Matthew Spiranovic and Tim Cahill reflect on Socceroos’ comeback against Kuwait

Defender Matthew Spiranovic admitted to Chile flashbacks, but Tim Cahill was proud of his young teammates’ stunning reaction against Kuwait.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 09: Ivan Franjic and Matthew Spiranovic of Australia celebrate after Australia defeated Kuwait during the 2015 Asian Cup match between the Australian Socceroos and Kuwait at AAMI Park on January 9, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Defender Matthew Spiranovic admitted to Chile flashbacks, but veteran Tim Cahill was proud of his young teammates’ stunning reaction against Kuwait.

Spiranovic declared that Australia has plenty of improvement left, despite scoring four in a scintillating 59-minute display that could’ve been more.

But Spiranovic and Cahill were both involved in the calamitous set-piece defending that led to Kuwait’s 8th minute opener, and warned that it must improve.

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Aziz Behich and Mile Jedinak could’ve done better at the front post, but Spiranovic claimed responsibility for losing Ali Hussain Fadhel, admitting Cuiaba deja vu when Alexis Sanchez and Jorge Valdivia netted inside 14 minutes for Chile.

“It wasn’t a good feeling, such a soft goal,’’ Spiranovic said.

“There was confusion and we didn’t get organised early enough, ball bouncing in the box, not marking. It was probably my man, I should’ve picked him up.

“We put unnecessary pressure on ourselves, but good character and composure to be patient and find the goals.

“You don’t want to peak in the first game, there’s plenty of room for improvement, no doubt about it.

“We don’t want to peak in the first game of the tournament, it’s a good platform.

“There’s a lot of new combinations. It’s probably the first time the back four has played together, it wasn’t too bad, but all over the pitch we can improve.

“Oman are a good side and they’ll be a bit better organised than Kuwait, they’ve got dangerous attackers we have to be wary of.’’

Cahill said the equaliser was his first chance of the game after tight Kuwaiti marking.

“It was disappointing to concede, but the way we reacted to a full house, people expecting a big performance, I’m really proud of the boys and it’s a great start,’’ Cahill said.

“I had to wait a long time to get one chance, holding back the two defenders, they thought they had me and it only takes one second.

“Normally I have three chances every game, I missed one which I’m upset about but I got one which was an important one, it got us back into the game.

“When the ball hit the back of the net, the boys got confidence from that and we grew and that’s what I thrive of.

“We won’t to get carried away, we’ll go away and look at the goal, look at how we can play better. We need to stay disciplined now.’’

Originally published as Matthew Spiranovic and Tim Cahill reflect on Socceroos’ comeback against Kuwait