Australia were unlucky to concede twice and fail in their numerous efforts to score in overnight's loss against Brazil. In managing to press the World Champions for the bulk of the match, Australia seemed to have done enough to earn a draw or even snatch an unlikely victory.
Time and again the Brazilian defense was penetrated, but Kewell, Bresciano, Culina and Viduka were unable to provide a final killer blow to put the ball in the net. In contrast, Brazil capitalised on the space given to Ronaldinho for one instant, as he supplied a straight ball for Ronaldo to hold and attract defenders before laying off to Adriano for the finish.
One-nil down but with a three goal buffer over Croatia in the group, Australia carried on with the fight to get something out of the match. Kewell spurned the best opportunity of the encounter, hoofing a snap shot over the crossbar after a Dida error presented Kewell with an open goal. It's doesn't seem Kewell's style to mull over what-ifs, but he might be forced to re-live that moment for years to come. Kewell's later long-range effort over Dida's head brought back memories of some of his fantastic goals for Leeds, but also made it perfectly clear that he lacks the speed and precision of those glory years. Bresciano almost pulled off a miraculous scissor-kick, not quite catching the sweet spot of a descending high ball and thus enabling Dida time to stretch and save. Fred's tap in to finish the match was a cruel blow for Australia, but also a natural result of Hiddink's determination to push forward and end the game once more with only one recognised defender, Lucas Neill. At some point the luck earned against Japan had to run out. The entrance of the lively Robinho for the struggling Ronaldo settled the matter, his pace and agility a stark contrast to Ronaldo's lumbering power.
The best news for Australia was the absence of suspensions for the quartet on yellow cards after the match against Japan. Moore and Cahill were dragged from the match early, probably with a view to protecting them for Croatia, while Grella somehow escaped caution after leaving some nasty gouge marks to the side of Ronaldo's shin. Aloisi barely got himself involved in the match, a testament to Brazil's defensive organisation during the crunch period of the final minutes.
With Robert Kovac suspended and hot tempers flaring in the Croatian camp, Australia must enter the match confident of securing a berth in the second round and creating another astonishing moment in Australian sports history. It won't be easy by any means. Croatia are a mercurial outfit, just as capable of punishing Australia for any laziness or mistakes at the back as they are of wilting under the pressure and missing golden opportunities. An early goal for Australia would make it incredibly tough for Croatia, who would need to score twice to advance, but we all remember the outcome after Australia created a two goal cushion against Iran in 1997.
2 comments:
Unfortunatley looks like Kewell may miss the match due to his outburst!
About the only positive result of a Kewell suspension is that he'd be fresh if we do happen to qualify for the second round. I'm sure he'd prefer a massive fine to suspension. Fingers crossed he'll be okay, and maybe receive just a retrospective yellow card. Unlikely, but we really don't deserve to be punished for a few heated words -- if not Kewell, someone else would have been desperate to have a go at Merk.
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