Final thoughts
Well they got there. Just. A Jekyll and Hyde performance from the Socceroos, who were much improved in the second half and probably deserved the win for the second 45 minutes alone. If not for two silly pieces of play by Saudi Arabia in the first 45, however, it could have been a much different affair.
And it’s hardly job done for the Socceroos. The visitors will head back to the Middle East frustrated but ultimately confident they can still progress from this group. With literally nothing in it at the top - Australia, Saudi Arabia and Japan are all on 16 points - the Aussies can’t afford to put in another first-half performance like that again or they’ll be play-off bound.
Thanks for joining me tonight. Catch you next time.
Full-time: Socceroos 3-2 Saudi Arabia
Thar she blows! A final, deep kick into the Aussie box is plucked from the air by Ryan, who boots it deep into the Saudi half. A free-kick to the Aussies... who then hug the right wing tighter than Andrew Bolt to eat up the remaining seconds. Let’s hope there’s no one in the crowd with glitter and shaving cream. And that’s it. Three points for the Socceroos.
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90+1 mins: Into stoppage time and a foul on Luongo chews up some more time. The Socceroos in no rush at all.
89 mins: The ball is booted away, deep into the Saudi half, as Hawsawi goes down with what looks like cramp. Almost there for the Socceroos.
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87 mins: Brilliant work from Kruse on the right to get a cross into the box... but it flies straight through the danger area. The Saudis appeal for a handball in the box at the other end but it comes to nothing. The clock is ticking.
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85 mins: Luongo comes on for Juric - so no hat-trick on the cards. He’ll still get a rousing reception as he comes off though.
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84 mins: Two changes for the visitors - Al Shehri and Al Dawsari off for Asiri and Muwashr. They have looked a little tired this half. Juric with a shot... but it flies high over the bar.
81 mins: Less than 10 minutes left of normal time and this is, finally, going according to plan for the Socceroos. That said, Saudi Arabia aren’t going away. Finally making some ground in the Aussie half, passing it around nicely, trying to create some space - but the Aussies are defending well for once.
79 mins: A corner comes to nothing for the Socceroos. They’ve not been their usual selves from set-pieces tonight. They’ve not been their usual selves full stop.
76 mins: Saudi Arabia keeping their cool despite the scoreline, they’re passing it around on the halfway line... and the Socceroos seem happy to let them. Juric almost gets the ball back for a counter-attack but it’s robbed off him.
74 mins: Saudi Arabia enjoying a bit of possession without really making any inroads - the Socceroos look a little more structured this half, no open spaces for the visitors to play into. Potential kiss of death there from yours truly.
72 mins: As expected, Saudi Arabia coming back into the game again, not sitting as deep and questioning the Aussie defence. This isn’t over by any means and that penalty-that-wasn’t might come back to haunt the Socceroos.
69 mins: The visitors with their first change of the evening. Otayf on for Al Khaibri. Seconds later, the Aussies with a very VERY strong penalty appeal - blatant foul in the box but the referee is adamant it’s a clean challenge. He’s wrong - and the crowd know it.
66 mins: Al Sahlawi fires towards goal but Ryan saves it comfortably enough. The Socceroos can’t afford to take their foot off the gas now, the last 15 minutes have been their best by a country mile. Saudi Arabia will have to come out of their shell again - and they’ve already proven they can give this defence all kinds of trouble when they do.
GOAL! Socceroos 3-2 Saudi Arabia
64 mins: My word what a shot! Rogic with a rocket from just outside the area. Sharp pass from Mooy, even better finish from the Celtic man. Right into the top corner, keeper had no chance.
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63 mins: Can the Socceroos make the most of this pressure? Irvine comes off for Kruse. The Burton boy has struggled today.
60 mins: Saudi Arabia still sitting back a bit, hoping to hit on the counter. Rogic steals into a shooting position to snap a sidefoot shot at goal but the keeper tips it wide.
