More reading and the best images from Sochi
Further reading
Right, we’re just about done with this one. Of course there’s much more football to come, including Iceland vs Croatia and Nigeria vs Argentina in the next couple of hours.
As always, thank you for your company. It’s past 2am here, I am going to conk out.
Gorazd Jukovic has the only word on the potential offside I’ve received. I thought it might have proved more controversial than that. “This VAR experiment is turning into an absolute farce. Referees were given instructions before the tournament to keep their flags down in close potential offside situations because they could always go back to check it. Yesterday in the Spain-Morocco match we saw it used properly (to a millimetre, in fact). Today, in the case of the Peruvian goal - nothing, despite a clear possibility of an offside. Then again, this is not Spain teetering on edge of elimination... It’s a little scary to think that VAR - in its current form - has actually increased the number of ways referees can subjectively influence the outcome of a match.”
Ed McGuigan has a word for Peru. “This is a good result. The Aussies see sporting success every day. Peru is due its day in the sun. Their team from ‘78 was exceptional but it’s exactly forty years since those heady days. As a success starved Scot, I am happy for them. Also worried that Rogic is looking too good and may be poached from Celtic over the summer. We desperately need an own goal from him.”
David Grandits-Mahan watched the France vs. Denmark game. “Gordon Nutt could always just remind any locals who want to give him grief that France’s match today has been the most appalling display of two teams playing for a draw since the infamous Germany v Austria match. France and Denmark should both be ashamed of themselves. I’m hoping for them both to get crushed in the Round of 16 after today.”
“If Gordon Nutt is living in the North of France, he might be able to change the subject to cricket - there are a lot of clubs based around the refugee community sprouting up. Check out Soccs in St Omer: https://soccs.cricket/” Thanks Richard Thomas.
A few of you picked up on my advice to Gordon Nutt (77 min). My reference to the cricket was not that France wouldn’t understand the game, but that Australia just got whopped 5-0 in an ODI Series. I was kicking a man while he was down.
“Your comment at 90 is emblematic: Australia has never had an international quality striker,” emails Shannon. “There’s a distinct step up between club striker and international striker, as many teams learn to their cost. For Australia, that bar has never been cleared.” I think Mark Viduka amongst other would disagree, but there certainly isn’t one in the current crop.
40 - Peru have won their first World Cup game for 40 years and 15 days, since beating Iran 4-1 in 1978; the fourth longest gap between victories in the competition. Sash. #PER #AUSPER #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/qP7VNvdYw2
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 26, 2018
Tim Cahill just took off the jersey he wore in what is surely his last ever World Cup game, walked right over to a group of young fans, and gifted it to one wide-eyed kid. What a class move. The bloke must be shattered, but still such a pro. Good bloke. #AUSPER
— Josh Butler (@JoshButler) June 26, 2018
Updated
Bert van Marwijk has spoken briefly to Australian TV. “I thought we played much better than our opponents. They shoot two times and get goals both times. They did everything I asked, we got a lot of chances. I was satisfied about the performance if only we could score. I’m very happy that I worked with these guys for the last few months.”
So Denmark will advance in second place from Group C and take on Croatia in Nizhny Novgorod. Group winner’s France will host Argentina, Nigeria or Iceland in Kazan.
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For Peru, a fitting end to a tournament they have contributed greatly to, on and off the pitch. They will be missed.
For Australia, let the inquest begin. Actually, it’s already started on TV and social media.
GROUP C.
— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018
All eyes now turn to Rostov-on-Don & Saint Petersburg for #NGARG & #ISLCRO. pic.twitter.com/YU8Ki5kkDV
Australia 0-2 Peru
There we go, all over for both these sides at Russia 2018. Peru’s World Cup ending in celebration, Australia’s in disappointment.
Updated
90+2 min: France and Denmark have drawn 0-0 which makes this result immaterial anyway.
Updated
90+1 min: Four minutes of added time in Sochi.
90 min: Australia are going to exit the World Cup with one point and only two goals, both penalties. The job for incoming coach Graham Arnold is going to be figuring out how to find goals in open play, and identifying the strikers to score them. The Socceroos have been popgun in attack.
