“We told You so” or “That Pim is a genius” !!

I think Jesse is exaggerating a bit when he says we should have gone further last WC – but he mentions some interesting stats – anyway, it has been particularly observable the last two games – but to follow up no.3 with no.79 in almost the identical manner is what stands out the most.

On the other hand – both Pim and Henk would say that we are now in WC mode – we are gearing up for what will most likely be a very tough group.

Pim must choose adventure over caution:

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/blogs/halftimeorange/pim-must-choose-adventure-over-caution-247331

would be something worth testing out, perhaps in the return fixture against oman.

06 was very important for a lot of historical reasons (and it may be the best we do for a long time – you never know in the WC)

But winning the Asian Cup would be a massive achievement.

If winning the Asian cup wouldn’t overtake the 06 Campaign you can see why it’s going to be a real struggle to raise the bar.

Also winning the asian cup seems a real long shot for 2011.

For 2014 – If Vidosic, Spiranovic, Duganzic, Rukavytsa, Kantarovski keep developing we will be putting out a pretty handy team. So no need to get pessimistic yet.

Never say never – but there is plenty pointing in that direction.

We’ve said it before here on the Roar, and someone was talking about it recently on TV in some show, can’t remember where – that there is a massive gap between up and comers like Vidosic and Spira and about 10 Socceroos who are all on the wrong side of 30, or soon to be – they used the expression “doughnut effect”.

There ain’t no one coming through playing in the Premiership from a youngish age – but – there are stacks of youngish players spread out across many very good leagues (incl Bundesliga, Turkish league, Greek league, etc) – so it’s not necessarily all gloom and doom.

One comment, I think that the unfortunate reality is that – barring some kind of coaching breakthrough – the 2006 World Cup will be the highlight of our international success for quite some time.

Because, after all, Cahill’s contribution, beyond goals, is negligible.

The lesson here is that Australia’s blessing is that we are such a diverse multicultural country and we will have footballers developed from cultured football backgrounds. As long as we have players like Mate coming through, all this talk of long ball will be rendered obsolete.

The numbers of passes it take score a goal is a worthless stat. World Cups are not won by nations that can’t control a game and resort to hoofing it up the park.

I have to say. I do find that funny.

I think over the last four or so years, Culina has been the one playing that Pirlo role (he sits deeper for the Socceroos than he does for GCU) – and he hasn’t been bad – but he’s not in the same class as Pirlo – that’s not be offensive – Pirlo is amongst, or has been amongst, the best of the best.

To be honest, we havn’t seen enough of Carle at NT level to judge. He started his career playing closer to the front third – many have written that he is now a bit more adaptable and could probably slot in to Culina’s position.

But I just don’t know.

Let’s not forget that Pim favours work rate – and Jase has plenty of that – so it’s a hard one to judge without more evidence.

Another young kid who has had game time this year is Foschini – all have shown a bit – and that’s the idea.

Its good to see these kids getting games, i think its essential that they get playing time during the year.

I watched Genoa v Inter last night where Inter won 5 nil. Wesley Sneidjer is a key part of that Inter team now, everything seems to flow from him. Hernandez does the same for Melbourne.

Like you mentioned before Australia lack that type of player who can get the ball off a defender and set up plays consistently.

I posted the HT score of the Jets and Victory match above, the Victory came back with the three second half goals to win 3-1 in what was a pretty good display.

Speaking of long balls, it took a 60 metre ball from Carlos from a a free deep in our own half to score our first – but the control and finish from Arch was impressive.

As some posters have already said – there is a difference between catching the defence napping with an inch perfect long ball – and just bombing ad nauseum.

Unfortuantely, we don’t have Carlos in a Socceroo shirt.

If you have Carlos in your fantasy team, you’d be rapt because he helped set up the second goal when he absolutely smacked it from 30 m, it’s nearly knocked the goals over, and Tommy P was there for the tap in.

Just prior to that, Haliti was unlucky not to score his second with a thunderous header that also smashed against the crossbar – he was a threat most of the game.

Carlos finally got on the scoresheet himself when Arch broke in space, drew the defence towards him and found Carlos streaming forward on his own, his first touch was heavy taking him on a bit of an angle, but then managed to left foot it through Kennedy’s legs with just enough on it to beat the defenders tracking back.

Big win for Melbourne to stay in contention – Jets were unlucky, they were pretty good most of the match.

Two big mentions for youngsters coming off the bench.

Dugandzic has now made about three appearances off the bench – reminds me a lot of Vidosic in the way he runs with the ball – and boy this kid can play. It’s no surprise that he is of Croation background and has come through an “old soccer” club.

The question does need to be asked – are we at risk of throwing the baby out with the bath water? Think back to when Aust played Croatia in 2006, and about 10 players on the pitch, for both sides, were Australians with Croatian backgrounds, most of whom would have come through a handful of “old soccer” clubs.

Lastly, Elasi finally made his debut when he replaced Tommy P. He’s actually a striker but was forced to play in midfield, and in the context of the game – I thought he did all right – he certainly wasn’t overawed.

The talent is there. The only problem is the speed. Many players are on the way down physically.

Schwarzer

Wilkshire Neill Moore Chipperfield

Culina Grella

Emerton Cahill Bresciano

Kewell

JA was probably at his peak 3 to 4 years ago – remember he had an excellent confederations cup in 2005 for team that failed to get a single point.