By Jesse Fink
April 2nd 2009 @ 6:41am
Related coverage
Socceroos still have a lot of work ahead – World Cup or not
I started off my column last week mentioning Michael Cockerill and his curious column urging the Socceroos to go all out and “entertain” us against Uzbekistan, and he deserves another mention this week for doing a complete 360-degree turn on that on national television, saying he was a “results first” person and that qualifying for South Africa is more important than playing with style.
Jeez, Mike, please make up your mind, will you?
But at least Cocko knows who Pim Verbeek is, unlike Ken Sutcliffe, Channel Nine’s face of sport, who called the Australian national-team manager “Tim” in the evening bulletin before the game.
Walkley Award-winning stuff from the Who’s Who of News.
Hardly award-winning football, either, from Verbeek’s side, and you could tell our Dutch boss wasn’t happy with what he was seeing, grimacing on the bench like he was suffering from wind and agitatedly pacing up and down the sideline.
I doubt there was anyone at Stadium Australia other than the most inebriated Fanatic who liked what they were seeing up until Josh Kennedy pulled a rabbit out of hat in the 66th minute and sent the crowd into paroxysms of delight and Harry Kewell made it two to the good with a penalty in the 73rd .
Yes, the conditions were awful but that was no excuse for Australia being outclipped for a large part of the match by a group of Central Asians with mullets who were suffering jetlag.
The fitness levels of the Socceroos have to be questioned – or at the very least what they are doing in training.
But Australia has the three points it wanted and, depending on the result of Bahrain vs Qatar today, we could be on our way to the World Cup in South Africa.
Congratulations to Verbeek, his assistants Henk Duut and Graham Arnold, and the entire playing group. To qualify for the World Cup with three games to spare is a tremendous achievement.
I’ve asked it before, though: How are we going to go when we get there?
What presents to me as the Socceroos’ most urgent problem is striking options. Scott McDonald just doesn’t seem to have what it takes at this level and last night appeared more effective when he trailed off to the wing than he was as a target man.
The Socceroos need a world-class striker, a Mark Viduka or identikit of one, badly.
In defence, too, the selection of Michael Beauchamp was a worry when it was announced – and he lived up to expectations. Not that the Aalborg defender is a bad player, but he just never plays well for the national team and he was caught out a number of times in the first half because of poor positioning, dereliction of effort and lack of pace. Other than his height, what does he offer the team? I’m not trying to be mean. It’s a legitimate question I think needs to be answered.
The habit of just picking a player because he’s getting game time with his club – something Verbeek favours with McDonald, Beauchamp and Hull’s Richard Garcia all being picked for the starting XI – clearly doesn’t always guarantee form or the attacking chemistry required to get that “result”.
It wasn’t until Kennedy came on (arguably the most out-of-form, out-of-favour player in the entire squad) that the Socceroos looked consistently dangerous and took the game to the tiring Uzbekis. So a lot of unanswered questions for the Socceroos.
We got the “result” but at the World Cup we’re going to need to get results with style to get beyond the first round.
Like everyone else, I’m just waiting for that elusive alchemy to come.
Get Australia's best Football opinion emailed daily.
Like this content? Buzz it up!
Free Email updates:
Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...
(76)
sheek said | April 2nd 2009 @ 6:47am | Report comment
Jesse,
Maybe the Socceroos were boring, but wouldn’t the primary aim be to qualify first? We can worry about the entertainment later. besides, if we played thrilling football but failed to qaulify, who would remember the good football in 20 years time?
We would simply be bemoaning another lost opportunity. Pim’s not stupid – the tactics required for the WC itself won’t be the same as those for qualifying.
I think McDonald is a terrific player, but he can’t do it by himself. I think there’s an argument to start both McDonald & Kennedy.Anyway, I’m no footy expert.
However, I reckon Pim is doing just great!
Dave said | April 2nd 2009 @ 6:59am | Report comment
Sheek
Absolutely right! In 35 years of watching and going to Socceroos games their best most stylish performance for 75 minutes was versus Iran at the MCG in 1997. They absolutelt toyed with Iran and a 5 or 6 goal lead wouldn’t have flattered…the result turned out to be 2-2 and Iran went to the 1998 WC! So much for your stylish play Jesse…lets get their first and now that we virtually are well done to the team. Pim can now have a good look at what needs to be done in SA.
Part 1 Qualify – Mission accomplished (just about)
Part 2 South Africa – watch this space!
BTW Pim becomes only the 3rd coach in history to take the Socceroos to the WC…well done.
True Tah said | April 2nd 2009 @ 7:19am | Report comment
Congrats to the Australian futbol team first of all!
Sheek I agree that we should aim to get to the party first before we think about entertaining.
I watched the Uzbekistan v Qatar game on the weekend and they played pretty sharp although last nights conditions wouldnt have helped, and it was clearly evident that the jetlag was killing them, they looked pretty sluggish, and after 60 minutes, they were struggling – as I predicted, Australia won by a fair margin, their energy got them home in the end.
