By Jim Morton
July 13th 2009 @ 12:48am
Related coverage
Celtic thump Roar 3-0
Scottish giants Celtic handed the Brisbane Roar a footballing lesson in clinical finishing with a thumping 3-0 defeat at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
In front of a joyous crowd of 31,340, the Roar had a stack of gilt-edged scoring chances, including two in the first 10 minutes, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
The Glaswegians ruthlessly showed the A-Leaguers how it was done with New Zealand international Chris Killen breaking the pre-season friendly open in the first half with two quality goals in three minutes.
Brisbane’s premier football arena was coloured in Celtic’s green and white and the Scottish fans, who came from far and wide, whooped up an uplifting 11-minute period either side of halftime which reaped all three goals.
Second to Old Firm rivals Rangers in the Scottish Premier League last season, the Bhoys’ victory puts them on the right track as they gear up for revenge and an imminent Champions League qualifying period.
Adding extra satisfaction to the successful start of their 2009-10 campaign was a victory over an orange-clad Roar outfit that contained three former Rangers stars in Craig Moore, Charlie Miller and Bob Malcolm.
Roar coach Frank Farina, otherwise pleased with his side’s competitive performance, bemoaned the “bad choices” and “silly mistakes” which led to the turnovers for the goals.
“For us a lot of positives came out of the match,” he said. “I’m disappointed we lost the game but I thought we were our own worst enemies in the first half.
“We started very well and probably could have been 2-0 up.
“The last 25 (minutes), the turnover in possession was just terrible and that’s what killed us.
“We were giving a team like Celtic possession of the ball on half way and good teams punish you and that’s what they did.
“It was a good lesson.”
It was wayward young gun Robbie Kruse, a first-half standout, who most pressured the defence of the rusty visitors but his two dangerous shots were expertly blocked by under-pressure Polish keeper Artur Boruc.
“Artur’s a great keeper and he made a couple of great saves today,” man-of-the-match Killen said.
“If he didn’t we would have been one or two down and it would have been a totally different game.”
Killen started the pro-Celtic crowd’s celebrations with a crisp header from a perfect Lee Naylor cross in the 39th minute.
The All Whites striker, a late inclusion in the Celtic squad, found the back of the net again moments later by finishing a beautiful one-two with Shaun Maloney.
But it was Japanese international Koki Mizuno who produced the goal of the match with a diving header from replacement Georgios Samaras’s sharp, curling cross.
Socceroos striker Scott McDonald, captaining Celtic, couldn’t poach a goal on Australian soil but did have his chances before being replaced to raucous applause in the 61st minute.
McDonald had a free shot just inside the box after the break but rifled it at keeper Liam Reddy. Two more attempts came in the next eight minutes but again the No.7 hit them straight at Reddy’s head.
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and I’m on the Roosters bandwagon a 12 point win to the chooks.
Finno said | July 13th 2009 @ 8:53am | Report comment
Entertaining match, Celtic were very sharp in there goals they were well built goals 2 goal came from some very clinical passing out of the back line and great ball through the wide men, who whipped the ball in for some great finishers. The quick ball into the centre really left the Roar defence on the back foot. ( Roar players take note) The quick ball into the centre is the better option the defence simply dont have a chance to back peddle. The other goal came from the middle and it was a sign of good commuication from the centre forwards and halfs. On the other hand Celtic defence was left gaping a times and if the Roar had a better finish they could have put away 4 one on ones with the keeper. But most of the Roar attack was off defencive mistakes in the Celtic back line. But overall Celtics ball control and general play far superior to the Roar and it was good lesson for the lads. The Roar were hardly out played and they had general good passagers of play, if they had the quality opposition week in week out they will only improve. They crowd atmosphere was good and the Celtic fans were great good afternoon of football. Cant wait till August 8th.
