I must have missed it in the papers but and Australian team is playing in China in a couple of hours broadcast on FTA all over China … it’s a warm up game … expected massive audience BTW … AFL Nab cup nay, NRL pre season nay,

Actually its the Mariners http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/2009InsideFFA/default.aspx?s=insideffa_newsfeatures_newsitem_new&id=26703 … funny how it missed the papers

Chinese on menu before Asian smorgasbord

Friday, 20 February 2009
by Mariners Release

Central Coast Mariners_625x195
Central Coast Mariners
© Getty Images

The Central Coast Mariners will accelerate preparations for their maiden AFC Champions League tilt in the most fitting fashion possible next week, with a two-match tour of China confirmed on the back of a pair of friendly fixtures closer to home.

The Mariners will take on recently promoted Chinese Super League (CSL) side Jiangsu Sainty at the Kunshan Sports Centre on Saturday, 28 February before clashing with reigning CSL champions and fellow AFC Champions League qualifiers Shandong Luneng at the Shandong Provincial Stadium on Tuesday, 3 March.

With the Mariners’ first AFC Champions League away date against CSL challengers Tianjin Teda, these matches will provide the yellow and navy with an ideal opportunity to familiarise themselves with the culture and the conditions of the world’s most populous nation, with both trials set to be played out in near 0°C temperatures at world-class arenas.

Furthermore, the Mariners’ clash against Shandong Luneng at the 43,700 seater Shandong Provincial Stadium will be broadcast live on China Central Television (CCTV) – showcasing the Mariners and the Central Coast to China’s phenomenal potential television audience of some 1.2 billion.

Before departing for China, the Mariners will take on reigning Queensland State League champions Sunshine Coast FC at Budgewoi’s Frank Millington Field this coming Sunday, 22 February at 10am before clashing with northern rivals the Newcastle Jets, again at Frank Millington Field, at 11am on Tuesday, 24 February.

“We’re very serious about success in the AFC Champions League and these warm up matches will provide us with the perfect preparation for the adventures that lie ahead for us,” said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.

“Ahead of our trip to Tianjin in mid-March, there is simply no better way to prepare our playing group and coaching staff for the challenges that we will face in adjusting to the Chinese culture and conditions, which could prove to be most beneficial in bringing home some valuable competition points.

“We thank the people at Golden Star International for their efforts in co-ordinating this trip for us, where we will further expand the Central Coast Mariners brand to an overwhelming audience and build upon our preparations for the AFC Champions League.”

Jiangsu Sainty and Shandong Luneng are each warming up for the new CSL season, which kicks off in late March.

Jiangsu Sainty will be competing in the CSL for the first time in their 15-year history, having secured promotion from the second-tier Chinese Jia League last season.

Representing the Jiangsu Province of China’s east coast – home to a staggering 75,495,000 people, Jiangsu play out of the stunning 60,000 capacity Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre, which was the main arena of the 10th Chinese National Games in 2005.

Reigning CSL champions Shandong Luneng have long been one of China’s most consistent club sides and their domination of the most recent CSL season, where they lost only three of their 30 league matches, was a fitting statement of a club that is among the most ambitious in China.

Since 2004, when well travelled Serbian coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic took charge, Shandong have claimed five trophies – the most famous of which being their CSL titles in 2006 and 2008.

Aside from their host of local internationals, Shandong is home to experienced imports from Serbia and Venezuela, while off the field, Shandong attracted the highest average crowd in the CSL in 2008 – 26,501.

Shandong have encountered Australian opposition twice previously, having defeated and drawn against Adelaide United in the group stage of the 2007 edition of the AFC Champions League.

“We’re now three weeks away from kick off against Pohang Steelers at Central Coast Stadium and the buzz and excitement about the club and the Central Coast is tremendous,” said Gorman.

“Like never before, we have an opportunity to make an impression on the world stage and these preparations will ensure that we have done our utmost to give ourselves the best possible chance of success.”

Match Details

Central Coast Mariners vs. Sunshine Coast FC
Frank Millington Field
Sunday, 22 February
Kick off 10.00am

I did it was well balanced and I think Pim is even starting to grow on Fozzie … actually Les was not there today not saying anything but then again Pim said what Fozzia has been saying for a while… What was interesting was the chosen guest come in and ad libed and Pim and co came prepared … still nothing about the three training academies..

