Australia Football

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After his 100th appearance for the Caltex Socceroos legend Tim Cahill took a philosophical approach to the draw in Moscow which ended Australia’s campaign at the Confederations Cup.
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SOCCEROOS.COM.AU

Caltex Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou was left shattered after an eye-catching display against Chile wasn’t quite enough to see the Australians progress overnight at the Confederations Cup.
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Australia bowed out of the FIFA Confederations Cup after an eye-catching 1-1 draw against Chile in Moscow. See the best pics from the match here!
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One senses Australia came to Russia looking for acceptance, an invitation into the club of top footballing nations, playing the game 'the right way'. Coach Ange Postecoglou could not have stressed the evolution in the Socceroos' style enough when in Russia. Every news conference consisted of him extolling the virtues of their new, more sophisticated methods, a departure from the physical, up-and-at-'em approach utilised by previous regimes. Alas, the message was not getting through. Asked about Australia's perceived route-one approach by a Chilean journalist prior to their clash in Moscow, Postecoglou snapped sarcastically: "We're just going to bombard them with long balls mate." The inquisitor clearly hadn't done his homework ahead of a game the Socceroos needed to win by two goals to progress out of a group also containing world champions Germany and into the Confederations Cup semi-finals. Are this Australia side physical? Yes, both Massimo Luongo and the evergreen Tim Cahill - celebrating his 100th appearance in the green and gold - could have seen greater sanction than bookings for wild first-half challenges. But there is a subtlety to this Australia team, a desire to pass and move, and a steadfast determination not to stray from Postecoglou's principles. So much so, it almost proved their undoing on a couple of occasions when trying to play out from the back. But stick to it they did, and it took them so very close. A frantic opening half was notable for fine saves from Maty Ryan to deny Arturo Vidal while the Video Assistant Referee was used to rightly rule Mark Milligan had got the ball and not Alexis Sanchez when the Arsenal man burst through. But the game, and the dynamic in Group B, changed after 42 minutes. Claudio Bravo's pass was miscontrolled by Eduardo Vargas, allowing Robbie Kruse to seize possession. Trent Sainsbury couldn't get a shot away but Kruse's mis-hit follow-up fell nicely for James Troisi to deftly chip over the advancing Bravo from six yards. @JamesTroisi10 #CHIAUS #ConfedCup #GoSocceroos pic.twitter.com/Dmc5SR2apW — Caltex Socceroos (@Socceroos) June 25, 2017 With 37-year-old Cahill bossing the midfield - bullying Juventus star Vidal into submission - the dream was alive. One more and Australia were through. It should have arrived in first-half injury-time, Cahill cushioning a header into the path of Sainsbury only for him to lash a close-range volley over the bar. There was little response from Chile, Juan Antonio Pizzi's men strangely subdued and seemingly shellshocked. Cahill's legs could not last, however, the former Everton man having to give way after 56 minutes. It gave Chile the lift they required and the equaliser was not long in coming. The persistent Vargas won a loose ball in the area and it fell nicely for substitute Martin Rodriguez to poke beyond Ryan. Australia were wobbling and Vargas ought to have clinched their progress three minutes later, inexplicably heading wide of an open goal after Sanchez escaped down the left. Mathew Leckie missed a sitter at the other end, and it proved Australia's last chance as Chile squeezed through to a semi-final with Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo.  Postecoglou said beforehand he wanted his side to emulate Chile and emerge from being one of the smaller teams in their confederation to a global powerhouse. There is still much work to do and, ultimately, his efforts may be hampered by a lack of quality players - only two of Australia's starting XI play for a team in Europe's top five leagues. But Postecoglou's methods appear sound. On this evidence, his team are on the right track - the warm embrace from Pizzi at the final whistle said it all. An invitation should be in the post.
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FOURFOURTWO.COM

Tim Cahill has become the first outfield player to reach 100 international caps for the Caltex Socceroos after playing against Chile at the FIFA Confederations Cup on Monday (AEST).
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SOCCEROOS.COM.AU

In Tim Cahill’s 100th appearance, the Caltex Socceroos have outclassed world number four Chile only to draw 1-1 in an entertaining final group B game at the Confederations Cup in Russia.
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Chile substitute Martin Rodriguez scored his first international goal to salvage a 1-1 Confederations Cup draw with Australia that seals a mouth-watering semi-final tie against Portugal. James Troisi scored his first Australia goal for over two years to give the Socceroos – who needed a two-goal victory to move above their opponents in Group B – a surprise half-time lead. But Rodriguez, who was introduced at half time, levelled to calm Chile's nerves about elimination and ensure they finish second to pool winners Germany, who beat Cameroon 3-1 in Sunday's other game. Chile came into the match in Moscow sitting top of the group, a position that would have seen them face Mexico, but instead they will meet Cristiano Ronaldo and the European champions in the last four. Australia, meanwhile, are out and finish third in the group as their winless Confederations Cup run extends to six matches despite a creditable performance against the world's fourth-ranked side. Chile made a fast start, Arturo Vidal meeting Jose Fuenzalida's cross and forcing Mathew Ryan to parry away his volley from the edge of the area, with Eduardo Vargas unable to convert the rebound. Mark Milligan made a superb challenge on Alexis Sanchez as the Chile forward bore down on goal, VAR finding no issue, while Tim Cahill - who became the second Australia player to reach 100 caps - was booked for a rash foul on Charles Aranguiz, a decision backed up by another review. Australia threatened for the first time when Massimo Luongo forced a good close-range save from Claudio Bravo after Troisi's throughball and the Socceroos then took a surprise lead after 42 minutes. Chile lost possession after Bravo had tried to play the ball out from defence and Robbie Kruse overcame a challenge from Gonzalo Jara to divert the ball into the path of Troisi to dink a cool finish over the keeper from six yards. After Vidal's header was deflected to safety at the other end, it should have been two for Australia before half-time, only for Trent Sainsbury to blaze over a volley from six yards after Cahill had presented him with the opportunity. Chile made a double half-time change, Pablo Hernandez and Rodriguez coming on and they made a decent start to the second half, Ryan reacted quickly to push away a powerful Vargas effort. Brighton keeper Ryan kept out Sanchez, before Chile drew level in scrappy fashion with 23 minutes remaining. Eugenio Mena's cross was only half cleared by Sainsbury, allowing Vargas' header to keep the ball alive and Rodriguez to force his effort past Ryan from six yards. Chile squandered a great chance to complete the turnaround when Sanchez beat Milligan down the left and cut back for Vargas, whose header drifted just wide. Australia substitute Jamie Maclaren missed a clear opportunity at the other end when he could not make proper contact with Troisi's throughball, knocking his effort wide with only Bravo to beat. But that was to prove Australia's last opportunity, as they still wait for their first victory over Chile, whose attention now turns to Wednesday's date with Portugal in Kazan.
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The Caltex Socceroos meet the South American champions in a do-or-die match. Can they keep their Confederations Cup campaign alive with a first-ever win over a classy Chilean side?
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