One of the most one sided games of the competition so far. The post match stats say it all. Australia had 65% of possession and India had only seven shots at goal, two of them on target. No corner kicks for India, shows they had no attacking intent what so ever.
You would think if they weren’t willing to attack and have a go at the Australians maybe they will defend with their lives and keep the game tight….eh no. Throughout the match India’s defending was very poor, no pressure on the ball, poor marking just an awful performance.
India’s defence held out for all of 11 minutes, Brett Emerton was played down the right, hints of offside but Emerton wasn’t waiting for the flag, a wonderful cross was met beautifully by Tim Cahill and he applied the finish, unmarked in the box, he doesn’t miss chances like that.
Australia were soon two up. Harry Kewell was left for an absolute age at the edge of the box, plenty of time to look up and pick his spot. Taking the ball from out of his feet he then launched a bullet from his left foot and Subratra Paul had no chance of getting anything on it. Flashing into the net it was the type of shot Leeds United fans used to enjoy at Elland Road.
Just before half time if the game had ever been a contest it was now over, again the India defence went missing. Maybe left back Deepak Kumar Mandal had already left for his half time orange, he was nowhere to be found when Emerton had once again been released down the right.
Emerton’s cross saw Paul attempt to get something on it, Brett Holman had other ideas and nipped in front of Paul to put away the easiest of headers. 3-0 at half time to the Aussies and there was really no way back for the Indians.
There was no change in pattern to the second half, Australia put the Indian goal under siege but struggled to find the fourth goal. For twenty minutes Cahill, Holman and Emerton had attempts on India’s goal but nothing was going in.
With 25 minutes to go Australia finally got their fourth and it was well deserved. With a free kick on the right Luke Wilkshere played the ball into the box and although there was six defenders around him they couldn’t stop Tim Cahill making his run and powering the header into the net. Two for Cahill and four for the Aussies.
Very poor from the Indian side they didn’t seem to know how to attack or defend and Australia took full advantage of that and four goals didn’t flatter them at all, it could have been six or seven.
Not sure if India coach Bob Houghton was watching the same game as he was full of praise for his side.
“We played a very good team today. It’s not by fortune that Australia are the number one team in Asia. They’re a very good team and one with enormous experience.
“They were playing against a team that is emerging at this level so it was a difficult game for us but I thought our boys stuck to their task very well. We kept our shape, we kept our discipline, we kept going and I thought we were a little bit unlucky. I’m pleased with our boys and I think they’ll improve from it and learn from it.
“They watch these guys in the Premiership every weekend and today they’re thinking ‘we’re not that far away…yes, they’re better than us but we can compete with them.’
“Nobody likes to lose 4-0, that’s for sure, but all in all it was a good experience for us.”
Coach Holger Osieck was happy with his teams start to the tournament.
“It is very important to get a good start in a tournament, that you find your rhythm, get your performance together after the preparation you never know where you stand, how things will be transferred,” he said.
“From my point of view it was a good start. In the first-half, technically we played very well and it’s always difficult to break down an opponent’s defence when they sit but we showed a lot of discipline on the technical side when attacking.
“We scored three goals which was encouraging and to start with a 4-0 all in all is good and should give us confidence for the next games to come.”
Big game for both teams next Australia take on the Korea Republic both teams with three points. India will play Bahrain in a must win for both sides.
Looking forward to the Australia – Korea game. India never looked like causing much upset going into the tournament, even against an Australia side that dissapointed at the World Cup. Will be interesting to see if Korea can show them up.
Yeah that will be the big game in the group. Interesting to see how they match up against each other. Korea have the inexperienced Koo upfront but the rest of the team is pretty settled. Australia are strong with Cahill, Emerton and Kewell all seem to be playing well.
That will be a good game to watch.
Thanks for reading mate
The problem with us is certainly in the way in which we set up. We have a decent group of players, though nowhere near the standard of the likes of Australia. We potentially have one of our greatest players in our history in Sunil Chhetri, who managed to get in to ‘Sporting Kansas City’ or whatever they’re now called, in the MLS.
Rather than play to our strengths, Houghton decides to set up playing like Stoke or old-Bolton, using the ‘hoof’ tactic. This doesn’t work at all, our players are easily out-muscled and our main striker is very short and would find it impossible to get onto headers. When watching the game it appeared as if our defence simply passed sideways throughout the whole game and when coming near the halfway line hoofed it as far as possible, giving it straight to Australia. If anything, it’s like Liverpool under Roy Hodgson.
Although reaching the Asian Cup is an achievement in itself, Indian football is in a huge mess, there is huge potential for support, though the country is too involved in cricket to back it. Moreover, a new coach is definitely required if we are to improve.
Credit to Australia though, Kewell’s goal was pretty good.
I picked out Sunil Chhetri in my players to watch, I wanted to see what Kansas had seen in him. It’s a shame when a coach can’t see what attributes his team have and use them to your advantage rather than trying a system that doesn’t suit.
All the best for your second game