FIFA Confederations Cup: Group A
Australia 3 v. Mexico 1 (1-0) Viduka 44min, Aloisi 60min, Hernandez 80min (Mex) pen., Mori 90min
Best: Kalac, Foster, Viduka
This was a great result, and hopefully of some cathartic value for the team, and even the nation. We shall see. We dominated the first 10 minutes and then Mexico took over, having 60% of possession and Oz giving away the ball too much. Mexico were using a very nice short passing, switch play pattern. Kalac made two very good saves, to one clearance from a chance by Aloisi at the other end.
The first goal was against the run of play but a nice piece of work by Foster and the best poach I've seen from Viduka. After the half time break we came out for another 10 min spell with some great midfield work but then just as Mexico were getting more of possesion Aloisi (off Foster again or Zelic?) made himself a glorious goal, waltzing through two defenders and slotting it sweetly home past the GK. 2-0 This forced Mexico to make some changes and they were effective with Australia keeping formation better than at the MCG but a bit of panic setting in under attack.
At last Mexico broke through behind the defence and Kalac came out to smother but could only take out the player. Hernandez took the penalty and squeezed it to the left past Kalac's outstretched hand. 2-1 Mexico pushed up after playing from deep before and exposed themselves to Lazarides and Foster on the left. From a nice Foster overlap and pin point cross substitute Mori guided his header over the keeper. 3-1 and the last few minutes we could have had another.
Generally Mexico outplayed us but the shape and commitment stayed OK and we took our chances this time. A very good result for us, against the CONCACAF champs rated well above us by FIFA, before playing Brasil who won 3-0 over Saudi Arabia. Dented pride slighty avenged and so far on track to go to the Qtr finals. :-) Bring on Brasil! Let's hope Kewell's leg is better though and despite Kalac's good display Bosnich is back in. Slater, Lazaridis, Tobin, and A Vidmar need to play better too.