Socceroos lose to Denmark
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The Socceroos have succumbed to Euro-bound Denmark 2-0 in a friendly in Copenhagen a week out from the start of the final stage of World Cup qualifying.
Danish captain Daniel Agger slotted home a 32nd minute penalty and substitute Andreas Bjelland struck from close range in the 68th minute for the home side.
The result ensured that Princess Mary, who was in the crowd at Parken Stadium, did not have to worry about her loyalty being tested in front of her subjects.
The Socceroos had their chances with Alex Brosque and Harry Kewell failing to convert one on one opportunities early in the second half.
Australia fly out on Sunday to Oman for Friday’s World Cup qualifier in Muscat before meeting Japan on June 12 in Brisbane.
Socceroos coach Holger Osieck used the match played in cool conditions to test out some combinations before the clash against Oman.
Jade North was handed a start at right-back with A-League players Archie Thompson and Harry Kewell in the run-on team.
World No.10 Denmark tested the Australian defence as early as the second minute with Dennis Rommedahl firing a volley across Mark Schwarzer’s goals.
The home side took the lead in the 32nd minute after Matthew Spiranovic brought down Agger in the area.
Australia’s defence was unlocked by a beautifully-weighted backheel from midfield wizard Christian Eriksen for the surging Agger.
The Socceroos had their chances in the first half, Brosque squeezed a left-footed shot across the goal from a tight angle in the 16th minute and Mark Bresciano kept goalkeeper Stephan Andersen busy with a couple of long-range efforts.
Australia had a nervous moment four minutes after the break when Niki Zimling hit the deck under close attention from Spiranovic in the penalty area.
Play was waved on and it was Australia that had the chances to equalise with Brosque and Kewell not able to deliver the killer punch.
David Carney came on for Thompson and Mark Milligan for Mile Jedinak in the 65th minute before the Socceroos paid the price for not converting their chances.
Australia failed to clear a corner and the ball dropped at the feet of Bjelland who drilled the back into the back of the net.
Tim Cahill came on for Kewell in the 69th minute and Robbie Kruse for Luke Wilkshire.
The scoreline could have been worse for Australia in the 70th minute when a horrible Spiranovic back pass put Nicklas Bendtner through on goal only for the big striker to shoot wide.
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June 3rd 2012 @ 6:00am
Johnno said | June 3rd 2012 @ 6:00am | Report comment
Was a friendly but i am sorry to say i have a bad feeling about the upcoming world cup qualifiers and feel nervous.
-Playing Oman i think in 4 days time in Oman, and very hot stifling weather in Oman , with a passionate Oman home crowd.
The Oman team are fast team and well skilled, and at home used too the conditions, are athletic and will runs the ageing old socceroos ragged in front of a passionate home crowd hungy to make the world cup in 2014.
-Harry kewell was around for the france 98 campaing getting older 34 this year as , is lucas neil 33 or 34 too. Both are not the players they once were
-Mark Swarcher is now 40 yes 40, and he is showing signs of fading as shown by his match vs Denmark. Think Peter Shilton everyone old england keeper was a veteran
-The the socceroos, jet lagged will have to back up vs a world class Japan team 4 days later, at suncorp brisbane, after a gruelling hot and physically exhausting Oman match on the other side of the World. That plane trip will be very long and tiring to Brisbane from the other side of the world in Oman especially for the older socceroos.
A tough draw and I feel nervous as does Holger I am sure, and some of the older socceroos.
June 3rd 2012 @ 2:12pm
JAJI said | June 3rd 2012 @ 2:12pm | Report comment
We are lucky we only have to finish ahead of Iraq (who wont even get to play at home) Jordan and Oman to get to the biggest party of them all in Brazil in 2 years time
Our players are older and playing at a lower level than the 2010 squad let alone 2006
matthew Spiranovic and Robbie Kruse have not played one single minute in 2012 for their clubs – and Robbie is in the second division in Germany…..so why does Holger continue to pick them and where is the debate amongst our football media on this issue? people like Davidde and Ray gatt are too busy with their own agendas to offer any meaningful and proper debate on the real football issues
Jade North is playing – but have a look at his club and how woeful they are and where they sit in Japan
David Carney couldnt get a gig in England on 3 separate occasions, Holland, Spain and is now in Uzbekistan of all places
Luke De Vere, Eddie Bosnar, Saso Ognenovski, Ryan McGowan, Shane Lowry, Scott Macdonald – all players playing every minute for their clubs but not being picked. Even young Jason davidson and Robbie Cornthwaite are playing regularly
Chris Herd seems to have caught Harry Kewell’s disease that he had back in 1999-2004 with regards to deciding on treating injuries rather than playing for his country in crucial World Cup Qualifiers
Why wasnt ruka or Rhys Williams even used? The later is wanted by Liverpool……and what has happened to Timmy Cahill and why doesnt he start……
4 years ago we knocked off Holland in Holland then flew to Tashkent for a 1-0 win that got our final stage of qualifying off to a flying start – and that was under Pim. I am more than concerned this time around
We were terrible in Oman 6 months ago. We were terrible at home and away against Thailand and were almost 3-1 behind Saudi Arabia in February
Worse still thanks to Japan playing in the Confeds Cup we play Japan at home first – only 4 days after a trip to Oman…..so the draw wont be skewed to the top seeds like it normally is…….
