There was extensive pre-match debate over the formation in use for the Socceroos match with Iraq.
Outside90’s Liam Bednarski casted an eye over how Ange Postecoglou’s system was utilised on the road to victory in Perth last night.
The new formation took time to gel
Iraq came with a sturdy game plan and were extremely well organised on the night. They created a tense atmosphere throughout the first half leaving the Socceroos frustrated at the break.
The Socceroos’ 4-2-2-2, or 4-1-2-1-2 was unfamiliar to fans but also the players as Australia fell into Iraq’s hands throughout the first period. The team which normally adopts a 4-3-3 formation was left wanting at half-time.
Full-backs Brad Smith (LB) and Milos Degenek (RB) were playing extremely high up the pitch. Normally an effective part of the Socceroos’ game plan, however it reduced the space available for Tom Rogic and Mass Luongo to operate in.
Rogic operates to great effect for club side, Celtic, from the inside left channel, while most of Massimo Luongo’s career highlight reel to date has come from situations operating inside right. The advanced defenders simply attracted more Iraqi attention to these areas, limiting cohesion in the front half.
This played into Iraq’s hands, and one they consciously looked to capitalise on. It was a tactic which reduced the width of the Australian attack immensely, limiting their chances on goal to long shots and an excellent header by Matthew Leckie, which crashed the woodwork.
REVIEW | The narrow diamond formation and cheap turnovers dissected after a comfortable win #Socceroos #AUSvIRQ https://t.co/q3PG0PCmJ9
— Outside90 (@Outside90) September 1, 2016
Iraq sacrificed possession but without the natural width in its game Australia failed to capitalise. Uncharacteristic mistakes from Mile Jedinak and Aaron Mooy underline the Socceroos’ lack of patience on the ball.
Iraq appeared to be playing five defenders, however it was in fact a 4-1-4-1 formation with Saad Natiq extremely deep as the defensive-midfielder. This allowed Mark Milligan and Trent Sainsbury to accumulate a significant amount of possession throughout the first half.
Rather than adopting radical change at the interval, Postecoglou opted for a subtle tweak to the system. Evidently, the fullbacks were stationed more in their natural position, allowing the Socceroos’ attackers to exploit the wide areas with increased regularity.
Tomi Juric, the difference maker
The likes of Rogic, Luongo and Leckie were experiencing more freedom and began to make an impact. After spurning a glorious chance to put the Socceroos ahead, Tomi Juric exploited new-found space on the right to provide Luongo with a simple tap in. Without the overload of players and the formation stretched, the Socceroos worked themselves into 1v1, 2v2 and overload situations to their immense benefit.
Australia’s second, and game deciding goal, came from an unexpected set-piece. Iraq deployed a rather calamitous mix between zonal and man-marking at a corner, with Juric profiting from a deflected Mooy corner to effectively kill the game on with 25 minutes remaining.
Australia’s very own Tinkerman
Postecoglou is blessed with an array of options and variations, something he admitted pre-game. However, it can create significant headaches when the coach is trying to engineer a way to fit top-line midfielders into the starting XI.
The ability to tweak the Socceroos’ system during a match is a tactical strength which should serve the Socceroos well for their upcoming World Cup qualifying matches.
On Tuesday, we will see a glimpse of this flexibility when Postecoglou’s men face the gruelling challenge of playing the UAE in the heat, fresh from their shock win away to Asian giants, Japan.
فيديو : هدف التعادل لـ #الامارات 1 – 1 اليابان عبر احمد خليل د20 #معا_نستطيع pic.twitter.com/nkbsJUTIWC
— منتخب الإمارات (@EmiratesNT) September 1, 2016
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