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
Paris Saint-Germain have 'agreed a deal to sign Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes from Russian side Zenit St Petersburg for £41million'. The 24-year-old is set to sign a four-and-a-half year
Tough love with an 'iron fist': Meet the McCourty twins
sportslifetale.com/nfl/tough-love-with-an-iron-fist-meet-the-mccourty-twins-mighty-mom/
He died before Phyllis could get to the hospital, before she had a chance to say goodbye. Football: PSG buy Argentina midfielder Paredes for estimated €47m
Paris Saint-Germain 'to rival Chelsea for Leandro Paredes
maintenance.sportsmole.co.uk/football/chelsea/transfer-talk/news/psg-to-rival-chelsea-for-paredes_347220.html
Paris Saint-Germain reportedly decide to rival Chelsea in the race to sign Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Leandro Paredes.
Serie A » News » China invests big in European clubs
English quartet aiming for glory at Wentworth (European Tour) Englishmen Matthew Fitzpatrick, Tyrrell Hatton, Danny Willett and Chris Wood are targeting victory on home soil after confirming they will be part of the field for next month's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club.
Tottenham v Porto LIVE: All the action here as starlets aim
'Expired' Molde deal to ease way for Solskjaer, Football News
Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Sane: Rummenigge club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Wednesday. "We have not yet submitted an offer for Leroy Sane," Rummenigge told
Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Sane: Rummenigge
Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Manchester United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 10, 2019 Manchester United's Ashley Young blocks a shot from Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette
Football: Lacazette's ban reduced, free to face Rennes : The
Liverpool stun Barcelona to reach final with 4-0 comeback win NOBLE Champions League Semi Final Second Leg powerful header to make it 3-3 on aggregate. Liverpool then grabbed an
Official Liverpool FC Store | Liverpool FC Ball
AD
store.liverpoolfc.com/ball
Report Ad
Browse Our Wide Range Of Exclusive Liverpool FC Souvenirs. Shop Online Now.
Gylfi Sigurdsson deepened Cardiff City's Premier League relegation fears with two well-taken goals in Everton's 3-0 victory in the Welsh capital on Tuesday. A first half low on quality was
Football: Sigurdsson double helps Everton sink Cardiff
Football: Sevilla put pressure on Spanish La Liga leaders Barcelona by drawing level with 2-0 win over Girona
Valencia thrash Sevilla to keep pressure on Barcelona in La
footballnations.net/spain/la-liga/valencia-thrash-sevilla-to-keep-pressure-on-barcelona-in-la-liga/
Valencia striker Simone Zaza celebrates goal in win over Sevilla. Valencia moved up to within a point of leaders Barcelona in La Liga with a 4-0 thrashing of Sevilla at the Mestalla. Striker Simone Zaza scored his seventh goal in his last five league games to send Los Che four points above Real Madrid, ahead of their match on Sunday.
Villarreal vs. Real Madrid - Football Match Report - January
Qatar will not take a decision on whether to expand its 2022 World Cup to 48 teams from 32 until it has seen the details of a feasibility study from FIFA, an official from the country's World Cup organising committee said on Monday.
FIFA to make decision on expanding 2022 World Cup in June
Pray for no rain: Pep Guardiola's Manchester City to return to China after Beijing debacle Description: Pep Guardiola's Manchester City will hope there is no repeat when they compete in the 2019 Premier League Asia Trophy, which will be held in Nanjing on July 17 and nearby Shanghai on July 20.
Pray for no rain: Man City to return to China after Beijing
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/03/26/pray-for-no-rain-man-city-to-return-to-china-after-beijing-debacle/
Pray for no rain: Man City to return to China after Beijing debacle AFP March 26, 2019 AFP No Comments Shanghai (AFP) - Manchester City will return to China this year for the first time since their ill-fated visit of 2016, when a game with cross-town rivals United was called off at the last minute.
Pray for no rain: Man City to return to China after Beijing
en.rfi.fr/wire/20190326-pray-no-rain-man-city-return-china-after-beijing-debacle
Pray for no rain: Man City to return to China after Beijing debacle Manchester City will return to China this year for the first time since their ill-fated visit of 2016, when a game with
Pray for no rain: Man City to return to China after Beijing
Football: Fandi brothers Irfan and Ikhsan score again for BG Pathum and Raufoss respectively The Straits Times. SINGAPORE - The Fandi brothers are proving their fine vein of form is no fluke as both scored midweek for their respective clubs again.. Read more at
İrfan Can Kahveci News, Stats, Photos - Turkey - Football
0 comments:
Post a Comment