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Socceroos’ World Cup hopes in tatters after Saudi Arabia defeat Japan

AFTER a wasteful win against Thailand, Australia was relying on Japan to do it a favour — and it was a fool’s mission.

James MattheyJames Matthey
@jamesmatthey
13 min read
September 6, 2017 - 6:38AM
Tuesday night was all kinds of weird.
Tuesday night was all kinds of weird.

Live: Socceroos vs Thailand

Australia’s participation at next year’s World Cup in Russia remains in limbo after a frenetic clash against Thailand.

AUSTRALIA’s World Cup hopes are in serious jeopardy after a frustrating night in Melbourne was followed by the wrong result in Saudi Arabia.

Mathew Leckie gave the Socceroos a qualifying lifeline, striking a late winner to earn Australia a 2-1 win over Thailand.

But Leckie’s goal — coming after Tomi Juric’s opener and Pokklaw Anan’s stunning reply — wasn’t enough to send the Socceroos to Russia next year.

Australia was sweating on the result in the Saudi Arabia-Japan match played early this morning and it didn’t go their way as the Saudis secured a 1-0 win.

Fahad Al Muwallad scored in the 63rd minute to help the hosts claim second spot in group B behind the Japanese and a direct path to the Cup.

Australia is now headed for a dreaded two-leg home-and-away qualifying route through Asia and North or Central America.

The Socceroos will next take on Syria in the cut-throat Asian tie next month after the war-torn country scored a dramatic injury time equaliser against Iran to re-take third spot in Group A with a 2-2 draw in Tehran. The matches will be played on October 5 and 10, with venues to be confirmed.

If they’re succesful, the final step will be a home-and-away tie against the fourth-ranked nation in the CONCACAF region on November 6 and November 15, which at this stage could still be any of the USA, Panama or Honduras.

Despite having already secured their sport at the biggest sporting event in the world, the Japanese played with purpose in the first half.

They matched Saudi Arabia with five shots at goal — including the only two from either side that were on target — despite having less possession (55 per cent to 45 per cent).

But they were unable to find the back of the net.

There was certainly no lack of enterprise on display at AAMI Park where the Socceroos achieved the result they wanted, but not the scoreline.

On a numbingly cold Melbourne night, Australia laid siege to the Thailand goal. Ange Postecoglou’s side racked up an astonishing 45 shots.

Both Aaron Mooy and Tim Cahill, who returned to the starting line-up among six changes by Postecoglou, rattled the posts in the opening quarter-hour. What appeared to be a rout in the making quickly turned into a frustrating night for the Socceroos.

Time after time Australia went forward, only to be thwarted by the Thai rearguard.

Goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool made a string of superb saves, none better than a close-range effort to deny Juric’s first-half volley. The striker finally broke through on 69 minutes, heading home Aaron Mooy’s pinpoint cross and sparking a mad scramble to run up the scoreline.

Instead, it was Thailand who stunned Australia on the counter, with Pokklaw thrashing home off the crossbar with eight minutes remaining. But Leckie saved Australia’s blushes.

The winger jumped on a loose ball and threaded it through a congested box to ensure a Socceroos win.

FINAL GROUP STANDINGS

1. Japan (6 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses, +10 goal difference) — 20 points

2. Saudi Arabia (6 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses, +7 goal difference) — 19 points

3. Australia (5 wins, 4, draws, 1 loss, +5 goal difference) — 19 points

4. United Arab Emirates (4 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses, -3 goal difference) — 13 points

5. Iraq (3 wins, 2 draws, 5 losses, -1 goal difference) — 11 points

6. Thailand (0 wins, 2 draws, 8 losses, -18 goal difference) — 2 points

Japan and Saudi Arabia qualify for the World Cup from Group B, joining Iran and South Korea.

Third-place finishers Australia and Syria head to a second chance play-off, with the winner to take on a North or Central American nation for a World Cup spot.

WHERE IT WENT WRONG

After breezing through their opening qualifiers, the Socceroos’ 1-0 triumph in oppressive conditions in Abu Dhabi put Australia on top of the second qualifying group.

But then the wheels fell off, with Ange Postecoglou’s side suffering four straight draws to drop out of the automatic qualifying positions. Unflattering away results to Iraq and Thailand allowed Saudi Arabia to steal a match on the Socceroos.

