Comments on: Socceroos in for a physical battle in Group of Defence

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:23:31 +0000

By: vladimir

vladimir — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:13:07 +0000

correct.. ghana are the biggest worry… the germans are a shadow of what they used to be… serbia have just as many problems up front : zigic hardly gets a game for valencia…

By: Shahsan

Shahsan — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:08:18 +0000

Sorry, that wasn’t really aimed at you, but at many others who confuse nationality with ethicity whenever sports talk goes international.

By: Mr cheese

Mr cheese — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:32:01 +0000

The Germans have never been “the side they once were”.

They did OK in ’06

They did OK in ’08

They were torn to bits in 1939-1945

By: danny

danny — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:54:30 +0000

croatia fits the bill. high-ranked, non-qualified side, similar style to some of the sides we’ll come up against, bit of footballing history, large community in melbourne. expect to see croatia v australia at the mcg on may 25th.

By: keeper11

keeper11 — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:53:47 +0000

if we can grab draw against germany and win against ghana….

i see serbia doing damage on the germans….

( ‘ kosovo war and german support for croat catholic brothers ?? )
lets say serbs will be ..’pumped’…..

then draw might be enough for socceroos against serbia..

By: pete

pete — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 11:21:42 +0000

I think we’ll go through! The Germans aren’t the side they once were. Ghana and Serbia are both unpredictable but you can see us collecting the points in both those games should everything go to plan. Go the Roos!

By: jimbo

jimbo — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 09:38:26 +0000

I’ve done a bit of research on the Schnapps.

By: BigAl

BigAl — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:44:58 +0000

Amen !

By: Roger Rational

Roger Rational — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:43:55 +0000

Aussie spirit is the biggest edge? Mate, you ought to do some research on the German spirit.

By: David

David — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 08:17:25 +0000

Weather ur optimistic or realistic we can be sure of one thing Aussie Spirit is the biggest edge over the other teams.
Weather u know football or not, im confident Australia will go in and give each team a fight to the end and wont give up.
Weather we progress or not im very proud of us in what we have achieved in such a short time.

Good luck Socceroos,
Glory to the Socceroos!

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:41:38 +0000

Yes – well – I wasn’t offering a moral perspective on it.

By: Crazy Dave

Crazy Dave — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:06:27 +0000

Carn The Aussies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is a group we can do well in. We will easily finish 1st or 2nd and progress to the QFs where anything can happen… :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

By: jimbo

jimbo — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:59:06 +0000

Based on our last few games against these teams the results would be:
Socceroos 3 Germany 4
Socceroos 1 Ghana 0
Australia 1 Serbia 1

4 points and enough to get to the next round against England.

Then Italy in the QFs
Argentina in the SFs
Spain in the WC final

No worries Pimbo.

Aussie Aussie Aussie
Oi Oi Oi!

By: KB

KB — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:05:42 +0000

Timmy Cahill hasn’t improved for club and country Wilkshire hasn’t improved for club and country you must be kidding me.. ?

By: cab711

cab711 — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:26:31 +0000

Theron is hot and so was the speaker…very niiice!

NZ got an easy group, thats not fair. Kick the NIX out of the HAL FFS!

By: Shahsan

Shahsan — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:24:44 +0000

Blame the Springbok captain, Jon Smit!

By: cab711

cab711 — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:21:20 +0000

Why did we get 2 Euro teams, and of decent quality too FFS! They bloody didnt turn those balls enough!!!!

By: Shahsan

Shahsan — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:13:26 +0000

The only real difference between Serbs and Croats — in fact, between any two “ethnic groups” you wish to cite in the world — are religion and their trivial, man-made cultural practices. As humans, there are practically no differences aside from superficial, cosmetic ones.
But it is those little, trivial differences that we fight and kill each other over.

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:07:04 +0000

Tony
nicely summarised: defence and set pieces – Australia might have the former (but individually, our players are a class below those of Germany and Serbia), but we might have a lot of trouble guarding against the latter.

