World Cup 2018: Socceroos rue missed chances in 2-0 loss to Peru

Socceroos bow out of 2018 World Cup with a shattering 2-0 loss to Peru as lack of penetration in front of goal proves costly.

Socceroos star Tim Cahill reacts after bowing out of the 2018 World Cup with a 2-0 loss against Peru. Photo: Toby Zerna

The Socceroos have bowed out of the World Cup with a shattering 2-0 loss to Peru this morning and outgoing coach Bert Van Marwijk has come under immediate criticism for not starting the game with goal ace Tim Cahill or the dynamic youngster Daniel Arzani.

Cahill came on in the 52nd minute and Arzani soon after, and there were several attacks at goal but the Australians were already down two goals and had to play against not only the momentum of the Peruvian team, but the noisy cacophony of 35,000 Peruvian fans inside the Fisht Stadium watching their team win a World Cup game for the first time in 40 years.

Cahill, who has surely played his last match for the Socceroos, had a couple of chances, but wasn’t able to get into the sweet spot to have a red hot crack at goal.

Goal. Peru lead 1-0. Great strike by Carrillo. #AUSPER #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/uUlxBeX0tS

— SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 26, 2018

The Australians were annoyed that the Peru first goal in the 18th minute was scored from an offside position, yet the referee chose not to review it on the VAR system.

Captain Mile Jedinak said “I feel a bit empty, disappointed, yet extremely proud of the boys, it was a great team effort throughout to get to this point and the journey throughout to get here.’’

He added that the match against Peru was particularly frustrating.

“We were disappointed with that first goal, it was offside. But we had a lot of chances in the first half and it just wouldn’t go in. On another day with a bit of luck, particularly from open play, it wasn’t from lack of effort or trying, it just wouldn’t go in for us.’’

The match was also controversial because of the crucial involvement of skipper Paolo Guerrero, who assisted the first goal of right forward Andre Carillo. Carillo became the first Peruvian to score in the World Cup since Guillermo la Rosa in 1982. Then in the 50th minute Guerrero scored a goal of his own.

Guerrero, remember, wanted to give the Australian captain a hug for signing a letter demanding he be allowed to play in the World Cup after being sanctioned for a positive cocaine result.

Goal. 2-0 Peru. Guerrero scores. Very average defending from Australia #AUSPER #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/gypD5H1uBc

— SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) June 26, 2018

After the game Mark Milligan was asked if there was any regret that Australia supported and lobbied FIFA to allow Guerrero to play.

“No, absolutely not, no,’’ he said.

It was small consolation that France, who needed to beat Denmark in order for Australian get through the group stage, made six changes to their regular team, omitting dynamos Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba and ace goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and failed to stretch Denmark. That game, played in Moscow, was booed by fans for its lack of attack and France drew 0-0 with the Danes.

Upon reflection the Socceroos’ 2-1 loss to the star studded France, courtesy of a controversial VAR review and a rebound goal that hit the top bar, was crucial to the Socceroos outcome. Then there was a frustrating draw with Denmark despite a copious amount of possession and the team couldn’t extract a win. It was the same in this match against Peru.

Van Marwijk selected the same defence-orientated line-up for the first half choosing Tom Juric to start in place of injured striker Andrew Nabbout. Juric showed his class with nice footwork to set up a couple of scoring chances, and Mat Leckie and Tom Rogic were thereabouts as well, including a half chance header by Trent Sainsbury. But in general the Socceroos timing, and occasional dithering in the penalty box meant any penetrative attack didn’t bring about a result.

Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk shows the strain against Peru. Photo: AFP

Van Marwijk said he had no regrets about any of his decisions.

“If you watched closely we built up and found our free man in the midfield so that was the main reason we could control the game for big parts,’’ he said.

”If you play like that you create chances but then you have to score, that was our problem, not the opponent and not the mentality.’’

Van Marwijk said he enjoyed his time with the Socceroos and felt that Australia had improved to the stage of competing and sometimes playing better football than star teams like France and Denmark.

’’In all three game we couldn’t make the difference in goals, and this is what this team misses on this level, ‘’he said.

’’It is a little bit different feeling after this game. I heard Denmark played a draw so if we won two three or four zero it wouldn’t have changed anything, only in the feeling of the players and all of Australia, so that is a pity.’’