Herrington is playing very well
Australia’s youngest World Cup starter is assured at the back, comfortable on and off the ball and good with his distribution. His side have 60 per cent possession, and it’s the first time they’ve outpossessed an opponent at this tournament. Paraguay are allowing – forcing – them to have the ball but they do not look troubled by this. Paraguay have offered very little going forward, and it will be up to the Socceroos to find a way through.
Paraguay 0-0 Australia, 41 minutes
Another Caceres foul, Bos forces a save
It’s on Behich this time, and Volpato passes short to O’Neill and his ball is to nobody in particular.
Before long, Bos has drawn a save from Gill after cutting inside following some more nice combination work with Volpato. It’s straight to Gill, but another promising moment.
Paraguay 0-0 Australia, 36 minutes
Irankunda makes a mini-break
He has been lurking this whole time as Irankunda is making runs and running into little pockets. He breaks free but carries the ball too far and is shut down before he has support.
Paraguay 0-0 Australia, 33 minutes
Metcalfe has his head strapped
His noggin now bears a thick strip of black tape, Popovic style. He jogs over to the touchline to change his shirt, and then he’s back out there as if nothing has happened. There might be a bit of stoppage-time for this half.
Australia flood forward in numbers but are shut down as they reach the halfway line. Paraguay pass it around at the back patiently, waiting for their moment. They try down the right and Caceres unsuccessfully attempts to avoid Behich. The ball is back with the backline again.
Paraguay 0-0 Australia, 32 minutes
O’Neill nutmeg starts Socceroos attack
He’s inside Australia’s third on the left, and shifts the ball to the middle-right before it comes back to the left for Metcalfe. Tricky feet toy with his defender but he cannot get clear. Then it becomes clear Cubas has kicked Metcalfe in the face and he’s down. Play is halted as he’s seen to.
Paraguay 0-0 Australia, 29 minutes
Socceroos look solid as they settle into the contest
So far, so good. As my colleague Nick Ralston just said – three more of those and we’re home. And by “those” he meant quarters, thereby legitimising FIFA’s hydration breaks, and I’m sure we all agree we can’t stand for that.
But, seriously, the Socceroos look good. Lucas Herrington looks like this is his 100th cap. And Paraguay is yet to threaten. Right now, this is a mutually beneficial situation, since a draw will probably be enough for them, too.
Hydration break statistics in Australia v Paraguay
Hydration break time!
Alfaro hates them. He said as much the other day. He isn’t the only manager who’s voiced frustration, but let’s see what this does for momentum. Whether it kills it for one team or not. I don’t know what’s happening because I’m currently being shown ads.
Paraguay 0-0 Australia, 24 minutes
Celebrities out to play as United States locked 1-1 with Turkey
Over to Inglewood now, where the United States and Turkey have their first hydration break.
Safe to say, this match hasn’t been exactly what we expected.
I was a little worried for Turkey when Auston Trusty scored in the third minute to put the US ahead 1-0, but Turkey hit back with a goal of their own through Adra Guler, and now it’s all square.
Plenty of famous face watching on too. So far, I’ve spotted Brad Pitt, Ashton Kutcher and Paris Hilton.
United States 1-1 Turkey 22 minutes
Paraguay persevere
Paraguay take a throw-in on the right, and the ball ends up flying out of play on the left. Australia take the throw on the other touchline and the ball is passed back for Herrington as Australia try to work their way out of defence. Paraguay are working hard to pin them back but it isn’t long before they utilise that inside right channel and Volpato feeds to Metcalfe for a would-be shot that is smothered before he can take a swing at it.
Paraguay 0-0 Australia, 22 minutes
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
