Striker Tete Yengi marked his Socceroos debut with a goal, as Australia salvaged a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their final World Cup warm-up in San Diego in a match that leaves coach Tony Popovic with more than one selection quandary.
The coach turned to a largely second-choice side, awarding Yengi and Cristian Volpato debuts, as the Socceroos count down the days until their World Cup opener next weekend against Turkey.
The Socceroos were second best for much of the afternoon’s contest against the 19th-ranked Swiss, but still came away with a result. The match followed a similar pattern to last week’s friendly against Mexico, after Australia struggled to make an impact in the first half but showed improvement after the break.
Apart from Yengi’s breakthrough – which came early in the second half – the game was notable for the contribution of Nestory Irankunda. The 20-year-old had a rocket of a shot tipped onto the crossbar, and was a constant menace closing down the Swiss defenders.
He riled Granit Xhaka by kicking the ball up the backside of the Swiss captain as the Sunderland midfielder lay prone on the turf following a foul. That act was punished with a yellow card, but Irankunda’s contribution was largely positive, underscoring he remains a compelling option for Popovic – even if he struggled to gel with Yengi and Volpato.
Volpato’s debut was short-lived. He was taken off after 45 minutes having made little contribution in a half in which the Socceroos looked out of sorts. The former Italy youth international had a couple of promising touches, including one set piece delivery that found Harry Souttar at the back post, but appears only set for a peripheral role for Australia at his first World Cup.
There was some surprise about the presence of Lucas Herrington in the starting line-up last week against Mexico. But his appearance at left centre-back against Switzerland indicates Popovic is set to select the teenager next week against Turkey. At 18, Herrington would be the youngest starter for Australia at a World Cup, and by a large margin. Adam Taggart was 21 in Brazil in 2014, underscoring the significance of Herrington’s emergence this year.
Popovic retained the same central defence as the match against Mexico, including Harry Souttar – named captain – and Alessandro Circati. Aiden O’Neill started again in midfield, but elsewhere there were widespread changes as the squad was rotated a week out from their first World Cup match against Turkey in Vancouver.
Patrick Beach started in goal, making his second appearance for Socceroos. Up front Tete Yengi was on his debut, as was Volpato on the right wing. Kai Trewin was behind him at right-back, with Aziz Behich on the opposite side. Paul Okon-Engstler started alongside O’Neill at the base of midfield, while Irankunda appeared at left wing.
Switzerland named a strong line-up, with just one player under 25 in the starting side. Xhaka, the long-time Premier League star, was in midfield, with Internazionale defender Manuel Akanji in defence and Nottingham Forest striker Dan Ndoye leading the line.
A bright start saw the Socceroos push high up the park. They earned the first chance with a corner that was nodded on just past the stretching Trewin at the back post. But the Swiss soon settled, and spent most of the first half in control.
Beach was called upon twice early to rush out to block shots, created from balls in behind the central defenders. If they were early warnings for the Socceroos, they were not heeded. The Socceroos fell behind after 13 minutes, and it was Xhaka who created the chance.
Herrington won a header in midfield but the ball fell to the Sunderland midfielder. He swept a long pass through the gap between Trewin and Circati to Ndoye. The lively striker finished neatly pass Beach. Just before half-time the pair faced each other again, but this time the Australian successfully spread himself to prevent the Swiss adding a second.
Popovic brought Connor Metcalfe on for Volpato at half-time. Jacob Italiano replaced O’Neill and moved to right-back with Trewin slotting into midfield, while Jason Geria and Cam Burgess replaced Circati and Herrington.
Despite their unconvincing opening half, the Socceroos almost found themselves level within minutes of the main break. Irankunda won the ball in midfield and surged forward, unleashing a powerful looping drive. The ball launched through the air towards the goal, yet Swiss No 1 Gregor Kobel was able to tip the shot onto the crossbar with a spectacular save.
The Socceroos had found their way, and 10 minutes into the second period they were level. Burgess sent a ball long from deep in Australia’s half, after spotting Metcalfe’s run. The St Pauli midfielder surged forward untracked, meeting the ball and bearing down on Kobel. He could have found Behich next to him, but instead he slotted it further sideways, allowing Yengi to tap in.
The end of the contest was marked by a procession of substitutes. The Socceroos were tested at times by balls into the box from the Swiss, but they held firm for the draw. The result and the second half performance will be enough to sustain the cautious optimism around this young Australian side heading into the World Cup. Now, the challenge of Turkey beckons.
