Massimo Luongo’s 90th minute goal

Massimo Luongo’s 90th minute goal rescued a draw for the Socceroos

Socceroos

• November 17, 2018 4:28pm
• Carly Adno@carlyadno226
• Source: FOX SPORTS

The Socceroos snatched a draw against South Korea.Source: Getty Images

The Socceroos needed a dramatic, last-gasp equaliser to give themselves a relatively happy homecoming in front of 32,922 fans at Suncorp Stadium.

Massimo Luongo pounced on a loose ball in injury time to give Graham Arnold a 1-1 result in his first match in charge on home soil.
But for 90 minutes a shock defeat seemed the most likely outcome.
Despite an electrifying spell from the home side in the first half, it was Hwang Uijo’s 22nd minute goal that stunned the Socceroos.

Roos level it in injury time

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Graham Arnold had promised pace and creativity going forward and that’s what the Socceroos delivered — they were just missing the final touch, until virtually the final touch of the game.
The Socceroos coach opted to start Jamie Maclaren up front, with Kruse and Mathew Leckie providing the width. But, as suggested, there was plenty of rotation with fullbacks Risdon and Aziz Behich galloping forward and Mooy getting forward.
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The Socceroos looked destined to lose, until a 90th minute equaliser.Source: Getty Images

Risdon and Rogic in particular were superb and the two combined to create the Socceroos’ best chance in the second half, while Awer Mabil provided a spark when he replaced Kruse early in the second half.
Then there was the introduction of the 599th Socceroo when Scottish-born winger Martin Boyle made his debut, and a breathtaking save from Maty Ryan in the 71st minute to keep Ju Sejong’s free kick out of the top corner.
The result rescues Arnold’s Asian Cup preparations, with the tournament less than two months away. The Koreans were missing seven of their first team regulars, including Tottenham’s Son Heung-min, yet for most of the game looked like they’d get the win.

Hwang Uijo gave the visitors a shock first half lead.Source: AAP

Glaringly, it took until the 90th minute for the Socceroos to find the end product despite creating plenty of opportunities. That was always going to be Arnold’s biggest challenge, finding the Socceroos’ next No.9, and while he has quality up front to work with, he is still surely waiting for someone to make the position theirs.
The visitors were on the ropes from the whistle, with the Socceroos simply electrifying going forward and peppering Kim Seunggyu’s goal with shots.
But the home side’s all-out attack counted for nothing when the Koreans snatched a shock lead in the 22nd minute.

Socceroos caught napping

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Kim Minjae’s long, lofted ball over the top of the Socceroos defence caught everyone by surprise and Hwang Uijo made no mistake with the finish.
To say the goal came against the run of play would be understatement.
Josh Rison, Robbie Kruse, Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic all had opportunities, with Rogic in particular in scintillating form.
It was Socceroos first game on home soil this year and they had only lost once in their last eight matches at Suncorp. That defeat, though, came against South Korea in the 2015 Asian Cup and they very nearly made it two.
And so the Socceroos head to Sydney to face Lebanon in Tim Cahill’s farewell match. Against lower opposition, they should be able to bounce back with a win to boost some confidence before they regroup in December to defend their Asian Cup title.
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