This is Australia's best result since the 4-1 thrashing of World Champions Argentina 9 years ago. To beat one of the premier African sides on their own patch, with virtually a second string lineup, is an indication of how far we have come.
Not much was known of Tunisia before the game. They recorded the first win by an African nation in the World Cup, against Mexico in Argentina 1978. They have impressive results over the last 2 years, reaching the final of the ANC cup in 1996, before losing to hosts South Africa. They have already qualified for the World Cup.
We lineup :
Kalac (Porysmouth,27)
T Vidmar (Rangers,27) Ivanovic(36) Tobin (33,both Adelaide City)
Muscat (Crystal Palace,24) Hooker (Sydney Utd,32)
A Vidmar (Tenerife,30) Zelic (Auxerre,26) Skoko (Hajduk Split, 22)
Aloisi (Portsmouth,22) Viduka (Croatia Zagreb,22)
Numbers are ages.
It's the Australian-German formation as usual, which TV seems happy with in place of his 3-4-3 stuff. 2 markers in Vidders and Tobin, Ivanovic sweeping. This was the Adelaide defence of the early 90's, Vidmar having since made his name and fortune in Europe. Petkovic in goal would have completed it.
Kalac is seen as Australia's no. 2 keeper. An oddity of the Oz team is the fact Bosnich is regarded as being the no. 1, but only has 6 caps to his name, whereas Kalac has something like 30. The difference of course, Kalac is (was) locally based, Bosnich playing for Villa, BFR [Big Fat Ron....Atkinson - TE] not liking Bosnich's Australian escapades.
The subject of Kevin Muscat doing so poorly this season prompts me to closely watch him. Muscat turns in the worst 90 minutes I've seen him play (which is saying something). After joining Palace, he played 45 games or so last year, helping Palace to promotion. He has struggled since. It is said he needs a rest, having played almost continually for 2 years. He played the 1995-96 Ericsson Cup, went into camp for the Olympics, joined Palace, played 96-97, then played in the WC qualifiers a few months back. A long, long 2 years for Muscat.
Muscat has limited technicial skill, passing and vision. He relies on his stamina, speed, defence and tackling. Getting forward as the flanker and putting in a cracking shot or a hanging cross is his forte offensively. I personally think he's more suited to the ball-winner job in midfield, but a lack of muscle seems to rule him out.
Tony Vidmar can play anywhere in the back, this game as marker. A member of the 1992 Barcelona team, he joined NAC in Holland, and has really come on in the last 2 years. I have been a critic of Tony in the past, focusing on his lack of offensive skills, but playing him in the middle has paid dividends. Tony got a tremendous boost when he scored a classic goal against Ajax. That goal bought him to the attention of the scouts, and he joined Rangers in the close season for a freebie, under the Bosman ruling.
Tobin is an experienced stopper who rules the Adelaide club with an iron head. He seems accident prone on occasion, and a sneaking suspicion of him failing to match it at the highest level are my only doubts about him. Classic English Centrehalf.
Ivanovic came to Australia at 28 from Red Star Belgrade and has performed magnificently for club and [adopted] country. It is a sheer joy to see him take the ball upfield in the dribble, bursting past the midfield before laying off the final pass. In this game, Milan doesn't disappoint. The contrast between Tobin and Ivanovic cannot be underestimated. Milan is time and space, defined.
Midfield is Aurelio Vidmar, still trying to figure out whom he pissed off at Tenerife. He joined Waregem in Belgium, became top scorer in the league, joined Standard Liege, still top scorer. Feyenoord Rotterdam bought him, but that moron Haan did not use him as expected. Helped Sion to the Swiss double on loan, and joined Tenerife a year ago. Aurelio has scored 4 goals in the last 5 'quality' games (I'm ignoring Tahiti and the Solomon Islands), 3 of them with his head.
Zelic, the injury prone playmaker, will direct things. The outstanding issue of the Australian team is the midfield generalship. Zelic has played brilliantly this year, but Okon of Lazio will push him very, very close. I would expect Zelic to direct, Okon playing sweeper. Zelic cannot find a stable club side, a once promising career blighted with a succession of shocking injuries.
