Verbeek is to blame for the boring Socceroos
By roarlover34, 21 Apr 2010 roarlover34 is a Roar Pro
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The Socceroos-era under Pim Verbeek has been one of the biggest talking points in Australia’s footballing history. Sadly, the employment of Pim Verbeek was one of the worst ever made for Australia.
Pim Verbeek has single-handedly lowered the quality of football played by our Socceroos, used players who shouldn’t be allowed within 20 yards of the Green and Gold, and broken down Australia’s sporting culture.
Although many argue that the results have been good, that is not the be all and end all in the game of football.
Look at Real Madrid and Brazil, for example.
Dunga is somewhat unpopular because Brazil aren’t playing the beautiful football that they traditionally do, while Fabio Capello was sacked after winning the Spanish title, because they didn’t play good football.
The fact that opinions on Verbeek vary so much suggests that he isn’t good enough.
Criticism of Guus Hiddink tenure was almost non existent. In fact, a recent fan poll by the 442 Magazine found that 42 percent of people didn’t want Verbeek to remain in charge.
That’s saying something.
An indication of the opinion about the Socceroos’ performances is that crowds are lower. Brisbane hosted three games under Pim Verbeek: the first was a sell out, but from then on it went south: 34,000 Vs Qatar, 20,000 Vs Indonesia.
Evidently, the fans aren’t enjoying the games as much.
Secondly, two words, Brett Holman.
He hasn’t scored for three years, nor has he been credited with an assist. In fact, statistics found that the Socceroos’ scoring percentage was considerably less while he was on the park.
The fact that Nick Carle is on the bench while Holman plays makes you feel sick.
Anybody with half a neuron can tell that Nick Carle is a footballer and Holman isn’t. It’s a complete disgrace.
Finally, Verbeek has completely ignored the Australian way.
Isn’t it an Australian motto to “Have a Go?” Verbeek has forced his European way upon us.
Australians are known for their gutsy efforts and commitment. Sitting back and defending against Holland in a Friendly on our own turf? That isn’t “Having a Go.”
What did we have to lose?
We now play like Italy, a team we despised so deeply after 2006. Look at what Hiddink did in 2006.
We attacked every team we played, we actually wanted to score goals, and we did.
Verbeek has a Plan A – which is to defend with everyman behind the ball. He has no Plan B.
Every game, no matter the situation, we play the same dull football. I shudder to think how we will go in South Africa should we need to win a game to progress.
The employment of Verbeek has been a nightmare for football in this country. His arrogant dull methods of coaching will inevitably be exposed in South Africa.
As for his replacement when he leaves, Rijkaard as head coach and Neeskens as his assistant would be a dream.
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April 21st 2010 @ 5:59am
Alders said | April 21st 2010 @ 5:59am | Report comment
I don’t know a massive amount about the sport but that seems harsh.
April 21st 2010 @ 6:52am
Marlie Chiller said | April 21st 2010 @ 6:52am | Report comment
The third of the three Brisbane Socceroo games did not feature the first XI, so the numbers would be down for that one anyway.
April 21st 2010 @ 7:11am
Cpaaa said | April 21st 2010 @ 7:11am | Report comment
Boring as it may seem, the Verbeek era is one we had to have!
We have seen Australia play 2 very different styles under dutch direction
1/ The win at all cost, defensive, dont concede goals approach
2/ Play beautiful, excite, risk it all football of 2006
i think most of us would rather the later. Verbeek has got us to South Africa and like his players we should stand behind him, thank him and support him and the team of 2010. If we get to the second round, Verbeeks global kudos points as manager will rise and so will the profile of our National team. Remembering under hiddink in 2006 we played 4 games, winning just 1 match, and we left that fairly late.
April 21st 2010 @ 7:23am
Danski said | April 21st 2010 @ 7:23am | Report comment
Perhaps the most ridiculous article I ever met. Everyone is allowed an opinion I know but my opinion is that this article is a joke, written by someone who thinks they know football. The so called ‘boring’ football you talk about is as I see due to a couple of factors that you didn’t even mention. We are now playing in Asia with away games that every coach who’s worth their salt will tell you calls for defensive tactics, not necessary when you are playing Tahiti and Samoa. We previously only played one away game that mattered and that was our 2 leg World Cup qualifier usually against South American opponents. As I recall we played NONE of those away games with any kind of pizazz. Secondly, we have a different team now. Mark Viduka was instrumental in providing creativity up front and holding on to the ball. We don’t have that any more. Verbeek has adapted and adapted well. And to say he is the worst appointment look at every coach we had before Verbeek for the last 30 years… none of them could get us to the World Cup. Graham Arnold in charge of the Socceroos at the Asian Cup was both boring and unsuccesful. Verbeek got us back into the next Asian Cup using mostly A-League players you don’t believe should be anywhere near a gold jersey. What does that say about Verbeek’s abilities as a tactician and a leader? And what does it say about your opinion? Oh and the 40% of people who don’t want Verbeek to continue aren’t really football fans and think the SOceroos are capable of attracting Jose Mourinho, Fabio Capello or God forbid Guus Hiddink to take charge. Booooooooo!
