With injuries to key players, Pim Verbeek fielded a team which combined experience with youth, with an eye on giving his fringe players more international experience. Mark Schwarzer again stood between the sticks, and with Lucas Neill’s absence took over the captaincy. He was protected by a back four of Shane Stefanutto, Jade North, Mark Milligan and Patrick Kisnorbo. Despite playing both Scotty McDonald and Josh Kennedy, Pim stuck with his preferred 4-5-1 formation, meaning that Macca was a part of the midfield quintet comprising of himself, Vinnie Grella, Jason Culina, Brett Holman and Mark Bresciano. As mentioned, Kennedy led the line.

In front of a boisterous crowd of twenty odd thousand, Socceroos were the first to falter as an early mistake gave the home side the lead within the opening five minutes. Perhaps not the best advertisement for the A-League, but the only two domestic based players in the side combined to put the Green and Gold on the back foot. Culina’s poor pass was placed behind Stefanutto, and the left back’s subsequent off-balanced back pass was short, giving the ball squarely to Lee Chung-Yong on the right flank. A quick break by prolific youngster Park Chu-Young gave him the angle to slot his shot across Schwarzer and draw first blood.

With the Socceroos stunned, the Korean’s second goal arrive fifteen minutes later, when an innocuous free kick to the back post resulted in a ball played across goal, which was turned in at the near post by Lee Jung-Soo.

With Australia needing inspiration, and more importantly a goal before half time, the expertise of Bresciano’s free kicks duly delivered. An in-swinging and dipping effort, which took the keeper out of the equation, was nicely met by Patrick Kisnorbo to give the Socceroos a lifeline.

An improved performance in the second half resulted in no fruition, despite long range efforts by Bresciano and Stefanutto which drew nive saves from Lee Woon-Jae. Late in the game a lose ball from midfield, this time by Grella, gave the Koreans another opportunity which they took with aplomb. An interception by Park allowed him to run down the left flank, before delivering a delightful ball for Seoul Ki-Hyeon to nod home despite Schwarzer’s best efforts.

It was a disappointing result, it’s never good to lose. However, the Socceroos can take solace in the fact that most of their key players were missing. The team work and the work rate of the Koreans was the main difference tonight, and if there are positives to take from this match it’s that this is the perfect kick up the butt we needed. A lot had been made about our rise in international football in the recent years, so a loss like this is a nice little wake up call to remind us that while we are improving, there is still a long way to go before we can even be considered as a World Cup quality side.

Scotty McDonald will be looking over his shoulder as Josh Kennedy is also recalled into the squad. Having given Jesus the night off against Ireland so that he can adapt more quickly to his new club in Japan, Pim couldn’t resist picking the big forward after his solid start in the J-League. The pressure is clearly on Macca, as his search continues for that elusive first Socceroos goal.

Dario Vidosic, Rhys Williams and Nikita Rukavytsya again make the cut, giving the squad a nice balance of young and old, and the impression one gets is that Pim is grooming them for more important roles come South Africa 2010.

Socceroos Squad
Michael Beauchamp,
Mark Bresciano,
Nick Carle,
David Carney,
Ante Covic,
Jason Culina,
Vincenzo Grella,
Brett Holman,
Danny Invincibile,
Mile Jedinak,
Josh Kennedy,
Harry Kewell,
Patrick Kisnorbo,
Scott McDonald,
Mark Milligan,
Jade North,
Michael Petkovic,
Nikita Rukavytsya,
Mark Schwarzer,
Matthew Spiranovic,
Shane Stefanutto,
Dario Vidosic,
Rhys Williams,
Luke Wilshire

In their first match since attaining their highest FIFA ranking of sixteen, the Socceroos showed all the class and aptitude to support their lofty status. The Socceroos’ famed defence again stood strong, shutting out quality players such as Robbie Keane, Darren Gibson, Kevin Doyle, and Damien Duff. However, it was the effectiveness of our offence which was so pleasantly surprising. A defensive unit comprising of Shay Given, John O’Shea and Richard Dunne was expected to be difficult to break down, but Pim’s men discharged all the boring football claims and Cahill shut the home side out with two goals in seven minutes towards the end of the first half.

With Lucas Neill still clubless and out of match practice, Schwarzer was given the armband, and he was protected by a fairly inexperienced backline of Rhys Williams, David Carney, Jade North and Patrick Kisnorbo. The midfield quintet comprised of Harry Kewell, Mark Bresciano, Luke Wilkshire, Mile Jedinak, and of course the goal scoring sergeant Cahill. Scott McDonald again led the line, but once again he has failed to break his international duck, although he came close midway through the first half, only for Given to recover well after blocking a Kisnorbo header.

