Despite opportunities of their own and a clumsy first goal conceded, Australia had no answer to Denmark's swift and incisive breaks from midfield that, at times, cut through the defense like it wasn't even there. To be fair, the 3-1 loss wasn't an accurate reflection of the game as Australia produced clear cut chances themselves and had two goals disallowed amongst a team fielded without seven first choice players and an inexperienced defense.
Goal-keeper Petkovic had no chance when, after just 5 minutes, Sterjovski was caught in possession of the ball, for Jon-Dahl Tomasson to latch onto it and launch a rocket from just outside the box. Aloisi had a great chance almost immediately after to even the score, only to strike air on his unfavoured right foot. Then followed up with a point blank header saved off a corner kick. Minutes later, Thwaite headed in off a Skoko free kick, only for it to be disallowed for an apparent foul in the box when Aloisi and a Danish player both went down. Petkovic was again given no chance when a swift counter attack down the right wing saw the ball land on the head of unmarked Daniel Jensen. If that wasn't bad enough, another break through the right saw a low cross land at the feet of Tomasson to fire in his second. Australia hit back with another goal ruled out, this time legitimately when Aloisi was called offside after heading in Scott Chipperfield's flick-on from another well-taken Skoko free kick.
In the second half, Sterjovski had two more good chances. The first, a spectacular long shot from a penalty-box goalkeeper clearance that was punched away, and the second an equally spectacular effort in the ensuing play when volleying onto the underside of the crossbar from a sublime Cahill cross. It really was action stations at this stage, with Australia surely to score. They did in the final few minutes when Emerton expertly drove a well-placed ball direct into the corner of the net from a direct free kick.
With the inexperienced nature of the team, it's difficult to make much of the match. The team did play well for the most part, quite easily could have scored 3 or 4 goals of their own, and "won" the second half if you care to dissect the game that way. Skoko emphasised options missing at the World Cup with his precise long passing. It's a shame he failed to play a minute there. Mostly it will be interesting to see whether the rats of propaganda use this as a catapult to relaunch their shameless anti-Arnold agenda.
Australia 1 (Brett Emerton 85’) - Denmark 3 (Jon Dahl Tomasson 5’ & 38’, Daniel Jensen 28’)
Australia: Michael Petkovic (gk); Brett Emerton (c), Patrick Kisnorbo, Michael Thwaite, Scott Chipperfield, Vince Grella, Josip Skoko (Jacob Burns 67’), Tim Cahill (Ryan Griffiths 75’), Mile Sterjovski, Brett Holman, John Aloisi.
"To be fair two of the three goals were world-class goals and sometimes you can't do anything about that.
"Denmark are a very, very good side. I was very happy with our performance. In the
first half we were disjointed defensively but I thought our attacking play was excellent.
"I think one of our goals from the free-kick was definitely a goal but with better
finishing we could have done better."
"It is most important that we find our own way of playing, especially away from
Copenhagen, and tonight we were very strong.
The first half was very, very good and I was content with the way we played. We took our
chances very well and defensively Australia only really tested us from set-pieces."
On striker, Tomasson: "What can you say? He is a top quality striker. When you have someone like him in your team then you know you can always score goals."
After a stunning 2-0 win over China in China in March, especially the offensive performance, Australia again put on a good performance in the World Cup playoff "rematch" against Uruguay in Sydney last Saturday. Mile Sterjovski opened the scoring through a close range range shot in the box after Brett Emerton's good work and cross from the right caused confusion amongst the Uruguayan defense. The goalie could not gather the ball, and the lunging defenders could only see it bobble around. Eventually Sterjovski slammed it home.
The period of dominance lasted until Uruguay's first goal on 35 minutes, scored from a quick free kick that found Recoba free on the left, for him to slide a low cross in for Forlan to tap in at close range. Uruguay came more into the game, and eventually scored the decisive goal on 77 minutes when debutant keeper Brad Jones dropped a simple cross for Recoba to nod into an open net.
