Soccer team wins through to quarter finals
A LATE goal from substitute Adam Rischin has sent Australia through to the next round of the football tournament after defeating Peru 2-1 in Haifa in the Maccabiah Games.
DANIEL GARB
A LATE goal from substitute Adam Rischin has sent Australia through to the next round of the football tournament after defeating Peru 2-1 in Haifa in the Maccabiah Games. It was the late show again from the Aussie boys who dominated the opposition but had to wait until injury time for the second match in a row to secure all three points.
Captain Ryan Bloch says the nervous ending to both games has taken its toll.
“I’m 34 now and I think I’m going to have a heart attack if it carries on like this,” he said. “But what an accomplishment for a squad of 15 players who only came together a week before the tournament to get through to the next round.”
While Australia looked the more polished side from the start, it was the Peruvians who took the lead when the green and gold defence failed to deal with a swinging corner.
Adam Joseph had the chance to equalise almost immediately, but kicked his first time shot wide from a Brad Robertson cross.
A fine bit of control from Jonny Pillemer presented the veteran with a golden opportunity to draw the Aussies level, but he pulled his shot wide of the near post.
Josh Braver was displaying his lovely dribbling skills whenever in possession, constantly opening up play, while Josh Kacen was marshalling the defence with aplomb.
It didn’t take long for the South Americans to start their timewasting and it almost got them to the break with their lead intact.
But a challenge on Bloch just before half-time had the referee pointing to the penalty spot.
Ari Ritz was given the duties of converting the spot-kick which he dispatched cooly to make it 1-1.
The second half was played entirely in Peru’s half as the Australians pressed for the winner, but their passing became sloppy and their running lacked intensity.
Bloch had a late chance to be the hero but his header from a Joseph cross was directed straight at the goalkeeper.
That task was left to Rischin who showed outstanding composure in the box to slot home the winner following a fine bit of interplay with Braver up front.
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