Home wins over UAE and Saudi Arabia looked to have righted Australia’s campaign, with qualification on offer with a win over Japan last week. A loss in Saitama, followed by the final-day heartbreak means the Socceroos must now do it the hard way, with back-to-back playoffs ahead.

— AAP

9pm

Melbourne madness erupts in second half

94th min — FULL TIME: Late Aussie surges couldn’t produce any extra goals but the Socceroos still emerged victorious. AUS 2 THA 1

86th min — GOAL: Mathew Leckie pounced on a lacklustre punch from Thailand’s keeper from a corner. The ball didn’t make it out of the box and the winger buried the ball in the back of the net. AUS 2 THA 1

82nd min — GOAL: Thailand put a dagger through Australians’ hearts with a goal just nine minutes from time. A cross along the carpet into the box found Pokklaw, whose neat first time shot with his left foot sent the ball home. “It is a catastrophe for the Socceroos. World Cup hopes may be disappearing,” Simon Hill said. AUS 1 THA 1

76th min — ‘WHAT ON EARTH?’: Barely two minutes after scoring an Aussie brain fade nearly destroyed everything. Mat Ryan took a quick goal kick but it found the feet of a Thai player because none of his defenders were awake to his plans. Fortunately, Thailand butchered its golden chance. “What on earth are they doing?” Simon Hill said.

74th min — The Socceroos had another shot cleared off the line, this time a header prevented from hitting the net.

69th min — GOAL: It took more than 20 shots but the Socceroos finally took the lead. Aaron Mooy picked out Tom Juric with a pinpoint cross from the left and the striker headed home his eighth international goal. AUS 1 THA 0

68th min — Tom Rogic picked up the scraps from a corner but for the third time tonight the Aussies hit the woodwork when his left footed strike collided into the left post. “Unbelievable,” commentator Simon Hill said.

63rd min — As he did so often early in the first half, Mathew Leckie strode down the right wing but his pass went behind Robbie Kruse and another opportunity went begging as Aussie fans’ nerves frayed even further.

57th min — Robbie Kruse comes off the bench to replace Tim Cahill. Mark Milligan assumes the captain’s armband.

55th min — The Socceroos are continuing to outclass Thailand, probing away but failing to land a killer blow.

47th min — ‘ASTONISHING SCENES’: A dreadful pass by Trent Sainsbury gifted possession to Thailand on the break. As Dangda made his way into the box Sainsbury launched a desperate challenge from behind but the referee ignored any calls for a penalty. “It’s a penalty, it has to be,” Andy Harper said in commentary for Fox Sports. Tom Rogic had a shot on goal soon after that was parried away by the keeper.

46th min — The Socceroos reportedly complained at halftime about the referee’s kit, saying his black shorts and black socks are making it hard to differentiate between him and the Thai players, who are decked out in all black.

8pm

‘Excruciating, crazy’ first half

Aaron Mooy has been impressive in attack.
Aaron Mooy has been impressive in attack.

45th min — RYAN’S HEART-IN-MOUTH MOMENT: Mat Ryan charged out of his box to cut off a Thailand counter attack, but brought down one of the visiting players and conceded a free kick. He was fortunate to escape a yellow card at the end of a half the Aussies have completely dominated with no reward. They’ve had far more chances and camped themselves deep in Thai territory but the final touch has lacked the necessary class and the Socceroos somehow go into the sheds level with their opponents. Fourteen shots to three have produced nothing. AUS 0 THA 0

40th min — JURIC MISSES GOLDEN CHANCE: A perfect ball from Mathew Leckie found Tom Juric in the box. The striker chested it then let fly with a volley but some incredibly desperate defence from Promrak deflected the shot and forced it off target.

36th min — Hathairattanakool is having a nightmare in goal for Thailand. He’s misjudged plenty of crosses already and after finally pulling one down safely, he stepped outside the penalty box when looking for a teammate to distribute to. His feet went outside but the ball appeared to stay in the box, suggesting he may have been unlucky to be pinged but it didn’t matter as Tom Juric blasted the free kick over the crossbar.