Brett McKay said | April 2nd 2009 @ 7:30am | Report comment
Jesse, I’m glad you too picked up “Tim” Verbeek last night, because I’m sure I’ve been hearing the Male Model from Mudgee calling Pim “Tim” for the last week!!
1 point to get from three games, probably safe to start looking for a training base in the Republic..
Kazama said | April 2nd 2009 @ 7:54am | Report comment
We are pretty much home and dry, but you learn from previous campaigns not to celebrate until we are there. I stayed up last night and watched Bahrain v Qatar, hoping for the draw that would seal our ticket to South Africa, but sadly it didn’t happen and we are still 1 point away from qualification. We should get that point in Qatar, but when we were 2-0 up last night the Iran game kept popping into my mind. Until we’re actually there I’ll remain nervous, silly as you all (and even I) may think that is.
sheek said | April 2nd 2009 @ 8:03am | Report comment
True Tah,
“I agree that we should aim to get to the party first before we think about entertaining”.
Love that line, wish I had thought of it. I now plan to use it & flog it to death!
Mattay said | April 2nd 2009 @ 8:22am | Report comment
I found a better one than “Tim” Verbeek. According to my radio this morning, “last year” we finished “3rd in our group” and had to play against the “5th placed Brazilian side” to qualify for the World Cup. Brilliant!
But yes, Australia technically poor but won due to better fitness, strength and pace. We are a better side when we are the underdogs, because we have no playmaker. We play best when the other side is making the play and we exploit their openings.
Pippinu said | April 2nd 2009 @ 8:40am | Report comment
Pim
we never, ever lost faith in you – never (although we’re still a little bit unsure about Holman).
md said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:19am | Report comment
Can I really be the only one thinking this???
WE WILL BE FINE!
It was not that long ago that our national teams ability to execute any plan other than kick and rush was highly suspect. Now the problem seems to be that we have a coach with a pretty solid, if conservative plan and a team that, if anything, execute the plans too roboticly. At the start of this process, we were shitting ourselves with the prospect that we had signed up for something infinately more difficult than Oceania. Suddenly we are now a nation of friggin Spurs supporters… (and I say that as a longstanding Spurs supporter), demanding the Danny Blanchflower formula be applied to every minute of every game.
Cheers
md.
PS Pip – as for Holman, well – he does what it says on the box. We have a defence that is awfully good at dealing with longballs, but slightly suspect at dealing with throughballs – particularly from quick passing opponents. Holman is Pim’s attacking defensive midfielder that runs madly around in front of the midfield, making it difficult for the opposition to play anything other than a longball out of defense. It’s a plan that works just about perfectly. More power to him really.
Pippinu said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:29am | Report comment
md
I understand that – it’s just that when he occasionally has the ball….
dasilva said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:33am | Report comment
Come on Pip
what about that beautiful turn from Holman that beat the player
onside said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:46am | Report comment
Two concerns,
1. Australia as a team, lack genuine world class pace all over the park and
2. The squad has many players who will struggle in South Africa because of little recovery time .
sledgeross said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:51am | Report comment
But it was Mark Bresciano he beat Das!
Captain Random said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:59am | Report comment
I thought Holman was much better last night, and didn’t give the ball away that much (only once, I think). There was even some neat interplay between him and Bresciano down the left flank at one stage. But yes, his primary value is in disrupting the passing out from the back.
True Tah said | April 2nd 2009 @ 10:11am | Report comment
Onside
on what basis do you reckon there are many Australian players who will struggle due to limited recovery time??
I would imagine Pim would have specific camps in mind to ensure that his boys have the required fitness – plus the majority are starring for their English/European sides which means many games, FA Cup, EPL, UEFA, etc. I dont think that would be an issue.
Re: pace, you might have a point there, and the problem is you cannot coach for raw speed/pace, but hey the team have been good enough so far, they havent lost a game.
Millster said | April 2nd 2009 @ 10:12am | Report comment
Come on guys we all know that Holman was put on simply to show the world of football that Bruno Metsu has competition for “worst hair on the planet” award. Our Brett was even making some of the Uzbek mullets look trendy.
StiflersMom said | April 2nd 2009 @ 10:17am | Report comment
I can’t believe people still watch nine news? They would’nt even report the football if 2006 Socceroos never happened.
I really loved what Mark Bosnich had to say about Qatar last night, clearly he can’t work out how they made it this far and clearly when he has something to say no one going to stop him.
I too notice Michael Beauchamp last night for the wrong reason, constanly out of position, WTF was Neil doing, as captian he should have let him know from the outset.
Millster said | April 2nd 2009 @ 10:39am | Report comment
Hey anyone noticing how awesome the other side of the Asia draw is currently?
