Australia Under-23 team survives Azkals' late scare to win 1-0
Jason Hoffman’s 11th minute goal was just enough for the Australian Under-23 side who were frustrated by a strong performance from the Azkals.
First half
Australia quickly stamped their authority on the game and clearly dominated the first half. Despite the Philippines playing a very deep line, defending with almost everyone in their own half of the pitch, Australia still managed to flight in several cross, particularly down the left wing.
The Aussies then managed to break the deadlock at the 11th minute when Aziz Behich overlapped on the left flank, nutmegged his marker and crossed in brilliantly for Jason Hoffman, to head over Neil Etheridge in goal. Etheridge hesitated to dive for the ball, and replays showed why, as Australian Oliver Bozanic was offsides on the play.
Perhaps a little unlucky to fall behind, the Azkals kept up their largely defensive performance for the rest of the half. With 68 percent of the possession, Australia built up the play from the back, making tens of passes before trying to find the killer ball.
Ian Araneta and Denis Wolf provided little pressure at the front, allowing Australia to patiently build up the play. They easily held possession in the Azkals’ territory, but found the final chances hard to come by as the defense looked much more organized.
Looking to threaten with counterattacks, Wolf was the greatest danger, bursting past several defenders on numerous occasions. He was a Wolf without a pack however, and with no support up front, he couldn’t do it all alone.
Stand-in captain Ray Jonsson was particularly impressive on defense, breaking up the play several times and starting the counters. Beginning one attack, the Azkals then played the ball around for the first time in the Australian side, and it was Jonsson who got on in the end of the eventual cross as the team put in a performance that was much more encouraging after a poor showing against Uzbekistan and a bizarre match against Al Ahli.
Second half
Criticized for rarely making substitutions, and too late if ever, Coach Weiss started the second half with a change, bringing in Martin Doctora for Ian Araneta. Pressing higher, Doctora gave the Azkals’ defense and midfield a bit of breathing space, but Australia still started brighter.
Mitch Nichols dribbled well past defenders Jason Sabio and Luis Guirado, but Carlos De Murga nicked the ball off him at the last minute, conceding a corner. The corner was whipped in and Daniel Mullen headed just over, giving an early warning to the Azkals. Soon after, another corner was hit deep and Sebastien Ryall volleyed just over.
The Azkals then opened up and stopped "parking the bus," and in turn, opening up the game. The Australians were put under more pressure and looked a little less fluid as Wolf and Ruben Doctora linked up well.
Defensively, the Azkals were looking stronger too, though Jason De Jong got his customary yellow card with a late slide challenge taking out his man. The free-kick was struck brilliantly and Etheridge made a fine diving save to his right. Replays showed it was just drifting wide but Etheridge couldn’t be sure and looked impressive with the save.
At the 72nd minute Weiss made his second substitution, taking out Misagh Bahadoran for Joshua Beloya, while a wincing Angel Guirado was left on the pitch. Soon after, Lexton Moy came in for Marwin Angeles.
The Azkals then had their best period of the game as they produced several attacks to come close to equalizing. Jason Sabio’s long throw deep in the Australian half was met by Denis Wolf who did well to slide in between the two defenders from six yards out. He just couldn’t get enough on the ball and it looped up and comfortably for Matt Ryan. Kaya forward Joshua Beloya was then found magnificently by his teammate Lexton Moy in the 88th minute.
Beloya controlled well to turn but just got under the volley and lashed it over from ten yards out as Australia held onto their 1-0 lead.
Much improved
The Azkals were unfortunate to go behind with the Bozanic offside. Australia dominated the first half but couldn’t fashion any clear-cut chances with the Azkals’ defense much more organized compared with previous games.
The team opened up in the second half and the Azkals threatened, looking the more likely to score. Denis Wolf had a great game and gave his all, running down the channels while the substitutions Weiss made combined to give the Philippines the best chance to equalize.
The improved defensive performance and earlier substitutions will have eased some of the pressure from fans, but more importantly, improved the side remarkably. Doctora’s pressure supported Wolf well, who was possibly man of the match for the Philippines, contributing to a growing but welcome problem of who to play alongside Phil Younghusband while Moy and Beloya created the best chance of the game.
Australia may have deserved the win but the Azkals gave a good account of themselves against a side that was predicted to win by a few more goals.
All in all it was a more encouraging performance with a friendly against Malaysia on the horizon before the Challenge Cup begins in March. — AD/RSJ, GMA News
Source: http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/248390/sports/football/australia-under-23-team-survives-azkals-late-scare-to-win-1-0
