A surprising 1-0 defeat to Indonesia in their second group stage game at the AFC U23 Asian Cup has left the Olyroos in a perilous position when it comes to securing a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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A goal on the stroke of half time from Indonesia’s Komang Teguh proved to be the difference between the two sides but it could have been very different for Tony Vidmar’s team at the Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Stadium in Qatar.
After the VAR recommended a penalty be awarded for handball in the 24th minute, former Adelaide United forward Mohamed Toure stepped up to the spot but saw his effort saved by the keeper before then heading against the bar a minute later.
“I think overall in the game we played well,” said Olyroos head coach Tony Vidmar at his post-game press conference. “We played some really good football. You score that penalty then I think the game definitely changes in our favour.
“I think that gave them a spur-on and we just couldn’t take our chances. We created opportunities, their goalkeeper had an unbelievable game plus also their defending was… they threw their bodies at everything and I think that just became frustrating for our players but I can’t fault how we played.”
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Now sat bottom of Group A following a draw and a loss, the Olyroos must now win their remaining group stage match against host nation Qatar, who currently top the group with two wins from two.
Furthermore, Vidmar’s side also need Jordan to take points off of Indonesia in their final group encounter otherwise their hopes of qualifying for the Olympic Games will officially be dashed, with only the top three sides from the tournament securing a berth in Paris.
“Look, we changed the team. We’ve got full belief in the squad that whichever team we put out there we can play to what we’re capable of which has happened in the two games.
“We just need to take our chances. That’s modern day football, that’s international football. If you create that many chances and you don’t take them…
He continued: “Also defensively, with the set-piece, we fell asleep on that and it bites you. You can have all the territory advantage in the middle of the field but the points are won inside both boxes.”
Despite taking 34 shots so far in this tournament – 21 of which were against Indonesia – the Olyroos are yet to find the back of the net in in Qatar and Vidmar believes there is a key ingredient missing from his attacking unit.
“I think we just lack that little bit of composure in front of goal,” said Vidmar. “I think there was a number of them that were rushed in shooting. We just need that little bit more quality, composure and having that calmness.
He added: “Sometimes I think they’re trying to hit it too hard. They need to, at times, pass it on or (be) able to put a little less power on it.”
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Seven current Isuzu UTE A-League players started the game in the form of Patrick Beach (Melbourne City), Jordan Courtney-Perkins (Sydney FC), Lucas Mauragis (Newcastle Jets), Jake Hollman (Macarthur FC), Keegan Jelacic (Brisbane Roar), Ryan Teague and Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory).
Attention now turns to the Olyroos’ crucial final group stage clash against Qatar, which kicks off at 1:30am (AEST) on Monday morning.
