Australia v Uzbekistan, Asian Cup 2019: Socceroos win in penalty shoot out
Goalkeeper Mat Ryan makes two crucial saves in penalty shoot out to help Socceroos beat Uzbekistan in Asian Cup | WATCH
Arise Sir Maty Ryan.
The Australian goalkeeper was the hero, making two saves in a penalty shoot out to help Australia beat Uzbekistan and move to the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup.
On a tough night for the Socceroos, they could not find a way through the stacked Uzbekistan defence as the game was forced into extra time then a penalty shoot out after the scores had been locked 0-0.
.@MatyRyan with two absolutely HUGE saves in the penalty shoot-out! 💪
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) January 21, 2019
🎥: @foxfootball #GoSocceroos #AUSvUZB #AsianCup2019 pic.twitter.com/wZFow1THjq
Mathew Leckie showed nerves of steel to slot home the last spot kick.
It was a just reward for the Socceroos who made all the running during the game.
It wasn’t a pretty performance by any stretch of the imagination. They were poor in the first half, lacking intensity with shoddy passing and touches.
They improved in second half, notably when Leckie came on midway through the game. He injected a bit of spark and caused problems for the Uzbeks.
After a tough three days for Australian soccer which has seen plenty of fallout from the shock sacking of Matildas coach Alen Stajcic, the win provided a welcome boost.
It was also a massive relief for Socceroos coach Graham Arnold, who must have felt a touch of déjà vu. The last time he was in charge of the Socceroos at an Asian Cup, back in 2007, he watched as they were beaten in a penalty shoot out by Japan.
But Ryan, who had nothing to do bar one save during normal time, ensured this was going to be a far happier ending.
He stepped up when it was needed, too, as hearts were in the mouth when Aziz Behich missed his penalty, giving Uzbekistan the advantage.
But Ryan saved Uzbekistan’s second and fourth spot kicks, setting it up for Leckie to deliver the critical blow that sees the defending champions stay alive in the tournament.
Predictably, Arnold made just the one change to the line-up that beat Syria last week with Trent Sainsbury returning from injury and moving into central defence alongside Milos Degenek.
That allowed captain Mark Milligan to move back into midfield with Massimo Luongo making way.
The Socceroos struggled in the first half and seemed to lack the same intensity they had in their previous two games against Palestine and Syria.
They were sloppy with their passing and touch and far too slow in moving the ball around.
In fact, Uzbekistan looked much more into the game, using their speed up front to cause some problems for the Australian defence.
And that showed in just the 10th minute when the dangerous Eldor Shamurodov found space on the right and easily got past Sainsbury to be on the edge of the six yard box and one-on-one with goalkeeper Ryan, who did well to spread himself and block the close range effort with his legs.
It was a warning sign for the Socceroos.
In contrast, and as hard as Tom Rogic tried, Australia were ineffective up front with striker Jamie Maclaren starved of any decent service. To their credit, the opposition were very well organised in defence and gave the attack no room to move.
Aziz Behich had their only real shot on goal in the first 45 minutes, a weak effort that was comfortable for the Uzbek goalkeeper.
Behich was then booked in the 12th minute, his second of the tournament which meant he would be suspended for the quarter-final.
It was only towards the end of the first half when Rogic and Mabil got more involved that Australia looked a little more dangerous.
Australia were better in the second half but just could not find a way through the wall of defence employed by the Uzbeks, who were happy to sit back and let their opponents come at them.
It was only when Leckie was introduced into the game on 68 minutes for Awer Mabil that the Socceroos looked like creating something.
Leckie had a long range effort blocked by the keeper then was thwarted when he beat a defender in the area and fired off a shot which the keeper parried away.
It was clear as the half drew to a close that Uzbekistan were happy to try and play for extra time and take their chances in a penalty shoot out.
And that’s how it worked out as the two halves of extra time produced not a single chance from either side.
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