33rd min — The Thai keeper fluffed misjudged the flight of a cross but managed to deflect it just enough with the faintest touch. That sent the ball into Bailey Wright’s shoulder just inches out from goal as it rebounded out for a goal kick, going agonisingly close to finding the back of the net.

30th minute — Aaron Mooy’s clever pass found Tim Cahill six yards out from goal but his shot was smothered by an incoming defender. Thailand made a rare foray in Australia’s half where it managed a header on goal, but the referee blew a free kick against the visitors.

25th min — Another case of so close yet so far for the Socceroos, the Thai keeper doing well to block a shot from close range.

21st min — Tim Cahill was a bit overeager, launching a bicycle kick on goal. The ball ended up with Tom Rogic near the penalty spot but his rapid swipe missed by a long way.

16th min — CAHILL HITS THE POST: Tim Cahill’s nifty footwork gave him an extra second to fire off a shot from the edge of the box but he hit the left post as the ball rebounded along the goal line without crossing the paint. It’s the second time the hosts have hit the woodwork tonight. Some follow-up crosses failed to find a target and the Aussies couldn’t convert in what commentator Simon Hill described as an “unbelievable” sequence of events. Former Socceroo Ned Zelic agreed.

15th min — The Socceroos are dominating the possession stakes but the final touch is lacking when Ange Postecoglou’s men arrive at the box. Tom Rogic and Aaron Mooy have tried to finesse their way into goalscoring opportunities but the last pass just hasn’t gone to plan.

10th min — Thailand put a scare through Aussie hearts with its first real attacking raid of the night. The visitors found space on the break and a shot from distance went wide.

6th min — MOOY HITS THE POST: Mathew Leckie looks most likely to set up a breakthrough in a blistering start to the game. His third run down the right touchline continued when he beat his defender after feigning to cross, then finally released for Aaron Mooy. The Aussie midfielder’s first-time strike hit the right post.

4th min — Tom Rogic has had a couple of good early touches, sneaking a ball through for Aaron Mooy who went down in the box but not because of any foul. Mathew Leckie again found space down the right, his cross resulting in a corner for the home side.

2nd min — Tom Juric had the first crack on goal but his shot went wide. Mathew Leckie went exploring down the right wing before angling his way towards the box and crossing along the ground for his striker, who failed to put his effort on target in the face of attention from two Thai defenders.

7.35pm

Early win for Aussies

Thailand is used to playing in hot, humid conditions and it’s been spoken about in the lead-up to this match how much it will struggle to adjust to a frosty Melbourne night.

The Victorian capital has delivered an early win for the Socceroos, with the temperature in single figures and rain bucketing down in the hours before kick-off.

Ex-Socceroo Archie Thompson agreed the weather would prove an obstacle for Thailand, saying a former Thai teammate at Melbourne victory always found it difficult to deal with the cold.

7.30pm

Cahill promoted as Ange makes drastic changes

Welcome back, Tim Cahill.
Welcome back, Tim Cahill.

Ange Postecoglou has made six changes to the starting side that took the field against Japan last Thursday.

Goal-scoring talisman Tim Cahill is back as is gun midfielder Aaron Mooy, striker Tom Juric, winger Alex Gersbach and defenders Milos Degenek and Bailey Wright.

Left back Brad Smith makes way after last week’s performance, at fault for the Blue Samurai’s first goal. Fellow defender Matthew Spiranovic also moves to the bench where he’ll be joined by Robbie Kruse, Jackson Irvine and Massimo Luongo.

The promotion of Cahill — who came off the bench last Thursday — is a massive boost for Australia. Former Socceroos striker John Aloisi said the big occasion suits the veteran perfectly.

“Big game, big game player, we need goals. He’s always produced, it’ll be no different tonight,” Aloisi told Fox Sports.

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich agreed.

“The neglect of him has been something we haven’t really talked about. Like Johnny said he’s a big game player,” he said.

Postecoglou addressed his changes about half an hour before kick-off.

“He (Cahill) is always important when he’s out there,” he said. “We’ve made some changes, we’ve freshened up the squad which we were always going to do.”

Bosnich said Gersbach’s elevation at Smith’s expense highlights just how poor a call it was to include the Bournemouth player in the starting XI to face Japan when you had the former Sydney FC defender, Aziz Behich and Craig Goodwin to choose from.

