Coach Ange Postecoglou laments lethargic first half from Socceroos

SOCCEROOS coach Ange Postecoglou says Australia had half an eye on the scoreboard in the first half in their World Cup qualifying draw with Japan.

Tomi Juric pleads to the referee. Picture: George Salpigtidis

SOCCEROOS coach Ange Postecoglou lamented a wasted 45 minutes in Tuesday’s 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Japan at Etihad Stadium.

Japanese winger Genki Haraguchi put Japan ahead after just five minutes as the shellshocked Socceroos struggled to react in front of 48,460 at Etihad Stadium.

Tomi Juric won a penalty early in the second half which Mile Jedinak converted, keeping the Socceroos undefeated after four games in a tight Asian qualifying group B.

“Overall we wasted 45 minutes of the game, we had half an eye on the scoreboard in the first half,’’ Postecoglou said.

“We started chasing the scoreboard rather than just playing our game. We were really static, not a lot of forward movement and runs.

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Postecoglou with his players after the match.

“We weren’t asking questions of them defensively, we were forcing the issue a bit and looking for solutions in the wrong way.

“International goals are hard to come by and we dished up a really soft one.

“We were very poor in the first half, got off to a really poor start and didn’t show enough intent to break them down.

“They sat off and we just weren’t mobile enough. Maybe conceding early set us on the back foot and allowed them to sit back deep, but we could’ve done more.

“There was a reaction in the second half, we had to have a reaction.

“We’re disappointed in the context of where we’re at as a team.’’

Japan coach Vahid Halilhodzic made no apologies for his defensive gameplan geared around negating Socceroos left-back Brad Smith and conserving his tired players’ energy.

“There’s no regret, maybe some frustration. I feel we deserved two more points,’’ Halilhodzic said.

“I knew many of my players were fatigued. Our tactics were based on the physical condition of our players and they did a good job, especially defensively.

Tomi Juric pleads to the referee. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“We let the opponent have the ball because we knew we would have chances to score.

“I knew everything about Australia and they are the Asian champions, sometimes you can’t take too many risks. I won’t comment on their goal, but we could’ve scored more, their keeper (Mat Ryan) made two great saves.

“We were not in danger, they didn’t create chances, we were well organised. When we got the ball we hesitated. we have to be more secure in our passing.

“I congratulated the players and asked them to win a starting place at their clubs and if they don’t play, to do extra training to be fit for the next camp.’’

Originally published as Coach Ange Postecoglou laments lethargic first half from Socceroos