I have a mate at SBS … he asked me to personally email some of the stuff I have about the academies and he is going to personally hand it to Fozzie watch the next few weeks.

DId you see the world game today?

what did you think about the coverage of FFA coaching conference.

I thought it was pretty good

I wish there’s a bootleg or lecture audios of Pim Verbeek 2 hours lecture explaining his detail on his reasons on tactics and selections for the japan match as well as how he trains the players. It would be a fascinating watch.

and people say Pim doesn’t offer suggestion for improvements to Australian football.

Much more interesting from the same article …Hmmmmmmmmmmm Obie One (FL) and the Dark Knight (RM) wonder what they where talking about with K07 there as well …..

http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/foo…633127624.html

Now that’s a cheer squad

Cosy chats we’d love to have sat in on: FFA chairman Frank Lowy, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and international media mogul Rupert Murdoch. During a recent dinner with Lowy and Rudd, Murdoch referred to Australia’s national team as “our beloved Socceroos”.

You have to develop a culture before you improve the standard, and for this we have to draw people to the game. Like it or not the league has to be entertaining. Australia differs to other mentalities around the world. Once the culture is developed you can work from there to improve the standard and people will be more accommodating once they learn what the game is about.

It seems people like Craig Foster criticize mostly for the sake of criticizing. This to me becomes destructive over time. Believe me it is happening to rugby league now, and it has a snow ball effect.

In any case

I think Verbeek invited all the A-league coaches to watch his training session. He then gives advice to all the a=league coaches on training sessions and tactics (clubs are playing 4-2-3-1 more often since Pim joined here) also advice to Adelaide United during their ACL campaigns.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/verbeek-learns-his-protectedspecies-status-has-its-limits/2009/02/21/1234633127624.html

“You shouldn’t have said that about the A-League,” Captain Feathersword told Pimbo after the national football coaches’ conference.

Even if it is true that the A-League is shit and we train like drunken farts, then who is responsible for improving it?
Doesn’t receding Herr Verbeek as national head coach and national football team manager (based right here in Australia) take responsibility for improving it.

What measures or suggested improvements has Pimbo put in place in the 18 months he has been employed by the FFA? – SFA.

bring in troussier!!!!!!!!!

The only performance I can say Pim’s tactics had a true influence was against Uzbekistan. And I think that is because we were well prepared. We were only troubled in that game to a small degree. The Qatar games were won mostly thanks to Josh Kennedy (lol). All the other games I don’t want to talk about.

I am still giving Pim time. He did work under Hiddink after all. I will make up my mind after the campaign. I do think we are thin in defence, so I can see the problems he would be having. I just wish he would be more constructive and detailed in his analysis of our football. Although I suppose a technical director should be more involved in these issues. I just think sometimes they are stating the obvious, and it is boring the shit out of me!

I believe that under Pim, to some extent we have achieved some of the goals you listed.

I remember the Asia cup performance and we see a team playing 100 miles an hour in stifling conditions and a team that was not tactically organised where we have been torn apart in the Asia Cup. Al,so remember pure performances against Kuwait away as well as the Denmark debacle

Under Pim – for the most part we play to the conditions. He has demonstrated that under stifling heat or in high altitude we are successfully slow down the tempo, keep the ball, conserved energy and be patient. Sure we had trouble breaking down sides but we improved tremendously then from the Arnold era. Also under Hiddink – never had to deal with the conditions that pim and arnie got.

For the most part we look defensively organised. The performance away in Iraq and China. Whether you agree with his mentality or not for those matches – you have to concede that the opposition had only like 1-2 chances in the entire match and we were very successful in defending and keeping possession. Also we won away in stifling heat in Qatar and a tough away trip to Uzbekistan. Under most Australian coaches I’m convince we would have

There were a few shockers like Bahrain, Ghana, Iraq at home (incidently the 3 worst performance from a non-a-league or olympic socceroos team, are matches we won) but they were the exception and you can’t say we didn’t make any progress or learn anything under Pim.

So yes – pim has teach us to play in formation, as a team, and be less tactically naive. It’s just it’s not as pretty as people like.

