Socceroos draw 0-0 with Honduras: 5 things we learned from the World Cup play-off first leg

AZIZ Behich makes a case for full-time gig, Honduras’ team are almost as bad as their pitch and clutch moments bring out the best in Australia.

Mile Jedinak shrugged off fitness concerns to play a true captain’s role.

1. Nothing concentrates the mind like death or glory.

This was easily the best Socceroos performance away from home since beating the UAE in September last year. The focus, the command of the ball, the shape were all exemplary. An away golden would have capped it all, but the Socceroos faced down their opponent.

MATCH REPORT: Australia boss game to earn hard fought draw

ANALYSIS: Socceroos win the fight but fail to land a knock-out blow

AS IT HAPPENED: Re-live the match on our rolling blog

2. It’s not only Australia that struggles with pitch maintenance.

The game was played on one of the worst in recent memory; in patches it bunched like a cheap carpet, in others it sucked the speed out of the ball like a black hole. Faced with such lumpen surface, it was no wonder Honduras’s answer was to lump the ball; but credit Australia for trying to play the ball on the deck, even when that deck was so dicey.

The pitch in San Pedro Sula cut up almost from the first minute of the game.

3. Honduras are seriously average.

This was their big chance, a full house roaring them on in a stadium they know well. But beyond turning the Australian defence a couple of times they had little attacking prowess, and the more aimless long balls they threw forward, the more the visiting rearguard gobbled them up. By the end Honduras looked knackered — there must be serious doubts over their ability to recover for Wednesday.

4. Aziz Behich should be first choice left wingback.

Thankfully Brad Smith’s injury in the previous game against Syria put him out of his misery after a succession of dubious performances, and removed the temptation for Ange Postecoglou to pick him. In his place Behich looked hungry, aggressive and powerful. His positioning was intelligent, and his crosses deserved better.

Mile Jedinak shrugged off fitness concerns to play a true captain’s role.

5. Mile Jedinak is made of kryptonite.

He must be, to be still moving at the end of his first 90 minutes in a very long time. With fewer than 100 minutes under his belt this season for his club, Jedinak’s presence and positioning were first rate. He set the tone by refusing to get drawn into rash tackles, and mostly his passing was faultless. He will need the masseurs and physios more than anyone on the return charter flight, but he has earned them more than anyone.

Originally published as Socceroos draw 0-0 with Honduras: 5 things we learned from the World Cup play-off first leg