88 min: Milligan’s the latest into the Russian referee’s book. Cueva again outsmarting his Australian opponent.
86 min: The heat is taking its toll on the game now. The play’s stretched, possession is scrappy, players are on their haunches sucking in as much air as they can gulp. Another Mooy dead ball misses its target. Normally so dangerous, they have been poor tonight.
84 min: Leckie hasn’t given up though and he darts through the Peruvian backline but just as he’s about to pull the trigger enough red shirts get back to smuggle the ball clear. That could have been the catalyst...
83 min: Free-kick to Australia in a shooting opportunity a couple of metres outside the D. Jedinak strokes it over the bar. Australia’s World Cup adventure is ebbing away.
Updated
82 min: Still 0-0 in Moscow, not that it matters much any more.
79 min: Booking for Hurtado after Cartagena replaces the goalscorer Carrillo. Peru then hammer a shot against the post but there’s a flag up for offside. Australia look all out of ideas.
No Mass Luongo all tournament (barring a late comeback) is rough. #AUSPER
— Anna Harrington 🏳️🌈 (@AnnaHarrington) June 26, 2018
Yes!
77 min: “I am an Aussie expat living in France and I am going to get heaps down at my local cafe after this performance by the Socceroos. After Australia’s initial match with France the locals were impressed.” Oh well Gordon Nutt, you could change the subject to the cricket... oh, scrap that.
75 min: This is drifting away from Australia. Peru remain deliriously happy in the stands.
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73 min: Yikes! Park football shank from Risdon in his own box turns a simple clearance into a corner. Peru work the set-piece neatly along the touchline but can’t fashion a shot on goal.
71 min: Better from Australia, Leckie driving at the Peru defence and Arzani whipping in a tasty cross. The phases of play mount up until finally a super ball over the top from Rogic is volleyed across goal by Behich but Cahill is a yard off the pace to apply the finish. That was the last action for Rogic this World Cup. He’s substituted for Jackson Irvine in one of the less inspiring final substitutions in a must-win encounter.
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69 min: That’s the Cahill factor on display. Loopy cross from the right looks meat and drink for the Peru defence but Cahill hangs like Jordan and causes panic before a nervy header stabs the ball away for a corner. Again though, nothing comes of a promising set-piece.
68 min: Arzani tries his look from a long way out but it was always heading over the bar, despite a late dip that made it tickle the top of the net. Australia just haven’t got going this half. Rogic remains on the outer after his blistering start to the game.
66 min: Rogic is in the book now for another tactical foul on the lively Cueva after a Mooy free-kick failed to hit its target in the box.
65 min: It’s so noisy in Sochi now, the Peru fans cheering, tooting, loving every second of what appears to be their first World Cup win in a generation.
Updated
62 min: An injury to Tapia has taken the sting out of the game somewhat. He’s eventually replaced by Hurtado. “The trumpets blaring in the crowd are pretty harsh on the ears,” yes, they are, Ben Parton. “I kinda miss the dulcet soothing tones of vuvuzelas.” I do not. A Pox on all the horny houses.
34y 176d - Peru's Paolo Guerrero (34y 176d) is the third oldest South American player to ever score at the World Cup, after Uruguay’s Obdulio Jacinto Varela (36y 279d) and Argentina’s Martin Palermo (36y 227d). Blanquirroja.#AUSPER #PER #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/MeL8lQcfJe
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 26, 2018
60 min: Mark Milligan hurls a long throw into the mixer that earns a corner. Mooy delivers, Cahill flicks on, it lands at the feet of Behich near the penalty spot but his lash is just wide. From the resulting corner Cahill has a snapshot blocked at point-blank range that looked destined to go in.
Arzani’s first action of note is to pick up a booking for a professional foul with Peru threatening on a fast break.
Updated
58 min: Australia haven’t been able to string any combinations together this half as they did in the first. Rogic is peripheral and as a consequence the Socceroos look less threatening. Could this change things? Arzani has half an hour to impress. He replaces Kruse who again underwhelmed.
56 min: There’s chaos in the box for the corner but Peru do just enough to clear. It was like bar skittles in front of the Peruvian goal.
55 min: Free-kick to Australia in a decent position near the right-edge of the penalty area. Mooy takes it but it cannons off the wall and behind for a corner.