Despite not scoring, Macca did wonderfully to set up Cahill, holding the ball up nicely and picking out a pin point lay off through a sea of legs for the Everton hitman to pounce. Cahill backed up minutes later after Given did well to block a powerful Williams’ shot, only for the rebound to land at Cahill’s feet, which he duly smashed home with aplomb. The Socceroos had to weather a second half storm of Irish attacks, but after several near misses and shots against the post, Carney wrapped up the game in spectaular fashion, launching one of his trademark long range bombs to leave the Irish keeper flapping at air.

It was a thoroughly satisfying display by the Green and Gold, away against a side who is currently second in their World Cup Qualifying Group behind Italy. Italian coach Giovanni Trappattoni may have rekindled the fire in Irish football in the time he’s taken over, but the Socceroos proved to be the wet blanket for him as they totally dominated today’s proceedings.

Nonetheless, it’s a good start to our bid, and now let’s hope the likes of Frank Lowy et al will use the Government’s $50 million grant wisely and bring the Cup here.

With several players rested due to yellow card concerns, the side which Pim sent out was a mix of experience and youth. Recent Welsh convert Rhys Williams made his international bow at the centre of defence alongside skipper Lucas Neill, who reclaimed the armband from the ever present Mark Schwarzer. Shane Stefanutto started at left back and he provided some nice attacking runs, not to mention a sweet left foot cross. Jade North was a bit more subdued on the right back role, concentrating on his defensive duties and having a less attacking mentality. Vinnie Grella and Jason Culina started in the middle, with an attacking trio of Mile Sterjovski, Cahill and Nicky Carle in front of them. The mercurial Carle and the stylish Mile Jedinak – who started the Bahrain match – are vying for the playmaker’s role in Pim’s squad, and on the basis of what we have seen, Carle has the slight advantage over Jedinak. Josh Kennedy started as the lone striker, with Pim no doubt using his height as a weapon.

With both teams having already qualified for next year’s World Cup, there were thoughts that the match would be a glorified friendly. This was quickly put to rest, as both teams came out and attacked, with Cahill almost giving the Socceroos the lead barely five minutes in. Running onto a long ball, Cahill managed to dribble deep into the box before unleashing a left foot drive which was blocked by Japanese Narasaki. The loose ball was played back to Sterjovski, whose first time shot was deflected over. Notions of a friendly were definitely put aside as both teams made crunching tackles which somehow managed to just escape the referee’s wrath.

Both sides played an up tempo game, with the Japanese heavily relying on their wingers’ overlapping runs. Despite having more balls in the box, their strikers were unable to find the clinical finish. Australia themselves had several half chances, with Cahill’s and Sterjovski’s early efforts being the best of them.

However, on the half hour mark, an innocuous corner was our downfall, as a textbook play gave the Japanese the lead. Making a late run towards the six yard box, Tulio Tanaka met a perfectly delivered cross to out jump Cahill and nod past Schwarzer. It was the first goal the Socceroos defence had given all qualifying campaign, and there was almost a look of disbelief from the giant keeper. Schwarzer probably should have come out and claimed the corner, because as soon as Cahill was outjumped, there was no way any keeper in the world would have had the reflexes to save the header. Nonetheless, the Japanese celebrated an early goal, much like that sunny afternoon in Germany in 2006.

They nearly went ahead further, as in first half injury time a Tamada free kick found its way over the wall and flying towards the net. With Schwarzer well beaten, it was left to Neill to head off the line and save what was a certain goal.

The first fifteen minutes of the second half was a war of attrition, with nothing of great concern taking place. Then Timmy Cahill turned the match on its head with two goals to stun the Japanese…again.

Firstly, on the hour mark, Cahill provided some payback for Tanaka, when he outjumped the Japanese defender at the back post to meet a Grella long ball and put the Socceroos back on level terms. Then, several minutes later, he timed his run to perfection again to sneak in front of a Japanese defender as he turned a Carle corner into the net.

Suddenly it was 2-1 Australia, and the Japanese all had bewildered looks on their faces, no doubt having flashbacks of their World Cup disaster. Cahill, on the other hand, could not have looked more energized, with the trademark corner flag boxing routine proudly coming to the fore. After a week of turmoil and having his reputation dragged through the mud by The Daily Telegraph’s claims, Cahill was vindicated and it was not hard to imagine that every punch he threw at the corner flag was actually intended for the Telegraph’s editor.

