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
Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho embarrassingly slipped after presenting a symbolic face-off to a match in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) on Monday. Videos of the 56-year-old boss falling on a red carpet on the ice rink in Balashikha appeared on social media after the accident.
Jose Mourinho ice hockey fall video, puck drop, Manchester
Southampton stay up after thrilling 3-3 draw with Bournemouth
An alarming run has brought just one point from the last four league games with Mauricio Pochettino, the manager, reacting to Saturday Hugo Lloris warns Tottenham teammates they have no margin for
Spurs' Hugo Lloris warns Arsenal are still title contenders
Good afternoon and welcome to the football.london daily transfer blog. The summer transfer window is officially open for business and sides will be spending big to improve their squads. Unai Emery's Arsenal were beaten 4-1 in the Europa League final by Chelsea and will spend another season in the competition. The defeat could affect their
Talks underway as Arsenal close in on man who slipped January net
Atletico Madrid moved level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona after Antoine Griezmann's second-half penalty was enough to see off Espanyol 1-0 on Saturday. Griezmann smashed home from the spot 10 minutes after the break to give Diego Simeone's side three points from a hard-fought match with mid-table Espanyol that extends Atletico
Griezmann Fires Atletico Level With Barcelona - Channels
Former Real Madrid striker Predrag Mijatovic criticised Gareth Bale for lacking leadership qualities and hit out at coach Santiago Solari after the club's La Liga title ambitions were dented by Thursday's 2-2 draw at Villarreal.
Bale nowhere near being a Real Madrid leader - Mijatovic
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is fit for Saturday's Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur despite missing the end of the Premier League season, manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Friday.
Football: Klopp confirms Firmino fitness for Champions League
Mario Balotelli was born in Palermo, Sicily, as the son of Ghanaian immigrants. The family moved to Bagnolo Mella in the province of Brescia, Lombardy, when he was two.. In 1993, when he was three, Balotelli was placed in foster care to the Balotelli family when his own family was unable to pay for his health care needs.
Football; Spurs star out until March with ankle injury. Tottenham striker Harry Kane will be sidelined until March after suffering ankle ligament damage in Sunday's defeat against Manchester
Spurs star Kane out until March with ankle injury - Starr Sports
starrsportsgh.com/2019/01/spurs-star-kane-out-until-march-with-ankle-injury/
Tottenham striker Harry Kane will be sidelined until March after suffering ankle ligament damage in Sunday's defeat against Manchester United. Kane sustained the injury to his left ankle in the closing moments of the 1-0 loss
Spurs star Kane out until March with ankle injury - The 1873 TV
CARDIFF, United Kingdom (REUTERS) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed a dream start as Manchester United's interim manager as his side turned on the style to thrash his former club Cardiff City 5-1 in
Solskjaer makes dream start as Man Utd thrash Cardiff
Victor Lindelof missed Manchester United' s 2-1 win over Watford on Saturday after receiving Lindelof was absent for Sweden's 2-1 win against Romania and 3-3 draw with More On. Ole Gunnar
Football: Everton dish out 4-0 thrashing to awful Manchester United to dim their top-four EPL hopes The Straits Times; Fantasy football: Make room for Gylfi Sigurdsson but be cautious with Pierre
Michael Kors: Coming Soon to a Broadway Theater Near You
Experienced Liverpool making a big statement, says Klopp "That says something, it's a big statement for the club. OK we play Barca, maybe it's not too easy," the German added with a smile
Experienced Liverpool making a big statement, says Klopp
0 comments:
Post a Comment