53 min: The moment Australia has been calling for, Tim Cahill gets a chance to become only the fourth player to score at four different World Cups. Tomi Juric makes way.
52 min: Australia try to reply instantly but Jedinak heads Mooy’s corner straight at the keeper. Cahill will be introduced shortly.
Updated
GOAL! Australia 0-2 Peru (Guerrero 50)
Disaster for Australia, jubilation for Peru. Lovely interplay down the left ends with Cueva cutting inside to shoot but the ball ricochets off an Australian defender to Guerrero who clips a neat poacher’s finish with his left foot across Ryan.
Updated
49 min: Peru maintaining a slow tempo in the early stages of the second half, and they seem much more compact in midfield. During the first period there was lots of space for Rogic to exploit between the lines but that seems to have been eliminated during the interval.
Tim Cahill has just given a signal of 10 to his family. Now warming up. His introduction, imminent. #AUS
— Daniel Garb (@DanielGarb) June 26, 2018
47 min: “My 14 yr old son is up late watching the game,” emails Marc Wohling. “He’s learning the long and painful reality of becoming a Australian football supporter at the WC. As you succinctly summarised, ‘why doesn’t Australia score?’ We ask ourselves this every four years.” Tame start to the second half. What have Australia got in them?
46 min: One change at the interval, but it’s from Peru. Pedro Aquino is on for Yoshimar Yotun, the only Peruvian to be booked in the opening half. How long will BvM leave it before he makes a switch?
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It’s #TimmyTime surely before it’s too late @FIFAWorldCup #AUSPER !
— Robbie Slater (@RobbieSlater17) June 26, 2018
Key stats:
— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018
👉 #AUS have won only one #WorldCup match after conceding the opener (W1-D2-L9), a 3-1 win against #JPN in 2006
👉 André Carrillo is the first player to score a World Cup goal for #PER since Guillermo la Rosa in 1982#AUSPER pic.twitter.com/FHNZczApbD
“In no way unbiased English observer here in Peru, I can confirm the hubris John Ashdown talks of is universal - a week ago every Peruvian and their dog were certain they would beat Denmark and probably France too. Incidentally, even though they can’t win, the entire country has still ground to a halt for this game. And if they hadn’t spared their blushed by scoring today, it might never have started up again.” Thanks Tom Fitz-Hugh. Peru during a World Cup campaign must be fun.
“Just to clear up any confusion that remains from the Socceroos match against Denmark a few days ago... Matthew Leckie’s nickname is Bill.” Thanks Sean Boiling.
For anyone who missed it - Leckie Bill (Electricity Bill) - it’s a good ’un.
Still waiting for the proper forensic deep dive into the potential offside in the build-up to the Peru goal but it looks from my latest replay that Guerrero may have been offside if the long ball reached him directly, but it was nicked by Sainsbury on its way, a deflection that possibly brings the Peruvian skipper back into play.
Ben Parton with a comment reverberating around front bars and lunge rooms across Australia. “‘That’s Cahill territory’ – Every Australian in regards to a cross not capitalised on aerially.” There have been a few, that’s for sure.
Goalless in Moscow...#DENFRA pic.twitter.com/sWaxiCSBL4
— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018
Find out more on this one with Barry, over here:
Painful irony for this Peruvian who cant find a pub showing the match in Paddington. Describe that goal for me @JPHowcroft?
— Pancho M (@Miller_Pancho) June 26, 2018
The standout moment of the half. Long ball from Peru’s defence found Guerrero (with a hint of offside - I’ve yet to see the CSI Sochi analysis to confirm) he controlled it nicely, took his time, and crossed to the edge of the box for Carrillo to belt into the bottom right corner on the volley. It went through the legs of the attempted block, unsighting Mat Ryan in goal, but there was little he could do anyway, super finish as it was.
Half-time: Australia 0-1 Peru
A half-time scoreline Denmark were hoping for but not Australia. Despite once again having the better of the play, Australia are not heading for the result they require. As things stand their participation in Russia 2018 will last just 45 minutes longer.
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45+1 min: One minute of added time at the end of the half, and it begins with a Peruvian corner. Australia defend it well though, and the second and third sorties that follow.