While John Aloisi wasn’t scripted to come on and complete the rout, the match was all but won as the deflated Japanese lost their bite after the Cahill double. With the minutes running down, the Everton player was given a standing ovation as he was substituted. In what could be a fair indication of the present and the future of the Socceroos, Cahill made way for young Dario Vidosic, who made his international debut.

Overall, an exciting match where the psychological repercussions of the Cahill comeback would run much deeper than the 2-1 score line. The Japanese have had their spirit broken by the same man, and have lost the top spot in the group to the Green and Gold. Takeshi Okada’s men will now have to face the music in terms of their constant failures to finish opponents off, and more importantly they have to settle on being defeated by their main Asian rivals again.

From Australia’s point of view, it was a bit of a scare and altogether not an overly convincing effort. Playing at home, we shouldn’t be relying on these sorts of miracles to win, although it can be argued that it was an experience gathering occasion for some of the younger lads. It was good to see Carle in the Green and Gold again, as it was to see Williams and Vidosic make their debuts.

Congratulations to the boys and Pim for such a successful qualifying campaign. Although the fanfare hasn’t been as exciting as four years ago, it is every bit as important and you have all done us proud. Now Pim’s attention will turn back onto our disastrous Asian Cup campaign, where we are bottom of our group with just a single point from two games.

Pim started with a 4-2-3-1, with Mark Schwarzer in goals and acting captain due to Lucas Neill’s suspension. Schwarz was protected by a back four of Chris Coyne and Mark Milligan in the middle, and Carney and Luke Wilkshire at left and right back respectively. The two holding midfielders were Jason Culina and Mile Jedinak, while the three attack mids were Harry Kewell, Brett Holman and Sterjovski. Scotty McDonald was the lone striker.

The match was barely five minutes in when Bahrain had the first real opportunity with a free kick on the edge of the box. However, it was wasted as Talal Yusuf hit his shot into the wall, and this was as close as the visitors got to scoring in the first half.

The Socceroos provided several nice passing moves which resulted in shots at goal, but none were clinical as the sides went into the sheds without scoring. Scott McDonald will be kicking himself as he missed a golden opportunity to score his first international goal. Running onto a long ball over the top, Macca didn’t realise the time he had, choosing to blast a volley over instead of controlling the ball and going one on one against the keeper.

The Socceroos finally made the break through ten minutes into the second half, when nice work on the left by Kewell found Sterjovski after a mistake from the Bahraini defence. The new Perth Glory winger volleyed calmly into the net to send the Socceroos 1-0 up.

The Bahrainis almost hit back straight away, as several minutes later giant defender Abdulla Al Marzooqi headed home from a free kick, only to be flagged for offside.

On the hour mark Jedinak was subbed for Grella, and it was unfortunately a quiet game by Jedinak, who no doubt was trying to impress Pim with this opportunity. But I think the Socceroos game plan went against the playmaker, as Pim instructed his men to pump the ball out wide and find the wingers with every opportunity, therefore not giving Jedinak enough of the ball to work his magical passes with. However, it was still an encouraging sign that Pim gave Jedinak a game, and the creative midfielder shouldn’t be too disheartened by his performance.

On the other hand, Macca had a night to forget as he missed two more opportunities midway through the second half, firstly after being called for offside and then secondly when his bicycle hit the post. His inability to score for the Socceroos must be frustrating the Celtic frontman, and hopefully he manages to score soon so that his confidence in a Green and Gold jersey isn’t sapped.

Not to be outdone by Macca, Culina came up with a bicycle kick of him own late in the game, but with the same post rattling result as McDonald. However, this time Carney was on hand to stab home the rebound to send the home side 2-0 up and secure the victory along the way.

All in all, it was a very pragmatic match from the Socceroos. They didn’t over exert themselves, and did just enough to secure a comfortable win. The cold weather failed to dampen the moods of the crowd, who treated the night with the party atmosphere it deserved.

The Socceroos finish their World Cup qualifying campaign next Wednesday with the final match against fellow qualifiers Japan in Melbourne.

Sterjovski got the first and Carney got the second after a bicylce from Culina hit the bar. Overall a tame effort by the Socceroos. Even worse effort by the Bahrainis, surely someone must have told them it was too cold to go diving all night.

