FOOTBALL: Full of confidence after their two-nil win over Argentina, the Aussie young guns had to watch their step with seven players coming into the game with yellow cards.
It was a yellow card to the opposition that gave the Olyroos an early but unfruitful attacking opportunity. It was clear Spain were out to stop Daniel Arzani, the defence quick to counter any space he gained.
The Spanish were desperate for a victory after an underwhelming nil-all draw with Egypt on matchday one and although a little clunky, the Australians made life tough for their highly fancied opponents from the opening whistle.
Both teams with a couple of half chances in the first 20 minutes, Pedri from Spain with the best of them but Australia’s Thomas Glover was up to the challenge. A minute later Spain were on the attack again, Oyarzabal hitting the wood work.
Graham Arnold has made it clear this team is going for the top of the podium and, to get there, defence would have to be tight – the Olyroos were rock like in the first half against the Spanish.
📸 We're in the 64th minute in Sapporo. Graham Arnold makes two substitutions, with Kye Rowles and Marco Tilio entering the match for Lachlan Wales and Daniel Arzani. #AUSvESP #TokyoTogether pic.twitter.com/OjzCf0bb9D
— AUS Olympic Team (@AUSOlympicTeam) July 25, 2021
The silky Spanish had the better of the chances in the first 45 minutes but the teams entered the break locked at nil-all. The young Aussies kept possession early in the second half and a crisp sequence saw a shot, although a wayward one.
The curse of the yellow cards played out when Riley McGree was handed a yellow – he’ll miss the final group game against Egypt. Mitch Duke coped a tough yellow and he also won’t play next fixture.
The Spanish continued to pepper the goal and the defiant young Aussies desperately kept them out.
Some tactical changes by Arnold, including the introduction of game one star Marco Tilio, immediately made the Olyroos look more likely, but wave after wave of Spanish attack kept coming.
Glover, the Olyroo shot stopper, was kept on his toes by the Spanish, but he was up to it every time. 81 minutes in something had to give and it came from a header from Real Sociedad flyer Oyarzabal.
Australia pushed for a leveller, with big Harry Souttar nearly heading it in, but it wasn’t to be.
The Olyroos’ fate remains in their hands – a win or draw against Egypt in Miyagi on Wednesday will be enough for the squad to reach the knockout phase. Unfortunately, the green and gold will also be without Nathaniel Atkinson, after he picked up a late yellow card.
The Spanish with a narrow win, 0-1.
