Finally got a chance to watch the game in full. Here are my thoughts:
- Seemed like the referee was very generous w/ a lot of his decisions, giving the ball to Australia. He missed a hand ball by Vince Grella in the first half, and there were some very cynical challenges by the Australians. Having said that, I felt Wilkshire's straight red was harsh? I felt he was going for the ball. I'm sure all my Dutch friends (Johnny, etc) will disagree with me though.
But other that that the Socceroos seemed to get the rub of the green throughout the clash, so the red is fair enough I suppose.
- The Australian defence was at times shambolic. Whilst the scoreline shows a draw, the Dutch could possibly have won by five were it not for the desperation of Schwarzer. Australia cannot afford to give teams the space that they did. The backs looked sluggish and out of sorts. Hiddink needs to fix this ASAP as we are going to get exposed against Brazil and maybe a speedy Japan.
- That said, a 1-1 draw against the Netherlands as an away game is an excellent result. And one Australia could only dream of years gone by. The Dutch were playing their First XI too, with Australia keeping Kewell on ice, and Cahill on the bench until the second half. Could Australia have done better with Kewell starting? We'll never know.
*Sterjovski does nothing on the right hand side, or indeed, on any side. I do not know what Hiddink sees in him. I'm guessing he's just warming the spot for Harry Cool. Wilkshire should be excused from duty too, although it was a deft chip to Viduka that saw him earn a penalty.
- Speaking of which, Viduka should be banned from taking penalties. I don't mind if Guus takes them himself. Just keep the V Bomber away.
- MOM for Australia was easily Schwarzer despite his f-up, but Chipperfield also had a fantastic game. Chipperfield is evidence of the Dutch Total Football ethic being taken up by Australia, as the Basel based striker/attacking mid is playing as a left back forAustralia. The former Wollongong bus driver was on a hiding to nothing trying to contain Robin Van Persie, but came through the match with colours intact.
- I love the Dutch as a playing nation and I've a lot of time for Arjen Robben as a player but gee he's a bit of a tool. I don't know if it's because I'm a rugby fan, or if it's his propensity to fall to the ground in a heap when the opposition so much as glances at him, but I can't stand his performances every time he gets tackled. Stop behaving like a wuss and get on with the game. You were awarded the free-kick, Oscar season is over, geez! It's this kind of stuff that gives football it's nancyboy image.
- Viduka does very well holding the ball up as a striker waiting for the midfield to come through, but Aloisi should get more game time. At times our attack looked muted, although that could be attributed to the loss of Kewell.
- 1-1 to the Dutch a few days before the World Cup is a good result, and perhaps the Australians may just be able to make it out of the group. It's certainly a better result than Croatia have been mustering of late.
- Were it not for Schwarzer, it could have been a hiding.