April 21st 2010 @ 7:25am
mds1970 said | April 21st 2010 @ 7:25am | Report comment
Harsh comments there.
Verbeek has done everything that has been asked of him. His brief was to get Australia into the World Cup, something that historically has been a difficult task, and to qualify for the Asian Cup. And he did it easily.
Unfortunately I don’t think we’ll realise his worth until he’s gone. But if anyone thinks that qualifying for the World Cup through Asia is always going to be a walk in the park, just because it was this time, they’ll be in for a rude shock in future World Cup qualifying campaigns.
April 21st 2010 @ 7:33am
Dutchy18 said | April 21st 2010 @ 7:33am | Report comment
Disagree 100%
U cannot compare Australia with Brazil and Madrid.
Australian fans are getting picky, we are winning games, but now we criticize how we are doing so? The style of football Verbeek has introduced has carried us to a World Cup, thats the only piece of information we should be caring about.
April 21st 2010 @ 7:59am
Towser said | April 21st 2010 @ 7:59am | Report comment
Agree completely Dutchy18.
World Cup/Asian cup qualification=Football continues its momentum.
Sponsors, TV stations keep jumping on board.
Were not yet an advanced enough football nation to be picky & choosy about how we get to major tournaments,we just need to get to them to keep up the profile.
I’m sure even the great Barca would prefer to swap their “Fozzie Football” for the “Special Ones” ideology if they get knocked out of the Champions league race,which looks likely.
April 21st 2010 @ 8:19am
md said | April 21st 2010 @ 8:19am | Report comment
Hmm – really wanted to stop reading at this line:
“Look at Real Madrid and Brazil, for example.”
Then had to force myself to read the rest, which didn’t get any better,
Sorry – it’s hard to be positive about this article. You have misread a significant number of the socceroos matches and seem to have only a basic grasp of tactics, footballing reality and that our opponents deserve the respect that the socceroos give them.
Good on you for “having a go”, I suppose.
April 21st 2010 @ 8:28am
el_Pajovic said | April 21st 2010 @ 8:28am | Report comment
This is as benighted an article as I have come across in a while.
‘Look at Real Madrid and Brazil, for example’
Are you honestly using Real Madrid and Brazil as reference point for what Aussie Football should be doing?
Verbeek has dragged a third tier team to the World Cup. This is an amazing achievement considering the poor quality of players he has had to work with (in comparison to the top teams). Collectively, Australia would be a mid table Championship team. Give him some credit. Wait until the lean times and you will look back and see the folly of your ghastly attitude. Enjoy the World Cup and count yourself lucky that you do not have to qualify from a European group where Australia would struggle badly to finish midtable in a group. Just imagine qualifying with Holland and Portugal in your group?
Real fans follow their team regardless. I am sure that there are plenty of decent honest Aussie football fans that are willing to cheer on their boys regardless.
Be thankful for what you have got!!!
April 21st 2010 @ 10:37am
David V. said | April 21st 2010 @ 10:37am | Report comment
It is NOT a major achievement to qualify in a mediocre field, which is what the Socceroos have done. It’s much harder in Europe or South America where you face opponents of real quality.
April 21st 2010 @ 8:29am
Aka said | April 21st 2010 @ 8:29am | Report comment
Hiddink was in charge for effectively 2 qualification games (another 2 against a pacific island nation). Pim was required to get us through an arduous and at times very tough qualification path of 14 games. IMO he has done a fantastic job. If you had asked any football fan at the start of his tenure what Pim needs to do. It would be WC qualification and then AC qualification.
Bear in mind also that Hiddink could not get Russia though their lengthy WC qualification Path.
A question for you roarlover34. The next National Coach. Should his aim be to get to the next world cup possibly at the expense of beautiful football. Or have a team play beautiful football possibly at the expense of WC qualification. I guess you’ll choose the latter.
April 21st 2010 @ 8:44am
Savvas Tzionis said | April 21st 2010 @ 8:44am | Report comment
Interesting that 2 Dutchmen produce vastly different styles of Football.
That sort of exposes a potential problem within Australia’s coaching set up where we appear to be focussing on the Dutch method.
Which Dutch method?
At the end of the day, Verbeek was hired to hold the line (ensure we qualify for WC and Asia), which he has done.
After 2010, Australia has to be more aggressive in its Football style.
April 21st 2010 @ 8:50am
Phil E Buster said | April 21st 2010 @ 8:50am | Report comment
Verbeek has done all we have asked of him and more. He has the best record of any Socceroos coach. He has taken Australia to meteoric heights in the FIFA rankings. I could go on and on about the positive influence he has been for Australian football. And you want to “blame” him for all of this? Honestly, you have let yourself down with this article.
By the way, Holman has won the Dutch League title, has played in the Champions League, actually scores goals, whereas Nicky plays does not play in the first division, has not been a regular choice for his club, rarely ever scores or sets up goals, and even prefers to attend Lebanese BBQ’s and stuff his face rather than play in WC qualifiers for his country on home soil when given the choice by the coach. I know who I would prefer.