Wednesday, 22 January, 1997.
This was the one that Brisbane had been waiting for, and the fans didn’t
let Soccer Australia down. The official attendance was just over 15,000
but we reckoned on more like 20,000. The first game was pretty boring
with neither team being able to obtain the upper hand. Not many chances
to report in the first half, but after the break Norway scored three good
goals. Batty saved a penalty for the Kiwis and had it not been for him
the result might have flattered the Scandinavians.
The Koreans were always going to be tough opposition, and so it seemed.
They harrassed the Socceroos and forced many errors in the first half.
The Australians never looked comfortable when in possession, and always
looked under pressure, as the Koreans, who looked sharp and skilfull,
kept running at the man with the ball.
Some good lead up work by the forwards, especially Trimboli, saw Bingley
slot his second goal of the tournament after about 35 minutes, to end the
half 1 - 0 to the good.
The second half brought more of the same from the Koreans, and it seemed
that a number of their challenges were illegal as they seemed to elbow
and push the ‘roos. They were reduced to ten men early in the half,
however, when a defender failed to retreat the ten yards at a free-kick,
and he was shown the red card for his second offence.
Alistair Edwards came off the bench, and scored with his first touch, and
just as it seemed Australia might score a couple more, the Koreans got
one back from a free-kick, that Kalac either didn’t see or couldn’t be
bothered trying to get to.
Bingley missed a sitter from a farr post cross with minutes to go, but
the three points were secured, and it’s down to Sydney to wrap things up.
Scores:
Norway 3 New Zealand 0
Australia 2 South Korea 1
Saturday, 25 January, 1997.
In front of 17,000 the Socceroos started well, again, but faded after
about 20 minutes. Zdrilic and Trimboli always looked dangerous up front,
and Babic and Tobin were secure at the back. It was quite obvious from
the first half of the game that many of these players had improved
dramatically over the last week or so with Venables’ guidance. Compared
to last Saturday, they were tighter in defence, and more patient in
attack.
In the first half there wasn’t too much excitement. Zdrilic hit a volley
from Foster which made the ‘keeper pull off a great save, but the
Socceroos did well not to panic when they couldn’t find a way through the
blanket of Norwegian defenders.
In the second half Bingley came alive, and he and Hooker continued
probing down the flanks, but as the half wore on, and there was still no
score on the board, it was only a matter of time before Tapai was
introduced. He replaced Trajanovski after 75 minutes, and almost
immediately sent over a cross from the right which Hooker met with his
knee at close range.
Three great wins to start off the World Cup campaign - and against
quality opposition too !
Scores:
South Korea 3 New Zealand 1
Australia 1 Norway 0