We need someone to explain to us in detail how to master the art of football like the top nations do. How to play in a formation, how not to play as a team, how not be tactically naive. If Pim can help us with this than it will do much more to help us, than explaining to us how our league is below other European leagues. Does Pim have the knowledge?

you will still be selected if you can prove you can play at the highest level!

To be fair, HAL is not YET the highest level it can possibly be, and that is the caution.
I do like Pims comments, they are enough to encourage improvement without being too negative. Its better to hear whats wrong with football from football personel, rather than the rebeccas of this world.

So when it comes to the Diet Socceroos in Asian qualifiers, Pim will now have the option of adding a little sugar. Bonus to him, us and the squad. The Socceroos are sitting pretty on top of their world cup group and yet, he can still find plenty of improvements to be made….sounds like my father.
Or is just that European mentality?? Always could be better.

Actually in top clubs in the top 8-9 leagues in Europe that isn’t very debateable at all.

Guus Hiddink made observations that the A-league players got fatigue a lot quicker. During his boot camp before the world cup

Pim Verbeek makes the same observation as well

I believe when Pim had his training camps he put the A-league players in a “european style” training session and let’s say the player were in a rude shock. The players themselves (I remember it was one of the griffiths) actually said to the media after the session that it was an eye opener and shows how far we had to go and that the training in the A-league wasn’t as intense.

Now people may say the likes of Craig Moore has succeeded. That’s true- he probably brought his same professional attitude and training that he learnt back in europe to the A-league. However is Craig Moore representative of the entire A-league? Probably not as Pim already observed the training session, run camps with A-league players and found them wanting and the players admitted it themselves.

Culina would most likely be as professional as Moore was. However is it wrong for Pim Verbeek to give him caution that Culina must keep fit? Of course not.

I’ll concede that Pim probably shouldn’t have used the media as a vehicle in expressing that.

Nothing he said was wrong though.

Playing once a week in warmer climates is much better for you and your longevity as a player than being knocked around in the frozen overseas leagues up to 3 times a week (sometimes more if you are an international).
In Chipperfield’s case he would be better used by NQ Fury and probably play for longer in the A-League, bring in extra crowds while helping to improve the standard and profile of the A-League.

How is the A-League ever going to improve if we keep bagging it by pointing out all the negative bleeding obvious (especially as the national team manager) telling Socceroos they won’t play for Australia if they come back here and making all our best players go overseas?
Give the A-League players some encouragement and direction instead of using them as excuses.

What was ever wrong with Pims concern over socceroos returning to Australia
1) the training in australia is not as intensive as European style clubs ( debateable)
2) the amount of matches you will get will be about half (true)
3) more quality coaches are needed (true)
4) competitive football is in the major leagues of Europe. (true)
5) As long as you know… the choice is yours, prove me wrong and best of luck

I disagree with some of Pims selections and tactics, but that will always be no mater who is in charge. What I do love about Pim is that he calls a spade a spade. As long as he continues to point out the issues of the HAL only then can it improve.
So to people like Matheson I say take a chill pill. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, including our national team coach.

Do you really believe Jason Culina will have to train on his own to keep fit?
I would rightfully feel insulted by those comments if I were an A-League player or coach.

Have you ever been to an A-League game?

* yes he has gotten the results but with the quality of our squad, even a fwank farina-coached socceroos
would’ve breezed through these asian qualifiers. the players have gotten the results IN SPITE of pim.

*he has singlehandedly destroyed everything that was great about our national team and the respect
and admiration given to the socceroos from home and around the world. What happend to the very aussie
qualities such as courage, bravery, never taking a backward step, taking the game up to the opposition,
going for the win at all times, etc? sadly these have all but dissapeared under Pim’s overly negative and
cautious style.

* our national team outplayed by the likes of Iraq, Bahrain, China, struggling to cope with minnows such as
Singapore, Indonesia etc. pim has taken aussie football back into the dark ages. One of the saddest nights
was the night Pim turned a Socceroos world cup qualifier into a glorified practice game for the Olyroos and
even then, our Olyroos put on an insipid, lacklustre display that drove thousands into despair.

It is pretty obvious that Pim is just not up to the level required. I cant wait to see him go. I wont miss him.
and I am yet to hear a South Korean with fond memories of Pim.

Has anybody been honest with Pim in his last coaching effort? If we are going to be brutally honest like he wants to be, we should put the blowtorch on him. I know he’s blown up a few times when people question him on his player selections.

