Aidan Ormond, FourFourTwo's man who provided the minute-by-minute commentary on this very site gives us his thoughts on Australia's lucky escape against Oman.
Before last night's game, Graham Arnold revealed the Socceroos were 75% acclimatised to the humid Asian conditions. It was tacit acknowledgment that the Australians needed at least one group game to top off their conditioning preparation.
If they were 25% short of a gallop - and it looked it - such a frank assessment would've done nothing for the mental state of the Socceroos as they turned up to the Rajamangala on an extra hot Bangkok day.
The Socceroos never looked comfortable in their energy saving, 75% fit mode. Sitting back from the Omani defence time and with the Roos looking to play a patient build-up, played right into the hands of the organised Omani defence. Yet when the Aussies found possession, they were also profligate and generally sloppy.
Oman? Given time to play and more attuned to the heat, they made the most of their opportunity with Badar Al-Maimani and Ahmed Al Mahajari running the midfield. And what about Fazir Bashir. His arrival as a second half substitute caused all sorts of problems for the wilting Aussie defence - just imagine if he'd been on from the start partnering Amad Al Hosni?
Of course, the tactics of falling to ground at the slightest touch (or no touch) was appalling. But the Omanis were there to do everything they could to win. That's the Argentine way, which wily Argentine coach Gabriel Calderon would've drummed into them.
What this 1-1 draw means is that the Australians are no longer clear certainties to top with the group. And you know what that means? Packing up their base at the Sheraton on the water in downtown Bangkok and flying to Hanoi in Vietnam for the quarter finals. With semis in Malaysia and a final in Indonesia (if indeed we make it that far), the less travelling the better for the squad.
Arnold now has to tell his players they're 100% acclimatised. It'll be tough enough playing Iraq and host nation Thailand without a perceived lack of fitness hanging over the players' heads. It's time to forget the conditions and gamble on the players' natural style of game. Which also means using his squad and the bench intelligently.
This will be a huge test of Arnold's coaching credentials. Fourtunately, the Socceroos can only get better from this point on.
We want to know what you think. Head to our special forum now and get tapping.
If they were 25% short of a gallop - and it looked it - such a frank assessment would've done nothing for the mental state of the Socceroos as they turned up to the Rajamangala on an extra hot Bangkok day.
The Socceroos never looked comfortable in their energy saving, 75% fit mode. Sitting back from the Omani defence time and with the Roos looking to play a patient build-up, played right into the hands of the organised Omani defence. Yet when the Aussies found possession, they were also profligate and generally sloppy.
Oman? Given time to play and more attuned to the heat, they made the most of their opportunity with Badar Al-Maimani and Ahmed Al Mahajari running the midfield. And what about Fazir Bashir. His arrival as a second half substitute caused all sorts of problems for the wilting Aussie defence - just imagine if he'd been on from the start partnering Amad Al Hosni?
Of course, the tactics of falling to ground at the slightest touch (or no touch) was appalling. But the Omanis were there to do everything they could to win. That's the Argentine way, which wily Argentine coach Gabriel Calderon would've drummed into them.
What this 1-1 draw means is that the Australians are no longer clear certainties to top with the group. And you know what that means? Packing up their base at the Sheraton on the water in downtown Bangkok and flying to Hanoi in Vietnam for the quarter finals. With semis in Malaysia and a final in Indonesia (if indeed we make it that far), the less travelling the better for the squad.
Arnold now has to tell his players they're 100% acclimatised. It'll be tough enough playing Iraq and host nation Thailand without a perceived lack of fitness hanging over the players' heads. It's time to forget the conditions and gamble on the players' natural style of game. Which also means using his squad and the bench intelligently.
This will be a huge test of Arnold's coaching credentials. Fourtunately, the Socceroos can only get better from this point on.
We want to know what you think. Head to our special forum now and get tapping.
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