Josip Skoko of Hajduk completes the Croatian midfield. He has emerged as one of the gun players in Croatia, despite his age. Technicially excellent and a superb passer and dribbler.
Up front is Aloisi, impressing at Portsmouth. Aloisi started at Adelaide, went to Antwerp in Belgium (the launching place for so many non-Europeans), then it was off to Cremonese. His first touch, first game, he scored in Serie A. He did not live up to expectations, and with Cremonese in relegated, joined Portsmouth. He's a classical striker.
The man regarded as being the future of Australian footie, Viduka, makes his 3rd appearance for the seniors. Viduka initially struggled to come to terms with Croatia, but has turned the corner and looks set for a magic year. I am personally disappointed with his progress - A bloke of such build (190cm and 90kgs - about 6'3" and 14 stone) should be developed into the 2nd coming of Boksic, not the 2nd coming of Suker.
On the bench is Mori, world record goalscorer, back at Adelaide after a disappointing season in Moenchengladbach. Slater, Southampton journeyman returns from injury. Kewell, the young Leeds star who has made an impressive start to the season. The Japanese based Bingley, Trimboli of South Melbourne, Enes of Portsmouth, Petkovic of Rangers? Horvat - set to join West Ham - was listed as starting but Milan Ivanovic replaced him.
The more familiar names missing for the Oz boys include Bosnich - playing in Europe. Okon, Lazaridis, Moore and Popovic are all 'injured' according to their respective clubs. Okon has been recovering from a knee injury sustained last season at Lazio. After an impressive start for the Rome club, he faces a season in the wilderness unless he can force his way into the lineup, not an easy option given the talent of the Lazio midfield.
TV included 3 locals - Tobin, Ivanovic and Hooker. One gets the impression that he's impressed with the local league. Buying 6 Ozzies, 3 of them from Oz clubs, confirms.
It has to be mentioned that TV received death threats regarding his selection of Skoko and Viduka. The players are Croatian of heritage and play in Croatia. Make no mistake, Australian football owes much to the Croats. 6 Croat players in the starting lineup, along with the Serb Ivanovic. It could only happen in Australia.
I like our new kit - Yellow shirt as normal, but black shorts and socks with yellow trim instead of the green shorts and gold socks. Looks class.
Like Juventus, we score almost immediately. Pressure from Aloisi sees a corner which Aurelio Vidmar promptly flicks on into the top corner, courtesy of a Skoko special. Great goal. Aurelio is simply devastating in the air. Now at 4 goals from headers in 6 games. The keeper coming off his line and flapping at it helped matters too.
0-1.
Tunisia attack mainly down the right flank in the early stages. But good defending from Hooker stops most of the danger. It's from the left flank, where Muscat was turned, that Tunisia get their first major on goal. A low cross to the penalty spot should be easy pickings for Kalac, but he fumbles it. He just manages to get his palm to the followup. He fucks up the corner as well. Having been on honeymoon in Spain, I'm inclined to forgive him, especially with his new haircut that replaced the scarecut job.
Oz then attack, poor defending on a Skoko special allows Tobin a header which is wide.
Tunisia show why they have done well recently with some fine passing moves. But our defence, particularly Tony Vidmar is equal. I have been a critic of Tony in the past, but his form this year is excellent, both for Rangers and Oz. It is little surprise Walter Smith told TV to fuck off when TV named TV in the squad, little wonder TV insisted on Rangers releasing him, and little wonder that the bigots just set a new record for Scottish ineptness in Europe when losing at home to Strasbourg. I am awaiting for Walter Smith to savage TV in the press.
We score our second shortly afterwards, having regained possesion and sending Aurelio down the channel. Viduka and Aloisi create options, an inside pass to the turning Viduka, a poke and the ball is home. Viduka had to work hard for that one.
0-2.
"Viduka working hard" is an oxymoron of some proportions. Viduka has never been a team man. He shows little interest in helping the team regain possesion. One incident in the second half where he loses the ball in the penalty area and walks back to the line has me pissed off. I hope TV gave him a serve after the game.
