After two Socceroos debutants in Friday’s 3-1 win over Ecuador, there were two more fresh faces in Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat – and both can be well pleased with their inaugural game in the green and gold.
In a tough and hard-fought defeat, some Aussies struggled, but others can hold their heads high in what was undoubtedly a valuable learning experience.
Here’s how every Socceroo performed in our player ratings!
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DEFENCE
Joe Gauci (GK): 8
What a debut! It took just four minutes for Gauci to make his first save in the green and gold – and it was a brilliant one, diving low and showing great reactions to tip the ball around the post. He made two other brilliant saves, and was equally impressive dealing with crosses and long balls. Racked up six saves in all, and there was little he could do about the penalty or the second goal, which was a perfectly-placed header. Arnold told 10: “I thought Gauci was outstanding … I thought he had a great name.”
Milos Degenek: 6
He may never be the most natural right-back, but his tough defensive work, hard tackling ways, and good reading of the play make him a dependable figure in this Socceroos side. He was almost constantly on the ball, despite some sloppy passing, and even managed a decent driven shot in the second half.
Thomas Deng: 4.5
It was a tough return to the green and gold for Deng. Midway through the first half, Deng was bullied off the ball by Kevin Rodriguez in the chase for a through ball, and was only spared conceding by Gauci. Then he was beaten badly by Rodriguez five minutes into the second half to give up the penalty that levelled the scores.
Deng showed plenty of desperation to block a pair of shots. He tried to force some passes out of defence in the opening minutes which weren’t on, but was better with the ball at his feet after that. Taken off in the 62nd minute.
Bailey Wright: 6.5
The Aussie hardman was locked in a thrilling battle with the exceptional Rodriguez all night, but he never backed down. He made more pass breakups (6) and interceptions (4) than any other Australian, and was solid in his tackling.
Aziz Behich: 6
Solid in defence, with most of Ecuador’s attacks coming down the other flank. Showed promising signs with his attacking combination with Craig Goodwin, but did complete just 67 per cent of his passes. It was a relatively quiet night. Lasted 54 minutes.
MIDFIELD
Cameron Devlin: 6
He grew up in a rugby league-loving family, and any NRL star would have been proud of the way he fought through a horrendous knee to the head in the first half. Blood pouring from his head, Devlin just smiled, changed his shirt, and got back into the battle. And what a battle it was! Arnold told 10 afterwards: “He had stitches at halftime and I was little bit concerned about that – he didn’t want to come off but I wanted to be safe.”
Devlin threw his body everywhere and made the hard tackles, forging a hardworking partnership with Jackson Irvine. Their high press stole possession in the midfield time and again with well-timed tackles and intercepts. Lasted 54 minutes.
Riley McGree: 6
McGree showed great control under pressure, regularly drawing fouls to relieve pressure. His combination work with Irvine, and his creativity and slick passing even when defenders were closing him down, were absolutely sensational. Chimed in defensively with a couple of neat tackles also.
Jackson Irvine: 7.5
After one of the finest international performances of his career on Friday night, Irvine was handed the captain’s armband for the first time on Tuesday – and rose to the responsibility. He beat players time and again, and always seemed first to the ball in a scrappy midfield. Looked an absolute class act from the first whistle and his leadership was on display when he yelled at his teammates to focus after opening the scoring.
ATTACK
Craig Goodwin: 5.5
His left-foot switches of play were a highlight in the opening minutes, while it was a right-foot shot that cannoned into the post and resulted into the opening goal. Was incisive in the final third and efficient with his passing, but his influence waned.
Brandon Borrello: 7
Socceroos fans have become used to Mitch Duke throwing his body around at the front of the line, using his physicality to hold up the ball and running his guts out to close down defenders when they have the ball. On Tuesday, Borrello was Duke 2.0. He was constantly running behind the defence, creating spaces for the attacking midfielders to exploit – and his goal was the perfect reward for a remarkable A-League season with the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Connor Metcalfe: 5
Metcalfe was probably the most nervous of the youngsters, particularly in the opening half an hour. In the extremely high intensity of the first stanza, there was precious little time to think – and Metcalfe was caught out a few times by taking too long to make up his mind. But he got into good areas with some fantastic movement, combined well, and worked hard with his pressing. Settled in well as the game wore on, before being taken off in the 62nd minute.
SUBSTITUTES
Aiden O’Neill: 6
Came on in the 54th minute alongside Jordan Bos and was up for the hard-fought battle. Made a good tackle and was happy to cop a foul or burst out of a tackle. Passed the ball well and was effective with his ball movement in the final third. Another strong showing.
Jordy Bos: 6
From the moment he entered the pitch for the first time in his career, he was full of energy and drive. Passed well, ran intelligent lines, and showed the kind of intent Arnold was hoping for.
Marco Tilio: 5
Worked hard with limited effect. His passing was a little wayward – as were all the Aussies – but he threw himself in the way of a shot.
Kye Rowles: 6
Fantastic off the bench, he made two interceptions and two pass breakups in just 28 minutes. Showed why he is probably the first-choice centre-back alongside Harry Souttar.
Garang Kuol: 4.5
Struggled to have an impact, though there were some bright flashes. A couple of poor crosses were disappointing, and was outmuscled physically.
Jason Cummings: 4
Had just six touches in his 21 minutes as the Socceroos failed to control the ball.