Serbia has pretty much the best defender in the world who is more than a hand full at set pieces (just ask Gamba!).

And with the Germans, an Australian catenaccio may not be sufficient agaisnt five or six blokes who can smack the ball with accuracy from 30 metres (and while the Schwatter has been in terrific form the last couple of years, balls in the air remain his weakness).

Ghana? Can be anything on their day – but have the benefit of playing on their own continent.

By: Pippinu

Pippinu — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:01:27 +0000

I think the point here is that they are different nationalities – not the same one – if anyone needs a lesson on Balkan history, I’m happy to help out.

By: Shahsan

Shahsan — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 02:00:35 +0000

I think Ivory Coast or Ghana will surpise everyone

By: Shahsan

Shahsan — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:58:17 +0000

I disagree. Only Schwartzer is a better player. The rest are less effective now. And kennedy looks great against opponenst averaging 1.7m tall

By: Shahsan

Shahsan — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:54:27 +0000

I’m suspicious of players who desperately tried to play for another country first. Makes their current displays of patriotism all a bit fake.

By: KB

KB — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:38:37 +0000

Yep….

By: KB

KB — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:33:52 +0000

I didn’t know that… So he can only play 45 mins I guess, who is the sub

By: sheek

sheek — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:30:39 +0000

The draw….. !

It’s not that good, but it’s not that bad idea. Having 4 more or less equal teams can work to the Socceroos’ advantage. Let’s hope the other 3 teams all spoil each other while leaving us fairly unscathed!

The leading pool team might only gather 6 points (two wins) or 5 points (win & two draws). The second & third teams might gather 4 points each (win, draw, loss), meaning it would come down to goals for & against. Whatever, it will be one of the more interesting pools.

What if all 4 teams finish with a win/draw/loss each (4 points)? Won’t that make for interesting times! Goal difference, & goals scored will then become paramount. As I understand it, for example, a 6/5 goal difference is superior to a 5/4 goal difference.

I also think playing Germany first is best. We probably have our least expectations of a win against them, so a loss won’t psychologically damage us, providing we play well. But it means no second chances in the remaining two games.

A point on the likely Socceroos selection. Even if man for man it might be weaker than 2006, the experienced core of players who played 4 years ago is priceless. Experience of world cup conditions cannot be under-estimated.

Another helpful fact, we’ll be playing in conditions almost identical to Australia, hard surfaces, plenty of sunshine. That must also be to our advantage. Okay, most of our best players are plying their trade in Europe anyway, but they grew up in Aussie conditions.

So all in all, even if the 2010 squad is deemed weaker man for man compared to 2006, other factors have improved our prospects. I can’t emphasize the experience factor enough. Four years ago the players were like kids in a lolly shop. This time they’ll be more circumspect.

Finally, Pim mightn’t have the flair of Guus, but I believe he’s right for Australia. Guus was the right man for 2006, & I believe Pim is the right man for 2010. Go SOCCEROOS!

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:29:02 +0000

Expect a 5-5-0 formation first up against the Germans

By: AGO74

AGO74 — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:28:25 +0000

I think this is a tougher group than ’06. Let’s compare it. First Brazil/Germany, we are capalble of playing very well against both opponents but realistically they will win more often than we win (or draw). Croatia/Serbia – you could throw a blanket over them I think. Realistically I think this is our best chance of getting a result. Japan/Ghana – sorry, but you can’t tell me that Japan is as good or as dangerous as Ghana?? Plus, Ghana is playing in an African World Cup. Hence, it is tough, tougher than 2006, but I think we can do it. We do always seem to rise when we play stronger opponents. It’ll be great watching – pity there is no 9.30 EST Socceroo matches. Better line up that annual leave!!!

By: pothale

pothale — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:24:48 +0000

Any bloke calling himself Kay-hill, instead of the proper Kahil wouldn’t have made it anyway.