And last night the politically charged North vs South Korea match as one course of the banquet, decided in the 87th minute… on the other the Saudis coming from behind to beat UAE 3-2 and get themselves right up with the group leaders.
Brilliant spectacle in itself but also tells me that we’re definitely on the easier side of the Asia grouping, and also that we most certainly don’t want to be ending 3rd and playing off against any one of these countries…
God I love the whole World Cup thing…. almost 2 years of sheer magic that sweeps across the world…
Robbos said | April 2nd 2009 @ 10:47am | Report comment
Pip,
You have never said any truer words. In Pim we have never lost the faith, but in Holman that faith is being servely tested.
Jesse,
Very harsh on comparing this side to 2006, we’ve gained alot more depth than in 2006 but we have no way the same quality.
While the likes of Wilshire & Kennedy have become better players than in 2006 & we have added depth in the Mcdonald, Garcia, Carney, Beachamp, Jedninak, & Valeri. We definately have stronger depth.
But 2006 we had Harry Kewell & Mark Viduka, who were world class skilful players & afew bubbling just beneath in Cahill, Emerton, Bresc, Neill, Moore, Grella, Swachzer & Chippers, who all had wonderful world cups. Added to that we had 1 of the top 5 coaches in the world.
The 2010 version lacks that world class skillfull players, our only world class player is Cahill & it’s more for his box to box play than his entertaining skill. We have lost the Dukes & while Harry is still class, but he is not Harry of 2006 & we also don’t currently have our 3rd most creative player in Brett Emerton. We still have the solid players like Neill, Chippers & Moore & will hold our own. Plus we do not have GUUS, remember he is on $7 mill a year while PIM is on $2 mill.
Yes, Nicky Carle, I for one back you in say give him a run, we needed to know was he good enough? Maybe now his time may come. But if Nicky Carle was world class, he would not be in the Championship league
Millster said | April 2nd 2009 @ 10:56am | Report comment
…and while I’m looking at the bigger picture. Scoreline of the day is….. Poland-San Marino which ended 10-0. OUCH!
Overall, with still some games to go on this match day in the Americas, 82 goals from 29 games. What an awesome round!
Chaos said | April 2nd 2009 @ 11:04am | Report comment
Pretty football is nice to watch but doesn’t guarantee success. Arsenal’s style of passing football always has everyone raving, however they are trophyless for the past couple of seasons. They aren’t a patch on the top three in the Premiership this year. Jose with Chelsea a few seasons back where a tactical outfit rather then an flamboyent powerhouse.
Infact the current tactics employed by the top managers is why the goal poacher in the mould of Shearer, Fowler, Cole, Yorke etc… having 25 goal plus seasons are dead. The 4-5-1 formation rather then a 4-4-2 dictates different outcomes and scorelines. With the forwards having to link up play alot more. Its why Viduka under the formations the Australians employed with him, never was allowed him to shine. Its why Scott McDonald struggles at international level. I digress…
Now a classic example of a team winning a major competition in which it played a style which would make any of the current batch of critic’s hurl is Greece in Euro 2004. Portugal and the Czech’s were a class above the Greeks, yet who took home the bacon? Netherlands in 1998 were the team to watch yet they lost a penelty shootout to Brazil in the semi-finals. I can go on…
Qualifying is hard, and should be congratulated. We are there now and if we can play pretty football, its a bonus. For the record England couldn’t even qualify for Euro 2008.
peter logue said | April 2nd 2009 @ 11:10am | Report comment
I just want to sing long and loud the praises of Mark Bresciano. He was the only really world class player on the park last night. A couple of his turns were Nureyevian and he just ate up the ground. It’s extraordinary that the big EPL clubs aren’t chasing him harder. The other major surprise of the night is how articulate and accurate Mark Bosnich was in his analysis. He cut through a lot of the crap.
Millster said | April 2nd 2009 @ 11:25am | Report comment
…and rounding out my broader look at the world.
Shock result probably of the entire qualification process world-wide (admittedly played at altitude in La Paz)
Bolivia 6
Argentina 1
Pippinu said | April 2nd 2009 @ 11:56am | Report comment
6-1?!
That’s close to being officially a shellacking!
Worlds Biggest said | April 2nd 2009 @ 12:22pm | Report comment
Great win for the Roos in ordinary conditions. First half wasn’t much chop but the 2nd produced better football. Kennedy took that header so well for a bloke not playing regularly for his Club. I thought Cullina & Chipperfield were also worthy of the MOM. Kewell looked out of sorts, he needs the ball early and in space to be effective. I agree with the majority in that Pim need to qualify first and then sort out the attacking style. If we get a draw in Qatar then we qualify. That gives us two more games plus friendlies to work on striking combinations. McDonald is prolific for Celtic so I think needs time to adjust to International Football. In Pim we trust !