45 min: Former Socceroo and Rangers stalwart Craig Moore on Australian TV just cautioned against conceding a sloppy second. Indeed.
Yellow card to Yotun for a late challenge on Leckie.
44 min: “I’m loving your Aus v Peru coverage but as I am also trying to follow your colleagues Den v Fra and also the Scottish Parliament’s cabinet reshuffle - I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. Also, I’m supposed to be at work and not doing any of this! Perhaps you could have a snooze at half time and let me catch up?” Ross Galloway, if I have a snooze at half-time I will not wake up until Thursday.
43 min: The overlapping Advincula repeats the Risdon trick from a couple of minutes ago and buys Peru a free-kick on the right edge of the box. Nothing comes of it.
41 min: Mooy’s dangerous cross finds Sainsbury’s forehead on the edge of the six-yard box but contact is not firm enough and it glances behind for a goal kick.
Updated
40 min: Risdon does superbly down the right, chasing a lost cause and then wriggling through a couple of challenges before buying a free-kick on the right-edge of the penalty area.
39 min: Still 0-0 in Moscow. Not that it matters right now.
37 min: Carrillo has looked lively on the counter (apart from his superb goal) but once again Mooy is on hand to unsettle Peru’s attack and the threat peters out.
35 min: Sainsbury heads the resulting corner wide. Tom Rogic is having an outstanding game for Australia. The Socceroos’ back four are taking their time, waiting for the playmaker to find space then feeing him. He’s then spinning, facing forward and picking passes at will or carrying the ball forward himself.
34 min: How do Australia not score!? More brilliance from Rogic, threading through a perfect through-ball for Kruse who cuts back for Leckie but with the goal at his mercy two red shirts arrive from nowhere to scramble the ball behind. That looked for all money like the equaliser.
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32 min: Australia work a decent sight of goal but the flag’s up for offside. Rogic again to the fore.
29 min: “I realise homerism is universal,” writes John Ashdown, “but wasn’t there a touch of arrogance from the Australian media, with all the focus on whether Denmark and France would fix their game, and tie-breaking criteria and so on Always seemed to me that the hard part would be what the Australians were taking for granted - beating a very good Peru squad.” Absolutely, but as you suggest, that’s the case all over the world I think.
27 min: Magical from Tom Rogic, dancing like George Best in San Jose between a stack of Peruvian defenders and into the penalty area but his shot is saved well by Gallese. The resulting corner is claimed confidently by Peru’s keeper. That was a glimpse of how brilliant Rogic can be. Prodigious talent.
Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters
Updated
25 min: Half-chance for Peru from a set-piece. Cueva chips a neat ball through for his skipper but Guerrero can only flick his header tamely into Mat Ryan’s gloves. After his assist I wonder if Australia are regretting lobbying for Guerrero to feature in Russia following his suspension for a doping violation.
23 min: “How times have changed,” emails David Seare. “Peru notch a wonderful South American finish, full of mystery and wonder. Commentator - “what a volley from the Watford man”. How times have changed since I was a boy in 1978 watching Peru charm the world.”
21 min: Australia straight back on the attack, and again it’s down the left with the overlapping Behich crossing for Leckie to miscue a header over the bar.
20 min: Australia complaining there could have been an offside in the build up to the goal, but VAR was not activated. Mountain to climb now for the Socceroos.
GOAL! Australia 0-1 Peru (Carrillo 18)
Wallop! Out of nowhere Peru take the lead. Long ball for Guerrero that the skipper does well to chase down and then cross for Carrillo to smash home on the volley from the edge of the box. Nothing Mat Ryan could do with that. Peru’s first goal of Russia 2018 is a belter.
Updated
17 min: A familiar tale so far for Australia, good signs but no clear chances.
15 min: Patient phase of possession for Australia, circulating the ball in front of Peru’s defence, looking to lull their opponents into a false sense of security before lofting a vertical pass to the overlapping runner. In this instance it was Kruse but his cross is cleared.
13 min: Australia probing nicely all over the field. Rogic and Behich both have speculative shots charged down. Peru have not got going yet.
