Vidmar’s frustration could see further unrest for Reds
Roar Pro By Ryan Steele, 15 Feb 2009 Ryan Steele is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- A-League, Adelaide United, Aurelio Vidmar, football, Frank Farina, Melbourne Victory, Roar
Shortly after seeing his side to a woeful 4-0 defeat by Melbourne Victory, a frustrated Aurelio Vidmar was quick to lashed out at both club and city. He was just as quick to retract his comments, however, apologising to the club and the people of Adelaide, but all of this is unlikely to help Adelaide escape their downward spiral.
Vidmar attacked his home town, and berated the club, claiming Adelaide United is a club full of politics that ”will never win anything until you get rid of that crap.”
On return to Adelaide, Vidmar, who was recently awarded with the Coach of the Year title for the current season, is likely to receive some stern words. He can expect to explain Adelaide’s 6-0 aggregate semi-final loss, as well as his post-game talks, which have whipped up a media storm and might attract a fine.
Although he formally apologised to everyone mentioned in his fierce verbal attack soon after the incident, declaring his love for his hometown and the club, it is likely to have further consequence on the team, and will probably show during their next training session.
Problems like these can cause conflict between players, and an already mentally beaten Adelaide United squad will not easily keep that off their minds over the next few days. The mind doesn’t accept retractions as easily as it does a harsh statement.
This is not helped by the Brazilian Cassio’s two flustered yellow cards that were followed by a rude gesture towards the Melbourne Victory crowd as he left the field.
Melbourne Victory has had a stranglehold over Adelaide United throughout the A-League regular season, beating the Reds in all of their six meetings. This has been credited to their ability to break down Adelaide’s mental barriers, stemming from the 2006-07 Grand Final where Adelaide lost to Melbourne 6-0.
It can also be attributed to Melbourne’s squad strength throughout the year, holding their own at both ends of the season, with what has been called by some an “A-League Dream Team.”
In reality, Adelaide had a healthy lead in the head-to-head statistics, until this season. They now trail by two games.
Adelaide United fans are now unable to blame the team’s lack of rhythm solely on Vidmar’s tactics, after seeing two consecutive matches where the Reds appear beaten from kick-off. It should not matter who they were facing in each game.
With the stigma of “choker” hanging over their heads, due to their inability to perform when it comes to a final, Adelaide United should be hoping to quickly pick themselves up and dust off the cobwebs, and look to their recent successes for inspiration.
After last year’s runs in the AFC Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup that had the whole nation behind them, Adelaide only need to look at the facts to see just how close they are to another chance at international success.
Next Saturday, they play an in-form and confident Queensland Roar in a home preliminary final to decide which team faces Melbourne Victory in the Grand Final. A win gives them automatic passage to the AFC Champions League for the 2010 season, and a rematch against Melbourne Victory.
It’s obvious that Aurelio will want to talk to his team as soon as the next training session, but will need to choose his words carefully. It will also require a rethink of tactics, to throw off those who consider them predictable.
Bringing in changes could lift a weary Adelaide squad and ease the pressure in their minds. It could also help the city of Adelaide sleep easier at night. Queensland Roar coach Frank Farina is sure to be sleeping easier, at least.
If Adelaide were to ever need a professional speech writer, now is the time.
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- A-League, Adelaide United, Aurelio Vidmar, football, Frank Farina, Melbourne Victory, Roar
February 15th 2009 @ 8:03pm
Dave said | February 15th 2009 @ 8:03pm | Report comment
Looks like Adelaide United will be taking out the ‘pissant cup’ for 2009 whilst Melbourne Victory will take out the ‘toilet seat’ !!!
February 15th 2009 @ 8:08pm
dasilva said | February 15th 2009 @ 8:08pm | Report comment
MC
You have to remember that Vidmar is from Adelaide. Born here, played for Adelaide City for many years. Inducted in hall of fame for Football South Australia
If Vidmar was outside south australia that piss ant comment probably would have gotten him sacked but due to his strong links with Adelaide, success in the ACL, there will be elements of forgiveness
From Advertiser website
Should Aurelio Vidmar be sacked?
Yes
20% (80 votes)
No
79% (304 votes)
Total votes
Total of 384 votes
Judging from comments people are supporting Vidmar to standing up to the politics from the club. I guess coaches and players are heroes but board members are not. Generally people will support Vidmar who is soccer legend in SA in taking on board memberrs. There is little bit of complaints about the piss-ant comment but it’s doesn’t seem to be significant.
