If Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou has one fundamental belief, it is that in order to give themselves the best chance of winning, his side must look to dominate games. “In our region, there shouldn’t be a reason why we don’t dominate games,” Postecoglou has said, and that unwavering philosophy has guided Australia’s performances throughout the last 15 months.
It was that desire to take the game to the opponent, irrespective of who they were, that was present during the 2014 World Cup – if Australia back down and change their style when they’re up against the best, why would players believe in the style when they play a lesser opposition? It was that belief in the dominating style that shone through in Australia’s 2-0 win over China last night. The result against China, which sees Australia advance through to the final four of the Asian Cup, not only re-emphasises the belief in the group, it also highlighted where continued improvements are needed.
Australia struggled in the first half to break down a compact Chinese defensive unit. China went into the match with the plan to frustrate the Socceroos and conceded 77 per cent of possession in the opening 45 minutes, without conceding a noticeable goal-scoring chance. This was because they limited the spaces in the middle and final thirds, clogging up the midfield before trying to break forward with pace.
And after just 16 minutes, China gave Australia their first true scare of the match when danger man Wu Lei pounced on a loose ball on half way and raced forward on the counter attack. The move stemmed from a Socceroos turnover – returning captain Mile Jedinak’s forward pass into the feet of Mark Bresciano was cut out and a moment of panic arose.
This was the story of the first half as China sat back and looked to apply pressure as soon as the first pass was played forward into midfield. This meant that all too often the receiver of the forward pass was unable to face forward themselves and Australia’s second pass would go backwards or sideways, allowing China time to recover and drop back even further.
It was much the same problem the Socceroos faced against South Korea in their final group match as they failed to break down an organised and compact defence. While Kuwait and Oman defended deep against Australia, their sheer quality was no match for the fulltime professionals in the Socceroos’ squad and spaces were exposed and punished with eight goals coming in two games. But despite these spaces being almost non-existent against South Korea and in the first half against China, Australia’s belief in the philosophy and style of play was clear.
“I think we thoroughly deserved the win,” said Jedinak post game. “First half maybe we were a little bit sluggish. They did really well sitting and blocking up the space, they denied us that.”
“Maybe we tried to force it a little bit too much. We addressed that at half time, be a little bit patient and keep making them spend the energy. We got the goal probably earlier than we expected but we took our chances today and if it wasn’t for their keeper, it could have been a lot more.”
Patience was key for the Socceroos. Despite facing a Chinese side which was clear in its intention to sit back, Australia kept belief in what they needed to do – to dominate the game. While in the first half the quality of execution may have been lacking, the ambition and plan stayed the same.
When the deadlock was broken in the 48th minute, then Australia was able to show its true qualities. Tim Cahill’s acrobatic bicycle kick forced China to chase the game, meaning they had to open up and Australia profited in the spaces left. It was the crucial moment of the match and delivered in spectacular style which adds further to Cahill’s legend as the Socceroos greatest ever goalscorer and soon after the goal, a flurry of chances came.
Mathew Leckie was able to turn on halfway and drove towards the penalty box before he was brought down by Zhang Linpeng. Left fullback Jason Davidson then advanced down the left in space and delivered a first time cross which fizzed past the outstretched boot of Robbie Kruse.
Australia began to revel in the spaces they had previously been denied and Cahill added a second as their pressure built. A cross into the box from Davidson was expertly headed home from the penalty spot but it was that Cahill had been allowed the space in the box, between China’s centre back and left fullback, which was so crucial. In the first half Cahill had barely had a sniff of the ball and but for one header which was deflected out for a corner he was marked out of the game. It was Cahill’s first goal which changed the dynamic of the entire match, forcing China to open up spaces and push forward in search of an equaliser.
“We knew China would be a difficult opponent,” said Postecoglou. “They made us work very hard in the first half. I’m very proud we stuck to the game plan and we were always confident as the game went on. Once Timmy produced his magic, we never looked back.”
Despite struggling to break down South Korea and China, and relying on the everlasting Tim Cahill to break the deadlock, the Socceroos did not waver from their determination to dominate proceedings. That kind of belief in the philosophy will hold them in good stead in their semi-final against either Japan or UAE. And if they struggle to break their opponent down, they know Cahill is there to provide another piece of magic.
