A Worthy Display

A gutsy and unintimidated Australia today had the look of a team that deserves to be in the second round, with just a lack of lethality in front of goal costing them chances that might have forced a deserved draw. They matched the Brazilians with team organization, and much like the USA the day before, outplayed them in terms of effort, but two second half chances (one through the legs of a defender, one a fortutious rebound off the post) saw the underwhelming Samba Boys go through as expected. That sort of display will not get them past Argentina though.

Full credit to Moore and Neil who defended much more sternly than in the Japanese game, and props to Emerton, Cahill, Grella and Sterjovski who were an outstanding midfield that kept Ronaldinho subdued and Kaka as contained as possible. Better yet, we didn't pick up any yellows to players we need Thursday, despite the refs attempt to ensure no 50/50 tackle ever go unpenalized.

Slops to ABC for mispelling Sydney in their captions, and mystifyingly offered Kewell as Australia's only man-of-the-match choice at after he'd been on for 20 minutes, robbing a deserved Brett Emerton.

Anything but a loss will get us past Croatia, and to an unprecedented second round birth. But despite our form today, it will not be a walk in the park. Croatia are hurting for goals, but have a very physical presence. It all comes down to that game. Bravo lads.