Gutsy Socceroos show no fear
Australia’s World Cup hopes are over after going down to the Netherlands 3-2 in Porto Alegre in what will be remembered as one of their gutsiest ever performances.
Far from being intimidated by the side who had dismantled Spain 5-1 last week, the Socceroos took to the field in front of over 40,000 fans at Beira-Rio Stadium clearly ready for battle.
Later, defending champions Spain slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Chile and to end its World Cup chances – and Australia’s – after their second defeat in five days. Chile’s victory made the South Americans and the Netherlands the first teams to go through to the second round.
However, the Socceroos will leave Brazil knowing they belong in top company.
READ MORE: Tim Cahill leaves best for last, plus full player ratings.
Tim Cahill equalised with arguably his best goal for Australia after Robben in full flight had put the Dutch in front not long earlier.
Incredibly Australia took the lead through a second half penalty from skipper Mile Jedinak before van Persie levelled with a Memphis Depay missile securing victory and Holland’s passage to the next round.
In a sensational opening half the Socceroos not only matched it with their highly-rated opponents but dominated, enjoying 51 per cent possession.
It wasn’t long before Robben’s blinding pace exposed the Socceroos back line as he tore his way from the halfway line past centrebacks Alex Wilkinson and Matthew Spiranovic to put the Dutch 1-0 ahead in the 19th minute.
You might like
But just as he did in Australia’s opening match against Chile, Cahill replied for the Socceroos.
The veteran striker got on the end of Ryan McGowan’s ball to strike a blistering volley and level things up in the 21st minute, his fifth World Cup goal sure to feature on highlight reels for years to come.
From there Australia kept the momentum and started dominating the match, creating havoc for the Dutch defence.
Fellow veteran Mark Bresciano could have given Australia the lead after Mathew Leckie provided the perfect cross into the box but he sent it over the crossbar.
The chances kept coming for Australia with Spiranovic getting in on the action but the defender was unable to make it count.
Cahill drew the first yellow card of the match just before halftime, clattering into Dutch defender Bruno Martins Indi who needed to be stretched off and replaced by Depay.
Having incurred a yellow card against Chile the striker will now miss Australia’s clash with Spain.
Van Persie will also miss the Netherlands’ last group clash against Chile, having copped a second yellow card in two matches for a foul on Spiranovic.
The Socceroos began the second half with just as much gusto, taking the game to the Dutch.
Bresciano was replaced by Oliver Bozanic and it didn’t take long for the midfielder to have an impact.
Playing the ball into the box it deflected off Daryl Janmaat’s arm with the Socceroos awarded a penalty for handball.
Stay informed, daily
Jedinak stepped up to the mark and made no mistake to give Australia the 2-1 lead in the 54th minute.
Celebrations were short lived as the Socceroos’ defence was again exposed by an unmarked van Persie, who drew things level.
The Dutch found the winner after substitute Depay fired a long-range strike from 30 metres in the 68th minute.
Australian coach Ange Postecoglou said goalkeeper Mat Ryan shouldn’t be blamed for gifting the Netherlands their match-winning goal.
Ryan failed to stop a speculative 30-metre shot from Depay which put the Netherlands 3-2 ahead.
Holland held that lead for the remainder of the match, delivering Australia a loss Postecoglou described as a “heart-breaker”.
Ryan’s error came just seconds after Socceroo Matthew Leckie failed to convert a gilt-edged scoring chance, the attacker unable to turn in a close-range header.
“That was the critical moment that changed the game, both us missing the opportunity and conceding,” Postecoglou said.
“That is how these big games are decided … it’s not just about one player costing us this game.”
Postecoglou said Ryan was distraught at his mistake.
“We had a great opportunity just before then, so where do you draw the line of whose fault?” he said.
“It’s nobody’s fault. We win as a team, we lose as a team.
“Mat is very very disappointed at the moment and he’s distraught.
“But he’s only a young man, he’s starting his journey as a goalkeeper. And give me one goalkeeper in the world that doesn’t have a moment he’s disappointed in.”
Postecoglou said Australia didn’t get rewarded for controlling much of the pulsating fixture at Beira-Rio Stadium.
“I felt for the majority of the game we looked more likely to win the game than not,” he said.
“We did everything we needed to do today, bar win the game.”
