By Macs.football -
November 28th 2009 @ 12:05am
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How other teams can stop the Socceroos
There are five important things that the Socceroos‘ three group stage rivals must do next June in South Africa to stop them scoring, therefore increasing their chances of defeating Australia.
Firstly, man-mark Timmy Cahill. One of Timmy Cahill’s best abilities is his intelligent late runs into the box. Although a man-marker won’t be able to stop these runs, man-marking Cahill will put him under pressure when the ball arrives. A man-marker can also put pressure on Cahill at set pieces, hopefully affecting the power and placement of his headers. If the man-marker is effective and stops Australia’s main goal scoring danger from scoring, then you’ve gone halfway to stoping Australia from scoring.
Secondly, play a high defensive line. Australia is a team that lacks technical ability. By playing a high defensive line and denying them space and time on the ball, they are less likely to keep possession of the ball by passing it around and will resort to playing more hopeful, aimless long balls.
Thirdly, force Australia’s two defensive midfielders back. If you put pressure on Australia’s back four, their tendency will be to drop deeper on to the top of their 18-yard box. Australia’s two CDMs will follow suit and sit right on top of the defenders. This will increase the gap between them and Australia’s attacking players, leaving Josh Kennedy and Tim Cahill isolated.
Fourthly, limit the quality of crosses Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton can get into the penalty area. Deny them space, put pressure on them, don’t let them get their head up and, the best outcome of all, force them into early crosses. Poor quality crosses will make it harder for Josh Kennedy and Tmmy Cahill to score and or provide accurate knockdowns for their team-mates.
Finally, if there is a choice between two centre backs, choose the taller one. The Socceroos first choice striker is Josh Kennedy who is 1.94 m tall. If any of the opposition coaches has a choice between two or more centre-backs of the same or similar ability, the smart choice would be to choose the taller one(s).
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(9)
Freud of Football said | November 28th 2009 @ 1:08am | Report comment
I doubt there will be many nations worrying about defending against Australia, the shoe is going to be on the other foot.
Pippinu said | November 28th 2009 @ 10:49am | Report comment
Touche!!
gazz said | November 28th 2009 @ 11:58am | Report comment
score once against Australia and youve stopped them. their gameplan is to not let u score and if u do, they cant score in return!
Footbal Person said | November 29th 2009 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
They came back to score and win against Oman, although the quality of Oman, and teams we will face in 2010 is different obviously.
greenngold2010 said | November 29th 2009 @ 11:24pm | Report comment
1) Play fast
2) Play along the ground
3) Play like Barca
4) Play possession
5) gang up on Kennedy
6) Score 2 goals in the first half
Gibbo said | December 4th 2009 @ 1:10pm | Report comment
3) Play like Barca
What does that even mean? Play like your midfield boasts Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, even if your midfield consists of Grella, Culina and Wilkshire?
Tom said | November 30th 2009 @ 9:31am | Report comment
I think the best advice you could a team playing Australia is to look for diagonal balls in behind the full-backs, particularly the left full-back. Not only is that our weakest position but our formation requires that our full-backs have to look to get forward, which means we select defensively weaker players like Emerton and Carney and space opens up behind them.
marinator4LYF said | December 3rd 2009 @ 10:12pm | Report comment
i would argue tht brett emerton is just as strong defensively as he is in attack. hes just a very well ballanced all rounder imo
Realfootball said | December 2nd 2009 @ 2:22pm | Report comment
Big contrast with 2006. Then we had a team with an average age of around 26, and Kewell was still quick.
Now we have an old team with zero pace. I think we will be tough to score against but in terms of us getting goals, take Cahill out and the cupboard looks very bare.
What a shame Rukavystia and Djite didn’t break through. Sadly, both look further from that than ever.