Asian Cup 2023 (in 2024 because … $$)

[otto62]

Australia 2 India 0

First half we were rubbish. No cleverness to open up their desperate defence. Woeful delivery from wide, including a gazillion corners. Goodwin’s delivery was terrible too.

First goal was keeper error palming the ball straight to Irvine, although he still had work to do.

We finally started penetrating their defence when McGree came on. He looked dangerous every time he touched the ball and put the second goal on a plate for Bos.

Good to get a win first up, get some time on the pitch together and get some minutes into McGree’s legs in his come back from injury. (Hope he pulls up alright after the tournament, because I’m a Boro supporter too.)

[EdDog]

Looked very average until the subs came on.

McGree, Bos, Silvera all had an impact but it was the former AU boy who looked the most dangerous. Lovely run to set up the goal.

Hopefully just blowing out the cobwebs and we see us grow from here.

[blahblah]

Qatar had a 3-0 win against Lebanon, a score-line that didn't reflect the match with Lebanon unlucky not to walk away with at least a point.

China had a 0-0 draw with Tajikistan, and were lucky to get the point. The Tajiks were lively (though blazed away with reckless abandon)

Uzbekistan dominated play against Syria who were sitting deep and hitting on the counter, another 0-0 draw.

[sevengoals]

South Korea leading Bahrain1-0 at the 50th minute but as I write Bahrain equalise.

Now 1-1

Big bomb at 55min from Lee J ik
2-1

[sevengoals]

SA lads.

[sevengoals]

Syria 0-0 Australia

2min

[otto62]

And away we go Australia v Syria.

Goody on the bench … unsurprising I think after an underwhelming showing last game.
McGree on the bench after what was a good cameo … either he’s still not ready to start a game yet coming back from injury … or he doesn’t fit easily in Arnold’s formation.

Syria has started well. This will actually be a contest, where India was a training run.

[sevengoals]

Syria smash the post.
I think that was a big wake up call!

[otto62]

Metcalfe on free-kick duties in Goody’s absence.
Put it in a dangerous area, only slightly overhit.

Metcalfe taking the corner too.
Good ball. Can’t say Goody would have done better.

[otto62]

Australia in complete control of possession. Syria happy to just sit back behind the ball trying to frustrate us and then hit on the counter.

[otto62]

40 mins 0-0

Really needs someone to drive at them and take a man on, rather than draw a man and pass. McGree is the answer. It’s just a question of when, and in place of who.

[sevengoals]

Syria 0-0 Australia
45min
6min added time

Football in one window in German, work in the others ...
First half has flown past.

[otto62]

Key things from the first half:

Syria have had the three best chances of the half. The ball looks incredibly bouncy, and the ground looks rock hard. The slightest touch and the ball is an metre away and it looks really difficult to control.

[Woy of the Wovers]

Pretty pedestrian stuff from the Socceroos. Look like a bunch of journeymen going through the motions most of the time. Gethin Jones at RB doesn’t impress. If he was at AUFC I couldn’t see him starting ahead of Bova based on this game.


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[sevengoals]

Here we go, second half under way.