Updated
11 min: Peru have tried a couple of long diagonal balls from left to right to isolate Behich defensively but the execution has yet to come off. It will be interesting to note if Van Marwijk trusts his fullback to deal with that threat on his own or whether he requires support.
9 min: Australia have definitely settled the better of the two sides and they’re trying to keep the tempo high when they’re in possession. They break again, this time down the left, but Behich’s cross is cleared. From that clearance Jedinak picks up an early booking for a high boot in midfield on Cueva.
Updated
7 min: Decent opening for Australia down the right. Rogic finding space between the lines, feeding Juric on the shoulder of his centre-half but his cross is taken by the keeper before it could reach Kruse.
6 min: Australia’s forwards are hunting in packs, led by Juric, swarming all over Peru’s defenders when the ball’s in dispute. Peru are taking no chances, drilling the ball long when nothing’s on nearby.
For most of the 15,000-odd Socceroos fans to make the journey to Russia, today is the end of the road. Indeed, it seems as if numbers are already lower here than they were in Kazan and Samara. Nick from Perth told me he flies home in less than 24 hours, and even Australia qualify for the round of 16 he’s unlikely to be able to stick around. Only the fortunate are staying in Russia come what may. Let’s hope the Socceroos give the rest a reason to at least consult Skyscanner/their travel agent about flight changes...
Updated
4 min: One thing to note from an Australian perspective this World Cup has been Aaron Mooy’s ability to break up play in midfield. Noted as a ball-player he’s also been an outstanding destroyer in Russia. Still no chances for either side. Tomi Juric has worked hard to get into the game early.
2 min: The pattern of the match could well have been set in the opening two minutes. Peru dominating possession but it’s laboured and lacking penetration. Australia bide their time and then snatch the turnover in midfield and break at pace. Nothing comes of the counterattack down the left but you can see the Van Marwijk imprimatur.
Kick off!
Here we go then, 90 minutes to decide Australia’s World Cup fate.
Deary me, it sounds deafening in Sochi, the noise peaking as the Peruvian anthem draws to a close. They will be missed, La Blanquirroja.
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Peru are lining up for the anthems in long sleeve warm-up tops. Baller move in this heat and humidity.
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Edging towards kick-off here in Sochi. The players are gathering in the tunnel and big flags are fluttering out on the turf.
Australia will be top to toe in gold on the black sea. Peru will be in their away kit of all red with a rakish white sash sweeping across their jersey.
Meanwhile, over in Moscow...
Mile Jedinak bagged a hat-trick in the match that sent Australia to Russia 2018, another one agains Peru would see the bearded Villain join Harry Kane at the front in the race for the Golden Boot.
This is nice. Although Australian supporters will be hoping Paolo Guerrero doesn’t put Peru on the map tonight (boom tish, try the veal, etc and so on...).
It is hot (30C) and sticky (70% humidity) in Sochi. Oppressive conditions that could take their toll on both sets of players.
Another Australia World Cup match, another rendition of Down Under. I hope Men at Work are getting decent royalties. Peru colours currently outnumbering the green and gold within the Fisht Stadium - let’s hope reinforcements are outside. I spoke to some Peruvians yesterday and they’ve had a lovely time in Russia. A win - or even a goal (they are yet to score at this Word Cup) - would mean the world to them.
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#AUSPER is first game for @Socceroos against Peru, and 98th different national team opponent in A internationals. If you add non-A games against national teams of Macau (in 1970) and Burma (1975) that's 100 different countries #Socceroos ⚽️🌏👍 pic.twitter.com/8r2ugi9YBe
— andrew howe (@AndyHowe_statto) June 26, 2018
Great to check in with the all-knowing Andy Howe. As I found out recently, he is an ornament to Australian football.
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In case you’ve not been doing the internet properly over the past couple of days, not only does Australia play football, it also has kangaroos. You can guess the rest.
Hey @FIFAWorldCup,
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 26, 2018
We have a late addition to our squad for today's game against Peru. Hope you don't mind. #GoSocceroos pic.twitter.com/dPJnsirgOt
“If Australia go out tonight, do you reckon this is the last time we ever see Tim Cahill on a football pitch or will some A-League team swoop in to give the legend a proper send-off?” Great question, Josh Britton.