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57 mins: The corner comes to nothing but there’s definitely been a change in gear from the Aussies. Some of them had been in reverse in the first half. That said, their defence hasn’t really been tested this half.
55 mins: Saudi Arabia sitting a little deeper than they did in the first half, not sure that’s a wise move, inviting the Socceroos onto them. Maybe in another 15 minutes but there’s still a lot of football to play. Socceroos with a corner.
52 mins: Well if Ange wants his players to make good on their investment, he must be digging down the back of the bench for his receipt right now. They’ve made a decentish start to the second half but there’s a feeling in the air that they’re just one poor decision away from giving the visitors another chance. Less haste more speed.
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49 mins: Leckie with a cut-back into the box but it’s behind everyone. Maybe if Rogic had carried on his run he might have got it but... c’est la vie. A smidge bit better from the hosts but Saudi Arabia look comfortable enough.
47 mins: Rogic uses his strength (!?!) to bustle into a shooting position, but it’s a tame effort and the keeper deals with it comfortably enough.
Second half: Socceroos 2-2 Saudi Arabia
46 mins: The second half is under way, and let’s hope the Socceroos have been given a collective slap in the face during the break. Smith off for Behich.
Usually have faith in the Roos but it is being tested. The defence is so poor. Sad!
Donald TrumpMartin Turnbull, via email
You raised the point that people are asking how Australia find themselves in such a prickly position. A couple of observations. 1. There is a sense of entitlement amongst Australian sports fans with regard to their standing in world sport. It applies to all codes (except AFL for obvious reasons, though Ireland could possibly do them) 2. There is a disconnect in the youth development of Australian football. The small squads in the A league, lack of opportunity and the excessive cost of playing/coaching is suffocating player development. There needs to be a lot more thought applied by the FFA to create clear paths and support processes to ensure the national team doesn’t stagnate and a vital link in the promotion and finance of the game isn’t lost. Rant over.
Phil Withall, via email
But what a well reasoned rant it was Phil. I should point out that the ‘prickly position’ he was referring to was in my rambling preamble, which asked why the Socceroos seemed to be making such hard work of qualification. The way this game has gone, perhaps we should applaud them for being in the running at all.
Half-time: Socceroos 2-2 Saudi Arabia
What was all that about? No seriously, I’m at a loss to explain the last 45 minutes from the Socceroos. Into the sheds we go with the game all square... which on the balance of things is probably about right. The visitors might even feel they should’ve edged it - except for two poor pieces of play. Still, a chance to reset for the hosts.
GOAL! Socceroos 2-2 Saudi Arabia
45+2 mins: Shocking stuff from the Aussies. Al Sahlawi with the final finish from close range but where was the marking in the build-up?
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42 mins: The Aussies deal with it comfortably and try to hit on the counter... but it comes to nothing. Both teams need to get into the changing rooms and get their heads straight, far too many poor passes from the Aussies, far too much space at the back from the Saudis.
41 mins: Well with half-time fast approaching, I’m not quite sure what to make of all this. Do the Socceroos deserve to be ahead? Erm, sort of? If only because that Saudi defence has been so terrible. The visitors on the attack again, and a whipped in cross takes a nasty deflection... before rolling away to safety. It could’ve gone anywhere. They’re still on the attack though, with a corner off McGowan.
38 mins: Seeing as I was in rant mode before that goal, I’ll vent at Saudi Arabia instead - they’ve just undone all their good work by switching off for a few seconds. Silly stuff. Van Marwijk must be tearing his hair out. Not that the Socceroos will mind. Saudi Arabia have responded well again though... even managing to get the ball in the back of the net, but it’s rightfully ruled out for offside.
GOAL! Socceroos 2-1 Saudi Arabia
36 mins: Just when I was about to lay into them, I’m forced to press delete frantically as Juric nods the Socceroos back ahead. Leckie picks out his man with a cross, woeful marking from the visitors, and Juric heads it into the corner. Bit of a let off/gift to be honest.
