Australian Socceroos - NT
Lithuania - Post-Match
Written 21-11-10 by WacaGround FC
MATCH RESULT
Lithuania 1 - 0 Australia
Goal Scorers
Lithuania - A. Taurimas (91’)
Australia - nil
Bookings
Lithuania:
MoM (Awarded by TM Australia Commentary Panel)
I. "Thunder" Stončius (Lithuania)
MATCH ANALYSIS
After winning the toss, Australia chose to kick-off. It was a pretty dull first half, with no goals being scored, but there were a few heavy tackles that were penalised by the ref. Young and Read were the two Australians who received yellows.
At half time the score line read : 0-0
When the players returned to the pitch after the break Australia had a chance straight away. The Lappin corner was perfect, but Baker was unable to finish off the good work. Australia looked much more positive in the second half, but weren’t able to get close enough to have any real attempts on goal. The game looked destined for a scoreless draw, until the 91st minute. Eventual man-of-the-match, Stončius, sent in a delightful cross which Taurimas gladly tapped past a diving Austen. Lithuania had scored, and that would be the game. A loss to Australia.
Final Score : 0-0
WHAT WENT RIGHT?(for Aust.)
WHAT WENT WRONG? (for Aust.)
NEXT UP
Australia hit the road once again to take on England, whilst Lithuania travels to Serbia in their second last friendly before their opening World Cup Pool 8 clash with Angola. England are coming off a consecutive losses to both Scotland (6-1) and Serbia (8-0). Admittedly a slight muck up by the English coach meant that the best side wasn’t named. England are sure to put on a better performance against Australia next Saturday.
Lithuania 1 - 0 Australia
Goal Scorers
Lithuania - A. Taurimas (91’)
Australia - nil
Bookings
Lithuania:
- B. Šliaužys (Y)
- R. Varis (Y)
- M. "Forever" Young (Y)
- N. "Nico" Read (Y)
MoM (Awarded by TM Australia Commentary Panel)
I. "Thunder" Stončius (Lithuania)
MATCH ANALYSIS
After winning the toss, Australia chose to kick-off. It was a pretty dull first half, with no goals being scored, but there were a few heavy tackles that were penalised by the ref. Young and Read were the two Australians who received yellows.
At half time the score line read : 0-0
When the players returned to the pitch after the break Australia had a chance straight away. The Lappin corner was perfect, but Baker was unable to finish off the good work. Australia looked much more positive in the second half, but weren’t able to get close enough to have any real attempts on goal. The game looked destined for a scoreless draw, until the 91st minute. Eventual man-of-the-match, Stončius, sent in a delightful cross which Taurimas gladly tapped past a diving Austen. Lithuania had scored, and that would be the game. A loss to Australia.
Final Score : 0-0
WHAT WENT RIGHT?(for Aust.)
- Defensive tactics worked. Playing an extremely defensive 4-4-2 formation, Australia restricted the opposition to just 8 shots on goal, and had the same number of chances themselves.
- Almost everybody played well, with the average rating being 5.1.
- We weren’t embarrassed by the stronger side.
- We played well for 90 minutes. Just not for the final couple of minutes in injury time.
WHAT WENT WRONG? (for Aust.)
- George "HumThriller" Appleby. There were questions as to whether he should play or not, and he didn’t impress the doubters. He didn’t do anything all game to prove that he should be in the side. Transfer rumours that were going round may have got to him. It will be interesting to see if he lines up against England.
- Nicolas "Nico" Read. He wasn’t able to keep up with his opponents, and they just ran around him. He was the “weak-link” in the solid Australian defence.
- Due to the defensive tactics, there were not enough players pushing forward when we had the ball. This lead to easy clearances by the Lithuanian defence.
NEXT UP
Australia hit the road once again to take on England, whilst Lithuania travels to Serbia in their second last friendly before their opening World Cup Pool 8 clash with Angola. England are coming off a consecutive losses to both Scotland (6-1) and Serbia (8-0). Admittedly a slight muck up by the English coach meant that the best side wasn’t named. England are sure to put on a better performance against Australia next Saturday.
Kuwait - Post-Match
Written 21-11-10 by WacaGround FC
MATCH RESULT
Kuwait 0 - 1 Australia
Goal Scorers
Kuwait – nil
Australia – G. "HumThriller" Appleby (94’)
Bookings
Kuwait:
MoM (Awarded by TM Australia Commentary Panel)
F. Austen (Australia)
MATCH ANALYSIS
After winning the toss, Australia chose to kick-off. Once again the first half had little to talk about. The sell-out crowd of 77,000 were wondering whether it was worth staying or wandering over the road to the local pub. Vosti was everywhere in the first half, setting up attacking plays, whilst blocking those from the opposition.
At half time the score line read : 0-0
When the players returned to the pitch after the break the style of play did not improve. The game looked destined for a scoreless draw, until late in injury time. It was the last attacking play of the game, in the 94th minute. Vosti was in there once again, and some nice combination work between the two Australians set up a goal for Appleby. Australia were victors, and the Aussie fanatics who made the trip over, will be celebrating the night in that local pub across the road.
Final Score : Kuwait 0 – 1 Australia
WHAT WENT RIGHT?(for Aust.)
WHAT WENT WRONG? (for Aust.)
NEXT UP
Australia hit the road once again to take on England, whilst Kuwait travels to Serbia. England are coming off a consecutive losses to both Scotland (6-1) and Serbia (8-0). Admittedly a slight muck up by the English coach meant that the best side wasn’t named. England are sure to put on a better performance against Australia next Saturday.
Kuwait 0 - 1 Australia
Goal Scorers
Kuwait – nil
Australia – G. "HumThriller" Appleby (94’)
Bookings
Kuwait:
- H. Shahrour (Y)
- J. Stock (Y)
- C. Eagleton (Y)
- G. "HumThriller" Appleby (Y)
MoM (Awarded by TM Australia Commentary Panel)
F. Austen (Australia)
MATCH ANALYSIS
After winning the toss, Australia chose to kick-off. Once again the first half had little to talk about. The sell-out crowd of 77,000 were wondering whether it was worth staying or wandering over the road to the local pub. Vosti was everywhere in the first half, setting up attacking plays, whilst blocking those from the opposition.
At half time the score line read : 0-0
When the players returned to the pitch after the break the style of play did not improve. The game looked destined for a scoreless draw, until late in injury time. It was the last attacking play of the game, in the 94th minute. Vosti was in there once again, and some nice combination work between the two Australians set up a goal for Appleby. Australia were victors, and the Aussie fanatics who made the trip over, will be celebrating the night in that local pub across the road.
Final Score : Kuwait 0 – 1 Australia
WHAT WENT RIGHT?(for Aust.)
- We won against a team of equal ability. An away win as well
- The man who has promised so much, Nick "The Prodigy" Vosti, finally performed in the international arena. Great game, narrowly missing out on a man-of-the-match performance
- Fred Austen continues to perform well for Australia. He had a great game, stopping all 7 attempts on goal with ease and skill
- George "HumThriller" Appleby may have silenced the doubters with a strong performance, including the only goal of the game.
WHAT WENT WRONG? (for Aust.)
- 44% possession. Yes it was an away game, but while the team was playing defensive tactics, they should have held on to the ball for longer periods of time.
- Accuracy. 10 shots on goal and only 2 on target. This is because we took too many long-range shots.
NEXT UP
Australia hit the road once again to take on England, whilst Kuwait travels to Serbia. England are coming off a consecutive losses to both Scotland (6-1) and Serbia (8-0). Admittedly a slight muck up by the English coach meant that the best side wasn’t named. England are sure to put on a better performance against Australia next Saturday.