In truth, while a much depleted Australian team in terms of first-team regulars controlled much of the game and more than held their own with their usual possession game against this full-strength Uruguayan team, Uruguay created the better clear cut chances on goal, and maybe even deserved to win on that.
If there is a criticism with Australia's performance, it's the emerging pattern of the team playing more a game of "keepings-off", and not actually really doing anything with the ball. Controlling the game and looking attractive is all very nice, but ultimately the idea is to score. There's not even a benefit at the other end with the team still conceding goals under this style of game. It's starting to become a bit old hat and all too predictable watching experienced opposition waiting for a mistake and then hit on the break. Then going forward, the team is greeted with an impenetrable wall.
This team is a far greater attacking force under Arnold, and it would be nice to see some variations in tactics, to at times maybe give up a little possession and then hit on the break and when there's a bit more space.
After a somewhat lazy first half, where Singapore gathered 2 or 3 great scoring opportunities, class showed in the end for Australia to score 3 second half goals and run out 3-0 winners. Australia actually had more shots than Singapore in the first half (8 to 6), and really should have scored just on half time when Brett Holman missed a sitter, but some of the casual defending created cause for concern. Lucas Neill gave away possession to gift a one-on-one chance, Patrick Kisnorbo looked shaky, and his replacement Michael Beauchamp, coming on early in the second half, got turned easily for Singapore to have an open chance on goal.
It was the introduction of Harry Kewell that proved the turning point with him scoring one goal and deliciously setting up another goal - this being Viduka's second for the match. It was a good return for both forwards, with Kewell not playing for Australia since the World Cup match against Croatia and Viduka's goal tally for Australia depressingly low for a striker of his calibre and reputation.
With a week of heavy training and acclimatising to the hot and humid climate (humidity was at up to 80% for the match), maybe there were excuses. Especially considering that the team did keep a clean sheet - the first in a long time, it's probably not too much a concern. The true test will come when their Asian Cup campaign starts on Sunday, with the match against Oman.
Mark Viduka headed in two second-half goals as Australia stepped up their preparations
for their inaugural AFC Asian Cup appearance with a 3-0 win over Singapore.
The Socceroos skipper struck the opener seven minutes after the break and added his second
of the match two minutes from time to give the visitors victory in the final football game
to be played at Singapore's National Stadium
Substitute Harry Kewell set-up Viduka's second and also found the net himself in the 76th
minute to give his side a morale-boosting win eight days before they open their AFC Asian
Cup campaign against Oman in Bangkok.
The home side missed out on qualification for the AFC Asian Cup but gave a good account of
themselves in the opening half, nearly taking a shock lead after eight minutes when Shi
Jiayi's free-kick from the right was fired over the crossbar by Indra Sahdan Daud from
just six yards out.
Viduka showed his lack of match sharpness two minutes later when the ball bobbled to him
in the six-yard box, but the Australia skipper failed to control the ball which bounced
off his leg and went out for a goal kick.
The newly-signed Newcastle United striker was then played through on goal after 17 minutes
but his attempted chip past advancing Singapore goalkeeper Lionel Lewis flew over the
crossbar.
Lewis had little to do in the opening half thanks to excellent cover by the Singapore back
four and it was his opposite number, Mark Schwarzer, who was the busier goalkeeper,
denying Indra on 35 minutes when he was put clear on goal by Shahril Ishak's excellent
through ball.
Schwarzer had to dive at full stretch to keep out another Indra attempt six minutes before
the break, and the Singapore striker was only denied by the Australian woodwork a minute
before the break when he met Jiayi's corner from the right with a flying header that
rocked the crossbar.
Australia striker Brett Holman had his team's best chances of the first half, heading a
Mark Bresciano cross wide five minutes before the break and firing off target on the
stroke of half-time after Mile Sterjovski delivered a dangerous low cross from the right.
The Socceroos took the lead seven minutes after the break when Brett Emerton played the
ball to the right flank to Jason Culina, who floated a cross into the centre and Viduka
rose above the Singapore defence to send a looping a header over the outstretched arms of
Lewis and just over the goalline despite Daniel Bennett's desperate attempt to hack the
ball clear.