Towser said | July 13th 2009 @ 9:05am | Report comment
Forget the game. Watch the crowd. I did. Had a panoramic view of the full bottom half of the Southern stand chockas full of the green & white hoops. Passion & songs aplenty. Man about 90 on the bus on the way to the station sang the Celtic songs with the rest of the Bhoys fans & said he never thought after 50 years in this country he’d sing them again. Spotted also several other geriatrics busiest day ever. Must admit they had restrainment down to a fine art. Although I wouldnt have wanted to be hanfdling the dangly bits of the naked streaker. On the way out several fans were pulling luggage behind them. On the way to an airport I presume. The young Celtic fan next to me here on a working holiday,suprised by the Hoops support said that that Celtic should visit more often. Personally I thought he had a point. Advantages are that it exposes Australian fans of the A-League to the passionate football support culture of clubs like Celtic. It brings decent crowds. IT allows A-League clubs to see where there at in football quality terms & according to Tony Mowbray & now nely convinced Roy Hodgson gives their clubs a decent football workout,probably better than back home.
As far the game the summary above is pretty much spot on. Celtic too much class, moved & controlled the ball & moved off the ball far quicker than the Roar,simply because they had a better calibre of player as befits the size & history of the club.
All in all though a “Joyous occassion” as JIm Morton states.
Time in future for the FFA to become more proactive in these preseason matches against quality overseas clubs. Maybe some sort of mini-tournament arranged. Seems odd to me that Australias biggest football market Sydney is not playing one of the touring clubs,given the 80,000 Beckham crowd involving a team(LAG) with no supporters in Australia or indeed NZ or Asian countries.
Towser said | July 13th 2009 @ 9:13am | Report comment
Line in previous post missing parts. Should read:-
Spotted also several other geriatrics in Hoops scarves. The Suncorp security staff probably had their busiest day ever.
Towser said | July 13th 2009 @ 9:21am | Report comment
Finno
Your line about well built goals is pertinent & one thing A-League clubs need to take note off in learning from clubs such as Celtic. Also the bit about weekly quality opposition is also a valid one. I’m sure some clubs in the SPL dont have the playing roster of Celtic & Rangers but compete with them because they play them regularly & adjust their play accordingly.
Cpaaa said | July 13th 2009 @ 9:33am | Report comment
Not only did Celtics show the Brisbane boys how to play on the pitch, their supporters showed aussie folk how to support a football club with class and style off the park as well. Goose Bumps through my body every time the Celtics began their choir like hyms. ” youll never walk alone” felt like i was in Glasgow on a warm winter afternoon.
Forget Fulham or Wolverhampton, next year bring back the Celtics,and im sure the promoters would do even better than the 31k that attended sunday. One of the Best Supporter Groups in the World.
Koala Bear said | July 13th 2009 @ 9:39am | Report comment
31,340 at Suncorp proves that the Brisbane Roar FC could be the best supported HAL team in the comp… The fans are there; they only need to be convinced that the ROAR are a team worthy of their support in every home game at Suncorp…
The preseason games with Fulham, Celtic and the Wolves have been a magnificent success pitted against the local HAL home teams… This has been an interesting experiment to gauge where the local teams are in comparison and how far we still have to go to reach their high professional standard … not too far away as it seems…
We can only improve the local HAL team’s standard with these sorts of fixtures and convince the locals that in Australia we have a good league to support and that we are not too far off from those clubs in Europe.. Yes, we are heading in the right direction with overseas clubs facing local opposition to improve awareness and the standard of the HAL… Congratulations to those who organised these preseason fixtures…
~~~~~~
KB
The Bear said | July 13th 2009 @ 9:55am | Report comment
Roar thumped…but Victory not thumped vs Fulham. Interesting editorialising.
Towser said | July 13th 2009 @ 10:20am | Report comment
KB
Let me add another thing to your point about about the high professional standard. It covers many areas,one of which is acknowledgement of your own fans support. Craig Moore knows this & at the end led the Roar lads around the ground & they were all clapping in appreciation of their fans. A small but significant “professional” touch.
Another point I thought of regarding these matches is that Frank brought on a couple of young lads. It allowed them to see quality overseas professionals at work close hand & where they(Roar youth) were at. I harked back to the departure of Williams & Vidosic prematurely in my opinion & thought that if they had the same experience available at the time,would they have left so early?
Next year I believe clubs are taking over from the QAS etc to run their own academies. It strikes me that they have if we continue these overseas club pre season matches that their is a much clearer defined path for our young players.
A-League club academy to Youth league to A-League(playing against overseas clubs seeing where their at & deciding more to learn in A-League first) then if quality Big Overseas club not Chesterfield or Brondby.