More detailed report tommorrow when my fingers have defrosted.

It was music to the ears for fans who have bought tickets for the games, but I believe that this is the perfect opportunity to give the fringe players a chance. I will personally have no qualms if the second string side takes the field, as I believe that they will be out to impress Pim and will be full energy and commitment anyway (if wearing the Green and Gold isn’t reason enough).

With this in mind, I think that the team should be:

GK – Brad Jones
RB – Jade North
CB – Matt Spiranovic
CB – Rhys Williams
LB – David Carney
CM – Mile Jedinak
CM – Vinnie Grella
RM – Richard Garcia
LM – Mile Sterjovski
FC – Bruce Djite
FC – Scott McDonald

Grella, Sterjovski and McDonald make the starting XI because they would need some experienced leadership out there, and then maybe bring on Mark Milligan, Shane Stefanutto (as LB and push Carney into LM) and Nick Carle/Dario Vidosic a bit later in the match.

In an article for Soccernet, Jason Dasey pointed out the worrying fact that a significant number of the squad will be the other side of 30 when the World Cup rolls around, so Pim must take these matches as opportunities to blood the younger members.

In other news, Lucas Neill admitted that the assault charge he nearly brought on himself late in the Qatar match was because he deliberately wanted to get a yellow, thereby ensuring that he gets to play the Japan match in Melbourne. Going into the Qatar match sitting on a yellow already, Neill’s late challenge on the Qatari captain meant that he would be suspended for Bahrain, therefore clearing him with a clean slate against the Japanese.

Finally, is anyone going to the Bahrain game? I will be, and if you come see me I’ll shout you a round. Look out for me, I’ll be the guy in the Socceroos jersey…

Full team or second string? Thoughts? Comments?

Pim started with a 4-4-1-1, with the immovable Schwarzer in goals. Chris Coyne was a surprise selection to partner captain Lucas Neill in the centre of defence, with Jason Culina and Scott Chipperfield at left and right back. The tireless Vinnie Grella and Carl Valeri occupied the holding midfielder roles, while Harry Kewell and Mark Bresciano started on the wings. Timmy Cahill made his usual late runs into the box, feeding off the scraps that towering Josh Kennedy provided.

In a dominating performance, the Socceroos can count themselves unlucky not to have won the match. Having the majority of the possession in the first half, the Socceroos played enterprising football, with an early header from Kennedy drifting wide. Cahill followed this up soon after with a magnificent bicycle kick which crashed into the post, while Valeri had a stinging drive headed off the line after great play by Kewell.

The Qataris defended resolutely, and rode their luck at times, but were unable to keep the brilliant Kewell quiet. Constantly swapping flanks with Bresciano, Kewell mesmerised the Qatari defence with his close dribbling and skill. This led to another early chance in the second half, when a Kewell cut back after another mazy run almost deflecting into the net.

The equally brilliant Cahill came closest to opening the scoring in the second half, after a nice sequence of passes allowed the Everton hitman a free half volley from close range. He met the ball beautifully but the Qatari keeper was up to the task, instinctively blocking the shot away.

Coyne came close to scoring his first goal for the Socceroos when his shot off a corner was cleared off the line, while Kennedy almost got lucky after a wayward cross nearly found its way into the top corner (a la Ronaldinho in the 2002 World Cup against England).

Kewell finished up proceedings with yet another skilful run on the left flank, and then to cut back inside before firing a rasping shot with the right boot which the Qatari keeper again did well to block.

As the minutes ticked away, the Socceroo fans rose to their feet in Doha, awaiting the final whistle to confirm their team’s presence at the greatest stage of all. However, they were left with an anxious moment during the final minutes when Neill made a late and rash challenge from behind which earned him a yellow card. With another referee it could very easily have been a red card, and Valeri’s challenge for the resulting loose ball caused a minor melee as players from both sides rushed in to diffuse the situation.

With this fracas out of the way, and several late Qatari corners well defended, the referee blew the final whistle, providing the Socceroos and the Aussie fans with the sweetest sound of all. It might not have been as dramatic as four years ago, but after all the years of misery and last hurdle slip ups, it’s great to be one of the first teams to qualify.

Congratulations and many thanks to the players and staff, and especially Pim, who has – admittedly – come under some scrutiny on this blog. And of course, congratulations to all the Socceroos fans who have cheered the boys on, now we all get to share in the wonderful experience of the World Cup again.