Shortly after, Skoko brings it up after a great pass from Aloisi, but the Tunisia defence covers better this time. Skoko hesitates with the pass and has to shoot quickly, an effort effortlessly saved.
Zelic has a quiet game, after performing brilliantly in Hungary and against the Sheep. He mainly plays sideways and his passing is inaccurate. He was set to join Lecce, for his 6th club in 6 years in Europe, but pulled out at the last minute, a wise career move.
Tunisia have obviously been warned about Zelic, for whenever he breaks upfield, he is hustled and generally pulls up.
Halftime, 0-2 to the Aussies, allowing only 1 good chance for Tunisia, after a mistake by Kalac. Excellent performance.
The second half is boring shit, only enlivened by the presence of Kewell, coming on for the quiet Aloisi, and immediately makes an impression. A dribble results him in being fouled just outside the box.
At this point, I should explain the weakness of Australian in set pieces. We haven't had a good free taker since Charlie Yankos belted one in 4 dimensions past Argentina. Markovksi and Lozanovski are class, but aren't playing. This kick, like all other kicks over the last 9 years, is high and wide.
Tunisia gradually gain the upper hand, having made 5 changes at halftime. They start picking on Muscat, playing fast 1-2's to turn him. Muscat generally recovers quickly, but not always. Such as the occasion when one cross drops to the penalty spot, but the shot is of Andy Cole proportions.
A dribble through the static Oz defence sees a thunderbolt that Kalac somehow stops, the followup is wide. Then a disguised pass whilst the defence admires it forces Kalac off his line quickly to save.
Kewell's next shot is from Viduka's poor cross after winning the ball back (for a change) turning on a coin and volleying over the bar.
Our defence has faded in face of some aggressive Tunisia attacking. Muscat sends in a hospital pass, but Kalac to the rescue again. Kalac almost stuffs up when misreading one through ball but the shot is wide.
Viduka himself has improved, he uses his body to greater effect these days, but still cannot head to save his life. Kewell dribbled into the penalty area, faked to shoot, then crossed from the touchline to set up a gilt edged cross that Viduka completely muffed.
Our third goal is scored when Ivanovic dribbles up, passes to Kewell who fires it in, the keeper spills it, and Bingley puts in the rebound.
0-3 to Australia and it stays that way.
Player ratings : Kalac 7 Impressive 2nd half, where he seemed to be the only Oz defender trying. Muscat 3 Shite game. Needs a rest. Vidmar T 6 Started well but faded. Tobin 4 Horvat is better. Ivanovic 5 Can't see him playing with Okon and Zelic in the team. Hooker 4 Started well but faded. Skoko 5 A better peformance from him, but largely quiet. Zelic 6 Not at his best. Vidmar A 7 Scored one, set up the other. Viduka 6 First goal for seniors, best game he's played. Aloisi 5 Not at it. Kewell 7 Probably the pick of the bunch.
A great result, but not neccesarily a great game for Australia. To beat Tunisia 3-0 on their patch is something I would have laughed at a year ago. Eddie Thomson, now coaching a no-hoper in Japan, can only look on with envy. We are far removed from his DrilloBall [tm] tactics, thank god.
Tunisia had 2 carbon copy chances that Australia had, their first opportunity coming from Kalac's blunder, but the rebound went begging, compare to Bingley ramming his chance in. Viduka's toepoke was matched in the second half, but again was wide. Another shot from the penalty area went wide. And Tunisia missed a penalty as well.
And considering we have Moore, Horvat, Bosnich, Lazaridis, Okon and Slater to come back for our strongest team, it's an exceptional result.
But this record means for nothing when we take on 4th placed Asian team for the final WC qualifer in 2 months time. 12 wins in 12 games for TV is a magnificent result, 3 away wins - Macedonia, Hungary and Tunisia. 2 wins against teams ranked higher - Korea and Norway.
Aussie football has come a long way in just a year. Gaining the WC place at the MCG on the 29th of November will be the icing of an incredible 12 months of the local game. With the startup Carlton team playing this weekend, the future for Aussie football has never been as bright.
That brightness is exemplified by Kewell - A star in the making.