Birthday gift from Vukovic
BERT van Marwijk says his Socceroos side has made huge strides in less than a week after holding a talented Colombia side to a 0-0 draw in their international friendly.
A late penalty save from birthday boy Danny Vukovic, who at 33 became Australia’s oldest debutant in 53 years, kept the scores level in front of a raucous crowd dominated by Colombia fans at Craven Cottage.
Vukovic, who replaced Brad Jones at halftime, dived to his left to keep out Miguel Borja’s 85th-minute spot-kick having brought down the striker in the box. It was nothing less than Australia deserved in a display that was a huge improvement on the woeful 4-1 defeat in Norway on Saturday.
“Today we had a very good plan and we could already see the way we want to play,” van Marwijk said.
“This is a beginning. We played very well in the first half. In the second half it became more difficult because of the qualities of Colombia.
“But I think in the second half we also had good character to bring the 0-0 tonight.”
The Socceroos rode their luck on occasions in the second half as the South Americans, full of confidence after beating France last week, squandered a number of good chances, with Borja the biggest culprit.
Van Marwijk said Vukovic did well to atone for his clumsy challenge on Borja, with his save giving the team a huge confidence boost ahead of its Russian adventure, which begins on June 16 against France.
“He forced a penalty and he saved it,” the Dutchman said.
“I spoke already to him, in the last two days we did a few penalties after the training. So I said you did it on purpose. But I am happy that he held the penalty.”
Van Marwijk made five changes to the side that lost in Oslo.