Brian Munich said | April 2nd 2009 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
Holman – the type of player you “need” when the result is no longer in doubt. Buzzes like a bee generally without any semblance of the skill required at this level. He, along with Beauchamp, would be terribly exposed in South Africa.
Mark Bosnich – “why don’t you say what you feel next time?” This guy is less “genuine football analyst” and more “caution – motormouth at work”. I would rather have heard more from Boutsianis and Trimboli.
Pippinu said | April 2nd 2009 @ 12:42pm | Report comment
Brian
very few are going to argue with you on Holman in this forum – although I’m sure Pim will find a role for him in 2010 – but I think you’re a bit harsh on Bozza!
Tom said | April 2nd 2009 @ 1:07pm | Report comment
Jesse, Australia were outplayed for maybe 15 minutes out of 90. And the goal came after about 15 minutes of constant Australian pressure.
Last night was a good performance. I can’t believe anyone would come away from that moaning about how we’re going to go in the future.
Pippinu said | April 2nd 2009 @ 1:19pm | Report comment
Back to the 6-1 game – surely that’s the Albicelestes’ biggest defeat since they lost 4-1 to Australia in 1988??
Art Sapphire said | April 2nd 2009 @ 1:29pm | Report comment
This is the reason the Socceroos played Argentina when we tried to qualify for WC 94.
The Argies did not gain an automatic spot. It did not help when the Colombians humiliated them in Buenos Aires.
5-0!!!
Click the link to see the history lesson below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JLXq75SArY
Joe FC said | April 2nd 2009 @ 1:36pm | Report comment
4 wins and 1 draw from 5 matches, 8 goals for and none conceded, leading the group and still some are unhappy!
Pippinu said | April 2nd 2009 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
heh, heh, that was a great clip!
It was funny seeing Valderrama (?) again, sets up the first goal.
I couldn’t quite make the Colombian keeper out (didn’t watch the whole clip), but I suspect that wasn’t Higuita?
From memory, Maradona must have been coaxed out of retirement soon after this game – and he pretty much needed just one magic moment to deny Australia.
jaymz said | April 2nd 2009 @ 2:12pm | Report comment
I was at them game, and i would have to say whilst we werent entertaining, we did control the match for the majority which is what is required to succeed at the world cup. We havent got many entertaining players so i dont know why everyone is puhing for a lot of entertainment. on Macca people dont realise he is a goal POACHER, not a lone forward (he doesnt have enough pace for that). He cant poach if there is no one to poach off.
Art Sapphire said | April 2nd 2009 @ 2:18pm | Report comment
Higuita was in jail.
He was done for transferring money to release the kidnapped daughter of one of his friends. He spent 6 months in jail.
He missed the qualification to the World Cup 1994 and the World Cup.
They were crazy times in Colombia. Valderama, Rincon and Tino Asprilia were ripping it up on the field.
Escobar the druglord was a huge patron of football and he was also a mate’s Higuita.
Come USA 94 and it all collapsed in a giant pile of merde and we all know what happened to Escobar defender.
Pippinu said | April 2nd 2009 @ 2:23pm | Report comment
Yeh – crazy days.
Jay
spot on about Macca – but it probably also means that his contribution in South Africa may well be limited (because we’ll be playing 4-2-3-1 most of the time).
This fact alone also opens the door for either:
1. a Dukes revival; or more likely
2. the unleashing of Djite on an unsuspecting world (would be a worth a try).
Millster said | April 2nd 2009 @ 2:36pm | Report comment
Pip – we’re back to thinking alike for once
My gut also tells me that the rest of the matches will offer a sharing of “striker-time” between Kennedy and Djite.
I think Aussie Macca (who I have to say really did look like a midget last night from where I was sitting) will be used as a “better Holman” option come WCF time – someone to throw on around 75 min mark who has good instincts around the box and who can just keep tiring the opposition defenders out with constant movement.
My main issue remains the Defence. Out wide we were ok with Chippers and Luke W, but Beauchamp… hmmm…. and Neill didnt have such an awesome game either. To be honest the happiest I’ve been recently with Socceroos defence is when they played a centre back 3 with Neill, Coyne and Moore (don’t remember the game). This allows the wingbacks to roam a bit more and then we can set up with 3 or 4 midfielders and 1 or 2 strikers just like normal.
Overall from where I was sitting, Bresh was good last night. He was in everything and seemed to be trying hard. Had the assist of course, and THAT near miss. Also while not written about so much it seemed to me anyway that Culina was doing a fair bit of good work too.
Comment on Kewell – while he had some good touches he seemed to be being played very wide. Often he seemed trapped between 2 defenders and the sideline. Also while he and Chippers both had decent games individually I don’t think they quite combined as well as they have done before and at times it seemed like Chippers moving up was almost cramping the room that Harry was trying to use. Just my thoughts though, from where I was sitting last night.
