05-31-2023, 10:28 AM
South Korea ran all over AustraliaOn a night where Australia lacked experience in Tyler Naquin Jersey the back 4, drive and creativity in the final third and the ability to keep po se sion in midfield, the 2002-esque South Korea dominated Australia in a display of brilliance. On a pitch which was in terrible condition, South Korea showed their quality early by controlling the tempo and po se sion.After an early mistake from the Australians, which involved a stray cro s-field pa s from Gold Coast marquee man Culina before North Queensland defender Stefanutto panicked as he tried to save a throw in, South Korea scored. Sliding in, Stefanutto only Nick Wittgren Jersey managed to pa s the ball back to Park Chu-young and a lovely bit of play finished off by Chu Young Park put the home team up early.It got worse for Australia, as their struggling midfield and shaky back 4 struggled to hold po se sion and were faced with a mammoth challenge after Lee Jung-soo extended the lead to 2 after 20 minutes. Ki Sung-yong played in a lovely free kick for the Korean, who scored with a cla sy back-heel following a quality first touch.But as the fighting Socceroos started to get into the groove, Leeds defender Patrick Kisnorbo scored with a header from close range. Bresciano played in the free kick which Trevor Bauer Jersey lead to the goal. Apart from that moment of cla s, the midfielder from Palmero struggled to make an impact on the game. Either the presence of tall Nagoya Grampus striker Josh Kennedy or the unreliable pitch convinced him chipping the ball into the box would prove most effective but he always came up short. Celtic forward Scott McDonald was starved of decent po se sion within the box and as a result Australias attack was hindered.South Korea - Shaky but consistent at the back.As the match stretched on, Australia began to get better and better, but Jason Culin and Vince Grella struggled to make their presence known and a spark of brilliance was needed. On came Carle, who lifted the tempo but failed to deliver the final product and Australia limbered on.With 4 minutes remaining, Mark Schwarzer was beaten by his Fulham Larry Doby Jersey teammate Seol. A lovely run and cro s from Manchester Uniteds Park Ji-Sung opened up the chance for Seol. A fair effort from Schwarzer had convinced a few he had pulled of a top save but the linesmen wasnt fooled and awarded the goal.But Australias defence just simply did not look comfortable North and Kisnorbo lacking quality and Stefanutto looking unreliable so when center back Mark Milligan went down with a serious looking injury, the hearts of Socceroos fans sunk. Milligan Hanley Ramirez Jersey looked strong at the back and could be vital against the Netherlands on October 10th.This match was only Pim Veerbeeks fourth lo s in charge of Australia as the Socceroos went down 3-1.