Job done, so when will Aussies warm to Pim?
Columnist
By Mike Tuckerman, 2 Apr 2009 Mike Tuckerman is a Roar Expert
Australia took another step towards the World Cup finals thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in a wet and windy Sydney overnight. The Socceroos are all but assured of their place in South Africa. But despite that the question remains: when will Australian fans warm to coach Pim Verbeek?
At the time of writing the outcome of Bahrain’s clash with Qatar in Manama was undecided, but even allowing for a win to either side in that game, there’s no way that the Socceroos won’t cruise through to a second consecutive World Cup appearance.
I say that because I paid close attention to Japan’s clash with Bahrain in Saitama last weekend, and on their current form, the Blue Samurai can’t hold a candle to Pim Verbeek’s side.
Certainly there was some cause for concern at a rain-lashed ANZ Stadium in Sydney, but despite some notable defensive lapses early in the first half and late in the second, Australia’s performance was one of consummate professionalism.
Much of the credit should go to coach Pim Verbeek.
Clearly dissatisfied with Australia’s patchy first half performance, the laconic Dutchman introduced the powerful Josh Kennedy for Scott McDonald on the hour mark, and he reaped the rewards when Kennedy headed home the opener soon after.
Australia benefited from a soft penalty decision to go 2-0 up soon after, and despite Uzbekistan being slightly unlucky to have a goal ruled out by an offside flag in stoppage time, it was the Socceroos who clearly deserved to take three points.
Nevertheless the question remains, will World Cup qualification be enough to silence Pim Verbeek’s critics?
After all, the Dutchman was hired to guide Australia to the World Cup finals.
He’s done that with ease, yet Verbeek has failed to win over some Australian fans by failing to win in style.
Perhaps it’s worth remembering another Australian coach who failed to win in style – the ill-fated Terry Venables.
The fast-talking former England coach was hired by then Soccer Australia supremo David Hill as part of an attempt to overhaul the game in Australia.
But despite being 2-0 up in a World Cup qualifier against Iran with twenty minutes remaining at the MCG in 1997, Venables appeared paralysed when Karim Bagheri pulled a goal back in the 71st minute.
Iran scored again five minutes later, and all the substitutions in the world after that – Venables made three in quick succession – wasn’t enough to rescue a shell-shocked Australia from the most stomach-churning of World Cup exits on the away goals rule.
Even the deification of Guus Hiddink deserves further scrutiny.
Certainly the current Chelsea and Russia coach was integral in steering Australia to the World Cup finals in 2006.
But given that Italy played forty minutes of their second round clash with the Socceroos in Kaiserslautern a man down following Marco Materazzi’s send-off, surely Hiddink could have done more than to introduce a single substitute in the form of John Aloisi?
That’s not to say that I don’t rate Hiddink as a coach. Nor is it to suggest that I’m a card-carrying member of the Pim Verbeek fan club.
It’s just that I think Verbeek deserves more credit for steering Australia through the supposed “unknown” of Asian qualifying without so much as a bump in the road.
Maybe it’s because I’ve seen Channel Nine’s leading sports anchorman Ken Sutcliffe refer to the Dutchman as “Tim Verbeek” for the past two nights in a row.
But in terms of achieving his goal, the man more commonly known as “Pim” can hardly be faulted.
Whether he fires Australia to World Cup glory in South Africa remains to be seen.
But for now, Pim Verbeek and his all-conquering Australian side deserve our congratulations.
Follow Mike on twitter @Mike_Tuckerman
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sheek said | April 2nd 2009 @ 6:50am | Report comment
Pim will be a hero to the nation when Australia’s world cup qualification becomes official. I for one trust in Pim!
Kazama said | April 2nd 2009 @ 8:08am | Report comment
Assuming we qualify, Pim will be touted as a hero but only so long as qualification is still seen as the major hurdle. If we make it but bomb out in the group stage with three losses, what will the consensus opinion be of Pim then?
I look forward to the day where qualification for a World Cup is considered mandatory rather than miracle like it was four years ago. Judging from how we have progressed this campaign, perhaps that day is not far away. I guess we can’t really compare Pim to his predecessors because they all had to deal with entirely different qualification scenarios. IMO we won’t know how much of a hero or zero Pim truly is until future World Cup Qualification (and hopefully finals) campaigns.
sheek said | April 2nd 2009 @ 8:30am | Report comment
Kazama,
I agree with your sentiment entirely. But at this stage of our evolutionary development, we’re still crawling. So qualifying is still a big deal for us.
As you suggest, this is all new territory (qualifying means) for us. Pim is the pioneer, the pathfinder, writing the template for future Socceroos coaches & players. With this in mind, he has done the most highly commendable job.
Also, as you hinted in your post, there is still a lack of confidence in our footy. Many of us still pinch ourselves that we qualified for 2006. Qualifying for the world cup as a right of passage is still some way off.
Pippinu said | April 2nd 2009 @ 8:54am | Report comment
Kaz
fair enough, it shouldn’t be viewed as a miracle – but it’s a bit rich to view it as mandatory. We know there will always be at least six quality nations from Asia vying for 4.5 places, and that can ony get more intense in years to come – it won’t ever go backwards.
Once we’re in South Africa in 2010, it’s a 50/50 bet that we make it out of the group stages – at best! We’ll be up against at least one gun nation, and then at least one, maybe two other nations will be our equal (at least).
Come on folks – this WC stuff is a tough gig!!
Pippinu said | April 2nd 2009 @ 8:55am | Report comment
Oh – I forgot to mention – thank Christ for Jesus!!
Brendo said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:04am | Report comment
The atmosphere at the game last night was fantastic and we were rewarded with a strong 2nd half display by the Socceroos!
In Kennedy we trust!
Midfielder said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:21am | Report comment
Must go to a HUGEEEEEEEEEE business meeting for myself can only post a little right now … but Brendo going to the match last night in that rain when most of the crowd go drenched … good on you … as for Pim it’s Obie One I trust and he choose Pim and I think Pim has done and excellent job to date… but will have more to say much latter … I am kinda off now for a couple of days…must win power ball one day
Dutchy said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:31am | Report comment
Yeeeeeeeeeeeeew. Ive counted my chickens. Doesnt feel as good as 05 when i was in the Stadium but a relief to qualify. Ill admit it hasnt been pretty at times this phase of qulaification but TBH qualify first, worry about sexy football second. Which I know hope we will see more open play from the roos. While still keeping Schwarz’s goal intact.
Phutbol said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:32am | Report comment
I wonder how many countries IN THE WORLD would even be having a discussion about the quality/style of their coach/team with a 4-1-0 record in WCQ, let alone a country that has been to a total of 2 WC’s ever, and has barely broken into the top 30 rankings!
The people who’s ‘style’ should be questioned are the critics. Put your secateurs away for a bit and let the poppy’s be. Maybe even applaud them.
Wallythefly said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:46am | Report comment
Haha Phutbol that first sentence sums it up! Hadn’t thought about it like that. I guess that’s what happens in a country where the football codes are in such fierce competition… South Africa here we come!