Millster said | April 2nd 2009 @ 2:37pm | Report comment
I also agree with jaymz that we did control lots of the match. Sure from time to time our defensive frailty showed, and we weren’t perfect, but there was a fair bit of possession, of lateral passing, of patience.
Art Sapphire said | April 2nd 2009 @ 2:55pm | Report comment
We had one weeks prep and came out playing at a snails pace. . The Uzbeks must have been laughing first half as they were happy to give the ball to us in wide positions as there was no one to cross the ball to in the first half.
It was so evident with macca as lone striker that my missus could not understand how a bloke so small can be at the point of the attack. The only chance we created was from a mistake.
Anyway, Pim did his work in the dressing room as he is paid to do and we came out with some urgency in the 2nd half.
With the Uzbeks tiring we score a goal as soon as we put Josh on.
Pim would say, this is how he planned it all along.
Pippinu said | April 2nd 2009 @ 3:33pm | Report comment
Millster
Have we played with a back 3 under Pim? (can’t remember)
Anyway, you are right that a permanent partner for Neill is starting to become a matter of urgency.
This isn’t a new problem. From the moment Poppa sat down on the turf at around the 35th minute in our 2nd WC game against Brazil in 2006 – we’ve known about this problem. Moore and Coyne have been stop-gap measures only (don’t get me wrong, Moore has been terrific, but it’s unlikely he’ll carry us through 2010).
The answer, of course, is Spira – hopefully he will be ready for the responsibility by next year (to unleash both Spira and Djite at opposite ends of the park, both likely 10 year players, would be absolutely awesome).
With Harry, well, if he makes it through another WC campaign, it will be a close run thing – I”m afraid we can’t look to him too much anymore.
jimbo said | April 2nd 2009 @ 3:42pm | Report comment
Actually this was the first time I thought Pimbo got the tactics right and was in control of a game. He planned to hold in the first half, attack after the break and then hold for the remainder.
Why can’t we play like we did for 20 mins in the 2nd half all the time?
Joe FC,
sign of the maturity of football in this country that we complain when things are so good.
Millster,
good idea about Aussie Mac – maybe an attacking midfielder, but not a strikers left boot for the Socceroos.
Great game and atmosphere at the ground and really enjoyed it and surprised at the criticisms today.
Art Sapphire said | April 2nd 2009 @ 3:45pm | Report comment
There is a distinct possibilty of the the XI that started in Kaiserslautern might be the same that will play in the opening game of WC 2010. The bench might look different, but it will football’s version of groundhog day.
Come on Pim, do it. Do it for the record books!!
But come to think of it with a fit Viduka and Moore playing because Spira’s not ready. It actually might happen.
Koala Bear said | April 2nd 2009 @ 3:47pm | Report comment
I’m amazed that there are some who still think that this ‘09 Roos team is a great footballing side and that a certain player who looks like a chook; who runs around the field with his head chopped off is doing a great job for Pimbo.. geez … True to form when presented with a shot on goal he hits the corner post… Guess who..???
I agree with Jesse this team still needs a lot of work.. and is not the team I loved in 2006 .. We urgently need a player with real personality in the central attacking midfield spot dictating play .. I couldn’t see it at all in the first half and it was only that the Uzbeks tired in the second half we started to dominate .. Thankfully for us the Uzbeks were as bad as we were; even worse on the night in front of goal..
Unless we can find a Platini type of player urgently; I think we will be coming home after the first group stage… But on the bright side we still have Emmo, Grella, Cahill and possibly Dukes to come back.. All we need is a good manager who can coach….
~~~~~~~~~
KB
Koala Bear said | April 2nd 2009 @ 3:58pm | Report comment
Actually this was the first time I thought Pimbo got the tactics right and was in control of a game. He planned to hold in the first half, attack after the break and then hold for the remainder…
Jimbo,
if I didn’t know you better .. I would be agreeing with you like the other Pimbo’s adoring admirers .. But you are “Jimbo” lord of the jesters … (you nearly had me there)
~~~~~~~~~
KB
Dave said | April 2nd 2009 @ 4:04pm | Report comment
Little off topic but just starts to whet the appetite for SA 2010 with the following from the FIFA website;
” The first phase of ticket sales for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa ended at midnight on 31 March with applications for a total of 1,635,136 tickets since tickets first went on sale on 20 February 2009. Approximately 30% of the applications have come from South African residents, with 70% from the rest of the world. Applications were received from 205 countries, with tickets for the opening match and the final in Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium on 11 July 2010 in most demand. Team specific ticket series applications account for more than 50% of the applications. There were no problems experienced with the order procedures during the first ticket sales phase. The highest number of ticket applications came from residents in South Africa, followed by those from the USA, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Australia, in that order. The most popular category on average was Category 3. ”
Interesting that Oz fans were 6th in terms of total tickets requested and USA fans requested the most apart from those in SA.
Exciting times ahead.
Dickroo said | April 2nd 2009 @ 6:31pm | Report comment
No worries, Jesse.
