With an aggregate score of 12-1 across their two World Cup qualifiers, the Socceroos took another step towards qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Here’s what stood out across the two matches.
1. Mooy Magic
The addition of Aaron Mooy, who now must be one of the first names on Ange’s team sheet, to the Socceroos fold has been huge. Arguably one of the best players in the A-League, his ability to influence the game at an international level was clear to see throughout both matches. A lot was made of Robbie Kruse’s three-assist performance against Jordan but what was missed by some observers were the passes Mooy played prior to those assists.
Mooy also provides some much needed balance to the Australian side. Once Marco Bresciano was ruled of the Asian Cup during the quarter-final victory over China through injury, his replacement, Mark Milligan gave the side plenty of defensive capability but it also lacked a little in passing threat and guile. Mooy solves that problem by offering a greater threat in attacking areas and better facilitating Ange Postecoglou’s pressing philosophy.
2. Midfield Options
That is no criticism of Milligan (or perhaps it is) who performed admirably in the final two and half games of the Asian Cup and more recently against Jordan. But the inclusion of Mooy alongside Massimo Luongo and in front of Mile Jedinak gives the Socceroos midfield more balance.
Following Tommy Rogic’s two goal cameo against Tajikistan – the question remained of where he plays in Ange’s system? The answer came against Jordan. The manager looks likely to only play two of Mooy, Luongo and Rogic, with Postecoglou showing little desire to shoehorn all of his best players into the same side at the risk of upsetting the on-pitch harmony. Mooy appears to be a mainstay for years to come, but Luongo can provide that extra aggression that is sometimes required. Rogic, on the other hand, can provide more inventiveness occasionally needed to break down stubborn defences, as he did against Jordan. The Celtic midfielder still remains a fantastic option to have come off the bench who can take advantage of a tiring oppostion, as he did against Tajikistan.
3. Fullbacks
In what was often a problem area for the Socceroos, the left back position is now bursting at the seams with potential candidates. Alan Davidson, Aziz Behich, Alex Gersbach and Liverpool graduate Brad Smith, who played in both matches, are now all vying for the one position.
Smith’s performances were full of powerful running and he possesses a whip of a cross, giving some indication of why Jurgen Klopp has trusted him to be Alberto Moreno’s replacement in some of the Reds league games this season.
On the opposite side of the pitch, gone are the days of the desperate reliance on Luke Wilkshire, the Aussies now have plenty of options for the right back slot. Ryan McGowan played decently against Tajikstan, albeit against a poor opposition, but as in the World Cup, he can exposed easily, looking every bit the centre back playing as a right back. Josh Risdon, despite Postecoglou throwing him in the deep end against Jordan, looked as if he wasn’t quite ready to swim. The Perth Glory fullback has the dynamism but lacked the end product required for the fullback position in Ange’s 4-3-3 system, often selling himself short in the passing and crossing departments.
Ange’s number one option has always been Ivan Franjic, but it is encouraging to see a number of players itching to take his spot.
4. Maturity
Since becoming part of the Asian Confederation, Socceroos players have constantly complained about the unsportsmanlike behaviour by opposing nations, the most egregious example being the 2007 Asian Cup campaign under the reign of Graham Arnold. More often than not, it was used as an excuse fro poor performances and most of the time came down to a typically Anglo lack of understanding of other footballing cultures.
Jordan gave a similar display on Tuesday night with a raft of fouls, diving, time-wasting and play acting. The outrageous tackle on Robbie Kruse was horrific and could’ve put the Bayer Leverkusen back on the sideline for another lengthy treatment. But it was just as noticeable how little the Australians reacted to such antics. Sure the scoreline would have helped keep the temper in check, but it was a clear sign of this squad’s burgeoning maturity, which will bode well for such a young squad in the upcoming high pressure games that await the Socceroos.
The Dirtbag 