After the disaster that was the Socceroos’ Round 3 World Cup qualifier against Bahrain, the path to North America 2026 and a spot in the WC finals appears to have become a little more complicated than expected after falling at the first hurdle. As is often the case in Asian play when the Socceroos are involved, cagey teams like to sit deep, frustrating and foiling, leaving Graham Arnold’s men intensely enraged and ultimately exposed for possessing a lack of real quality and creativity in the attacking third. Plenty feel the clubs for which Socceroos represent around the globe should translate to them beating teams perceived to be inferior, yet the continued improvement in Asian opponents slowly but surely looming into more serious contention in confederation play, clearly exposes the Socceroos.
That was precisely how Bahrain managed to snatch the win in the opening match of the campaign. Kusini Yengi. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images) The Australian national team needs to jettison the underdog tag that serves them well at the World Cup and start to play like bullies against teams such as Bahrain and their next opponent Indonesia.
Hitting on the counter is a valid means of attack yet not what Graham Arnold should have his team set up to do against countries the Socceroos are capable of defeating. There is almost a sense of the pathetic when a result against a team set to delay, frustrate and annoy the Socceroos plays out. Such was the case against Bahrain.
Many comments have been made about the visitor’s skilful management of the clock, the rules and situation to advance their cause. Win a Ziggy BBQ for Grand Final day, thanks to Barbeques Galore! Enter Here. Yet this is a narrow len and ignores what Australia did, or rather didn’t do, to overcome such circumstances .
The Socceroos need to be better than merely accepting the reality of a clever team coming to town, managing the game expertly, and frustrating the locals across a full 90 minutes to secure a win. I’ll have no more of the commentary: Bahrain wasted time, they faked injuries, the Socceroos had 72 per cent of possession. It simply means nothing and actually applauds the opposition for approaching the game in an expert manner and managing to achieve precisely what the scouting reports of the Socceroos suggested they needed to do in order to win.
BAHRAIN SCORE!! It's their first goal against the @Socceroos in 18 years! A breakdown in communication in Australia's defence, and Bahrain have a 1-Nil lead over #Australia . #AUSvBHR – Live & free on @Channel10AU – https://t.co/M14OJmndRV (streams) pic.
twitter.com/ydF3vGU6m5 Indonesia are far from a foolish football nation and the blueprint they have been perusing as a team over the days leading into the match in Jakarta is far from secret. It simply outlines: frustrate this Australian team.
Deny them deep entries into the box from the wings with a stacked defensive block and wait for the grumpiness to set in. The blueprint further details that, soon after, the quality produced by the Socceroos will drop, the manager will be slow to adjust and the match could swing on a dime, meaning an upset is on the cards. Sadly for Graham Arnold, and as good as his team can be against opponents who actually play with a little flair and adventure, the jig is up at Asian Confederation level.
Every team in the region has the blueprint to beat the Socceroos and unless the coach is prepared to do something different, more and more will have success when tackling Australia. More Football Whilst Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Iran will fear the Socceroos in a 50/50 contest that sees the regular World Cup participants respectful of each other and aware of the dangers they possess, Indonesia, Bahrain and others will play a far different game against the national team. As Bahrain proved last Thursday, the denial of flow and a stodgy defensive block are effective tactics against a Socceroos team lacking the class to break down opponents.
This reality is no secret and the Australians had best be prepared to throw something more compelling at a good opponent on home soil and not double up with a starting eleven that weren’t good enough against Bahrain. Where Arnold makes changes is unclear, yet the midfield does appear to be the major area of concern heading into a match that simply must be won. Graham Arnold.
(Photo by Youssef Loulidi/Fantasista/Getty Images,) The coach does have the luxury of knowing exactly how the opponent will attempt to earn a result against the Socceroos, yet this has been a growing concern for some time. Managing to combat the simplicity of the approach Bahrain took, and Indonesia will use, is another thing. What is certain is that another loss will have Arnold under immense pressure and the Socceroos reeling and hopeful of qualification through Round 4, rather than the current phase.
It has started very ugly and needs to improve quick smart in Jakarta. Sports opinion delivered daily Join me for a live call of the match from 10pm (AEST)..