Khairul Amri almost hit back instantly for the hosts as he turned Jiayi's low cross past
the post and striking the base of the left post with a fierce low shot three minutes
later.
Bresciano very nearly made it 2-0 just before the hour mark when he burst through on the
Singapore goal and saw his initial shot well saved by Lewis before putting his follow-up
effort wide.
Kewell came on as a substitute for Bresciano with 24 minutes remaining and nearly got on
the scoresheet four minutes later when he slalomed through the Singapore defence only to
be denied by the feet of Lewis.
The Liverpool midfielder would find the net 14 minutes from time with a well-placed low
shot from the edge of the area that went across Lewis and into the net.
Lewis then denied Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson with 11 minutes remaining, but
the Singapore goalkeeper was left helpless two minutes from time when Kewell floated in a
cross from the left that was easily headed home by Viduka to seal the victory from close
range.
Australia 3 (Mark Viduka 51', 88', Harry Kewell 76') - Singapore 0
Australia: Mark Schwarzer (gk), Lucas Neill, Patrick Kisnorbo (Michael Beauchamp 54'),
Jason Culina, Brett Emerton, Luke Wilkshire (Michael Thwaite 87'), Mark Viduka (Nathan
Burns 90'), Vince Grella, Brett Holman (Archie Thompson 68'), Mile Sterjovski (Nick Carle
77'), Mark Bresciano (Harry Kewell 61')
In an exhilarating match this evening, Argentina scored a 1-0 thanks win to an early second half goal by defender Martin Demichelis. He scored from an inswinging free kick, delivered by the magician on the night, Lionel Messi. Those that paid their $100 for seats can feel proud of their money being well spent. Not just for the display of Argentina, fielding virtually their best team, but Australia's resolute defending and chances of its own, even without a core of attacking regulars like Viduka, Kewell, Cahill and Emerton. In fact, two chances in the first half were desperately unlucky not to go in. First was a Bresciano shot that was cleared off the line, conveniently into the arms of the goalkeeper. Second was a free kick that hit the bar, bounced onto the head of the goalkeeper, hit the bar again, bounce onto the back of the goalkeeper, and then just out of play. An amazing sequence of events.
The game marked the final match for interim coach Graham Arnold, who could well be pleased with the display of the team and the emerging players that he has blooded through his tenure. The Asian Cup disappointment certainly had some mitigating circumstances with the heat, lack of preparation and the fact Iraq proved to be an outstanding team, as evidenced by them becoming Asian champions. However, on this night, Arnold showed that he is more than capable when given the right opportunity. The right opportunity not being one of an interim coach, or, more precisely, one in limbo, simply at the whim of the FFA in their quest to find a "big name" coach. If there is one thing we have learnt though this Arnold reign, is that Australian teams should never be placed in such a position again.
The night also marked the farewell appearance of Josip Skoko. A key player under the Farina era, if there is one of the few disappointments that can be attribute to previous coach, Guus Hiddink, it was that Skoko received no game time at the World Cup. At the very least, he should have got a run against Italy. With Italy a man down, and needing to be stretched, Skoko's precision long passing was sorely needed. Since then, long passing in general seems to have vanished from the team, and Skoko has unfairly been the forgotten man of the Australian team. A farewell well deserved.
SOCCEROOS GO DOWN FIGHTING
THE Socceroos effectively muzzled Argentina's superstars last night but it was a
defensive brain-snap that gifted the visitors a narrow 1-0 win.
In front of an impressive 70,171 at the MCG, Martin Demichelis' 49th header consigned the
Socceroos to defeat.
But they were far from disgraced and could've easily snatched the win in coach Graham
Arnold's last game in charge.
Buoyed by dazzling performances against lesser lights Josh Kennedy, David Carney, Archie
Thompson and Michael Beauchamp and solid displays from the senior types, the Socceroos
walked away with their heads held high.
