The Socceroos’ 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign began with a successful, yet far from comfortable 2-1 win over Kyrgyzstan last night.
Predictions for the need of a dream Australia start indeed game to fruition, Ange Postegoclou’s men going ahead just after the first minute when Mile Jedinak’s low-flying 20-yard free kick bewildered the host goalkeeper and tumbled into the net.
Yet there was no dominance to follow the early scoresheet advantage, as the Snow Leopards quickly found their stride and began to take the majority of possession. With the Socceroos giving the ball away cheaply in the midfield, a number of counter-attacking chances went begging for the Kyrgyz,
Although still weathering a storm from the home side after the half-time break, Australia put the result beyond doubt in the 67th minute with an incisive pass from Mark Milligan picking out substitute Tommy Oar on the run, who finished inside the far post. A bizzare end to the match saw Kyrgyzstan snatch a late consolation goal for Almazbek Mirzaliev, despite the fact the No.18’s last touch to send the ball over the line was clearly with his hand.
https://youtu.be/2MsEYRj2mSc
An ugly win speaks volumes for the Socceroos
A long journey, little information known about the opponent and what turned out to be an absolutely shocking playing surface were all factors that added up to Postecoglou taking a safer approach in this game – one would almost be forgiven for saying the coach was attempting to park the bus after going ahead early. But there was some undoubted rustiness as the Socceroos came back together for the first time since winning the Asian Cup, unable to fully gel in the midfield, which led to a lack of solid goal scoring opportunities. After opening the proceedings, Jedinak’s performance was indicative of a man at the end of a long season, misfiring numerous passes and unable to hold up the ball with his usual physicality in the midfield.
While on the back foot for the most of the match, as a good team does, the Australians took their chances when it counted, making the most of an unsettled goalkeeper then pouncing on a defensive lapse with Milligan’s perfect pass to find Oar for the second in the 67th minute.
https://youtu.be/ayRvLlC1DBw
Dangerous Snow Leopards waste numerous chances
After conceding just outside of the first minute, the hosts were far from willing to let an opportunity to upset the Asian Champions slip through their fingers. Quickly recovering from Australia’s shock opener, the Kyrgyzs began to apply pressure in the midfield which forced easy turnovers from the opposition.
While the Socceroos looked constricted in possession, the Snow Leopards used the width of the field to their advantage, finding Anton Zemlianukhin and Mirlan Murzaev with yards of space on multiple occasions. The Kyrgyzstan attack broke through the Australian defence during a number of counter-attacks, many beginning with easy turnovers, but their hopes of converting this to the scoreboard were dashed by wasted shots from outside of the box or a lack of options inside the final third. Of their 19 total shots, Australian goalkeeper Mat Ryan was only called upon three times.
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Who is Anton Zemlianukhin?
Although coming out on the wrong side of the result, no player made a bigger impression at the Stadion IM than Zemlianukhin. With acres of space to work with on the right flank, the 26-year-old dazzled the home supporters with some true Cristiano Ronaldo-esque trickery and was the focal point for much of the Snow Leopards’ attack. Completing seven successful take-ons and taking three shots on goal, the Serbian SuperLiga product was unlucky to not make an impression on the scoresheet, yet certainly would have made one on Aziz Behich, who was left chasing the dust as the Kyrgyzs found constant sights on goal.
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