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Australia's
Phantom |
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Australia's
Phantom |
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Introduction:
The Aussies may not be there but we can still fantasise and wonder, and that is exactly
what I will be doing through the duration of the World Cup. Naturally
Australia will take Iran's place in group 'F' and I will use Iran's performance as a guide
to how Australia might have gone; as well as Australia's performances against other World
Cup qualifiers during the past few years. These teams Australia has played include: Brazil,
Mexico, Iran, Norway, Japan, Korea, Chile, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia.
I will not take into account the recent aberration against Croatia or under-age
games, though if no past history at senior level is available, I may look at these, but
more likely look at "associated opponents". Example: Paraguay.
Though Australia has not played Paraguay, Chile has played them
AND Australia, so if the phantom Australia (substituting Chile) plays Paraguay in France
then I will look at the Chile/Australia history to determine the result. I will try to
stick to recent history between teams and I will tried to keep it as objective and
accurate as possible but if in doubt, naturally will favour the Aussies. But most of
all, it is just for a bit of fun. At least when this World Cup is over, the hurt
should be too. Lets hope Iran go OK.
Australia defeat's Yugoslavia 1-0 in
their Cup Opener
After watching Iran play last night I have little doubt
Australia would have beaten Yugoslavia on last night's performance. Although Iran played
much better here than against Australia I am still sure the Aussies are more classier
overall and would have won this game.
Iran lost 1-0 but conceded a shocking goal when the substitute goal keeper in place for the injured Abedzadah totally screwed up a free kick. The wall was poorly set and he was way to slow to dive for a ball that ended up about a third way from the post. Bosnich (even Kalac) surely would have saved it. Also the Iranians missed two guilt edged opportunities. One being a shot that should have been a cross to unmarked players and the other an easy header missed by Ali Daei late in the game. Iran outplayed their opponents in the first half and remained competitive in the second half. Iran had the better opportunities and if not for their useless second string goalie (I can't even remember the silly idiot's name), they would have gotten a well earned and deserved draw.
As for precedents, there is one glaring one. Australia defeated Yugoslavia in the Seoul Olympics 1-0 with an inferior team to the current one and also against a Yugoslavia that was a full Yugoslavia: it had the Croatian players then.
Good start then and Australia leads the group since the other two teams have not yet played. Now comes the USA and a victory here should ensure qualification for the second phase.
Qualification for the knock-out
stage as the USA are sent packing
Australia look set to play The Netherlands after a 3-1 defeat of
the USA in their Phantom World Cup. Iran defeated the
USA 2-1 overnight, and based on the premise that whatever Iran does Australia can do
better, and based on last nights performance - of both teams - I have no doubt the
Ausssies would have won this game and assumed leadership of Group F after them 2-2 draw
between Yugoslavia and Germany. This assures them
of a place in the next round.
The USA started the game like a house on fire with Iran barely able to fend off their opening salvo but were let down my poor shooting and crossing. Indeed they did have several good shots and hit the frame twice courtesy of McBride and Reyna. Iran seemed content to counter-attack and looked dangerous. They should have had a penalty when the American goalie - Keller - barged straight into Azizi and took him out. He should have been red-carded too. Towards the end of the half, Zarincheh cut back a deep cross for an unmarked Estili to sensationally head the ball into goal for a 1-0 at half time.
After a few early unsuccessful incursions in the second half, Iran then sat back for the 1-0 win. The Americans constantly attacked without really looking dangerous with Iran making the occasion burst on the counter. The Americans best chance was to Hejduk who was foiled at close range by Abedzadah - thankfully fit to resume ahead of the useless Nakisa - which would have seen the scores locked. Them, Mahdavikia ran onto a ball from within his own half to street away and score virtually unchallenged. The Americans became even more desperate and again were caught with no one defending. This time it was Ali Daei, but his shot got smothered. The ball broke free as he had a second crack but this time he slammed it straight into the defender standing on the line. Anyhow it seemed all over with 10 minutes left until the Americans scored from a corner through Brian McBride. Now it was really on, but the Iranians managed to hold on and went berserk when the final whistle blew. Iran are the first Asian team to win and if they can beat Germany they will qualify for the next round.
The Iranian big guns Azizi, Daei and Bagheri did not really fire but the wingers in Mahdavikia and Miravand, along with the hard-working Estili and wise defender Khakpour, really played well. The Americans played well and dominated possession but really lacked imagination and that killer final ball to trouble Iran. Their crosses were atrocious and there senior players - except Dooley - did not fire. The long-haired wing-back - Hejduk - was their best player with the striker - McBride - doing well also.
Based on this result I have no doubt that Australia would have beaten the Americans easily. And I am sure that they would not have sat back, and coupled with classier forwards and midfielders, would have scored the extra goal. Australia has beaten the States on their last outing - 1-0 in Florida several years ago and have not really been troubled by other CONCACAF nations like Canada and Mexico.