The Aussies switched off just four minutes after the restart. Carlos Tevez won a free
kick, Lionel Messi whipped in a dangerous ball, but there was no excuse for the abysmal
marking.
Martin Demichelis headed home from five metres and there was no Socceroo within the same
radius.
Carney retaliated by almost lobbing Abbondanzieri, while Bresciano caused more problems
with another venomous long-range free kick.
The adaptable Socceroos began piecing some wonderful passages together to the appreciation
of the MCG audience.
They stood to applaud Josip Skoko when the midfielder was substituted for the final time
after 51 minutes and having won 51 caps.
The loyal and underrated national team servant was mobbed by 10 teammates before making
way for Carl Valeri, a future star who'll be delighted if he can emulate Skoko's feats.
Both nations were licking their wounds from major tournament disappointments last July
when the game kicked off.
Argentina was thumped 3-0 in the Copa America final to an understrength Brazil.
The Socceroos were on display for the first time since bowing out at the quarter final
stage of the Asian Cup.
And locals weren't disappointed when Archie Thompson earnt a rare start in Socceroos
colours.
He supported another local in Josh Kennedy, who was making his first appearance since last
year's World Cup, in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Kennedy was handed the No.9 shirt, the one usually reserved for Mark Viduka.
David Carney wore Tim Cahill's No.4 with distinction, standing tall at left back against
one of the world's most potent attacks. Australia's generation next gave as good as they
got in the first half.
While not quite resorting to route one football, the Socceroos weren't afraid to bomb it
into the box with 194cm Kennedy as the focal point.
He asked questions of the Argentina defence after just seven minutes when he headed down
to Mark Bresciano, whose shot was cleared off the line by Martin Demichelis. Four minutes
later he headed Josip Skoko's corner over the bar.
Not to be outdone, Lionel Messi broke clear in the 14th minute and only a last-ditch
tackle from David Carney saved the day. And he looked every bit the "new
Maradona" moments later when he danced around two Socceroos and blasted the inside of
the post from 20 metres.
Thompson proved a great advertisement for the A-League. A sublime turn and shot produced a
great save from Roberto Abbondanzieri.
The Argentine keeper had no idea about Bresciano's 25th-minute free kick however.
Bresciano struck the crossbar from a 30-metre free kick, which rebounded on to
Abbondanzieri's head and back on to the bar before dropping at his feet.
ARNOLD BOWS OUT, PROUD OF HIS BOYS
GRAHAM Arnold last night said he was proud of the Socceroos team he was handing over
after his tenure ended with an impressive display, despite the 1-0 loss to Argentina.
The Socceroos muzzled Argentina's superstars Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez but Arnold was
left "gutted" at the defensive brain-snap that gifted the visitors a narrow win,
via Martin Demichelis' 49th minute header.
The Aussies were far from disgraced and could have easily snatched the win, finishing with
11 shots on goal to seven and stringing together some brilliant pieces of play against the
world's No. 2-ranked nation.
"I'm very proud," Arnold said. "Tactically what we set out to do worked
perfect. The boys carried the gameplan out very well.
"It was such an honour to see the boys compete against such a world-class side and
push them the whole way and create chances to score -- by no means were we outplayed.
"I'm very proud of the fact that I'm handing this side over. Nik Mrdja was the 53rd
player I've played in 13 months.
"I'm proud of the fact I've introduced young blood into the team. I've introduced
A-League players into the team because there will be a big emphasis on the A-League going
forward.
"And I'm proud to say that I can hand over 30-35 names to the next manager who I know
can play at this level."
The impressive 70,171 MCG crowd was buoyed by dazzling performances from lesser lights
Josh Kennedy, David Carney, Archie Thompson and Michael Beauchamp, plus solid displays
from the older heads.
The fans also stood to applaud Josip Skoko in his final match -- he was substituted after
51 minutes after having won 51 caps.
The underrated national team servant was mobbed by 10 teammates before making way for Carl
Valeri, a future star who will be delighted if he can emulate Skoko's feats.