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34 mins: Leckie with a shocker of a backpass, giving away possession, but the final shot flies wide. Alarm bells ringing.
32 mins: Al Shehri with a curling effort from the Saudis on the break - but it’s easy enough for Ryan to smother.
29 mins: Frustration for the Socceroos as Saudi Arabia string a nice few passes together - something the hosts have struggled to do so far. This wasn’t the plan after that early goal.
27 mins: Between the Socceroos defence and the Saudi goalkeeper we could be in for a fair few goals tonight. Jedinak treads on the ball and almost lets it squirm away. It’s been an odd one so far - both teams look nervous. And I’m being generous with the word ‘nervous’.
GOAL! Socceroos 1-1 Saudi Arabia
23 mins: Al Dawsari finishes off a quick-fire passing move from the visitors and Saudi Arabia are back on level terms. Excellent finish after being played through on goal - and the Socceroos are back at square one. Poor defending.
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21 mins: Definitely a few warning signs for the Aussies, a few of them of their own making. They need to string a few passes together, get their foot on the ball. Saudi Arabia making a game of it.
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18 mins: Well it does indeed look like some pace has been taken out of the game, but I think it’s more luck than design - a few wayward passes from both teams taking the sting out of things. Saudi Arabia have looked a little better in the last five minutes, but then that was to be expected. A little more of the ball in the Socceroos’ half but, so far, there’s been no real danger for the hosts.
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15 mins: The question for Postecoglou now is, does he carry on with the current tactics, or take some heat out of the game and slow the pace? Which is probably what Saudi Arabia were looking to do at kick-off. Hmm. Might be a bit early for such questions. Al Sahlawi catches Sainsbury in possession, but his long-range effort sails over the bar. Just a sniff for the visitors, but that’s all it takes sometimes.
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13 mins: Mooy chips it into the box towards the towering presence of Sainsbury... but it flicks of a defender’s head and is cleared to safety.
11 mins: Well the Socceroos have got no excuses now... not that it looks like they’ll need them. Saudi Arabia look flustered, especially keeper Mosailem - two blunders, one very costly. The Socceroos haven’t had to be that sharp either, just harrying and pressing the visitors into slips. More joy for Smith down the flank and we get our first corner.
GOAL! Socceroos 1-0 Saudi Arabia
7 mins: Dear oh dear, the goalkeeper has had a nightmare - slipping over as he tried to clear it, passing it straight to Juric, who gently plays it into the net from distance, cool as you like. Perfect start for Ange’s men.
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6 mins: Good start from the Socceroos, if not the fire and brimstone I was hoping for in the first 10 minutes. They’ve been pushing and probing though, and there are enough signs to suggest they can create a few openings.
4 mins: Juric charges down what should have been a simple clearance by the keeper. Early nerves from Saudi Arabia. It’ll all help the Socceroos’ cause if they can rattle them early.
2 mins: Rogic with some good penetration down the left, Leckie scuffs the ball into the box though and it trundles away to safety. Promising though.
Kick-off
1 min: Peeeeep! And away we go. Go in all-guns blazing, Socceroos. Come on, you know it makes sense.
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The pitch actually looks decent and playable tonight. The fact that I’m surprised tells you all you need to know. Not long now...
Line-ups
The anthems are playing. Seems like a good time to do the starting line-ups.
Australia: Ryan, Degenek, Sainsbury, R McGowan, Smith, Leckie, Mooy, Jedinak, Irvine, Rogic, Juric.
Saudi Arabia: Mosailem, Hawsawi, Al Dossary, Hawsawi, Al Burayk, Al Faraj, Al Shehri, Al Sahlawi, Al Khaibri, Al Jassam, Al Dawsari.