I see the Socceroos are becoming “The Italians in Aisa”.
We can go a long way in the World Cup if we can manage a few more 1-0s.
Joe FC said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:23pm | Report comment
jimbo
it might also be a sign unrealistic expectations.
jimbo said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:23pm | Report comment
No fooling you KB!
I did really enjoy the night though.
Midfielder said | April 2nd 2009 @ 9:30pm | Report comment
Papa
Joe FC said …4 wins and 1 draw from 5 matches, 8 goals for and none conceded, leading the group and still some are unhappy! …….. it is a good statement…
Jes agree we are still trying to sort out the defense and attack … maybe someone new as well., Megys (CD) & Macca, are ???…..but I am sure there are many out there hopefully Troisis will get a run soon and some others ….
Jesse Fink said | April 2nd 2009 @ 10:24pm | Report comment
Totally agree with the comments of Peter Logue and Dickroo on here. Just on Bozza, he’s such a breath of fresh air in the commentary box. Has touches of the same old arrogance we used to love/hate, but he’s toned it down (as one should, falling from such a lofty perch to land flat on his arse).
Midfielder said | April 2nd 2009 @ 10:46pm | Report comment
Jes & Peter
100% agree on bozza
jaymz said | April 2nd 2009 @ 11:54pm | Report comment
Im curious if Pim is going to give Nicky Carle a run at all, leading to the world cup. I mean surely hes worth giving a few games to see if he can at least make the squad.
NUFCMVFC said | April 3rd 2009 @ 6:18am | Report comment
There’s a number of ways to look at it
On the one hand you can’t always play champagne stuff in World Cup Qualifiers, and the name of the game is one of grinding out the result in often awkward conditions that makes for a good team, this is the case for everyone not just us and like everyone other teams also have to address how they would play well in cutthroat and high quality World Cup conditions
There is the other side, we have had a bit of luck with some matches and events and got results when we are crap, but you can only play crap for so long until you are found out so one cna understand why some people are apprehensive
All in all the issue is that you may play some crap games from time to time but one needs to play some good games to show they have it in them, and either way need to pick up the points.
For us what we need to do is have some high quality London based friendlies to hone our skills in high powered situations against quality opponents, where both sides have decent players and the team that comes out on top is the one that tactically utilises them the best type thing. This is a different skill base to the one that Pim has done well with, which is the getting the result in awkward Asian conditions like playing surface and altitudes etc
We do need to improve, but we need to bring in some up and comers through playing alongside a core or Euro players, rather than all of thema t once like the A League based ACQ’s
Jesse Fink said | April 3rd 2009 @ 8:45am | Report comment
I just love the fact I haven’t mentioned Nicky at all and you guys have picked up the baton. Keep it going.
Greg said | April 3rd 2009 @ 9:48am | Report comment
Take your hand off it Jesse. jaymz mentions Carle, and suddenly its “you guys have picked up the baton”. Your article is all over the place. Bagging McDonald, Beauchamp & Garcia smacks of sour grapes mate.
Millster said | April 3rd 2009 @ 11:00am | Report comment
Just on the “midfield Platini” / Nicky Carle etc commentary – and I’m saying this as someone who would like Carle to have a bit more of a look-in – I don’t know how KB in particular can say that we had an absence ofthat kind of role on Wed night. Unless the seat I was in had a pane of rose-coloured glass between it and the pictch, I think I am being fair in assessing that Culina had some excellent periods as the basis for our controlling posession and distribution. Sure hes more a defensive than attacking mid – but nevertheless I think it’s doing him a disservice to say that we have no midfield ‘general’ at all in the preferred Pimbo lineup.
Millster said | April 3rd 2009 @ 11:01am | Report comment
PS how is Carle (and Palace) going at the moment? I ask as soneone who doesn’t keep such a cloe eye on the English 2nd Division…
Pippinu said | April 3rd 2009 @ 11:06am | Report comment
Millster
you are correct about Culina – and really, Carle is well short of his quality.
Only yesterday I wrote that Culina is as good on the attacking side of midfield as he is on the defensive side, and why GC has an unbelievably good signing there (of which I’m extremely jealous).
dasilva said | April 3rd 2009 @ 11:08am | Report comment
Agree Millster
Culina distribution and long range passing was exceptional against Uzbekistan. He gave a lot of pin point passes that match.
Pippinu said | April 3rd 2009 @ 11:19am | Report comment
Just got this personalised message from my good mate, Bucks (I’m sure he won’t mind me sharing it with you all, we have that sort of relationship):
Hi Pippu
Wednesday night was another great occasion for football in Australia.
While we haven’t definitely booked our berth at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa yet, we’re very close.
I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who attended the match in person. It truly was a miserable night weather-wise in Sydney, but we still had a very vocal, passionate sea of gold around the Stadium and I know the players and coaching staff appreciated it.
