After a scrappy performance against Benin in the first game that saw a 1-1 result, Australia was out-classed by the hosts in the second game to lose 3-0. They now must beat Japan in their final game to ensure passage to the next phase. While the loss to Holland is no great shame, Australia will rue some missed opportunities against Benin.
After starting slowly and conceding a goal in the first 20 minutes, a far more cohesive unit came out after half time. Australia dominated the better chances on goal for the remainder of the game, had far more shots (17 to 11) and forced far more saves (11 to 3). One close range volley from a low cross hit the post and another similiar opportunity was unfortunately scuffed.
Australia needs to win their final game, against Japan, to ensure progression to the next phase. While Australia beat Japan 1-0 in a warm-up game, Japan ran Holland much closer when losing 2-1 earlier in the tournament. Australia needs to improve regardless if it wants to progress deep into the tournament.
NETHERLANDS 3 (Hedwiges Maduro 20’, Urby Emanuelson 46’, Rick Kruys 74’)
AUSTRALIA 0
TEAM: Adam Federici (gk); Mark Milligan, Trent McClenahan, Jacob Timpano, Aaron Downes; Billy Celeski (Ruben Zadkovich 51’), Stuart Musialik, Kristian Sarkies (Jay Lucas 61’); Vince Lia (c), Spase Dilevski (Chris Tadrosse 51’), Nick Ward
AUSTRALIA 1 (Nick Ward 59’)
BENIN 1 (Razak Omotoyossi 32’)
TEAM: Adam Federici (gk); Mark Milligan, Trent McClenahan (c) Jacob Timpano, Aaron Downes; Billy Celeski, Stuart Musialik, Kristian Sarkies; Vince Lia, Chris Tadrosse (Spase Dilevski 77’), Nick Ward
An equaliser in the last 3 minutes by Japan saw Australia bomb out of the World Youth Cup with a 1-1 draw. The result saw Holland on maximum points after the three group games while Australia, Japan and Benin all finished with two points from drawing with one another. It was such a scenario that I've not seen since Scotland threatened to qualify with just two draws in the 1998 World Cup. That was until Norway beat Brazil in the final group game to put a stop to such nonsense. On this occasion, Japan progressed by scoring more goals than Benin when losing to Holland 2-1 compared to Benin's loss of 1-0. Both had a -1 goal difference, while Australia's was -3. But really, none of those teams really deserved to progress in such circumstances.
Australia's performance during the game could only be described as hopeless. I don't know what game commentators like SBS's Francis Awaritefe were watching, but Australia were a commentator, they'd be Awaritefe. Awaritefe must be the worst commentator ever. Padding his sentences with "really" and "I think" would work a bit better if he actually had something of substance to say in the first place. As for Australia, they barely created one chance from the field, lacked imagination going forward, and only ever looked dangerous from dead ball situations. Even then, their 75th minute goal came from the Japanese goal-keeper dropping the ball.
Who knows what's happened to Australian youth teams of recent years except that it seems they've all developed a swagger to them - expecting things to happen and results to fall into place. Brett Emerton - a veteran of so many youth teams - is one player that seems to carry such a trait in the senior team. Maybe it's the result of beating up island nations to qualify, but once teams step out of the realms of Oceania, they need to show more respect and dedication to the cause. A very disappointing tournament that never offered a glimpse of hope.
Coach Ange Postecoglou's post-match comments:
"It is a desperately disappointing and heartbreaking way to go out. I thought all the boys played very well today and did everything right. I certainly can’t question their commitment but it seems it just wasn't meant to be. A lot of little things didn't go our way both today and at times in the other games but that is world cup football."
Well, I don't know what match you were watching either, Mr Postecoglou.
AUSTRALIA 1 (Ryan Townsend 75’)
JAPAN 1 (Shunsuke Maeda 87’)
Team: Justin Pasfield (gk); Mark Milligan, Trent McClenahan, Jacob Timpano (C), Ryan
Townsend; Stuart Musialik (Billy Celeski 72’), James Wesolowski, Ruben Zadkovich
(Nick Ward 55’); Chris Tadrosse, Spase Dilevski (Kristian Sarkies 64’), Jay
Lucas
10 Jun 05 16:00 Kerkrade BEN - AUS 1:1 (1:0)
10 Jun 05 20:00 Kerkrade NED - JPN 2:1 (2:0)
15 Jun 05 17:30 Kerkrade JPN - BEN 1:1 (0:1)
15 Jun 05 20:30 Kerkrade AUS - NED 0:3 (0:1)
18 Jun 05 16:00 Kerkrade JPN - AUS 1:1 (0:0)
18 Jun 05 16:00 Tilburg NED - BEN 1:0 (1:0)
Team GP W D L GF GA + / - Pts
Netherlands 3 3 0 0 6 1 5 9
Japan 3 0 2 1 3 4 -1 2
Benin 3 0 2 1 2 3 -1 2
Australia 3 0 2 1 2 5 -3 2
* Australia and Benin eliminated
21 Jun 05 17:30 Enschede USA - ITA 1:3 (1:0)
21 Jun 05 20:30 Enschede MAR - JPN 1:0 (0:0)
21 Jun 05 20:30 Tilburg BRA - SYR 1:0 (1:0)
21 Jun 05 17:30 Tilburg CHN - GER 2:3 (2:2)
22 Jun 05 17:30 Doetinchem NGA - UKR 1:0 (0:0)
22 Jun 05 20:30 Doetinchem NED - CHI 3:0 (1:0)
22 Jun 05 17:30 Emmen COL - ARG 1:2 (0:0)
22 Jun 05 20:30 Emmen ESP - TUR 3:0 (2:0)
24 Jun 05 17:30 Utrecht MAR - ITA 2:2 a.e.t. (1:1, 1:0) 4:2 PSO
24 Jun 05 20:30 Tilburg GER - BRA 1:2 a.e.t. (1:1, 0:0)
25 Jun 05 15:30 Kerkrade NGA - NED 1:1 a.e.t. (1:1, 1:0) 10:9 PSO
25 Jun 05 20:30 Enschede ARG - ESP 3:1 (1:1)
28 Jun 05 17:30 Utrecht BRA - ARG 1:2 (0:1)
28 Jun 05 20:30 Kerkrade MAR - NGA 0:3 (0:1)
02 Jul 05 17:00 Utrecht BRA - MAR 2:1 (0:1)
02 Jul 05 20:00 Utrecht ARG - NGA 2:1 (1:0)