong?
George Zervoudakis wrote:
AUSTRALIA 0 V BRAZIL 6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAYBE ITS A GOOD THING
THAT WE DIDNT MAKE IT TO FRANCE WITH PERFORMANCES LIKE THIS!!! I WONDER HOW MANY GERMANY
AND YUGOSLAVIA WOULD HAVE PUMPED PASSED US!!!
EL GRECO...
Iran was a disaster, this was just a bad result and considering the way both teams played it was the right result. I never had any doubt we would lose and if you analyse the game the result is really quite acceptable. After the second goal Brazil could have got anything and at the stage to keep it at 4 or 5 was what I was hoping.
You have got to see the positives anyway, at least it was not 10. Firstly IT WAS Brazil and Brazil are easily a 3-goal better team that us and over 2 games that is exactly what they were.
After watching the game 3 times now the result was probably a bit flattering to Brazil. It was our poor defending was the most responsible for the scoreline and poor refereeing. The penalty was not a penalty, Bosnich got a clear touch. Their first goal was fair enough, although Australia should have learned that 2 defenders don't need to go for a tackle - remember Iran. After the first goal and until the second, Australia had more possession and even better opportunities. Kewell's run that beat 3 Brazillians was preceded by 7 passes and great decoy runs to open space. He should have layed off to the unmarked Viduka to shoot instead of going for goal himself.
A bit later, Lazar made a drive down the winged and magnificently sent a long pass to the head of Viduka who just barely missed nodding it on to Foster bursting through the centre. Even when Viduka got sent off they kept playing well. Brazil really did nothing and this was the only time that Australia were on top. It really was not until the second goal that their heads noticeably sunk and they played poorly. Considering it was not long after the send off, and the shocking defence that conceded it, this was quite understandable. Although credit to Ronaldo, only he could score a goal like that.
Other than the magnificent 5th goal, which no team could defend against, the rest were due to simple defensive errors. Muscat watching Romario stroll in to it hit the third and again Muscat missing a clearing header for the fourth leaving Romario unmarked again. That makes 1 certain goal, 1 that should never have been and 4 that should have been stopped. On the chances they had, you'd expect a couple to go in anyway. So 3-nil would have an acceptable scoreline and would reflect the abilities of both teams.
As for the red card, the V-bomber should never have kicked the guy even though moments earlier he nearly and his skin stripped from his shins from a wayward tackle. Also there was the fact he seemed to have to a Brazilian permantently attached to his shirt did no doubt further irritated him. Regardless, you expect these dirty tactics from South Americans, not us.
Could Australia have won? No way. I was confident they would go down by at least 3 depending on how the game panned out. If Brazil did not score early it was obvious Australia would just defend and try and pinched it. It probably would have ended 1 or 2 nil. Else, they would have to take more risks and therefore concede more goals, but hopefully get one or two themselves, which they have never done. I was hoping for a 4-1 or 5-2 scoreline.
Other than Zelic and Bosnich, and maybe Lazar and Kewell who had their moments, Australia was out of their depth.
I thoroughly enjoyed the game and seeing Brazil at their best and losing 6-0 to Brazil is certainly no disgrace and merely emphasised the superiority of the world champion playing at their best and team ranked in thirties playing at almost their worst.
The UKKK - Don't you just love him?
WHAT A DISASTER. HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF GETTING SOMEONE TO BUMP OFF PETER DESIRA & YOU CAN GET HIS JOB? YOUR ANALYTICAL & WRITING SKILLS ARE SUPERB, ESPECIALLY YOUR -ANAL- YTICAL SKILLS...................
Gerry