But I think it’s fair to say that playing two upfront will be the exception rather than the norm as we move to the next level of competition.

Put it this way – can anyone recall whether Guus started with two strikers in any of the four games we played in Germany? I’m pretty sure he didn’t (although in the first game – we ended up with four strikers on the field after the 80th!!)

The number two is the only important stat.

Come WC time, should Pim have BOTH McDonald & Kennedy up front? And a midfield of Kewell, Cahill, Breschiano & Grella. In defence, Emerton, Culina, Wilkshire, Neill, with Schwarzer in goal. Then there’s Garcia, Valeri, Chipperfield, Beauchamp, Moore, Viduka, etc.

I’m no expert, but I think you need two guys forward. I’m a fan of the twin attack principle, whether it’s two strikers in footy; two midfield playmakers in union & league; or two opening fastmen in cricket. The purpose being to increase the options while dividing the defence.

How’s it shaping, guys?

Joe FC don’t be too flattering though, I thought Jesus would start, I thought Cahill would get a few minutes, and I was surprised by Garcia’s 90 minutes. Happy for Jedi that he got a late run though…

As for Pip and Mick and “football is dead”, let me tell them its dead from singing so loud at central station before the game, all the way to homebush, for about 120 minutes there… and all the way back. The crowd was rocking!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s0z8k4CGYM

Of course as Pip and Mick will point out the crowd was only 57k meaning that football is dead in Australia…

Normally I would but have a HUGEEEEEEEEEEeeee business meeting tomorrow and need to be on my toes….

Das I found this the other day and tho you would love it I think recorded in the 20″ or 30′s … but a voice and a message .. mainly the voice maybe almost 100 years old … I often wonder what you could do today with all the gear with a voice like this..

anyway hope you enjoy…. and is a good way to cerebrate .. well that’s my excuse….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XlEzY4tMyg&feature=related

Although don’t celebrate too much yet Dave as we haven’t mathematically qualified yet.

We have to wait for tonight match of Bahrain vs Qatar. Anyone staying up to watch that?

But yeah we perform fairly well. A poor first half but we were reasonably entertaining in the 2nd half although frustrated that Mcdonald got subbed off and we never played with two strikers. Bresciano had his best match for the Socceroos with a man of a match performance and I haven’t seen him playing better in the green and gold. He showed excellent touch, pin point passing, great assist and cross, good dribbling and worked hard and track back and won possession as well. The only thing missing was a goal where he should have put away in the first half.

I say 2M Jesus will start and it will end 2-0 to Australia, one off his head and another off the head of Cahill who will not start but will be used as a super-sub around 75 min mark. Little Macca and/or Holman will both get a good run but their role will be to be decoys and disrupt the defense to allow the main play (feeding Jesus and then Cahill, and to give Kool some space) to occur.

1. Australia will have a game in hand (i.e., 3 to go rather than 2), and

2. Goal differentials will still be as currently, viz. Australia +6, Uzbekistan -1, Bahrain -2, Qatar -8

one can say that two draws tonight will make WC qualification a near certainty for Australia.

If Australia wins tonight:
* Australia would need just 1 point from its remaining three games to ensure a top two finish (however Australia could still finish in top two if it lost all three remaining games depending on other results)
* Australia cannot finish lower than third in the group

If Australia wins tonight, AND Bahrain-Qatar draw:
* Australia will finish in top two of group
* Australia has qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and will be the first team to qualify

If Australia DRAW tonight:
* Australia would need at least 3 points from its remaining three games to ensure a top two placing
* Australia would need at least 1 point from its remaining three games to ensure a top three placing (ie. Australia could still finish fourth in the group – if it lost all three remaining games)

If Australia draw tonight, AND Bahrain win:
* Australia would need 3 more points from its remaining three games to ensure a top two finish
* However, Australia cannot finish lower than third in group

If Australia draw tonight, AND Bahrain-Qatar draw:
* Australia would need 1 more point from its remaining three games to ensure a top two finish
* However, Australia can still finish fourth in group

If Australia draw tonight, AND Qatar win:
* Australia would need 3 more points from its remaining three games to ensure a top two finish
* However, Australia can still finish fourth in group

If Australia LOSE tonight:
* Australia would need at least 4 more points to ensure a top two placing (however Australia could still finish in top two if it lost all three remaining games)
* Australia would need at least 2 more points to ensure a top three placing
* Australia could still finish last in group

If Australia lose tonight, AND Bahrain OR Qatar win:
* Australia would need at least 4 more points to ensure a top two placing
* Australia would need at least 1 more point to finish in the top two (ie. Australia would finish 3rd, 4th or 5th if it lost all three remaining games)

If Australia lose tonight, AND Bahrain-Qatar draw:
* Australia would need at least 4 more points to ensure a top two placing
* Australia could still finish in top two if it lost all three remaining games

Just on the rain and storms have a gander at the smh today on match day … people riding surf boards inside Sydney Harbour.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/sydney-on-alert-as-wet-weather-lashes-nsw-20090401-9ij0.html

My April Fools day one about Blacktown council pulling out of the AFL deal was more believable… but good try..

It’s Farking scary TBH … we should win but … but … a lump in my gut until it’s won… bananna skin game..

Having Kool back ………AHHHHHHHHHHhh .. he is a class above everyone else… if Harry is on the park their we will win….

IMO Harry is the best Australian football player of any code I have even seen in my 54 years to date.

O’Leary at Leeds flogged him to death and he has been injuried much over recent years at the Knob.

Harry regardless of injuries, poor form & whatever his attitude may be,has been one of those players who can cause consternation in the opposition. This alone makes him practically worth his weight in gold & it is not only the fear & confusion he creates around himself but the knock-on effect that has in the defense & general play of any team he faces that makes him such an asset.

Aftering putting himself in the shop window as it were, because finally Benitez could no longer justify him hanging around, ………….BUT,…………………. remember that Harry is also the player who has been picked to start in Champions League finals …………after long term injuries / absences precisely because of the magic he brings.

Form does not always indicate what may happen next, thus we are in the position that so many defenders have been, nor sure what he might do but we’re hoping it is great at Gala and for Australia. He is in form and Pip said he is getting back to his best.

Sorry my Harry rant over, I just think this guy is such class and if he had been free of injury …. but he is back …….AHHHHHHHHHH magic man we will win with Harry on the park simple as.

It looks like we won’t get a pairing of Macca and 2M Jesus afterall, and that Arch and Danny boy will have to take their places.

The good news is that Holman is one of the casualties.

Culina ia a massive signing … can hardly wait to see him at Bluetounge… good point on playing him at the tip of the diamond.

In the four mids you mention above: with Vinney in the team, does that mean that Jase is at the tip of the diamond? (he can do it by the way, he’s sufficiently versatile and why GC have made an excellent choice)

Play them in Central Australia and charge for the rain …. ya Pip your on to something here.

BTW whats your stating line with Top Cat looking out.

My mid field is Kool, Culina, Vinney, Bresh / Garica (and myself as the RM or CM)
Up front Jesus & Old Macca
Back, Chips, Lucas, Coin, Brechm’s (RB), he can play RB very well
Keeper… well picks himself ….. Danny V (LOL)

Its been pissing down now for about 2 full days solid parts of the mid north coast are in flood conditions …. interestingly on my way to work today … a lot of local flooding…..

Obie One must be wondering how he has upset the rain God…

Milly did you see my link and note to you in http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/03/31/should-penalties-decide-football-matches/#comment-131900 near the end it was an NBN link.

But speaking of rain, I think the chances of 2M Jesus starting have improved dramatically given the weather over the past 48hrs. Will be one heavy, heavy pitch.