Football fairytale is over
Australia's dream run in the men's open football (soccer) at the Maccabiah Games has come to an end after losing 3-1 to Argentina in the quarter finals. More Peter Haskin photos from a host of sports are in our Galleries.
DANIEL GARB IN HAIFA
THE dream run of Australia’s men’s open football (soccer) team has come to an end, beaten 3-1 by Argentina in the quarter finals. The South Americans were always going to be a difficult obstacle to overcome, but it was the Aussies who shocked them after 10 minutes when Adam Rischin scored the opening goal.
However, a poor end to the first half allowed the Argentine team to score three times before the main break, virtually ending the contest.
“In every other game we’ve scored right at the death, maybe it was scoring early for once that hurt us,” joked coach Andrew Prentice.
“I’m proud of the boys, they had a great tournament, but today we didn’t play to the best of our ability.”
“We’ve defended so well until now, but today we let in some soft goals against a side who I think we can match.”
Ari Ritz was instrumental in setting up Rischin’s goal, breaking down the right flank and cutting the ball back to the penalty spot for his fellow Victorian to slot home.
Some sloppy defending allowed for an equaliser when the Australian defence lost concentration and left an Argentine striker alone on the box to make it 1-1.
An unfortunate own goal from Australia meant the South Americans made it 2-1 shortly after.
They then added a third before half-time from a lovely flowing move.
Clearly the better side with the ball at their feet, Argentina looked dangerous going forward, but at the back they still presented Australia with chances to get back into the game.
Always dangerous from a set piece, captain Ryan Bloch got on the end of a Ritz corner early in the second half, but failed to direct his header goalwards.
Some nice combination play between Ritz and Josh Braver down the right gave Braver the chance to deliver a dangerous cross soon after but there was no-one in position to slot the ball home.
The loss now means Australia will play Canada in the playoff for positions 5-8 which is a very respectable result from a squad of only 15 players that had huge question marks hanging over their heads before the tournament began.
They accounted for Peru and Chile and drew with the might of the USA to be one of the success stories of the Australian delegation.