With only three games to go, all of us are quietly confident of making it to South Africa and I hope you can continue to be part of the journey.
Thanks again for supporting the Qantas Socceroos.
Cheers
Ben Buckley
jimbo said | April 3rd 2009 @ 12:28pm | Report comment
Pip,
nice touch.
Hate to disappoint you but I got a personal message from Ben too.
He’s my buddy and I really was at the game, not like you.
Still waiting for my email from Andy Dimitriou thanking me for attending a couple of Swans games last year or an update on how our AFL World Cup quest is going.
Pippinu said | April 3rd 2009 @ 1:21pm | Report comment
Jimbo
I’m a bit of a homebody, and avoid being in places where there are other people.
Koala Bear said | April 3rd 2009 @ 2:14pm | Report comment
Millster,
we haven’t had a real midfielder with personality since the retirement of Zelic and Okon … Culina is a fine player no question about that, but he does not have the personality to take a game by the scruff of the neck and put his stamp on the game .. Bresh comes close, but Pimbo, I think holds him back, by making him play right side of the field too much..
An example of Okon days .. I recall a match at Hampton Park Scotland.. the Roos dominated Scotland .. some years ago now .. but it was an extraordinary performance by Okon. He was totally in control of the midfield and leading the team with real authority.. Not too eager to release the ball .. but holding it … moving forward … making precision passes ..
Culina is a fine player but is too eager to release the ball too soon instead of taking on players before making the killer pass…
We can remedy the situation by giving Nicky Carle a go .. Someone who can carry the ball and get past a player before releasing that killer pass… A real personality player… My God we need one in a hurry… Millster, you better go back to the ANZ and tell Brett Holman he can stop chasing shadows now .. the game is over .. and we won ..
~~~~~~~~
KB
Dave said | April 3rd 2009 @ 4:16pm | Report comment
Time for the Socceroos to be given some FTA coverage?:
“Socceroos set subscription TV record
Thursday, 2 April 2009
The Australia v Uzbekistan World Cup Qualifier football match last night created a new Australian subscription TV record audience with an average audience of 431,000 people watching the game on FOX SPORTS.
The three and a half hour telecast reached just under one million Australian viewers according to ratings recorded by OzTAM Data.
These figures do not include the huge number of people who watched the match at one of the 4,000 FOX SPORTS venues around Australia.
“This is an outstanding result for FOX SPORTS and the Australian subscription TV industry as it again reinforces our commitment to and investment in Australian sport” said FOX SPORTS CEO David Malone. “To achieve audiences of this magnitude is a clear indication of the strong growth of subscription TV and further evidence of the viewing audiences we can deliver.”
Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO, Ben Buckley, said that the record FOX SPORTS audience was further evidence of the popularity of the Qantas Socceroos.
“We know from the 2006 FIFA World Cup that the Qantas Socceroos have a large following and Australians are genuinely excited about the possibility of us participating the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The Australia v Uzbekistan World Cup Qualifier had a higher average audience than any program in the history of Australian Subscription TV and a peak half hour audience of 508,000.”
From the FFA website.
Shonin said | April 3rd 2009 @ 4:21pm | Report comment
Some people are so blinded by results. Do you honestly think, the frequent inept displays like in the first half will get us anywhere in the world cup? When will the national team stop relying on opponents to get tired to get the upper hand? I’m so sick of people saying Pim will adopt a different strategy in the world cup. Thats a load of bull. Through the whole campaign, Pim has shown little or no evidence that he is ready to adopt an attacking approach. If Pim has no courage to attack, tbh weaker opponents, then why would he do so against stronger opponent? Like the great Johnny Warren said, we should be thinking about winning world cups, not just getting there.
Millster said | April 3rd 2009 @ 5:35pm | Report comment
Ummm…. ok…. I would have thought that step one in winning a worrld cup was “just getting there” myself….
kevin from glebe said | April 4th 2009 @ 2:56pm | Report comment
yes i think youre right Millster just getting there is more important than playing with flair at this stage of the campaign. if we had tried to play with flair and results didnt go our way then people would have been up in arms like many times before.
i like many others have experienced already too much heartache with the soceroos not qualifying for many world cups and coming oh so close.
Midfielder said | April 4th 2009 @ 5:44pm | Report comment
Shonin
Honestly …. these people who keep saying a bunch mostly of second league player should be playing like they are top and if they don’t we are doomed …. Honestly …. making the WC is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooo important nay critical to the long term development of football in Australia so many posts by so many thinking people explaining why …. but … honestly these folk who keep listening and re stating the impatient one’s wishes like they had any real hope of being achieved… honestly they drive you made don’t they mate .. I mean honestly I want it to be Christmas tomorrow so let it be so… so this bunch of players older and most struggling to get off the bench in second tier leagues honestly they should play like Brazil and take risks galore…
Ben from Phnom Penh said | April 6th 2009 @ 5:18pm | Report comment
Now the pressure is off somewhat will we see Triosi, Djite, Carle etc have a run? One hopes so.
