Australia has gone down 3-1 to Chile in its World Cup opener but won plenty of admirers with a gusty display against one of the tournament fancies in Cuiaba on Saturday.
Expected to be the easy-beats of Group B, the Socceroos proved anything but as they produced arguably their best performance under coach Ange Postecoglou.
While there was plenty to like about Australia’s processes, there were early nerves that Chile exploited to take a 2-0 lead. Goals to Alexis Sanchez and Jorge Valdivia in the space of two minutes had Australia reeling and Socceroos fans fearing the humiliation many predicted. But showing the fighting spirit Postecoglou sides are renowned for, Australia came back into the contest through Tim Cahill.
The talismanic forward displayed his leaping prowess to latch onto a cross and head home in the 35th minute. The Socceroos threatened on a couple more occasions in the first half before going into the break with their self-belief intact. When play restarted, it was the underdog Australians doing most of the attacking.
Cahill found the net with his head again in the 53rd minute only for the goal to be disallowed for off-side. Midfielder Mark Bresciano was the next to come close when his searing volley forced a great save from Chile keeper Claudio Bravo.
A desperate clearing kick from Socceroos defender Alex Wilkinson denied Chile at the other end before the South Americans broke Australia’s heart in the second minute of injury time. Socceroos keeper Mat Ryan made a brilliant save initially but couldn’t stop the follow-up shot from Jean Beausejor, which ensured maximum points for Chile.
In Saturday’s other Group B game, the Socceroos’ next opponents, the Netherlands, humbled defending champion Spain 5-1. Scores were 1-1 at halftime before the Dutch piled on four goals in the second half. Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben both bagged doubles.