Point is 90% of our Socceroos will come from Europe. We need to make the a-league attractive to the public. People are currently enjoying some of the open games they see. This might not be sufficient for international football, however we are currently seeiong what some of the young Queensland players have to offer which is brilliant. Also Sydney have some exciting youngsters coming through, and Melbourne have been playing smoe exciting football in the last month. It is a good starting point for our young players as it actually encourages them to express themselves. It is also good for the fans who see these younsters mixed in with returning Socceroos, exciting imports and your hardcore club players. I think it is agood mix, and a good enough comp for us to watch here.

Obviously when these youngsters go to Europe this will be when the test comes ala Djite, Burns etc. But Craig Moore showed in the game against Japan that perhaps the level isn’t so bad as Pim makes out, so why would Culina suffer. I think 3 or 4 a-league players in a Socceroos squad will do the team no harm, although I don’t think that will be the case.

I think it was clear that PIm was talking about Culina specifically

It’s very much a warning to Culina that once your here – don’t slack of off.

Fair enough

Maybe a bit of diplomacy is required and should say that not in front of the media.

However – I’ll say the context behind his commments. He was lecturing in the 2009 FFA Coaching Conference. The title of the lecture was “The differences between Australian and European Football”. He was educating the Australian coaches how the european coaches train their team and how it’s different to how Australian coaches their team. It was after the lecture he was interviewed by the media – the question of culina returning to A-League was a pretty relevant to the topic of his lecture and that’s why he answered that way. Perhaps a mistake? but a pretty understandable one considering he was doing an FFA sanction lecture on the exact same topic.

I couldn’t stay awake during last year’s FA Cup final because it was so boring and it’s the world’s showpiece of Cup Tie football.
You can have tremendous entertainment no matter what the competition. Some of the best games I’ve seen are the juniors playing at the park five minutes walk away.
Its all subjective isn’t it and how much you want to big note yourself.

If Bob Bradley, the manager of the USA football team started mouthing off about how bad the MLS was and that all his players should go overseas to get selected in the USA team, how long before the investors in the MLS clubs start suing him, or he loses his job as head coach of the national team?

I agree with you. I think we should qualify for the World Cup and get rid of Pimbo, and get a coach who can organise and structure a team to play to instuctions. As much as Pim doubts the a-league I doubt his coaching ability. An that is a my honest opinion I’ve had of him since the beginning. I was prepared to offer goodwill and have a little faithin him, but it doesn’t seem to come the other way. Korea shafted him pretty quickly.

As much as the a-league is much more open, I kind of enjoy it like that. I know what Pim’s saying, but he’s just trying to make himself look good.

I’m not saying they’d definitely win it – but they’d walk off the pitch at the end of the game with their heads up.

The NQ Fury may miss out on Chipperfield because of our national team manager’s put downs of the national football competition and not selecting local players for the Socceroos.

In Business, if someone keeps denigrating you in public and causes you loss of prestige and loss of revenue, then you are more than entitled to sue them.

If the FFA aren’t going to take some action to control one of their wayward employees, then I hope the investors in the A-League clubs start talking about legal action – that might help Pimbo consider his works more carefully before opening his big, over opinionated mouth.

Where we might have erred, and I have said this once before, is in our nomenclature.

Let us assume that we had called the first past the post our champion rather than our premier?

You then tack on a separate cup that utilises the finishing spots as a ranking system (nothing new there, sports the world over do it all the time) – and hey presto, you have another bit of prestige silverware to which crowds flock in large numbers (which ultimately, is the name of the game).

Call it what you like. The Golden Toilet Seat will do.

But once we get past this particular mental block – it becomes clear that you can throw any number of teams into that 4, 5 or 6 week intense period of high pressure games (let us call them finals for arguments sake). Half the teams, two thirds, three quarters – even 100%!!

In the end, we didn’t go with that nomenclature – and the Premiership is starting to win me over anyway, i.e. the Premier is the team finishing first.

The Champion – well – they’re better again! (as we have seen from AU too many times, the high pressure environment of finals is not for the meek and ordinary)

The Double – immortals!! The Double Double winners (as MV is about to become) – I’ve run out of superlatives.

Love it, love it, love it!!