This game changed and changed and changed again over the course of one half. The start was similar to last Friday, in that Australia could barely breach New Zealand’s half, and that was despite the injection of Irankunda, Toure and Balard et al into the XI to satisfy Popovic’s desire for the team to be “more dynamic from the outset”.
They weren’t, and all I could think was well, if this is how it’s gonna be, the Socceroos might at least be able to defend against higher-calibre teams at the World Cup.
Then came some hairy defensive moments and that thought went down the drain.
Then suddenly the Socceroos started to show positive signs on the counter-attack, and now we have a goal from Toure so pleasing he might just be the national team’s long-term No.9 future.
When was the last time you could say that?
Mohamed Toure celebrates his goal.Credit: Getty Images
