The Socceroos title defence started on the wrong note, as they were unable to break down a compact Jordan and lost 1-0 in their first match of the Asian Cup. Here are 3 things were learnt from the match.

Socceroos have plenty of work to do

The game ended with 77% possession for Australia, and yet, it is hard to think of any chances being created in the first hour of play. They stared down at a well-organised Jordanian defence and either retreated or lost the ball through wayward passing.

Of course, there are well-noted injuries to some of Australia’s key players with Mooy, Arzani and Leckie all out injured. But the team that went out to play was still good enough to win and their lack of quality in every part of the pitch has cause for concern.

It is worrying that it seems that perhaps a 39 year old Tim Cahill is still Australia’s most threatening striker. The Socceroos have a well-known scoring problem but there are no players that have suggested they might replace the goals sorely missing by the Australian icon.

One of Australia’s most important players on the pitch, Tom Rogic had a night to forget. After all the controversy surrounding his call-up to the team which meant he had to miss out on the big Old Firm derby, the midfielder might be wishing he stuck around in Celtic.

His passing lacked any penetration when going forward and didn’t create any movement off the ball to give his teammates a progressive option to threaten a tightly knit Jordan defence.

The Socceroos looked just as shaky in defence as they were blunt in attack, as there were several moments throughout the game where they fell to fast and direct counters from the Jordanian forwards.

After 70 minutes, the Asian Cup champions begun to provide much more of a threat on the Jordanian goal, but this was more due to their defensive line going deeper and deeper rather than any excellent play for the Australians.

There was some tight decisions that went Jordan’s way, but they were for the most part correct calls and it hardly changes the poor performance the Socceroos showed in their opening game of the Asian Cup.

Does Graham Arnold really have a plan?

In the run-up to the game, the former Sydney FC manager said that he had two plans to deal with the loss of Australia’s most talented outfield player, Aaron Mooy. From this match though, it creates doubt whether Arnold has any plan at all.

The first half showed the difference between the two managers, as Jordan manager, Vital Borkelmans, former assistant to Belgian head coach Marc Wilmot, had a tight structure as well as practiced set piece plays. It paid off as the only goal of the match came from a corner, with an excellent cross from Musa Al-Taamari that was drilled home by centre-back Anas Bani-Yassen.

On the other hand, Arnold seemed to instruct his team to only have one move throughout the game. Stretch the game with wide full backs, and then cross the ball into the box where you hope the shortest Australian on the field can get a head to it.

More confusing still was the half time substitution for right-back Josh Risdon with the similar style of play from Rhyan Grant. Being 1-0 down and unable to break the defensive line, a smarter choice would’ve been to bring on attacking minded player like Christopher Ikonimides — who did come on but certainly should’ve arrived earlier.

Arnold was bereft of ideas and it suggested that this managerial position might have been a step too far at this time of his career.

In saying this, Australia’s 4-2-3-1 formation can definitely be a blueprint for success, but only if Arnold starts encouraging play that promotes quick passing and movement off the ball.

It means that their clash with Palestine is now a must win game and Arnold needs to get back to the drawing board to find a strategy that works. This hoof the ball to the striker tactic needs to go.

Right now, the Socceroos are playing like minnows when in the Asian Cup, we are expected to compete.

Jordan are in pole position to progress

Although much of the talk will be on the Socceroos’ insipid display, full credit must be given to an excellent Jordanian team.

When they had the ball, they were quick and direct with their movement, causing all sorts of trouble to a startled Australian defence. Off the ball, which is where they found themselves for most of the game, they barely gave a sniff and remained in shape for the full game.

They played with passion and heart that we can only wish the Socceroos showed, and it was best seen in the reactions of their goalkeeper Amer Shafi Sabbah who fell on his knees at full time to delight in their victory.

After the draw of Syria and Palestine which followed soon after, Jordan are now in the best position to progress from the group. A win in their next match against Syria would confirm them for the knockout stages, but even a draw might be enough.

Borkelmans will definitely be pleased with the way his team played against the defending champions and will hope this springboards to even greater success at the Asian Cup 2019.

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