The Aussies were brilliant in the first half and went into the break level.
But they switched off just four minutes after the restart. Tevez won a free kick and Messi
whipped in a dangerous ball. But there was no excuse for the abysmal marking.
Demichelis headed home from 5m and there was no Socceroo within the same radius.
Carney retaliated by almost lobbing Roberto Abbondanzieri, while Bresciano caused more
problems with another venomous long-range free kick, but the Socceroos couldn't find the
elusive equaliser.
Earning a rare start, Archie Thompson supported another local in Kennedy, who was making
his first appearance since last year's World Cup, in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
While not quite resorting to route-one football, the Socceroos weren't afraid to bomb it
into the box with the 194cm Kennedy as the focal point.
He asked questions of the Argentina defence after just seven minutes when his headed down
to Bresciano, whose shot was cleared off the line by Demichelis.
But Kennedy is no one-trick pony -- he can seriously play, as evidenced via a sensational
cross late in the half with his opposite foot.
Not to be outdone, Messi broke clear in the 14th minute and only a last-ditch tackle from
Carney saved the day.
He looked every bit the "new Maradona" moments later when he danced around two
Socceroos and blasted the inside of the post from 20m.
Thompson proved a great advertisement for the A-League.
A sublime turn and shot produced a great save from Abbondanzieri.
But the Argentine keeper had no idea about Bresciano's 25th minute free kick.
Bresciano struck the crossbar from a 30m free kick, which rebounded on to Abbondanzieri's
head and back on to the bar before dropping at his feet.
Australia 0 - Argentina 1 (Demichelis, 49')
Australia: 1. Mark SCHWARZER (gk), 2. Lucas NEILL, 4. David CARNEY, 5. Jason CULINA, 6.
Michael BEAUCHAMP, 7. Luke WILKSHIRE, 8. Josip SKOKO (17. Carl VALERI 51 ’), 9.
Joshua KENNEDY (22. Nik MRDJA 82’), 11. Archie THOMPSON (19. Nick CARLE 62’),
13. Vincenzo GRELLA, 23. Marco BRESCIANO (10. Brett HOLMAN 58’).
Argentina: 13. Roberto ABBONDANZIERI (gk) 2. Martin DEMICHELIS, 6. Gabriel HEINZE, 8.
Javier ZANETTI, 11. Carlos TEVEZ (84’), 14. Javier MASCHERANO, 15. Gabriel MILITO,
17. Nicolas BURDISSO, 18. Jonas GUTIERREZ (5. Fernando GAGO 72’), 19. Lionel MESSI
(90+1’), 20. Federico INSUA (16. Cristian LEDESMA 80’).
A 1-1 against DPR Korea in Pyongyang this afternoon was enough to see Australia qualify for Beijing. It was a terrible display, and almost typical after coming off a 2-0 win against Iraq last Saturday in Gosford to put Australia in the box seat, with the team playing too "cutesy" - trying to work better angles for crosses rather than simply getting the cross in. Worse, it continued after a horrendous goal just after 10 minutes in when a Pak Choi Min ran onto a seemingly harmless long ball from deep to lob the keeper and score. The 60% possession at half time meant nothing when DPR Korea had more shots (10 to 4) and far better chances. It quite easily could have been 2-0 at half time. Thankfully, the team's forte - set pieces - proved the edge when Mark Milligan lobbed across the face of goal for it to go in off the post with it rebounding off the belly of a charging Adrian Leijer's just to make sure. It proved the greatest redemption possible for it were he that was mostly responsible for the goal conceded to Korea.
From there, the team played out time, somewhat disappointingly. Instead of wasting time running the ball to the corner flag and then hoping for a corner, why not get a cross in and just score the goal? Time and time again there were opportunities.
In defence of the team, it was in DPR Korea, the conditions were almost sub-zero, and they were playing on a frozen pitch.
