The Soccceroos’ lethargic performance in their win over Bahrain on Thursday morning has drawn much criticism from football pundits across the nation. Here is a good example of respected journalists smashing the green and gold with valid and legitimate reasons. Of course, all this is done with a furrow of genuine concern and it’s not meant to be a stab at football. I hope.
However, while I am also not terribly happy with the lacklustre showing, I am happy for one thing.
We won.
No matter how we do it, getting three points away from home was the main objective and we achieved it. And by doing so in an ugly fashion, I think we’ve actually taken a positive step. I know it sounds crazy, but winning ugly is a hidden talent of good football teams.
Everyone would love for the Socceroos to play the free-flowing champagne football that Arsenal does, but the truth is that it doesn’t always happen. Teams, no matter how good they are, have off days. And the most important thing is that we achieved a result when it was our off day.
It’s easy to win games when everything clicks, when all the flicks and tricks come off, when all the 50-50 decisions go our way. However, it’s not easy to win when we don’t bring our A game. But good teams find a way of winning. Good teams can grind out results, no matter how ugly the play, and the fact that we managed to do it makes me quite happy.
This win, along with our performance in Uzbekistan when we repelled wave after wave of attack in the second half, shows that we’ve got character and maturity.
Heads up Australia, it’s the kick up the bum we needed.
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