Post by socceroonet on Jun 20, 2005 21:37:42 GMT 10
Argentina claimed their place alongside Germany in the last four of the FIFA Confederations Cup as striker Luciano Figueroa struck a hat-trick in a 4-2 victory over Australia in Nuremberg's Frankenstadion on Saturday 18 June.
In the build-up to the game, all the signs indicated that this was a match Australia desperately wanted to do well in. The theory was that a solid performance would not only revive their hopes of progressing in the tournament but also boost morale ahead of a possible play-off against a South American side for a spot at next year's FIFA World Cup™.
And so it transpired. Undaunted by their opponents, the Oceania side took control of the early play and had the Albicelestes on the back foot dealing with Scott Chipperfield incursions down the left.
Two crosses from the Australian in quick succession put some early pressure on German Lux's goal. The first found Josip Skoko, who could not get his shot on target from just inside the box, while the second picked out Tim Cahill, who also failed to test the goalkeeper with a free header from no more than six yards.
As for Jose Pekerman's side, again they looked to their inspirational playmaker Juan Riquelme to carve out the openings. His front men looked slightly out of sync early on, but it only took one exquisite move to find the back of Mark Schwarzer's net. Riquelme threaded a delightful ball to Mario Santana, who laid it off to Luciano Figueroa. The striker then worked a quick one-two with his team-mate before powering his left-foot shot high into the top corner.
The goal settled Argentine nerves and forced Frank Farina's men to take the game to their opponents even more. Chipperfield again broke down left and this time his cross took a deflection off Fabricio Coloccini, forcing a save from Lux.
This would be the Socceroos' last excursion into their opponent's penalty area for some time. Argentina, controlling the tempo and possession, waited patiently for another opening. It duly arrived after Santana flighted a ball in behind the Australian defence for Javier Saviola to run on to. Lucas Neill was adjudged to have dragged the striker to the ground and Riquelme tucked away the ensuing penalty for his second successful spot-kick in as many games.
Comfortably ahead, Argentina concentrated on keeping possession and moving the ball around. With Farina's men striving without much success to gain control of the midfield, the latter part of the first half looked to be quietly coming to a close.
Then Cahill found space in the Albiceleste area, but just as he was about to shoot, Gabriel Heinze took the ball off his toe. Meanwhile at the other end, Figueroa managed to get between four Australian defenders after a corner but narrowly failed to extend his side's lead when his header clipped the crossbar and sailed over.
Knowing that a defeat would mean the end of the road for his side, Farina threw on another striker at half-time, with the experienced Mark Viduka replacing Kevin Muscat. Argentina, for their part, opted to defend deep and put their faith in their tried and tested counterattacking skills.
It was not long before the chances stated to arrive, with Juan Pablo Sorin's header a sign of things to come. A move started by Javier Zanetti down the right ended with a half-cleared ball in the area falling nicely for Figueroa. Once again the striker showed no mercy, scoring with another left-foot drive that looked to have settled the match.
Refusing to throw in the towel, however, Australia continued to press and finally got their reward after another inspired move from John Aloisi. Just as he did against Germany, the Osasuna man showed himself to be a true leader as he drove his men forward.
First he won a penalty from which he cut his side's deficit, then he was on hand to fire home from point-blank range after Heinze mistakenly chested a back-pass into his path. A string of earlier missed chances were now looking costly as Pekerman's side found themselves scrapping to keep their hold on a game they thought they had won.
The final 20 minutes were pulsating in the extreme, with Farina's men desperately searching for the point that would keep their hopes alive, and Argentina trying to take the sting out of the match with the introduction of Pablo Aimar.
Sorin almost got on the score sheet after another well-worked move, but his deft chip over Schwarzer failed to find the target. Throwing caution to the wind, the brave surges of the Socceroos were leaving wider and wider gaps at the back.
Javier Zanetti almost got Argentina's fourth moments later but his well-struck right-foot shot went narrowly over. However, Figueroa then capped a wonderful individual display with his third and Argentina's fourth when he found space at the far post to tap in.