“It makes it even more astounding as to why you would play someone who’s only played one game (Smith) when you’ve got two other left backs — and let’s not forget Craig Goodwin as well who’s doing very well overseas — who are in good form and playing well who didn’t get a start,” Bosnich said.

6pm

Painful motivation driving Socceroos

Ange Postecoglou was rocked by Mike Cockerill’s death.
Ange Postecoglou was rocked by Mike Cockerill’s death.

In the changerooms after the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifying defeat to Japan, coach Ange Postecoglou found himself lost for words.

The national team boss leaned against the wall and stared ahead as the minutes ticked past.

But Postecoglou’s mind was not on the result, or the performance. He was thinking of Mike Cockerill, veteran Australian football reporter, who died the same night.

News of the 56-year-old’s passing filtered through minutes before kick-off. It first reached Cockerill’s colleagues at Fox Sports, broadcasting from Saitama, who had no choice but to admirably soldier on.

Postecoglou learned the news as he began his press obligations after the match. He was crestfallen.

“It’s personal for me because he’s been a massive supporter of me,” Postecoglou said.

“I hope because he saw something in me; but more importantly because I’m Australian.

“He said to me, your biggest mission is to succeed not because of yourself but because he didn’t want to see another foreign coach.

“Whenever you spoke to him you were left feeling better about things.”

Postecoglou, 52, and Cockerill were men of the same vintage. They saw the game in the same way and went through the same battles — for acceptance, for professionalism and for glory.

“He would have flicked me a text after the game on Thursday because he only ever flicked me a text or spoke to me when things weren’t bright,” Postecoglou said. “He would have said ‘keep going, don’t let them win’.

“He probably would have thrown in ‘get it in the mixer every now and then’ as well.

“You know that you’re not going to get another text from him and it leaves a massive void in Australia. He kept people honest.”

On Tuesday, Postecoglou will use Cockerill’s legacy to help motivate his players for their match with Thailand.

A compilation video showcasing his contribution to the sport has been prepared. Postecoglou hopes it will give his side a platform for one of the country’s finest footballing accomplishments — qualification for a fourth-straight World Cup.

“He’d be looking even at today’s squad and he’d be buzzing that a kid like Awer (Mabil) is in the squad because for him that’s what football brings to this country,” Postecoglou said.

“Acknowledging your past and your roots is something that he saw as imperative if we are ever going to get progress.”

— AAP

5pm

Aussies confident Japan will fight

Tim Cahill (centre) leads the Socceroos as they jog laps during training.
Tim Cahill (centre) leads the Socceroos as they jog laps during training.

Socceroos captain Mark Milligan spent two seasons in Japanese football and is confident the

Samurai Blue won’t roll over against Saudi Arabia.

“I don’t think it’s in their nature. It’s not in their culture to not give 100 per cent,” Milligan said.

Milos Degenek, the sole current Socceroo based in Japan, agreed. “They always go 100 per cent into everything. They never go half-hearted. They’re not one of these countries that do other people favours. They’re doing their own job,” he said.

“Even if they play with a second-string squad, they’ll be doing their best to be in contention (to make the Japanese squad) for Russia. I don’t think it’s going to be an easy game for Saudi Arabia.”

Japan, which sealed its place in Russia by beating Australia, has spared captain Makoto Hasebe and midfielder Shinji Kagawa the trip.

But its recent strong defensive form suggests a fade-out isn’t on the cards. While Japan lost on its last trip to the Middle East — a 2-1 defeat to the UAE last September — the World Cup regulars have conceded more than one goal in competitive matches against Asian opposition just three times this decade.

Whichever way it falls, the 10 hours between kick-off in Melbourne and the final whistle in Jeddah will be pivotal to Australian football.

Postecoglou is only focusing on the first 90 minutes. “I spend zero hours thinking about things I can’t control,” he said. “It’s all about what we do on Tuesday night.”

— AAP

Originally published as Socceroos’ World Cup hopes in tatters after Saudi Arabia defeat Japan

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/live-socceroos-vs-thailand-world-cup-qualifier/news-story/77af31f7c0af256649d131b3c3db21b9