No Incentive Is Required Ing

76 SPORT SATURDAY JUNE 23 2018 Finding back of the net crucial TOM SMITHIES BERT van Marwijk called it “the last part of the puzzle”, “We sacrifice and it’s a piece that has been missing from this particular everything to jigsaw for quite some time. be the most “It’s unbelievable and a pity we didn’t score more. We must successful make the difference by scoring one more goal than our oppo- we can be” nents,” the Dutchman said, M AT T R YA N knowing at least one goal – and ideally more – will be the road of his tactical rethink, needed against Peru on Tues- fashioning a side he was con- day. vinced could make headway at The track record isn’t aus- the World Cup. picious. In the last 12 months But he didn’t stick around Australia has scored 19 goals in long enough to find out, and 13 games, an average of less van Marwijk’s more austere than one and a half per game. blueprint has so far produced Drill down further and acclaim but still only one point there’s more cause for concern from two games. – only nine of those goals have In the end these players are come from open play. Set pie- desperate to achieve their own ces are a hugely valuable part history, 12 years after the 2006 of a team’s armoury, but the generation made it out of the ability to fashion goals organi- group for the only time. cally has been sorely lacking “Ultimately that’s what we for some time. set out to achieve, that’s why Jubilant Australian captain Mile Jedinak celebrates after converting his penalty against Denmark in Thursday night’s Group C match at Against Denmark, Austra- we play the game as foot- the Samara Arena in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Picture: GEORGIO BORGIA lia had 14 attempts on goal, five ballers,” said goalkeeper Mat on target, but only one of those Ryan. “We sacrifice everything went in. That’s the major thing to be the most successful we to fix before Tuesday. can be, and the result is the It won’t be for want of try- most influential part of that No incentive is required ing. The Socceroos, and those judging that success. who follow them, are sick of “We’ve been there or there- heroic failures, honourable de- abouts so many times and we DAVID DAVUTOVIC before returning verbal serve, room knows that we’ve got a doing, the structure and our feats. Plaudits may flow, but want to get over that final hur- although he refused to divulge chance still and it’ll just be training and preparation. the reality is that Australia’s dle of a good performance re- FEARLESS skipper Mile Jedi- the contents. Jedinak implored about finetuning, making sure “It’ll be the same going for- failure to convert means it is sulting in a win.” nak declared that no incentive his team to carry on and said we recover and prepare right ward and hopefully that will pushing a rock uphill to make It’s clearly something they was needed as his team dared they were chomping at the bit and the motivation will be get us what we need.” the second round. are aware of, for Ryan inadver- to dream of a first knockout to face Peru on Tuesday. there – I’m sure. Jedinak, 33, was unflustered Last time around, in Brazil tently echoed his coach. berth since 2006. “It’ll mean an awful lot (to “We got a result, wanted all as he backed up a commanding four years ago, Ange Posteco- “I feel like we’ve grown so After a similarly emphatic reach the last 16). But we’re not three points and maybe de- midfield display with the em- glou’s side was widely praised much as a squad over the past finish five days earlier, Jedinak there yet and we’re going to served that. But we’ll take the phatic penalty. for its performances, especially few months, and it feels like again outwitted a top-line EPL have to put an almighty effort point and look forward to “The goalkeeper’s gonna do against Holland, but went we’re so close to gaining that keeper, with Kasper Schmei- in to get there and we’ll need a (Peru). We’re still in with a whatever he has to do to make home with nothing. result to reward our perform- chel’s trash talk failing to ruffle bit of luck. But this is why we chance. You don’t put two per- himself feel bigger than what It was to prevent a repeat ances,” he said. “It’s the final the bearded one’s feathers. play this game,’’ he said. formances in like that if you’re he is. (What he said) is not im- that Postecoglou went down piece of the puzzle.” The imposing Jedinak “There’s everything to play frustrated. portant,’’ Jedinak said. “It’s just stroked his 16th straight Soc- for. I don’t think anybody “You’ve just got to believe composing yourself and stay- ceroos spot kick past the hap- needs to boost the players. and that’s what we do. We ing concentrated, regardless of less Leicester City keeper, “Everyone in that change- have belief in what we’re the situation.” Arzani tipped to get the nod TEENAGE sensation Daniel Arzani, but even he hinted at Arzani looms as a starting the possibility of the youngest Peru’s pain after elimination Inglorious exit awaiting Messi prospect for the Socceroos’ player in Russia starting on 2018 World Cup decider Tuesday. PERUVIANS were reduced to “We’re already out,” a crest- LIONEL Messi’s frustrating elimination. Messi, who turns against Peru, and admitted he Bright-eyed Arzani said a tears yesterday as their team fallen Fernando Zelada said international career may be 31 tomorrow, has never won a has “more to give”. first XI berth was the coach’s became the first from South after watching Peru lose on a coming to an early and anti- major title with Argentina’s Arzani, 19, caused Denmark call but admitted his confi- America to be eliminated from giant screen in Lima. climactic finish after Argenti- senior national team despite a mass headaches after coming dence was growing and he was the World Cup, having played “Defeat is painful. Nobody na’s worst loss in World Cup decade of championships with on for Robbie Kruse in the his own harshest critic after a only two matches and yet to really got the better of us. group play in 60 years. Barcelona. 68th minute, unleashing a top- late shot that forced a strong score a goal. “We lost our way with With Diego Maradona “He is our captain, he leads quality shot, cross – from a save from Kasper Schmeichel From the Andes’ peaks to Cueva’s penalty. It’s as simple watching from the stands, the the team and we quite simply stunning dribble – and was a in the 1-1 draw. the Amazon jungles, a nation as that,” wrote journalist Mi- 2014 runners-up were routed couldn’t pass to him,” Argenti- whisker away from an assist “I have no idea (if he will that rejoiced in their first ap- guel Hidalgo on Twitter, refer- by Croatia 3-0 yesterday. The na coach Jorge Sampaoli said. for Aaron Mooy. start). I’ll just work as hard as I pearance at a World Cup for 36 ring to Christian Cueva’s miss Croats are moving on to the “We work to give Leo the ball, Socceroos coach Bert van can and it’s the boss’ choice. years was brought crashing from the penalty spot against round of 16. Messi got off only but the opponent also works Marwijk has been cagey re- These are not decisions for me down to earth by a single goal Denmark in the first game one shot in a defeat that push- hard to prevent him from get- garding individuals and par- to make. I’m just doing my defeat to France. which Peru also lost 1-0. ed Argentina to the brink of ting the ball.” ticularly with regards to thing,’’ Arzani said. NTNE01Z01MA - V1.

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