Koala Bear said | July 13th 2009 @ 10:56am | Report comment
Towser,
I couldn’t agree more with you; Farina, and Craig Moore are great for the ROAR and the professionalism they show towards the fans with the display of gratitude should be the norm with all our other HAL managers and club captains; i.e. to engage more with the support base, win, lose, or draw…
~~~~~~~
KB
Slippery Jim said | July 13th 2009 @ 11:22am | Report comment
Towser, I thought the same thing, it is odd that Sydney aren’t involved in playing any of the touring clubs…an opportunity lost (typical Sydney).
BigAl said | July 13th 2009 @ 11:30am | Report comment
Isn’t ‘You’ll never walk alone’ Liverpool’s song ?
Finno said | July 13th 2009 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
Im amazed that a team like Sydney didnt play any big names I would have thought that getting a big team over from the UK was a opportunity. Even Celtic would probably play a match down the road in Sydeny and the supporters follow them. It could be a real tourist thing as well 3 weeks 3 games Roar, Sydney, Victory.
The 31,000 odd crowd was good I never seen and Australian crowd let alone a Roar crowd support thier team like that. They songs and the chants are great im glad now I sat at the Celtic end.
Slippery Jim said | July 13th 2009 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
Unbelievably, Aloisi has scored a brace against the Jets! A good sign for the season to come…
Cpaaa said | July 13th 2009 @ 1:20pm | Report comment
BigAl, i think your right, but then again depends who you ask.
heres a link that helps with how it became..
http://www.thebesteleven.com/2009/01/youll-never-walk-alone.html
BigAl said | July 13th 2009 @ 3:16pm | Report comment
Thanks Cpaaa . . . and all these years I’ve been thinking it was a Gerry & The Pacemakers original !
BrisbaneBhoy said | July 13th 2009 @ 9:47pm | Report comment
“Koala Bear said – 31,340 at Suncorp proves that the Brisbane Roar FC could be the best supported HAL team in the comp… The fans are there; they only need to be convinced that the ROAR are a team worthy of their support in every home game at Suncorp…”
KB, were you even at the game?? The reason I ask is because 2/3’s of the crowd were Celtic fans. About 10k-12k were Brisbane fans. In saying that, I do agree with you that there is potential in Brisbane. The club (or should I say franchise) needs to start bridging the gap that they have created with the footballing community in Brisbane. Not until that happens, Brisbane won’t reach her full potential. Also a little advertisement wouldn’t hurt either.
Koala Bear said | July 14th 2009 @ 10:40am | Report comment
BrisbaneBhoy,
I was not at the game (other commitments), but yes, I had no doubt that 2/3s of the crowd were supporting Celtic and not the Roar… However, I would be surprised that the 2/3s of the Celtic supporters were travelling with the Celtic team for trail matches… I would suggest to you, nearly all would be Queensland residents… That was my point..!
That these supporters could be transformed to support the Brisbane Roar or GCU FC… I am suggesting that these poor souls who have turned out in numbers are genuine football attics looking for a club to identify with in Australia; if given a good reason to do so… How many of these Scots could fly back to Glasgow on a regular basis to support Celtic…? Nay zilch I would imagine…
Our good friend “Towser” is a UK Sheffield boy and supporter of the Owls or Blades (both I think) but has openly stated he has adopted the Brisbane ROAR as his Australian club; as he is also a Queenslander… Many who have come to Australia from Europe, love football, but believe the Australian Club scene is not good enough, or for what ever reason don’t come to HAL matches…
I hope we can change this as demonstrated that the football numbers are out there… However, they have to be won over, with good Australian, attractive, full time, professional football… That is the challenge… I believe we are winning them over, or will win them over eventually with preseason tours such as this to show that the football the gap is not that big…
~~~~~~~
KB
Andrew said | July 14th 2009 @ 12:54pm | Report comment
I think Queensland roar should have looked to organise some joint training sessions. Perhaps not appropriate since they will play against each other but perhaps int he future whatever overseas club is playing the Gold Coast, they could have a few sessions with the Roar.
Nearly every aussie that goes overseas talks about how intense training is. I think largely due to the competition fo slots and it would be great for the young players to get a taste of what is required to be a top pro.
