THE Socceroos produced a stunning fightback but in the end came up sho
rt, losing 3-1 against Chile in their World Cup opener.
Η Χιλή είναι στην κορυφή του 2ου ομίλου μαζί με την Ολλανδία, καθώς νίκησε με 3-1 την Αυστραλία, πιο δύσκολα από ό,τι δείχνει το τελικό σκορ (videos)
ΤΙ ΓΡΑΦΕΙ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΗΤΤΑ Η ΜΕΛΒΟΥΡΝΙΩΤΙΚΗ HERALD-SUN
A gallant Socceroos outfit is defeated 3-1 by Chile in Group B World Cup clash
Australia had Chile on the ropes in the second half but couldn’t deliver the decisive blows, with substitute Jean Beausejour’s late goal making the scoreline flattering for the South Americans at Cuiaba’s Arena Pantanal.
Australia threatened to collapse in a heap after conceding two inside the first 14 minutes, but German-based attacker Mathew Leckie and talisman and goalscorer Tim Cahill led a stunning revival.
And they had the lion’s share of the chances in the second half and Chile was rattled _ but they held on.
The Socceros now face the Netherlands, who trounced reigning champions Spain 5-1, in Porto Allegre on Thursday morning.
Australia made a solid start but Chile underlined its collective quality in a stunning two-minute burst.
Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring after 12 minutes when the ball fell to him after good work from midfielder Charles Aranguiz after the Chileans broke down the left.
And cool as ice, Sanchez waited for Mat Ryan and Matthew Spiranovic to commit before threading it through the tiniest of gaps in between the players and the post.
Perhaps wary of the Sanchez threat, the Socceroos drew to him like a magnet moments later when he burst through the centre.
And when right-stopper Alex Wilkinson and right-back Ivan Franjic were drawn too central, they left a gaping hole for Jorge Valdivia.
Sanchez slid the ball through and Chile no.10 had enough time to control the ball, size up Ryan’s goal and curl it into the top left corner.
Two down after 14 minutes, it was danger time for the Socceroos who looked absolutely rattled.
Tommy Oar got into some good positions but couldn’t compose himself.
Ditto Leckie when he broke down the right after Franjic burst forward, but shot as he was knocked off balance when another touch may have put him through on goal.
But it was the Franjic/Leckie combination that set up the Socceroos opener after 35 minutes.
Chile burst forward but as Eduardo Vargas was about to gather, Franjic gambled and pinched the ball. He released Leckie and kept running, eventually getting the ball back.
He then sent in a delightful ball to the back-post and Cahill rose above Gary Medel to time his header impeccably and send it over the outstretched hand of Claudio Bravo in the Chile goal.
Cahill then forced another save from captain Bravo, after more fine work from Leckie, who was instrumental in Australia’s fightback with his direct forays.
Australia was cruelled just moments after the restart when Franjic limped off after landing heavily.
Franjic, like many of his inexperienced teammates, started the game nervously before settled in by midway through the first half.
It also robbed Australia of some crucial overlap from the galavanting Brisbane Roar player.
But it didn’t dent Australia’s confidence as Cahill caused constant panic for Chile’s defence _ first he had strong penalty claims when Gonzalo Jara had a fistful of his shirt, then he had a goal correctly disallowed for offside.
Mark Bresciano came within a whisker of equalising with Bravo making a double-save from his left-foot volley then his rebound after Jason Davidson crossed after he was released by Leckie.
Star Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal _ who started after being in doubt with a knee injury _ was incensed when coach Jorge Sampaoli took him off after an hour, kicking a bottle and throwing his bib onto the ground.
But Australia’s defenders had to stay on their toes, and Wilkinson’s lightning reaction saw him clear Vargas’ cheeky dink off the line _ literally.
Thereafter Australia controlled the play without converting it into clear-cut chances, with coach Ange Postecoglou bringing on attacker James Troisi with 12 to go to try and snatch an equaliser.
But as Australia committed numbers forward they were caught out, with the rebound from Mauricio Pinilla’s shot smashed home by fellow sub Beausejour.
CHILE 3 (Sanchez ’12, Valdivia ’14, Beausejour ‘90+2)
AUSTRALIA 1 (Cahill ‘35)
World Cup Group B match
Crowd: 40,000 at Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba
Chile (4-3-1-2): Bravo; Isla, Medel, Mena, Jara; Vidal (Gutierrez ’60), Aranguiz, Diaz; Valdivia (Beausejour ‘68); Sanchez, Vargas (Pinilla ‘87).
Australia (4-2-3-1): Ryan; Franjic (McGowan ‘49), Wilkinson, Spiranovic, Davidson; Milligan, Jedinak; Leckie, Bresciano (Troisi ‘78), Oar (Halloran ‘68); Cahill.
Referee: Noumandiez Doue (Ivory Coast)
Red cards: Nil
Davutovic’s man of the match:
Mathew Leckie (Australia)
He was instrumental in Australia’s revival and the most dangerous attacking outlet in the second half with his bullocking runs behind the Chilean defence.
ΔΕΙΤΕ ΑΚΟΜΑ
Μουντιάλ 2014 LIVE: Ισπανία - Ολλανδία 1 - 5
13/06 23:37
Παρακολουθήστε λεπτό προς λεπτό την αναμέτρηση της Ισπανίας με την Ολλανδία για τον 2ο όμιλο του Παγκοσμίου Κυπέλλου.
Περιγραφή: Τόλης Χριστοφοράκης
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