It would certainly be the perfect moment for him to bow out. He’s without a club, barely featured last season, and there’s nothing else for him to target (although he may want another crack at the Asian Cup in January). It could be a bit off-Broadway if you know what I mean though. If tonight is his last meaningful game I would expect a farewell testimonial of sorts further down the line that allows Everton/Millwall/Socceroos fans a chance to say farewell.
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Your referee for tonight’s match is Russian Sergei Karasev and his retinue is as follows:
- Assistant Referee 1: AVERIANOV Anton RUS
- Assistant Referee 2: KALUGIN Tikhon RUS
- Fourth official: SATO Ryuji JPN
- Video Assistant Referee: MAKKELIE Danny NED
- Assistant Video Assistant Referee 1: BORSCH Mark GER
- Assistant Video Assistant Referee 2: MARRUFO Jair USA
- Assistant Video Assistant Referee 3: DANKERT Bastian GER
Australia’s PFA has an excellent social media presence as exemplified by these neat little scouting clips of Peru.
Part 2 of #TalkingPointTuesday looks at how Peru operate without the ball and areas the @Socceroos could exploit tonight. #GoSocceroos pic.twitter.com/Y7MPvAdof2
— The PFA (@thepfa) June 26, 2018
It’s a hot and humid day here in Sochi. The Fisht Stadium is right by the shores of the Black Sea, and only a few kilometres from Russia’s border with Abkhazia - a separatist, partially-recognised state claimed by Georgia. Sochi is a rather misleading label for this arena - it is situated within the Olympic Park, 10 minutes’ drive from Adler, a modest-sized town, and about 35 klicks from Sochi itself. The main Australian fan groups are staying in Sochi proper, while the Peruvians seem to have camped out in Adler and the stadium’s surrounds.
“Evening Jonathan,” evening Andrew James. “Like probably quite a few of your readers I managed two hours sleep last night, dozing after Suarez put Uruguay ahead and then going straight through from Spain v Morocco until now. Any tips on how to stay awake on minimal sleep? Ps: Argentina at 4am is still tempting.”
Sweets. Lots and lots of sweets. My shape du jour is dinosaur but snakes do a similar job.
How’s this for a little bit of history repeating itself?
1998:
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) June 26, 2018
Denmark vs France.
Final Group C match at World Cup.
Denmark won first game 1-0.
Denmark drew second game 1-1.
Schmeichel in goal.
2018
Denmark vs France.
Final Group C match at World Cup.
Denmark won first game 1-0.
Denmark drew second game 1-1.
Schmeichel in goal.
... and the result of France vs. Denmark in 1998? 2-1 to Les Bleus, which would do very nicely for the Socceroos tonight if that remarkable series of coincidences continued.
Addendum: If in the unlikely event of lots being drawn, there will be a ceremony at a press centre in Moscow shortly after full-time.
If that happens, my eyeballs will look like something from Ren & Stimpy.
Group C Permutations
What we know
FYI - this is how we are looking going into the final matches in Group C...
— FIFA World Cup 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) June 26, 2018
1) #FRA (Q)
2) #DEN
3) #AUS
4) #PER #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/LVBaf8lUGx
- France are already through with six points.
- Peru are already out with no points.
- Denmark are currently occupying second spot with four points but they can be overhauled by Australia, who currently have one point.
So...
-
Australia must beat Peru and hope Denmark lose to France. Any other result in either game would eliminate the Socceroos.
But...
- If Australia win and Denmark lose, the two teams would finish level on four points.
- Goal difference would then come into play. Australia are currently minus-one, Denmark plus-one, so the Socceroos need a swing of three to progress.A swing of just two (for example, a 1-0 win for Australia and a 1-0 defeat for Denmark) would leave the two teams level.
- The next criterion would be the number of goals scored by each. Both teams have scored twice in the tournament so far. So if Denmark were to lose by a margin of one goal but still score more than Australia (for example, a 3-2 defeat for Denmark while the Socceroos won 1-0), the Danes would go through.
- Then we’re into comparing disciplinary records and drawing lots.
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“Good morning or night!” It’s night for me, Matt McCluskey (a surname I’m sure you’re reminded of often has deep Grange Hill roots in the memories of 30-somethings like me). “When Australia gets its next penalty, do you think Jedinak slides it bottom right corner again? So far so good with that strategy.”
