Socceroos come back down to Earth in 2-1 loss to Ecuador
After defeating Ecuador last week, the Socceroos have come back down to earth with a loss against the South Americans.
Brandon Borello’s first international goal wasn’t enough to help the Socceroos complete a clean sweep of Ecuador in their two-match friendly series as the South Americans turned the tables on the hosts 2-1 at Marvel Stadium on Tuesday night.
After losing to Australia 3-1 in Sydney on Friday night, Ecuador put in a much stronger showing this time around, coming back from 1-0 down to score an impressive victory in what was a very physical match.
Watch the world’s best footballers every week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE coverage from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Borello gave the hosts the lead in the 16th minute after Craig Goodwin unloaded a blistering strike from outside the area which beat Ecuador goalkeeper Hernan Galindez, but hit the right post.
The Western Sydney forward was there for the rebound to ensure the ball went into an unguarded net.
But from that moment on, the visitors dominated the match and after putting Australia’s defence under immense sustained pressure, and creating a bevy of shots on goal, they finally equalised in the 51st minute when stand-in captain Pervis Estupinan converted a penalty.
The spot kick came about after Thomas Deng brought down Kevin Rodriguez in the area charging towards goal after the latter turned Deng inside out on the right. Rodriguez gave Deng trouble all game before the Socceroos defender was subbed out in the 62nd minute.
And in the 64th minute Ecuador grabbed the lead after Junior Sornoza’s corner was headed brilliantly inside the back post by debutant William Pacho from 10 yards out.
However, Australia were unlucky to have been denied a penalty of their own in the first minute of first-half stoppage time when Riley McGree was clattered into by Piero Hincapie, who didn’t even go for the ball, in the area, but incredibly McGree’s cries for a penalty were denied. If there was VAR, a spot kick surely would’ve been awarded, but the Socceroos were denied the chance to double their lead.
Australia made a strong start to the match in the opening 20 minutes, but Ecuador took over from there and finished with far more shots on goal (16-7), shots on target (8-2) and corners (5-1), despite having less possessions (48 per cent).
DEVLIN DEFIES CUT HEAD
It was a very physical contest, and the best example of this was Socceroos midfielder Cam Devlin suffering a nasty gash to the right side of his head in the 26th minute when he copped an accidental knee from Pacho as both players contested a loose ball. Blood proceeded to pour from the cut but despite looking destined to be an early substitute, Devlin heroically returned to the field with his head heavily bandaged after receiving medical attention.
ECUADOR MORE THREATENING
Both teams burst out of the blocks to ensure a high-octane start to the match and Jackson Irvine had a chance to give the hosts the lead in the second minute, but he misjudged a shot on goal from inside the six-yard box and barely made contact with the ball.
A couple of minutes later, Rodriguez busted through the Australian defence, sprinted down the left past Bailey Wright and Deng, but his shot from close range was saved brilliantly by Aussie goalkeeper Joe Gauci.
In the 22nd minute, Rodriguez outmuscled Deng for a contested ball but from just inside the area, his strike was well saved by Gauci, and shortly after Gauci produced another save when he caught Felix Torres’ powerful header from the corner from just outside the six-yard box.
Ecuador had another strong opportunity in the 43rd minute when Alan Franco slid in from a few yards out after connecting with a Pervis Estupinan cross, but Gauci was in the way again, and then Deng cleared it for a corner after falling on top of Franco.
ARNOLD RINGS THE CHANGES
It was a different looking Australian side to say the least from the one that beat Ecuador four days earlier. Graham Arnold made no fewer than seven changes to the starting line-up with Joe Gauci, Thomas Deng, Connor Metcalfe, Bailey Wright, Brandon Borrello, Riley McGree and Cameron Devlin replacing Mat Ryan, Harry Souttar, Kye Rowles, Aiden O’Neill, Awer Mabil, Keanu Baccus and Mitchell Duke.
A-League star makes switch from Australia to Malta
He dreamt of playing for the Socceroos, but now 2022 Johnny Warren Medal winner Jake Brimmer has pledged his international allegiance to Malta.
Minnows stun ‘biggest club in Australia’
Melbourne Victory’s dreams of winning a third Australia Cup are over after being knocked out by a West Australian NPL club team in a huge upset.
‘On track’: Matildas’ Asian Cup boost
The Matildas’ Asian Cup hopes have received a major boost with injured stars Mary Fowler and Sam Kerr both on track to return for the home tournament.