Joeys vs Brazil - Group Match 2

Australia’s under 17 Joeys went down gallantly 1-0 to powerhouse Brazil in their second group match this morning with a sublime free kick from Adryan in the 76th minute the only difference between the two sides.

The boys lined up relatively settled for their second group match against Brazil with only the one change in right fullback Riley Woodcock coming in for Jake Monaco which was an early change for Jan Versleijen against Cote d’Ivoire anyway. They lined up in their familiar 4-3-3 as follows:

---------------------Izzo
Woodcock--Chapman--King--Brown
----Makarounas--Mellin--Perkatis
----Cooper--Tombidis--Espindola

Australia looked a different side from the get go in this match and were very impressive. It was refreshing to watch them take the game to the more technically superior Brazilians and in their yellow strip, you could have been forgiven for mixing the teams up. For the whole first half it was Brazil who were relying on their ability to counter attack and hitting aimless ‘wonderstrikes’ which saw Izzo not properly tested once. Australia on the other hand, although certainly no Barca, were keeping the ball and playing through midfield which the Brazilians obviously didn’t like.

To me, Australia’s standout players this match were the two wide attackers in Hernan Espindola and Mitch Cooper. Both were a constant headache to the Brazilian defense when they were on the ball, running at players and playing balls to feet. To go along with these two, you can’t look past a defense that forced the attacking might of Brazil to only long, low percentage shots while the team around them still plays football.

Tactically somewhat surprising, Australia’s fullbacks got forward, going past the teammate in front of them to create an overlap but not once were they used. Yes it opened up space for the player on the inside but each time that they cut in, they held the ball for too long and lost possession. Frustrating to say the least.

Another interesting point was how in the first group match against Cote d'Ivoire, I was critical of Jacob Mellin. This time out, he did have a better game and is a little terrier in midfield but still, like most of our midfield, gave the ball away thanks to simple errors far too often. Something that needs to be addressed before next match.

A few of the Brazilian lads were booked for diving or simply told to get up by the referee when appealing for fouls until finally in the 76th minute something went their way which saw them receive a free kick right on the edge of the area. Adryan stepped up confidently and slotted the ball over the wall and into the top right hand corner of the net. A shot that almost no keeper in world football would have gotten to. Harsh… but fair.

In conclusion, a far better effort from Australia but no points to show for it. There is now everything to play for in the final group match against Denmark who went down to Cote d'Ivoire in the other match today. Surely coming off a performance like this, Australia will be up for it. Can’t wait!


Match Details:

FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011 – Group F
Qantas Joeys 0
Brazil 1 (Adryan 76’)
Thursday 23 June 2011, Estadio Guadalajara
Referee: Stephan Studer (Switzerland)
Assistant Referee: Sandro Pozzi & Raffael Zeder (Switzerland)
Fourth Official: Diego Abal (Argentina)

Qantas Joeys starting-lineup: 1.Paul IZZO (gk), 3.Connor CHAPMAN (c), 4.Tom KING, 5.Corey BROWN, 6.Yianni PERKATIS (14.Milos DEGENEK 66’), 7.Hernan ESPINDOLA (19.Mitchell OXBORROW 66’), 8.Mitch COOPER, 9.Dylan TOMBIDES, 10.Jesse MAKAROUNAS (16.Stefan MAUK 83’), 17.Jacob MELLING, 21.Riley WOODCOCK

Substitutes not used: 2.Jake MONACO, 11.Luke REMINGTON, 12. Lachlan TIBBLES (gk), 13. Teeboy KAMARA, 15.Anthony PROIA, 18.Daniel SADAKA (gk), 20.Nicholas ANSELL

Yellow cards: Jacob MELLING 70’

Red cards: Nil

Brazil starting line-up: 1. Charles, 2. Wallace, 3. Marquinhos (c), 4. Matheus BARBOSA, 6. Emerson, 7. Guilherme (19. Nathan 60’), 8. Marlon BICA, 9. Ademilson (18. Wellington 89’), 10. Adryan, 11. Lucas PIAZON, 16. Hernani (5. Misael 60’)

Substitutes not used: 12. Uilson (gk), 13.Claudio WINCK, 14. Josue, 15. Jonathan, 17. Bruno SABIA, 20. Leo BONATINI, 21. Jacsson (gk)

Yellow cards: Lucas PIAZON 51’, Matheus BARBOSA 57’, Nathan 79’

Red cards: Nil

Australia next faces Denmark on 27 June AEST needing a result to see their safe passage through to the next phase of the tournam