There was no time for more. Argentina march on to the semi-finals with a group game to spare. Australia bow out with their heads held high. The standing ovation of the 25,000 fans will hopefully be some consolation to the valiant Australians.
In the build-up to the game, all the signs indicated that this was a match Australia desperately wanted to do well in. The theory was that a solid performance would not only revive their hopes of progressing in the tournament but also boost morale ahead of a possible play-off against a South American side for a spot at next year's FIFA World Cup™.
And so it transpired. Undaunted by their opponents, the Oceania side took control of the early play and had the Albicelestes on the back foot dealing with Scott Chipperfield incursions down the left.
Two crosses from the Australian in quick succession put some early pressure on German Lux's goal. The first found Josip Skoko, who could not get his shot on target from just inside the box, while the second picked out Tim Cahill, who also failed to test the goalkeeper with a free header from no more than six yards.
As for Jose Pekerman's side, again they looked to their inspirational playmaker Juan Riquelme to carve out the openings. His front men looked slightly out of sync early on, but it only took one exquisite move to find the back of Mark Schwarzer's net. Riquelme threaded a delightful ball to Mario Santana, who laid it off to Luciano Figueroa. The striker then worked a quick one-two with his team-mate before powering his left-foot shot high into the top corner.
The goal settled Argentine nerves and forced Frank Farina's men to take the game to their opponents even more. Chipperfield again broke down left and this time his cross took a deflection off Fabricio Coloccini, forcing a save from Lux.
This would be the Socceroos' last excursion into their opponent's penalty area for some time. Argentina, controlling the tempo and possession, waited patiently for another opening. It duly arrived after Santana flighted a ball in behind the Australian defence for Javier Saviola to run on to. Lucas Neill was adjudged to have dragged the striker to the ground and Riquelme tucked away the ensuing penalty for his second successful spot-kick in as many games.
Comfortably ahead, Argentina concentrated on keeping possession and moving the ball around. With Farina's men striving without much success to gain control of the midfield, the latter part of the first half looked to be quietly coming to a close.
Then Cahill found space in the Albiceleste area, but just as he was about to shoot, Gabriel Heinze took the ball off his toe. Meanwhile at the other end, Figueroa managed to get between four Australian defenders after a corner but narrowly failed to extend his side's lead when his header clipped the crossbar and sailed over.
Knowing that a defeat would mean the end of the road for his side, Farina threw on another striker at half-time, with the experienced Mark Viduka replacing Kevin Muscat. Argentina, for their part, opted to defend deep and put their faith in their tried and tested counterattacking skills.
It was not long before the chances stated to arrive, with Juan Pablo Sorin's header a sign of things to come. A move started by Javier Zanetti down the right ended with a half-cleared ball in the area falling nicely for Figueroa. Once again the striker showed no mercy, scoring with another left-foot drive that looked to have settled the match.
Refusing to throw in the towel, however, Australia continued to press and finally got their reward after another inspired move from John Aloisi. Just as he did against Germany, the Osasuna man showed himself to be a true leader as he drove his men forward.
First he won a penalty from which he cut his side's deficit, then he was on hand to fire home from point-blank range after Heinze mistakenly chested a back-pass into his path. A string of earlier missed chances were now looking costly as Pekerman's side found themselves scrapping to keep their hold on a game they thought they had won.
The final 20 minutes were pulsating in the extreme, with Farina's men desperately searching for the point that would keep their hopes alive, and Argentina trying to take the sting out of the match with the introduction of Pablo Aimar.
Sorin almost got on the score sheet after another well-worked move, but his deft chip over Schwarzer failed to find the target. Throwing caution to the wind, the brave surges of the Socceroos were leaving wider and wider gaps at the back.
Javier Zanetti almost got Argentina's fourth moments later but his well-struck right-foot shot went narrowly over. However, Figueroa then capped a wonderful individual display with his third and Argentina's fourth when he found space at the far post to tap in.
There was no time for more. Argentina march on to the semi-finals with a group game to spare. Australia bow out with their heads held high. The standing ovation of the 25,000 fans will hopefully be some consolation to the valiant Australians.