Like the skipper’s beard, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
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Arrival and it is stinking hot in Sochi. Real humidity like a Darwin or a Singapore. Socceroos fans to be outnumbered for the first time in this World Cup. About half of Peru is here pic.twitter.com/jXoiCEqgkd
— John Davidson (@johnnyddavidson) June 26, 2018
“Evening Jonathan,” evening Martin Turnbull. “If Tomi Juric is the answer, it must be a dastardly strange question.”
A little harsh I think but understandable considering the lack of goals recently for either Australia or FC Luzern. But he was expected to be Australia’s line-leading no.9 ahead of the World Cup before an injury during the round of pre-tournament friendlies opened the door for Andrew Nabbout. He has earned his chance and despite the cases of Cahill and Arzani he’s the sensible choice.
Peru XI
Two changes for Peru with Anderson Santamaria replacing Alberto Rodriguez in defence and Renato Tapia coming in for Pedro Aquino in midfield.
Peru were also forced to discount Jefferson Farfan after the Lokomotiv Moscow forward suffered a “traumatic brain injury” on Saturday. Farfan was apparently knocked unconscious for a couple of minutes after colliding with a team-mate.
¡Onces iniciales confirmados!#AUS - #PER #AUSPER #Rusia2018 pic.twitter.com/zx3tYTgLBX
— Copa Mundial FIFA 🏆 (@fifaworldcup_es) June 26, 2018
Australia XI
Since Andrew Nabbout went down clutching his shoulder late on in the match against Denmark there has been fevered debate across Australia about who his replacement up front should be. Tomi Juric has been given the nod and his inclusion is the only change to the side that’s started the previous two matches. Bert van Marwijk is nothing if not consistent. “I always start with the players who have the best chance of a result.” he told Australian TV a short while ago.
Australia, here is your starting XI!#GoSocceroos #WorldCup
— Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 26, 2018
⚽️️️️️️️ #AUSPER
🏟 Fisht Stadium, Sochi
⌚️️️️️️️ 12:00am AEST, 11:30pm ACST, 10pm AWST
📺 LIVE on @OptusSport and @TheWorldGame pic.twitter.com/vQkOFxWZJa
Of the other selection considerations, Robbie Kruse is perhaps fortunate to retain his place on the left wing, while Tim Cahill and Daniel Arzani have once again been overlooked despite varying degrees of public clamour for their inclusions. The calls for Cahill to start from some sections of the Australia media were, frankly embarrassing.
You can keep up with all the action in Moscow with Barry Glendenning. He will be sure to report if the fix is in.
Are we concerned that #DENFRA might settle for a draw?
— John Costin (@john_costin) June 26, 2018
I think Australian supporters have to be prepared for a draw in Moscow. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time such a thing has occurred at a World Cup.
Any toey Australian fans out there? Ease the tension with a nice steaming hot mug of Squires.
Kieran Pender sets the scene from an Australian perspective. “The odds are against them, but the Socceroos are hoping that results in Sochi and Moscow on Tuesday will give them another World Cup evening to remember.”
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of this vital Group C encounter between Australia and Peru in Sochi. Depending on the progress of France vs. Denmark in Moscow we could be in for a complicated few hours, but for now let’s stick with the headline: Australia must win to remain in the World Cup.
Peru are already out, unfortunately. Consecutive defeats mean this will be the final opportunity of Russia 2018 to enjoy arguably the best set of travelling fans at the tournament, and one of the iconic international football kits.
All eyes on Australia then, who will take the lion’s share of the focus of this minute-by-minute as we figure out if they can secure the result required and for France to do them a favour to seal the deal. To add to the Antipodean flavour, I’m mashing the keystrokes from Melbourne, where it is already an ungodly hour and only going to get worse. Apologies in advance if some entries after half-time just read zzzzzzzzzz.
Kick off is 5pm local time (midnight in Australia and 3pm in the UK).
Considering my need to fight the urge to succumb to sleep’s soft embrace, your correspondence is needed more than ever. Emails please to jonathan.howcroft.freelance@guardian.co.uk and tweets to @JPHowcroft.
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