It wasn’t the prettiest of performances from the Socceroos but they got the job done with a 2-0 victory over India in their Asian Cup opener.
Goals from Jackson Irvine and Jordan Bos made the difference against the world No. 102, although it took some time for Graham Arnold’s side to break down a resolute India outfit.
Foxsports.com.au assesses how the Aussies performed in Socceroos Player Ratings!
MATCH WRAP: Brutal error proves costly for minnows as sluggish Socceroos secure win
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Mat Ryan – 7
A very quiet night at the office for the Socceroos skipper as he made his return from a broken cheekbone.
Outside of a handful of routine saves, Ryan could have sat on the ground and twiddled his thumbs, such was the lack of attacking threat coming from India.
Aziz Behich – 6.5
Somewhat of a surprise starter ahead of Jordan Bos, but Behich attacked and defended well.
His galloping runs down the left helped Australia’s attack and his movements as an inverted full back created plenty of space for Craig Goodwin.
The best of the Australian defenders.
Kye Rowles – 5.5
Was rarely called into action at the back and kept it simple with his passing.
A solid yet unspectacular performance from the Hearts defender.
Harry Souttar – 5
Souttar had a couple of errant long-range passes early in the first half, carelessly gifting the ball to India although they were unable to capitalise on the opportunity.
He was also caught out of position for India’s best chance.
However, the towering centre back used his body well to draw fouls from overzealous Indian forwards and had little to deal with in the second half.
Gethin Jones – 4.5
Not the finest of competitive debuts for Jones as India targeted him often in the first half.
The Bolton defender was also caught napping when India’s Sunil Chhetri headed wide.
Jones also didn’t offer much in attack against a deep defence
Keanu Baccus – 6.5
A match against a low-lying defensive team was not one which would bring out Baccus’ best qualities, although he kept the ball moving across the field.
Could have had a delightful assist for Martin Boyle early in the first half and made some key tackles to break up Indian counter attacks.
All in all, Baccus showed glimpses of his quality but better performances will come from the midfielder.
Came off in the 82nd minute for Aiden O’Neill.
Jackson Irvine – 7
Broke the deadlock with a goal in the 50th minute, capitalising on a brutal error from India’s goalkeeper.
Irvine did his best to offer plenty of off-the-ball movement in an attempt to unsettle India, a ploy that worked significantly better in the second half.
The St Pauli skipper was also not afraid to shoot at goal, finishing with the most shots (five) out of all the Australians.
Connor Metcalfe – 5
Metcalfe looked caught between trying to be a box-to-box midfielder and more of an attacking threat, resulting in him being neither.
Struggled to thread the needle or make driving runs at India’s backline.
Came off in the 64th minute for Riley McGree.
Craig Goodwin – 5
With Behich behind him on the left flank, it would allow Goodwin’s best qualities to flourish at left wing.
However, the usually reliable winger struggled with his trademark set pieces early and was even taken off them for a brief period after failing to clear the first man on his corners.
Goodwin’s 21 crosses accounted for 50 per cent of Australia’s total crosses, although none of them ever really troubled India.
Came off in the 72nd minute for Jordan Bos.
Mitchell Duke – 5
As we’ve become accustomed to, Duke hunted down the ball on the rare occasion India knocked it around at the back.
Although he won the ball on a number of occasions in aerial duels, Duke didn’t offer a whole heap going forward as he couldn’t dart behind India’s defence with his electric pace.
He won plenty of corners but aside from that, it was a quiet display from Duke.
Came off in the 72nd minute for Bruno Fornaroli.
Martin Boyle – 5
It was a momentous occasion for Boyle as he made his first Socceroos appearance at an international tournament.
Sadly for the Hibernian flyer, it wasn’t the memorable performance he had hoped for.
Boyle struggled to beat his marker in one-on-one situations and didn’t get much of a chance to use his rapid speed on counter attacks.
Had a reasonable chance to head Australia in front early in the first half but could only direct his header straight at India’s goalkeeper, although it looked like it might have been flagged for offside.
Came off in the 64th minute for Sammy Silvera.
SUBSTITUTES
Sammy Silvera – 6
Came on in the 64th minute.
Silvera’s willingness to make things happen and take on defenders helped spark Australia into life.
Made solid runs off the ball too to drag defenders away and linked up well with Middlesbrough teammate Riley McGree.
Riley McGree – 7.5
Came on in the 64th minute.
McGree was on the field for 30 minutes in total but it’d have been hard to argue he wasn’t the Socceroos’ best player for the entire contest.
The midfielder, making his return after several months out with a foot injury, was a constant threat as he drifted across the field.
He offered precise passing that cut open India’s backline and provided the assist for the Socceroos’ second goal.
McGree’s performance will have given Arnold plenty of food for thought when it comes to the starting lineup for the next clash against Syria.
Jordan Bos – 7
Came on in the 72nd minute.
Nothing says making an instant impact quite like scoring your first goal for the Socceroos with your first touch, but that’s exactly what happened for Bos.
The former Melbourne City star came on at left wing instead of left back and gave India a torrid time with his energy and willingness to drive with the ball at his feet.
Bos also came awfully close to scoring a second but dragged his effort just wide of the post.
He delivered everything you’d want from an impact sub.
Bruno Fornaroli – 6.5
Came on in the 72nd minute.
Fornaroli might not have touched the ball for Bos’ goal but it was his intelligent movement that pulled two defenders away to allow his teammate the chance to score the easiest goal of his life.
The Melbourne Victory striker offered something different to Duke and linked up well with the wingers and midfielders, playing tidy give-and-go passes before darting into the vacated space.
An impressive showing from Fornaroli from the 20 minutes he received.
Aiden O’Neill – 6
Came on in the 82nd minute.
With the score at 2-0 when he came on, O’Neill simply had to keep the ball moving whenever it landed at his feet and break up the odd Indian attack.
He did his job with relative ease and drew a foul to kill the clock some more at the death.