There was an article in the paper how Moore and Miller were telling the roar boys they will get thrashed unless they train harder… this would open the kids eyes a bit.
Finno said | July 14th 2009 @ 1:10pm | Report comment
I am constantly amazed at the amount of people who follow football in Brisbane but dont follow the Roar. Have a look at the football result in the paper in Brisbane and there must be thousands of game played every weekend in brisbane at all levels. At least 50,000 + people must play each weekend. It by far the most played code in Brisbane. Most of those travelling to watch Celtic play were from interstate not from Scotland, back packer on hoildays. I will watch with interest as the GCU game arrives to see the numbers i think 20,000 would be realistic.
I have a couple of mates from work who i convinced to come along, they never wanted to watch the Roar because they watch Arsenal play and why watch a lower level off football. After they came along, they agreed that the level isnt high but they enjoyed the game and will probably watch another game. If they get the number to come along once the return of those people coming back should be alot better. I hope that the preseaon friendlies continue they are a great PR exercise get the pages of the paper to give fair warning about the upcoming season. I would like to see the average numbers this year, I would hope a small growth could be possible.
I think that the Roar need to have a free ticket to the game day, register your name and get a free ticket. Once you are registered you get a reminder to upcoming games on the mailing list.
Towser said | July 14th 2009 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
KB
Everything you stated was correct expect for one momumental point, supporting the Blades. Nothing worse than choking on your cornflakes.
Andrew
This business about the intensity of overseas training continues to puzzle me. If it is related to competition for spots why cant we replicate it here ? It seems from all reports about SFC’s training this year that it has been intense due to their Czech coach. He monitors every move & players are required to reach a certain standard across the board of football training. Are we saying that Aussie coaches like Frank Farina are too laid back to drive equally laid back Aussie players & it needs a “Non Aussie” with a ruthless approach to do this. Do Aussie players in Australia then need a “Bunger up the bum” to make them train harder. In Europe I agree that given the importance of football in most countries that players will drive themselves not only against their own countrymen but the influx of “hungry” foreigners many from third world countries.
When I read that article about Moore & Miller I thought why do they have to say that?. To me playing against a big club like Celtic is motivation in itself. If not what is Frankie doing then in the way of motivation.
Towser said | July 14th 2009 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
Finno
If you can find the instant secret of luring the “Euros” to Suncorp to watch the Roar, the AFC & African &USA football will be eternally grateful.
But there is light at the end of the tunnel. Firstly the ACL gives us a chance to improve our football by measuring our technical progress against the Japanese. In my book having watched Gamba etc they are well advanced in this area.
Secondly tours such as the ones recently by British clubs gives us the chance to measure our progress also. If(& if the FFA are smart they will make sure this happens) this is a yearly occurrence it is another measuring stick. The Euros turn up,they see the gap closing, They cant turn a blind eye to reality.
Thirdly the reality would remain as we saw on Sunday, unless there were measures in place(which there are) to improve the first touch & speed of thought of our players. All to do with the well worn cliche of being “comfortable on the ball”. Can we honestly look ourselves in the eye as football fans & say that in general the A-League showcases players who are COTB at this stage of its development. Until we do the “Euros” have a point. Better to confront reality,improve, than to live in the fantasy world of believing that all is well with the standard of football. It took the Japanese 16 years to go from 19,000 in the first season to 19000 last season,in between after the initial honeymoon(same as us)the structures were being put in place to improve football & the crowds dropped to the reality of the standard of football on display. The reality is today that there is real value in that 19,000 crowd ,not wishful thinking.
Andrew said | July 14th 2009 @ 2:31pm | Report comment
@ Towser
I don’t know what the issue is. I always thought it might be the fact we have smallish squads because each team only has a certain amount of professionals so your spot is quite safe. I think it was Paul Okon who talked about when he went to Italy and the training was so intense because the other players in the team were your competition rather than your mates.
So it could be cultural in that Aussies are always very matey with team mates, the fact we don’t have a dirt poor working class (so less hungry), or just the fact that it’s always been relatively easy* to make it as a professional in Australian football codes.
*It’s not easy, I just mean the talent pools are much smaller than in other countries and so there is less required.
