GROUP B
Australia 0
Jordan 1
AL AIN • Australia coach Graham Arnold was defiant against criticism that his side were unable to create chances, after the Socceroos made the worst possible start to the defence of their Asian Cup crown yesterday with a 1-0 defeat by unfancied Jordan.
The Aussies, who won the title on home soil four years ago, dominated for long spells but failed to find a way to cancel out Anas Bani Yaseen's header in the Group B clash at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.
"We gave away a sloppy goal and started slowly but, in the second half, we totally controlled the game and, on any other day, we could have scored and won the game," Arnold insisted after the match.
He also dismissed the suggestion that his side's approach to the game was arrogant, having previously stated that he expected his side to beat the Jordanians.
The 55-year-old added that the Socceroos will "dust ourselves off, recover well and mentally prepare" for the next game against Palestine.
While he remained defiant, his captain Mark Milligan admitted that nerves got the better of the team.
NOT TIME TO PANIC YET
We gave away a sloppy goal and started slowly but, in the second half, we totally controlled the game and, on any other day, we could have scored and won the game.
GRAHAM ARNOLD, Australia coach, insists his side played well despite the defeat by 109-ranked Jordan.
"The start of the game was lethargic, maybe a few nerves," he said. "It's the first time in a tournament situation for some of the boys."
Vital Borkelmans' Jordan, who are 68 places behind the Aussies (41st) in the Fifa world rankings, were resolute in defence.
The Socceroos went into half-time trailing by a goal and were fortunate not to be further behind.
Centre-back Bani Yaseen put his side in front in the 26th minute when he was given the time and space to head home Baha Abdelrahman's corner unchallenged, powering the ball beyond the flat-footed goalkeeper Mat Ryan.
"We knew where their dangers were going to come from and, on a set piece, we can't be conceding those goals," Milligan added.
"We know we need to be better, but there's still good signs, we know we have to execute better.
"I'm lucky I've got a great bunch of boys, this will hurt everyone, it's hurting me. We'll let Arnie have his say and get to work."
Four minutes later, Abdelrahman almost added a second when his free kick from the edge of the area speared towards goal, only for Ryan to push the ball onto the woodwork before it was cleared.
For all their possession in the opposition half, Australia crafted few clear opportunities, with Awer Mabil's shot coming back off goalkeeper Amer Shafi's legs and Jamie MacLaren heading over the bar.
Mabil hit the woodwork late in the second half as Australia grew increasingly desperate to find an equaliser and Shafi was kept busy until the final kick of the game as Jordan held on for a famous win over their more illustrious opponents.
Australia fans took to social media to blast Arnold and his team.
"So much wrong with that #Socceroos display. Lacking quality & composure, passion & desire. Huge amount of work to do," wrote one user. "Jordan implemented their game plan perfectly, we didn't even have one," said another.
The defeat leaves the Aussies with much to ponder ahead of Friday's game against Palestine, a must-win if they want to get their title defence back on track.
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, THE GUARDIAN
Eleven Sports hit by poor take-up rate in UK LONDON • Eleven Sports, the self-styled "Netflix of Sports" controlled by Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani, could be facing closure in the UK & Ireland after failing to attract enough subscribers.
Eleven Sports may be facing closure in UK after only four
Sarri tips Callum to be future Blues star, Football News
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp celebrates with Jordan Henderson at the end of the match REUTERS. Liverpool crushed Arsenal 5-1 to move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League on Saturday but manager Juergen Klopp still would not get involved in any talk of winning the title.
Football: Singapore fall short in bid to qualify for AFC U-23 Championship finals despite beating Mongolia 3-1 With five points from three games, Fandi Ahmad's men finished second in Group G
Latest SINGAPORE FOOTBALL | The Straits Times
Liverpool crushed Arsenal 5-1 to move nine points clear at the top of the Premier League on Saturday but manager Juergen Klopp still would not get involved in any talk of winning the title.
Liverpool`s Klopp Avoids Title Talk despite Arsenal Rout
Soccer: Infantino says he has wide support for 48-team World
Real Madrid's 2019/20 home strip appears to have been leaked through a collection of images which have emerged online - and the design is set to delight Los Blancos fans. The kit features a design
Real Madrid Reportedly Set To Unveil Eden Hazard On Monday
However the football event of the tournament was only participated by two other teams, Thailand and Singapore with the Philippines not winning a single match. 2000s. Marlon Maro coached the women's national football team as early as 2001 when he guided the national team through the 2001 Southeast Asian Games.
World Cup 2018 Draw - Results and Predictions - We Global
Football: Barcelona on a mission to right the wrongs - The Straits Times 18-02-2019 22:00 via "allintitle:Mission" - Google News Football: Barcelona on a mission to right the wrongs The Straits TimesBARCELONA • Clement Lenglet ought to be unscarred by Barcelona's Champions League failure last season, but disappointment reverberates around the
Fantasy Football Interview; A league winner on a mission
Klopp unfazed by early FA Cup exit. It probably says much about the FA Cup's place in Klopp's list of priorities that he looked more perturbed by a hamstring injury to Dejan Lovren in the
Why Jurgen Klopp has no option but to risk another early FA
Football: Choupo-Moting in goal-line howler as PSG throw away
Cristiano Ronaldo has been passed fit to play for Juventus in their Champions League quarter-final first leg at Ajax Amsterdam on Wednesday, coach Massimiliano Allegri has told Sky Italia.
Max Allegri reveals Cristiano Ronaldo will be fit for Ajax clash
0 comments:
Post a Comment