Hopefully if japan win their first 2 games they come to Australia happy with 6 points from 6 and will settle for a point. we really need 4 points after these 2 games…..
June 3rd 2012 @ 6:15pm
dasilva said | June 3rd 2012 @ 6:15pm | Report comment
If we do qualify for the World Cup, I don’t believe we will do it topping the group. The japanese side seems pretty strong nowadays and ti seems opposite to what happen in 2006 where majority of our starting XI plays in Europe whilst the Japanese sides were playing in J-league.
Nowardays it’s the Asiaroos vs the euro-Japanese side. Kagawa certainly looks like a great player in the making and is a star player of Dortmund the German champions (it seems like Man U are interested in buying him) which pretty much solved the perenial problem that people have criticise Japan of having poor finishers.
it’s the other way around now. Just looking at the Japanese squad, vast majority the european contingent players are regular starting players for their clubs and the few that aren’t are atl east semi-regular (play at least 1/3 to 1/2 of the game) in top league football.
Here we have players starting for the socceroos who are struggling to get a game in the J-league.
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:14am
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:14am | Report comment
I didn’t like the opening 10 minutes of the match and, when Holger changed the team around the 70 minute, the structure collapsed & fluency of movement evaporated. However, for the hour in between I thought it was close to the best pass & move game of football I’ve seen from the AUS NT since the friendly in Wales, in Aug-2011.
What we saw last night from the AUS NT was, in my opinion, far superior to the win against GER or any of the matches in the previous round of WCQs.
And, DEN are quality opponents – particularly playing on their final home match before the 2nd biggest football tournament on the planet. DEN qualified ahead of POR for Euro2012 & POR contain players who play for the biggest clubs in Europe, including: Christiano Ronaldo, Nani, Pepe, Mireles, Coentrão
Some of the interplay between Bresc, H, Archie, McKay & Brosque was simply breathtaking. Every time Bresc had the ball – and, boy did he have the ball a lot – something happened. I counted at least 6 clear chances where we either got in behind the last DEN defender or the GK saved a shot that was going to hit the back of the net (Bresc x 2, Brosque x 3, H x 1).
DEN started like an express train and, whilst the win was a fair result, I thought a score of DEN 3-2 AUS would have been a clearer reflection of what transpired on the night.
I hope Rhys Williams is fit & I’d have him & Wilkshire as the 2 wing backs. Spira had a shocking night – he was responsible for both goals and had a brain-fade, which Bendtner should have punished.
I’d put Valeri in for Jedinak; Holman for Archie and then it’s either Brosque or Josh up front – probably Brosque for OMA & Josh for JPN.
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:39am
Kasey said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:39am | Report comment
I did not enjoy that game and I’m not feeling very happy about the direction the National team is taking over the last 6 years. How many players last night were in the famed 2006 squad? too many IMO. There is only so much gold dust to be squeezed out of our golden generation. The average age of AUS starting XI was
31y 112d, this is 4th oldest Socceroos starting team of all-time.according to one statto last night.
Why the hell a player as old and average as Archie Thompson(34) is still being selected is beyond me. He is not the future – Ruka was on the bench. Based on last night,we just might qualify for Brazil, but we’ll be on the first plane home after the group stages and sadly the prognosis isn’t much better for hosting the Asian Cup in 2015:(
Conversely, where are the young bucks clambering for Holger’s attention and demanding by their actions that they be picked? **
Agree Spira had a shocking night, but at least he is young(24) and can improve – being in the technically savvy J.League I expect him to do so. I have held grave concerns for the speed and versatility of our defence since that horrible night in Durban in June2010. Neill getting dumped by Al Jazeera could be a great thing for the Socceroos in the long term if it leads Holger to cease selecting him and perhaps select Rhys Williams(24) instead.
**As usual for our country, I have no concerns with the GK position, Adam Federici and Mitch Langerak are already promising under-studies to the great man.
Potential future defenders: Williams, Zullo, McKain and Goodwin.
