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
That's right. If you haven't had a job interview for a while, you might be surprised at how much things have changed. But don't worry, because we've really gone out of our way to make sure that we are sharing our "latest and greatest" techniques for answering each question. That's what this top 10 list is all about….
How to Excel at Work: 14 Tips for Blowing Your Boss' Mind
The party has started for Liverpool. Reds fans everywhere are celebrating wildly after their team claimed the Champions League crown with a 2-0 win over Tottenham in Madrid.
Manchester City face no action over 'Allez' chant - AOL
Kane insists club rivalries will not split England camp
Pep Guardiola claimed he still doesn't believe Manchester City can win the quadruple after his side reached the FA Cup final with a 1-0 win over Brighton on Saturday.
Guardiola coy over quadruple bid after City reach FA Cup final
Cardiff claim they are shocked by a report that the pilot in the plane crash that killed Emiliano Sala was not qualified to fly at night. The Premier League club said they remain "deeply concerned
Cardiff 'shocked' by Sala pilot report | theScore.com
Jesse Lingard says Manchester United intend to continue their entertaining brand of football under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when they travel to Tottenham on Sunday. United have been reinvigorated since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho last month, winning all five of the Norwegian's matches in league and cup, scoring 16 goals in the process.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to go all out attack against Paris Saint
Jurgen Klopp dismisses talk of Liverpool crumbling under
LONDON (REUTERS) - Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk is back in training but remains doubtful for the Premier League leaders' home match against Leicester City at Anfield on Wednesday (Jan 30)..
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk in doubt for Leicester game
Bayern Munich will found a sixth football school in Asia after agreeing on a youth development partnership with the Sport Singapore (SportSG), the Bundesliga giants announced on Monday. Former Bayern player Klaus Augenthaler was present at a signing ceremony at Singapore's Jurong East Stadium on Sunday, as the club pledged to "close future
Bayern Munich sign youth partnership deal with SportsSG in
Valencia's 17-year-old midfielder Lee Kang-in. Already rated at €80 million by LaLiga side Valencia, 17-year-old South Korean Lee Kang-in is on his way to becoming a big star for club and country.
Three years after Gary Neville's disastrous reign, Valencia
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was Monday charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his side's defeat to Burnley. The Spurs boss became engaged in a lengthy and
Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham boss charged by Football
Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic. BARCELONA: Ivan Rakitic has said Lionel Messi's desire to win the Champions League is proving an inspiration for Barcelona ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg against Liverpool on Wednesday.
Messi's motivation spurs on Barcelona, says Rakitic
Premier League's Watford were made to sweat to beat lowly Championship club Queens Park Rangers 1-0 on Friday and book their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second time in four seasons. Watford had possession in the first half but struggled to make any inroads against the solid home defence until Etienne Capoue swept a low shot into
Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight - dawn.com
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Louis Van Gaal more exciting football in his time at the helm than they do now. Van Gaal's claims seem at odds with the more
Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Van Gaal - World
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/03/26/solskjaer-boosted-by-mourinhos-work-claims-van-gaal/
Van Gaal's claims seem at odds with the more entertaining football played by United since Solskjaer started a reign that looks set to bring him the manager's job on a permanent basis. "The way Manchester United are playing now is not the way Ferguson played," Van Gaal told the BBC on Tuesday. "It is defensive, counter-attacking football.
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes Harry Kane spoke Thursday of his pride at how his teammates dealt with being racially abused in Montenegro as he collected an award for "services to football" after leading England to the World Cup semi-finals.
Harry Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes- The New
0 comments:
Post a Comment