Finally Spain showed some glimpse of the football that made their golden generation admired and adored all over the soccer world. Spain taught young Socceroos’ some lessons in their 3-0 win over Australia.
They along with Australia were to pack their kits and return home. Beating Australia may not make any difference to the humiliation that world champions already suffered from two shocking defeats against Netherlands and Chile but it gave their worldwide fans something to cheer about.
It was definitely too little too late. With a galaxy of superstars Spain will be going home empty handed. But the team could present its boss a hearty send off with a much desired win.On the other hand Australia can take lot of heart from the three matches. Although for the first time an Australian team returned home without a point yet the young Australian team learnt a lot. Australia found a nucleus of a team for the future.
In a match of little significance for two teams already knocked out from the tournament. But still Spain had to play for pride and show the world the real skills which made them the most adorable team over the most part of the last decade. On the other hand Australia had to build on and learn more for the future as they already demonstrated excellent football skills against two formidable oppositions. Spain made seven changes giving their reserves a taste of the Brazil 2014. Socceroos also made changes.
Ambitious Australia appeared against vanquished Spain.Australia still had so much to play for. Australian fans wanted to be accounted in world soccer, wanted respect and Socceroos gave them. This match was there to give their rising reputation further boost. Mathew Lekie, Math MacKay and Mark McGowan had another excellent match. Spain having already lost the last three worlds cup matches in Brazil including the two in this world cup had to take home something.
They were to play well to give their boss Vicente Del Bosque a fitting farewell in his last match. Recently this writer was in tourist haven Bali, Indonesia which like rest of the world is in the grip of soccer fever. Thousands of flags of different countries gave the Small Island and places around the Bali festival area great festive look. Teenagers were seen flying kites made like flags of their team of choice. People in shops, restaurants were seen to gossip.
Rather strangely Spain was seen to have huge support though Indonesia was a Dutch colony. Asked why one smart boy told that Balians watch Spanish league football and most of them are fans Barcelona or Real Madrid. Spain somehow lacked the spark, the inspiration.
Australia made strong start pushing Spain back into their own territory. Australia was the first to unleash few probing forays into the heart of Spanish defence.Spanish on the other hand was playing a waiting game. David Villa Andres Inesta and Fernando Toress were just jogging. They appeared to lack any ambition to play the game they are known in the football world .The first twenty minutes saw very little activity to talk about. A dull, drab and dreary encounter was witnessed in that spell of the match. Jordi Alva on the left and Toress and Villa in the middle made few probing runs which Socceroo defence could contain. Spain is well known to play through a narrow strip in the middle which Australia tried to narrow down further compacting the area. Finally in the 36 th minute David Villa broke the ice with a lovely flick getting the ball from the right 1-0. It was David Villas 59 th international goal and 9th in the world cup.
Strangely enough this was only the second Spanish goal after David Converted a penalty against Holland in the first match. After a very positive start the Australians lost a little bit of concentration for a while and were punished by all-time highest scorer David Villa. Australia should not have allowed Spain to draw them out creating space for players like David Villa or Andres Inesta.
Australia brought in Taggard to push Lekie play more in the centre for pressing Albiol and Ramos more deep into their own territory. Again Socceroos showed intent and purpose at the start of the second half. Bringing in Ben Halloran gave some momentum. Still it seemed difficult for Socceroos to unlock the centre of Spanish defence. Australia looked more likely to score and draw level till 68 th minute of the game raiding the Spanish danger zone more often. The introduction of Fabregas injected blood into Spanish veins and immediately came the second goal in the 69 th minute. Inesta, Mata and Fabrigas combined for a characteristic Spanish goal by Toress made it 2-0 for the Spanish. Wayne Mata scored the third (3-0) after Fabrigas set him free on the right. The important lesson that Socceroos’ learnt was not to relax against quality players even for a minute. Otherwise they will punish in the wink of an eye .Grouped against three world class teams Australia did not frustrate its fans. Australia can start rebuilding .
Spanish fans were wondering where this fluent and dynamic Spanish football has gone in their two earlier matches. What a cruel curse of Soccer God to touch artists of modern football. Nothing goes for ever. World Cup 2014 will get new Champions.
BDST: 0024 HRS, JUNE 24, 2014
