The Subway Socceroos have fallen 2-1 to Ecuador in a physical encounter at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium on Tuesday night.
Brandon Borrello’s inaugural international goal was cancelled out in the second-half after a penalty from Pervis Estupinan and a William Pacho header.
Graham Arnold revealed in his pre-match press conference he would make changes for the second match against Ecuador in four days and he certainly did, naming seven new starters.
The boss handed goalkeeper Joe Gauci a starting debut to become cap #631, while Thomas Deng and Bailey Wright marshalled the centre of defence. Cammy Devlin also received his first senior start for Australia in midfield, partnering stand-in captain Jackson Irvine in his home town – the 63rd in Socceroos’ history.
Connor Metcalfe, Riley McGree and Brandon Borrello also were named from the outset.
Australia made a positive start with a couple of incursions into the box but were unable to force Hernan Galindez into a save.
And at the other end, Gauci, on debut, produced an incredible reflex save low to his left to deny Kevin Rodriguez’s angled shot as he got in behind the defence.
In the 16th minute, Australia would take the lead through Borrello. Craig Goodwin’s strike ricocheted off the post and landed into the path of the 27-year-old, who was aware to finish home.
Gauci was again called upon to bail the Aussies out moments later, rushing off his line to thwart Rodriguez after he was slipped through one-on-one.
The visitors restored parity five minutes later following the re-start when Rodriguez was brought down by Deng inside the area, allowing Estupinan to convert from the penalty spot.
And in the 65th minute Pacho saw his header clip the inside of the post from Junior Sornoza’s corner to give La Tri a 2-1 advantage.
Arnold made six changes in the second stanza, headlined by Jordan Bos earning his first minutes with the Socceroos to become cap #632.
The hosts laboured for the majority of the second-half, dominating possession but struggled to break down a resolute backline.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 28: Brandon Borrello of the Socceroos poses for selfies with fans during the International Friendly match between the Australia Socceroos and Ecuador at Marvel Stadium on March 28, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Opta Insights
- This is the second consecutive men’s international Australia have scored a goal inside the first 20 minutes; just three of the Socceroos’ 28 goals prior to these two fixtures against Ecuador came during this time period.
- Australia last conceded a penalty goal on 16 November 2021 (Wu Lei – China PR).
Match Details
International Friendly
Tuesday, 28 March 2023
Australia 1 (Borrello 16′)
Ecuador 2 (Estupinan 51′ Pacho 65′)
Marvel Stadium
Attendance: 27,103