Qualifying or not, it just shows the value of Australia in Asia now. Never before had the team had this type of competition or experience. It's also much more rewarding qualifying when the road presented in front of you is much more difficult to travel.
The Olyroos have fought back from near-disaster to qualify for the Beijing Olympics
with a a1-1 draw against North Korea in Pyongyang.
Skipper Mark Milligan's header in the 70th minute secured Australia's under-23s the point
they needed to top Group A and secure their passage to next year's Games.
The Olyroos trailed for most of the match after being caught napping defensively after
just 10 minutes.
Striker Pak Chol Min nipped in between Milligan and goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, then lobbed
neatly over the keeper's head to give the home side the lead.
Despite being out of contention to qualify, North Korea torched the Aussies in the first
half, peppering their goal while the Olyroos struggled to master a plastic pitch and
near-zero temperatures in the North Korean capital.
But as the home side tired visibly, Australia grew in composure and confidence - with
Milligan going from villain to hero with 20 minutes remaining.
The Sydney FC defender's looping header from a Kristian Sarkies free-kick squeezed inside
the left-hand post - perhaps with some help from teammate Adrian Leijer - to give the
Olyroos a berth at the Games.
The result will continue Australia's unbroken run of Olympic football qualification since
1988.
Second-placed Iraq, whom the Olyroos beat 2-0 in Gosford last weekend, could have
qualified at Australia's expense if the visitors had slipped up on Wednesday.
Now Iraq's overnight match against Lebanon in Qatar is a dead rubber - with Australia now
four points clear atop their group.
It completes a 14-match qualifying campaign for the Olyroos across eight countries to
reach Beijing.
It's been a good few days for Australia's national teams.
Last Saturday a make-shift senior team defeated an equally make-shift Nigeria in London, 1-0. David Carney scored a cracking goal from range in the second half, while Mark Schwarzer made a crucial save against the run of play late in the first half to keep Australia in the game. Harry Kewell started the game and excelled. Also impressive were the new boys of Nick Carle, Carl Valeri, Scott McDonald and David Carney, while stand-in coach, Rob Baan, did well organising a team with whom he had only 3 training sessions.
Only disappointment is the game was on at 2am. These games in London are supposedly for Australian TV, so why on so late?
A wonder strike from David Carney gave the Socceroos a well deserved 1-0 win against
Nigeria in a friendly at Craven Cottage yesterday.
Carney produced a brilliant 25m goal to give victory to a side that was missing stalwarts
Mark Viduka, Vince Grella and Tim Cahill through injury.
The 52nd-minute half-volley against a side ranked No. 19 in the world - shocked even the
man himself.
"It was just one of those that you hit it and thankfully it went in," Carney
said.
They might not have a coach but that didn't stop the Socceroos displaying their
credentials away from home.
With less than half a dozen international caps each, Carney, Nick Carle and Carl Valeri
dominated the midfield to give the Socceroos a deserved victory.
Nigerian goalkeeper Dele Aiyenuga had to be at his acrobatic best to keep the match
scoreless before halftime.
But he could not stop Carney's strike that led to wild chants from the Australians in the
12,000-strong crowd that braved the freezing temperatures at the home ground of English
Premier League club Fulham
Melbourne-born striker Scott McDonald wasted no time with a solid assault on goal in the
second minute following a pin-point Carney cross.
After less than 15 minutes, Harry Kewell also narrowly missed a solid shot at goal; the
first of many attempts.
Nigeria lacked any flair in the field, but almost took the lead after 30 minutes when
Socceroos' goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer pushed Ayo Makinwa's close-range deflected effort on
to the crossbar.
Carle showed no signs of being overawed in his first start with the Socceroos and forced
another fine stop from Aiyenuga with a powerful long-range effort.
While Australia played a free-flowing game of football throughout the second half with
plenty of chances that didn't pay off, it showed the sort of flair not seen during its
Asia Cup campaign earlier this year.
The Socceroos held on to their advantage to gain a confidence boosting win in their final
friendly before their World Cup qualification bid through Asia begins in early February.