In all honesty- it’s not uncommon for South Australian to share the inferiority complex that Vidmar displayed. Many people in Adelaide would agree with his statement of “pissant” town. Many people I’ve met has always referred to Adelaide as a big rural town, complain how small and boring and aspire to move interstate to a bigger and more interesting city like Melbourne or Sydney. I also read comments that say “I’m from adelaide and I agree with Vidmar that we are a piss-ant town”.
February 15th 2009 @ 8:15pm
jimbo said | February 15th 2009 @ 8:15pm | Report comment
Good one Dave,
you MV supporters must be laughing, on a roll and flushed with more success.
I don’t think Roar are a done deal either to beat AU,
They haven’t beaten them all year (two draws, one loss) and the AU players will be riled up now to put in a big effort.
The Roar have been known to choke too, Last season they played AU at Hindmarsh for the Premiership and failed badly.
What an even bigger joke if after all this, AU go on to beat MV for the toilet seat.
February 15th 2009 @ 8:16pm
Michael C said | February 15th 2009 @ 8:16pm | Report comment
das -
well, don’t take it too much to heart. I love Adelaide (and everything southbound to the Fleureau peninsula!!) – - but, yeah, I had a suspicion (even as a non soccer person) that Vidmar was a local boy (I couldn’t be bothered googling his birth place!!) – - so, that’s why I was interested.
For me the main thing was that it’s reflecting really poorly upon the Ade Utd club – - as, nothing seems to have changed since V2 GF and Kossie plus others going way too verbal after the match. Although, that time, it was more people than just the coach. The club just needs to close ranks and let this blow over – - not fan the flames (so to speak).
February 15th 2009 @ 8:37pm
Dave said | February 15th 2009 @ 8:37pm | Report comment
Jimbo
The noises coming out of the MV hierarchy are that they wont be complacent but…if they play AU again in the final would be difficult not to be?
l think the MV supporters would certainly lsee QR as being the better match up for MV and a better game…but QR will need to be at their best in Adelaide on Saturday night as you would expect AU to be fired up.
And yes you are right the mood of the MV crowd was celebratory after the game, even had a wave go around the stadium in the last couple of minutes…
BTW Hopefully MV find the money to keep ‘The Jackal’ because he is the difference between MV being good or excellent…dont think l’ve seen a better performance in HAL by a creative midfielder since that guy Frrr…something, jeez seem to have forgotten his name
February 15th 2009 @ 8:40pm
jimbo said | February 15th 2009 @ 8:40pm | Report comment
Dave,
Ferrante is it?
February 15th 2009 @ 8:51pm
dasilva said | February 15th 2009 @ 8:51pm | Report comment
Dave
According the World Game
One of the chinese clubs saw the match and are now wiling to pay the transfer fee and buy Hernandez from Alajuelense.
It doesn’t look good for MV in keeping him. unless they are willing to match the transfer fee from the chinese club and then convince Hernandez to stay in Melbourne for a cut price compared to what he will earn in china.
February 15th 2009 @ 8:51pm
Dave said | February 15th 2009 @ 8:51pm | Report comment
Jimbo
Thanks
How could he have slipped my mind!!!
February 15th 2009 @ 8:56pm
Dave said | February 15th 2009 @ 8:56pm | Report comment
Das
My understanding is ‘the Jackals’ preference is KFC not Chinese
BTW How could he leave us? What player having just giuded MV to the ‘Toilet Seat’would want to leave? Ok apart from Frrr…you know that Brazilian!
February 15th 2009 @ 9:05pm
dasilva said | February 15th 2009 @ 9:05pm | Report comment
TWG also reports that Alajuelense are refusing to loan hernandez to MV next season.
If MV are not going to match the transfer bid which is probably about 800k. Then there are two option. Him moving to china or him staying with alajuelense.
If he is going to move to Melbourne Victory then he would probably have to reject the china bid. Stay in alajuelense and then move to MV in a free transfer after his contract has expired.
How much faith do you have in Hernandez doing that?
In any case – KFC is quite popular in China. In fact in China people will dress up in formal clothes to go eat in McDonalds, KFC etc. It’s advertise as upmarket food there (as all western food is upmarket). So he can eat KFC and look prestigious at the same time.