Spain have secured their spot in the Olympic football knockout stages, taking out a 1-0 win over Australia at the Sapporo Dome tonight.
On the backfoot for most of night, the Olyroos were gallant in trying to hold the Spaniards to a draw, but would ultimately fall short
Daniel Arzani got the Olyroos off to a bright start, with an impressive run on the left wing, getting through of goal and coming close to scoring in the opening ten minute minutes.
It would be the closest they’d come to scoring in the opening half as the Spaniards dominated for the rest of the half.
Pedri’s would create the first big chance of the game for the Spaniards in the 19th minute.
They’d face another scare a minute later when Mike Oyarzabal got through on goal only to be denied by the crossbar.
The Aussies would then be nearly broken for a third time, Glover stepping up again to deny Carlos Soler in the 35th minute.
Spain would make last surge in stoppage time to score the opening goal of the game.
Spanish fullback Marc Cucarella would put a dangerous cross into the box, but a desperate Daniel Arzani would come across to clear the chance.
Despite being on the backfoot for most of the opening half, the Olyroos would go into the main break level thanks largely to the defenders.
Spain would kick off from where they left off, pressing the Olyroos in the opening 10 minutes of the half.
After coming on as a substitute,striker Rafa Mir would cause troubles for the Olyroos defence. He’d be on the end of two big chances but would shoot wide on his first attempt.
Spain would finally break through with the opening goal, the captain Mike Oyarzabal after coming close multiple times throughout the game, would find the net in the 81st minute.
He would be set up by Marco Asensio who’d make an impact after coming off the bench, his cross finding Oyarzabal who headed home.
Spain would hold on for the final ten minutes for a one goal victory.
DUKE AND MCGREE TO MISS EGYPT CLASH
Mitchell Duke and Riley McGree will both be out with suspension.
Having received yellow cards in tonight’s clash with Spain they were also two of seven players that were booked on Thursday night against Argentina.
Graham Arnold is now face with selection headaches ahead of the team’s final group game against Egypt.
OLYROOS AGRESSIVE AGAIN IN GAME TWO
The Olyroos were the aggressors once again tonight against Spain, who tried to assert themselves in a losing battle.
Conceeding 18 fouls and seven players finishing on yellow cards against Argentina, the Olyroos would concede 15 fouls and three players would enter the referees book.
THE DEFENCE DELIVERS AGAIN
After a clean sheet in their opening game, coach Graham Arnold would keep the same back four of Harry Souttar, Joel King, Nathaniel Atkinson and captain Thomas Deng.
The back four were under constant attacking pressure from the Spaniards throughout the game but were up for the challenge only conceding in the final 10 minutes.
Atkinson in particular starred at right back making several important defensive stops, while Glover was impressive in goal.
Tokyo: Spain 1 (Mike Oyarzabal 81′) Australia 0
Referee: Bamlak Tessema Weyesa
Australia 4-4-1-1
1.Thomas GLOVER (gk), 16. Joel King, (3. Kyle ROWLES 63′) 5. Harry SOUTTAR, 14. Thomas DENG, 2. Nathaniel Atkinson, 11. Daniel ARZANI, (19. Marco TILIO 63′) 17. Connor METCALFE, 10. Denis GENREAU (15. Caleb WATTS 72′), 20. Lachlan WALES, (6. Keanu BACCUS 72′) 8. Riley MCGREE, 12. Mitchell DUKE, (9. Nicholas D’AGOSTINO 83′)
Unused subs: 18. Ashley MAYNARD-BREWER (gk), 13. Dylan PIERIAS
Manager: Graham Arnold
Yellow cards: Lachlan Wales, Mitchell Duke, Nathaniel Atkinson, Riley McGree
Red cards: None
Spain 4-3-3
1.Unai SIMON, 3. Marc CUCURELLA, 4. Pau TORRES, 12. Eric GARCIA, 18. Oscar GIL, 14. Carlos SOLER, (7. Marco ASENSIO 68′) 6. Martin ZUBIMENDI, 16. PEDRI, 17. Javi PUADO, (21. Byron GIL 63′), 11. Mike OYARZABAL, (9. Rafa MIR 77′) 19. Dani OLMO
Unused subs: 13. Alvaro FERNANDEZ, 5. Jesus VALLEJO, 20. Juan MIRANDA, 15. Jon MONCAYOLA
Manager: Luis de la Fuente
Yellow cards: Oscar Gil, Unai Simon
Red cards: None