In the other game, Yugoslavia and Germany played out a trilling draw with Yugoslavia playing as though they could take on the world. It is hard to believe that this is the same team that played so poorly against Iran. They led 2-0 and might have scored more until the Germans scored from deflected free kick 20 minutes from time; and then scored the equaliser 5 minutes later. Both teams looked outstanding and look good for a run in this World Cup.
The Table after two games played
Team w
l d p gd
Australia 2 0
0 6 +3
Germany 1 0
1 4 +1
Yugoslavia 0 1 1
1 -1
USA 0
0 0 0 -4
A 2-0 loss to Germany; now to take
on The Netherlands
With Iran's own World Cup still alive, a favourable result against the Germans
was a distinct possibility but unfortunately - and for the Phantom Aussies - the Iranians
sat back and hoped to score on the counter. But with Azizi and Ali Daei not playing
as well as they can (Azizi has had a shocker of a WC), this looked unlikely and soon after
the second half started the Germans scored through a Bierhoff header. Five minutes
later Iran's fate was sealed when Klinsman headed in the second goal from a rebound off
the post. Iran did start to play then, but really lacked penetration. Daei did
come close when he poked his foot out and nearly deflected a low cross-shot into goal.
Later, Mahdavikia broke through but as he checked back onto his left foot, the ball
bounced of his knee and the Germans cleared the danger. Bagheri had a few pot-shots
also.
With Australia assured of qualification and with Germany needing at least a draw to assure qualification, or a win to take top spot (which they had to do in the real WC), I am sure they would not have taken it easy against the Australians either and won by the same margin. With no real previous history between the two teams (though Australia did lose to West Germany 2-0 in the 1974 WC), I have no choice but to post an Australian loss. It is a pity because if Iran could have drawn this game, it would have meant the Phantom Aussies would win the group and play Mexico in the next round. They beat Mexico 3-1 last December in the Confederation's Cup so it would have almost guaranteed a quarter final appearance for the Australians, provided the Mexicans did not do anything out of the ordinary - like win!
The Final Table
Team w
l d p gd
Germany 2 0
1 7 +3
Australia 2 1
0 6 +1
Yugoslavia 1 1 1
1 0
USA 0
3 0 0 -5
Germany will play Mexico and Australia will play the Netherlands in the Eighth Finals
The Socceroos out in a thriller -
the Cup Dream is Over
Yep the Aussies are finally out, losing to a great Dutch side 3-2
in sudden death extra time, but never the less, a day of deep sorrow and heartbreak
awaits. After leading for most of the second half, the Dutch scored a late equaliser
in injury time and then ran all over the dejected Australians to score the Golden Goal.
The actual game between The Netherlands and Yugoslavia finished 2-1 with the Dutch scoring the winner late in injury time. Holland were simply dominant in the first half and went in 1 up through Bergkamp after he ran onto a long ball and muscled by the defender. Then early in the second half, Yugoslavia scored of a free kick reminiscent of the one they scored against the USA: a far post header from an unmarked opponent. Instead of sitting back like they did in the first half, the Yugoslavs started playing and we had a much more competitive match. There were not any real guilt-edged chances that went begging except for a penalty miss by Mijatovic - it hit the crossbar - and a disallowed goal from Cocu. It seemed to be called up for dangerous play committed moments earlier by Bergkamp when he raised his foot in an attempt to bring the ball down. Later, Overmars had a strike parried just wide of the post. Holland scored via a low drive shot outside the box courtesy of Davids.
I give Australia a more worthy result than what Yugoslavia achieved for a couple of reasons. Firstly, in the group stage the Phantom Aussies did win, albeit against a poor-performing Yugoslavia. Then there is the history to consider. Although they have not played at senior level recently, they did play at Olympic level in 1991 when Australia actually eliminated the Dutch to qualifier for the tournament. A 1-1 in Sydney with a 2-2 in Utrect after Australia came from behind in extra time to equalise through that memorable Zelic goal. Australia went onto finish fourth in Barcelona. You can also consider that Mexico drew against the Dutch in this World Cup, a team whom Australia beat 3-1 in the Confederations' Cup last December.
But basically, when it comes down to it, it would be too far fetched to consider Australia would have won this game. Sure they may have sat back and maybe pinched it on the break, but the way Holland played, it is almost inconceivable that any team, let alone Australia, would have competed with them. After all, Yugoslavia were outclassed even though they played quite well. Giving Australia the win over Yugoslavia was my only "lenient" result and feel this was a fair achievement anyhow. Unfortunately for the Phantom Australians, I feel giving them a "close" loss is as far as I can go on this occasion.
Ideally we needed Mexico to defeat Holland or Iran to draw against Germany in the group stage so to allow an Australia/Mexico final in which, failing an overwhelming Mexican win, would almost have assured an Australian victory with either Argentina or Romania/Croatia waiting in the next round.
Lets hope there will be no Phantom Australia around when the next one comes around in 2002.