Midfielder said | April 6th 2009 @ 5:27pm | Report comment
Ben
Agree especially Triosi..
rory said | April 6th 2009 @ 11:10pm | Report comment
id love to see troisi and djite paired upfront, they would know eachothers game so well and add a bit more fluency in attack surely. or even seeing either one of em along side mcdonald, he needs a bigger skillful striker to hold the ball up for him like samaras and Jan vennegor of hesselink do at celtic, either one of the turksih based lads or big dukes himself would be lovely. and nicky deserves a shot, hes a starting regular at his club, it might be the championship but weve all seen his flair at home in the a-league. heres to pim though for gettin us to the brink of qualification, lets just hope he mixes it up and tests these other fellas against the irish and the other friendlies weve got lined up
Midfielder said | April 6th 2009 @ 11:39pm | Report comment
Would be interesting to see Jedi & Troisi in Center mid with Djite up front …
jimbo said | April 6th 2009 @ 11:42pm | Report comment
Its weird.
We’ve got a team that doesn’t look too good at times but is unbeaten in five games and not conceded a goal.
We’ve got a team that’s even beaten Holland in Holland and beat them quite impressively.
I’m thinking sh1t we are going to get thrashed in the WC, but hey, that tinny Dutch b@stard keeps on winning and keeps getting results.
Maybe we’ll get the results in the WC and make it to the knockout rounds – who the fark knows?
Captain Random said | April 8th 2009 @ 4:24am | Report comment
People are blinded by results? How else would you measure a team’s success? The best style is winning style. We all remember Iran ‘97.
Does anyone really think we have a chance against a top-tier nation if we open the game up and play all-out atttack?
Midfielder said | April 12th 2009 @ 4:09pm | Report comment
A post from MV fans forum I agree with just posting here
…As I have said before people need to realise that there is nothing given with regards to World Cup Qualification and in elongated campaigns results are more important. Quality of play can be important in sudden death playoffs as an away goal for example can prove invaluable and the stakes are ultra high. Another issue is that it is simply impractical to always be able to play fantastic coherent football when the team only has two days training like with Japan awa
If people look closely, even the European powerhouses have stuttered at times like France and Italy have often been sluggish, plus look to South America where in the initial stages it was Paraguay who had the early running and Argentina are getting beaten 6-1 by Bolivia etc
Of course there is a need for Pim to develop the quality of play skills and tactical capacity in handling/reading high pressure situations like World Cup Football but that it catered for by some high quality friendlies like the one we have organised against Holland, with there being a need for a few more. Perhaps a few training camps to get some of the fringe players who have come on since 06 into gear and familiar and fluent with the system needs to be held. Similar to what Guus did in place of the Colombia friendly
Midfielder said | April 12th 2009 @ 4:10pm | Report comment
Sorry left some off
A post from MV fans forum I agree with just posting here
I think people often underestimate how difficult it can be to qualify for the world cup and I believe it should never be taken for granted no matter what team you have. In fact qualification into major tournaments is not exactly a given either.
As I have mentioned the following case studies.
England probably thought that anyone could have taken them into Euro08, especially when you have some big names like they do… Croatia ruined the party at Wembley, but they really had themselves to blame
I reckon Cameroon and Nigeria probably took World Cup qualification for granted in the WC06 campaign, two respected nations with considerable talent.
Holland with the talent they had and with Louis van Gaal in charge probably thought they would make WC02, didn’t happen, Ireland pipped them to the playoff spot with Iran.
I have heard time and time again about England v Poland at Wembley in 1973
So credit where credit is due for Pim.
As I have said before people need to realise that there are nothing given with regards to World Cup Qualification and in elongated campaigns results are more important. Quality of play can be important in sudden death playoffs as an away goal for example can prove invaluable and the stakes are ultra high. Another issue is that it is simply impractical to always be able to play fantastic coherent football when the team only has two days training like with Japan awa
If people look closely, even the European powerhouses have stuttered at times like France and Italy have often been sluggish, plus look to South America where in the initial stages it was Paraguay who had the early running and Argentina are getting beaten 6-1 by Bolivia etc
Of course there is a need for Pim to develop the quality of play skills and tactical capacity in handling/reading high pressure situations like World Cup Football but that it catered for by some high quality friendlies like the one we have organised against Holland, with there being a need for a few more. Perhaps a few training camps to get some of the fringe players who have come on since 06 into gear and familiar and fluent with the system needs to be held. Similar to what Guus did in place of the Colombia friendly
Green n Gold 2010 said | April 17th 2009 @ 9:21am | Report comment
SACK PIM!!!
SUCKS AT ATTRACTIVE FOOTBALL FELLAS!!
BRING ON PHIL TROUSSIER!!
START NICKY CARLE!!!!