Gallant Socceroos suffer narrow England loss
A brave Australia suffered a 1-0 loss to England in its maiden appearance at Wembley Stadium on Saturday morning.
The Socceroos gave it to their opponents, creating numerous chances but the quality of England shone through.
Oliver Watkins scored the winner for the hosts just before the hour mark.
After a couple of promising moments for Australia, England settled into the match, holding possession through the thirds.
Eight minutes in, some patient build-up found Jarrod Bowen in the right channel, who drove the ball dangerously across the box but couldn’t find his teammate.
Australia punched back four minutes later when Keanu Baccus lined up a long shot from the left edge of the box that Sam Johnstone needed to parry away.
The side created another close chance midway through the half as Boyle’s clipped right-sided ball found Mitch Duke at the near post - the forward’s searing volley going just wide.
The Socceroos looked dangerous from set pieces, causing chaos in the box from corners.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/Socceroos/status/1712931195066175665
In the 28th minute, Martin Boyle’s left-sided corner fell back to him as he sent a delivery back in that dropped to Kye Rowles, but the defender fired just over the bar from close in.
While Australia looked like scoring, England remained a threat, particularly on the break.
Twenty-nine minutes in, Watkins was slipped in behind, rounding Mathew Ryan before his effort rolled onto the post.
Seven minutes later, another Aussie set piece, this time a long-range free-kick found Connor Metcalfe in the middle, but his header was straight at Johnstone.
Australia had their best opportunity of the match a minute before the break. Boyle latched onto a ball over the top and found debutant Ryan Strain in the right of the box - the fullback’s strike cleared off the line by Lewis Dunk.
Despite the visitors’ persistent attacking intent, the teams went into the break level - still scoreless.
Australia’s good first-half work proved to be for nothing 58 minutes in when Jack Grealish drilled the ball from the left of the box to Watkins far post, who slid home.
The Socceroos sought an instant response through Craig Goodwin, the winger lashing a close-range effort that Johnstone palmed away.
England started to dominate the ball more after scoring, with several deliveries into the box threatening to add to their lead.
Some substitutions with 15 minutes to play reignited Australia’s endeavours as they pursued an equaliser against their opponents.
With 10 minutes to go, Australia were denied by the woodwork - Metcalfe nodding onto the right post from a left-sided corner.
A bombardment of balls into the box from the visitors, didn't provide fruit as they lost narrowly.
Match Details
Australia 0
England 1 (Oliver Watkins 57’)
Date: Saturday 14 October
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Crowd: 81,116
Referee: Stephanie Frappart
Assistant Referees: Mikael Berchebru and Aurélien Drouet
Fourth Official: Hakim Ben El Hadj
Australia: 1. Mathew Ryan, 13. Ryan Strain (17. Lewis Miller 73’), 19. Harry Souttar, 3. Cameron Burges, 4. Kye Rowles (16. Aziz Behich 83’), 22. Jackson Irvine, 20. Keanu Baccus, 6. Marin Boyle (11. Awer Mabil 83’), 8. Connor Metcalfe (26. Mohamed Toure 90’), 10. Craig Goodwin (5. Jordan Bos 73’), 15. Mitchell Duke (9. Brandon Borello 73’)
Substitutes Not Used: 12. Andrew Redmayne, 18. Tom Glover, 2. Milos Degenek, 23. Alessandro Circati, 7. Sam Silvera, 25. Patrick Yazbek, 14. Aiden O’Neill
Yellow Cards: Keanu Baccus 34’, Ryan Strain 40’, Jackson Irvine 79’
Red Cards: Nil
England: 1. Sam Johnstone, 2. Trent Alexander-Arnold, 5. Lewis Dunk, 6. Fikayo Tomori (John Stones 61’), 3. Levi Colwill, 4. Connor Gallagher (Kalvin Phillips 61’), 8. Jordan Henderson (12. Kieren Trippier 61’), 10. James Maddison (21. Phil Foden 73’), 11. Jarrod Bowen, 9. Oliver Watkins (25. Eddie Nketiah 73’), 7. Jack Grealish (19. Marcus Rashford 61’)
Substitutes Not Used: 13. Jordan Pickford, 22. Aaron Ramsdale, 14. Harry Maguire, 15. Kyle Walker, 17. Marc Guehi, 18. Declan Rice, 24. Jude Bellingham, 20. Harry Kane
Yellow Cards: Levi Colwill 34’, Conor Gallagher 35’
Red Cards: Nil
Upcoming match
Australia v New Zealand - International Friendly
Tuesday, 17 October
Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford, London UK
Kick-off: 7.45pm local / 5.45am AEDT (Wednesday, 18 October)
Tickets: Purchase Here
