Piscopo Shines.

Piscopo was undeniably Australia’s best player on the pitch on Wednesday evening.

Playing on the flank of the Olyroos front three, the 21-year-old demonstrated a willingness to back himself again and again against the Iraqis – who never truly finding an answer for the Wellington Phoenix playmaker.

Front and centre for almost all of Australia’s best attacks, when the former Internazionale prospect and one-time Italian youth representative wasn’t attempting to convert Australia’s chances he was involved in the build-up – winning numerous free-kicks as his opposite numbers struggled to keep up and being forced to hack him down.

Just when it appeared that Australia was in for another frustrating night at the office (more on that later), it was the A-League’s Young Player of the Year nominee for December produced an absolute thunderbolt to put a freekick from nigh-on 30-yards out into the top corner.

Naturally, he had won the set piece as well.

Substituted a few minutes later, it was a tantalising glimpse at what may be to come from the youngster for both the Olyroos and Socceroos.

He should start for the rest of the tournament. 

Press Gang

One feature that couldn’t have been missed in the Olyroos warm-up fixtures against New Zealand in September had been the fierce press that the side – then under the auspices of caretaker coach Gary van Egmond – attempted to play.

On Wednesday evening, it quickly became apparent that such tactics were indeed the brainchild of Arnold, with Australia getting high up the pitch and haranguing the Iraqi defence and midfield straight from the word go.

With the broadcast operating sans commentary and there being a relatively sparse crowd in attendance, the bellows of Arnold and his staff to get up the pitch and apply pressure whenever the opportunity presented itself were obvious.  

The benefits of such tactics were obvious when they worked out – Toure’s disallowed goal the most obvious example – but all or nothing desire to stream up the pitch as soon as the opportunity presented itself almost came back to bite the Olyroos on multiple occasions when Iraq was able to counter.

Ultimately, however, Australia’s inability to convert the chances that they did create in transitional moments instigated by this press meant they were forced to rely on their build-up play to produce openings...