I really don’t know what it is, but when guys like Jade North says the K league is a step up then we know there is something missing. I think we will close the gap eventually and sooner rather than later but I think being part of one of those intense training sessions would have given some of those young pros a taste of what they need to be doing and wake them up a bit. I am a bit tired of mediocre A league Players talking about going to Europe, I even remember reading a 442 article where Tallen Martin was already talking about moving from an A league Club to overseas….. he was still in state league at the time!
Anyway every year I think progress is being made, so I am a happy fan. I remember in the NSL days it was a dream to have a league full of Perth Glories and Northern Spirits (1st year obv) and now we do.
Andrew said | July 14th 2009 @ 2:37pm | Report comment
The Euro snobs will never be happy unless the A league was better than the best league in Europe (which will never happen). So I agree with just raising the standards, produce better players and more entertaining football and see where it ends up.
Finno said | July 14th 2009 @ 4:56pm | Report comment
Towser
I have indeed got a proposal to get people to the football…..free beer. It works a treat
But you have a point we do need to tell it how it is we are not the best but the Australian public is use to the best or very close to the best. Cricket, League, AFL, Rugby, Lawn Bowls, Netball all near the top of thier level world wide. Even sheep dog trials we are pretty good at. If we had to rank our A- League comp to others world wide I would guess we would be 50th?
I believe that the Celtic, Wolves, Fulham visits have been great for the A-League. In Brisbane the Celtic match even got more then 10 words written about it. Amazing stuff 5 days out from the Origin.
Football doesnt have to enter into the code war debate as the football fan are already hear, it like you said getting Euros to the game. Not trying to pretend that the A- League is something it is not. And getting every Socceroo to return to Australia and play at least one year before they hang up the boots. Whats David Beckham doing next year?
Andrew said | July 14th 2009 @ 5:06pm | Report comment
I would support free beer! But unfortuantely would lead to a lot of crowd trouble if they ran out, lucky the brewery is nearby. They could install a pipeline
I don’t really support free tickets though. During the super league days of Rugby League they were giving out free tickets everywhere and it devalued it a lot for me. Why pay $25 when half the stadium is getting in for free, it really rubbed me the wrong way…. until I got free tickets haha
I know we shouldn’t be jealous of others but it’s a very human emotion. I do support cheap tickets (just not free) for all though and with the stadium deal I would have thought that was in the roars best interest too..
Towser said | July 14th 2009 @ 5:54pm | Report comment
Andrew Finno
$90 for the dearest seats I agree is a little high for this sort of match. That was the price for the dearest I think for the WC qualifier against Iraq last year. No comparison for me between the two matches. They should have been cheaper than $90 for the Celtic “friendly.
Their are no end of possibilities to this pre season business involving overseas clubs. The FFA needs to think seriously about it . The best news was that the overseas clubs saw advantages in their preperation for them. A good sign. in getting them back.
BrisbaneBhoy said | July 14th 2009 @ 9:27pm | Report comment
KB,
As for the 20k Celtic fans, most came from out of state. I know people personally who traveled from NZ, while I meet some from Canada and Ireland. Yes there were some of us based in Brisbane/SE Qld (IE myself and family).
The way Queensland (now Brisbane) was set up has done the damage, and it will be a very long time before Brisbane wins over the public. Besides the football fans who follow overseas teams and believe the A-League standard is below them, Brisbane also don’t have the backing/following of the Brisbane footballing sense. I know a lot of people who don’t go/stop going for this reason. Below is just a few issues Queensland (now Brisbane) Roar have to address –
(1) They didn’t care what the Brisbane footballing community wanted or listen to what was being said/thought. QR went after young families non footballing public believing that the football community in Brisbane will just show up if they give them live football.
(2) The whole Lions connection. They were that determined to keep the Lions feel throughout the set-up of Queensland Roar, it brought resentment from the wider footballing community.
(3) Very, very poor advertisement and public relations.
(4) The way the ‘hardcore’ fans are treated on match day.
(5) The lest said about the name ‘Roar’ the better.
These are just a few things that have cost the Roar dearly. Until they are fixed/address Brisbane will not reach her full potential in the footballing landscape.
I will give credit where credit is due. The name change from Qld to Brisbane was a very good move.
And for the record, in case you are wondering, I do turn up and watch/support Brisbane.