I’m wondering what happens if someone picks up a suspension tonight? I assume it will apply to the Confederations Cup matches rather than the Japan match in August. Answers on a postcard please to Guardian Towers. Or, you know, just email me.
There could be some interesting ‘tactical’ offences at that tournament if Ange doesn’t want his best players suspended for Japan. Not that I’d ever condone such dark arts as getting booked deliberately. #justsaying
Apparently, under new FIFA regulations, using the hashtag “justsaying” in 2017 is also a yellow card offence.
Just a little reminder of what happened the last time these two teams met back in October. Completely different conditions this time of course. A tad bit cooler.
In that article, Postecoglou also mentions the fact that most teams (he means in the AFC presumably) sit back and defend against the Socceroos these days. Considering Saudi Arabia have only brought a couple of strikers with them tonight, I think it’s fair to say we can expect more of the same. The trick, surely, will be try to go in guns blazing from the outset while their defenders are still settling in … much like Saudi Arabia did in the first game. The longer this one remains scoreless, the harder it will be to break them down and the more nervous the Aussie fans and players will get.
Sounding suspiciously like a Joe Hockey budget speech delivered to poor people, Ange Postecoglou told his team this week it’s time to start repaying their investment. Seemed a bit harsh to me when I read it, but a mild rebuke/ call to arms is probably in order considering their campaign thus far, and the headline might have made more of it than it was.
As the games get more and more important and vital, that is where you want to see all the work we have done in the last two or three years come to fruition. We have invested two or three years in them but I think, over this next period, it will be interesting to see how far they can go as footballers and how far the team can go.”
Read the full piece here.
Is anyone still scratching heads at how the Socceroos have got themselves into this situation? They should be playing to cement their qualification at this stage not battling to stay in with a shout. Weirder still is the fact that there’s a very real possibility that they could go through this group stage undefeated - and still not qualify. A quick look at the ladder tells you what the problem’s been - four draws from seven games. They’ve turned into the Manchester United of Asia.
Preamble
Evening everyone, thanks for joining me for tonight’s crunch qualifying clash between the Socceroos and Saudi Arabia – or “Soccerooabia”, as the portmanteau-obsessed paparazzi press are calling this match. Possibly. (Someone ask Rebel Wilson to confirm, she seems to keep track of those mags.)
So is it time to press the big red hyperbole button marked “must-win”, or do we save it for the Japan game? And is there such a thing as a “mustn’t win” button? Or maybe a “meh, I’m not that bothered either way” button for next week’s Brazil game? So many questions, so little point.
And while this stuttering and unconvincing intro might be an apt metaphor for the Socceroos’ qualifying campaign, at least Ange Postecoglou has the chance to put things right over the course of the next 90 minutes in what is - must-win or not - unquestionably a pivotal match against one of their biggest rivals in the group. Three points separate the top three teams with three rounds to go (Japan are ahead of Saudi Arabia on goal difference, with the Socceroos three points behind both) – with just two direct qualification spots up for grabs. It’s the World Cup equivalent of musical chairs, with a booby prize play-off for whoever finishes third.
Anything other than a victory tonight wouldn’t be terminal for the Socceroos’ direct qualification hopes, but only in the sense that it wasn’t terminal when – spoiler alert - Leo DiCaprio was “mauled” by that bear in Revenant.
On the flip side, Saudi Arabia would be more than happy with a point tonight. They still have a couple of tough games in the run-in, but four points clear and, with the Socceroos facing a trip to Japan, they would be clear favourites to qualify.
Now that the Frank Underwood-style fear-mongering is out of the way, let’s move on. I actually think the Socceroos should cruise this one, especially as Saudi Arabia haven’t been quite as convincing as their results suggest. But then the Socceroos should have cruised it against Thailand and look how that turned out. And with the wily Bert van Marwijk in charge, never rule out Saudi Arabia.
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Richard will be here shortly, but in the meantime, check out what Ange Postecoglou has had to say in the lead-up to this crunch game.
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