Inexperienced Socceroos go down in Busan
First-time captain Aziz Behich was upbeat after Australia's 1-0 friendly defeat to South Korea in their first game since the Asian Cup.
The inexperienced Socceroos side went down to a goal from Hwang Ui-jo 14 minutes from time in front of 55,000 in Busan.
Australia had hit the post early on through Mitch Duke, and Behich felt they had done well against the Taeguk Warriors.
"The way we started this game, especially in the first half, we could have put a few away," said PSV Eindhoven player Behich.
"A few boys got their first game and a lot were coming back into the squad and should be proud of their performance because we played really well."
Coach Graham Arnold gave international debuts to Andrew Redmayne, Brandon O'Neill, Brandon Borrello and Ryan Williams, while five of his starting 11 played their domestic football last season in the A-League.
"They're one of the best teams in Asia and we had a whole new squad really and we gelled well," said Behich. "We can't forget we're playing away from home against one of the best, it's not easy.
"We would have loved the result but nothing but positives from tonight. We could have come away with more but it wasn't to be."
Duke, playing his first international match in nearly six years, came close to giving the visitors an early lead when his glancing header from O'Neill's corner bounced off the foot of the post.
The Western Sydney Wanderers forward had earlier flashed a shot wide, while striker Awer Mabil stung the palms of keeper Kim Seung-gyu after volleying Craig Goodwin's clipped pass across goal at the back post.
Redmayne made two strong saves inside the opening 20 minutes and came under more pressure in the second half.
Hwang Ui-jo broke the deadlock when he connected with a Hong Chul cross and beat Redmayne from close range.
Tottenham's Son Heung-min could have doubled the home side's lead eight minutes from time but Redmayne made an excellent save.
Meanwhile, Australia are 13/20 to win their first game at the Women's World Cup against Italy, who are 17/4 with the draw 11/4.
First-time captain Aziz Behich was upbeat after Australia's 1-0 friendly defeat to South Korea in their first game since the Asian Cup.
The inexperienced Socceroos side went down to a goal from Hwang Ui-jo 14 minutes from time in front of 55,000 in Busan.
Australia had hit the post early on through Mitch Duke, and Behich felt they had done well against the Taeguk Warriors.
"The way we started this game, especially in the first half, we could have put a few away," said PSV Eindhoven player Behich.
"A few boys got their first game and a lot were coming back into the squad and should be proud of their performance because we played really well."
Coach Graham Arnold gave international debuts to Andrew Redmayne, Brandon O'Neill, Brandon Borrello and Ryan Williams, while five of his starting 11 played their domestic football last season in the A-League.
"They're one of the best teams in Asia and we had a whole new squad really and we gelled well," said Behich. "We can't forget we're playing away from home against one of the best, it's not easy.
"We would have loved the result but nothing but positives from tonight. We could have come away with more but it wasn't to be."
Duke, playing his first international match in nearly six years, came close to giving the visitors an early lead when his glancing header from O'Neill's corner bounced off the foot of the post.
The Western Sydney Wanderers forward had earlier flashed a shot wide, while striker Awer Mabil stung the palms of keeper Kim Seung-gyu after volleying Craig Goodwin's clipped pass across goal at the back post.
Redmayne made two strong saves inside the opening 20 minutes and came under more pressure in the second half.
Hwang Ui-jo broke the deadlock when he connected with a Hong Chul cross and beat Redmayne from close range.
Tottenham's Son Heung-min could have doubled the home side's lead eight minutes from time but Redmayne made an excellent save.
Meanwhile, Australia are 13/20 to win their first game at the Women's World Cup against Italy, who are 17/4 with the draw 11/4.
Source: bet365.com
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