Moving forward on the pitch
I guess we’ll have to wait and see how Amini, Rogic, Bulut, Vidosic and Oar turn out over the next 2-3 years.
They must be the future once Bresh, Harry and Cahill are finally deemed too old or slow to be picked.
June 3rd 2012 @ 9:04am
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 3rd 2012 @ 9:04am | Report comment
Kasey
DEN scored from a penalty & the 2nd DEN goal was scored when Holger had started changing the team and the defense was totally disorganised.
Did you not think that was the best pass & move game AUS have played in the past 10 months?
Bresc is 32 years old and, in my opinion, he is a more complete footballer now than he was at the 2006 WC when he was 26 years old. I saw nothing wrong with either H or Archie’s game. Along with Brosque that was the most dynamic movement & interplay I’ve seen in the AUS attacking half in ages. Some delightful one-touch passing & carefully angled runs to get in behind the defence. No aimless long balls from a static midfield.
DEN are a quality outfit, yet AUS gave them plenty of bother. Of course, DEN also gave us plenty of bother – that’s what I expect when 2 well-matched teams face-off.
For me our weakness is at the full back positions. Too often the opposition get in behind the full backs – on both flanks – and they are given the space to put the cross in.
I’m very relaxed & excited about the WCQs.
June 3rd 2012 @ 9:26am
Kasey said | June 3rd 2012 @ 9:26am | Report comment
I thought our best pass & move game in recent memory was the game in Wales(Aug11), a game I was fortunate enough to witness live. I thought we were terribly rusty last night and in that case, the hit out should have served as a good kick in the pants for the team. For years Holman has been derided as LOLman, fans incredulous as to how he continued to be selected, but I think we really missed his energy and drive last night. Its not all doom and gloom, but by God I would like to see some generational change in our line up.
June 3rd 2012 @ 9:58am
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 3rd 2012 @ 9:58am | Report comment
Yup – I agree. As I said in my opening post, this was the best pass & move since Wales.
Glaring difference is that DEN is ranked 10 in the World; WAL is ranked 41, so a slight difference in class.
I was far more impressed by our performance last night than the performance in Mönchengladbach when AUS beat GER 2-1 in March 2011.
June 3rd 2012 @ 2:19pm
Realfootball said | June 3rd 2012 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
Some might suggest, in that case, that you are living in a fool’s paradise.
June 4th 2012 @ 11:24pm
David Heidelberg said | June 4th 2012 @ 11:24pm | Report comment
Bresciano has never looked better, add Williams to that midfield alongside him and play McKay (midfield) Wilkshire (fullback) nd Archie (spectator) and the engine room looks a lot better.
Culina and Emerton are still to return from injury before Brazil.
Kennedy and Golman up front, with Cahill, Brosque and the others on the bench.
Ognenvski back in, North sitting next to Archie and the search for a LB cotinues. Things aren’t that bad.
June 3rd 2012 @ 9:27am
Stevo said | June 3rd 2012 @ 9:27am | Report comment
I enjoyed the game in patches, the few that we had. The front third were OK creating chances that had we have taken one or two would have lifted the side. Please, Bresc is all class and I’d have him start every time until something better comes along. Harry was good and Brosque found space and made opportunities but … It’s the back third that seemed at sixes and sevens. Add some sloppy passes out of defense and we invited trouble from a Danish side that were pretty much Euro prepared. Archie Thompson is a luxury against quality opposition like last night – why he started is a mystery.
June 3rd 2012 @ 2:42pm
Bondy said | June 3rd 2012 @ 2:42pm | Report comment
I saw some pace issues the brain works for some but the body just doesnt quite get there in time now .
Mark S being 40 yrs of age and he’s refexes arent what they use to be we’ve got another eight keepers just as good !
June 6th 2012 @ 3:29pm
Andy said | June 6th 2012 @ 3:29pm | Report comment
Have to say I agree to an extent with you. I don’t follow the national team very closely but in the Denmark game what I saw was pretty good. We looked well-organized and were always looking forward with our passes. We were quite direct but it was more high tempo, one touch direct football than route one long balls. As an admirer of Borussia Dortmund, the German national team and Liverpool under Rafa Benitez; pressing, high tempo football is my cup of tea. Does anyone else find Spain’s tika-taka tactics beautiful but insanely boring? Now, obviously, beauty is in the eye of the beholder but in the interests of growing the game in Australia I’m glad we’re going for the German model and not the Spanish. It suits the physical players we produce. Let’s not forget too, that Denmark are a talented team. Eriksen is going to be a big, big name.
But that’s where the good part ends. We might qualify for the WC with this ageing squad but what good will that do in 2014 when the players are even older? What’s the point in having the A-league if we stuff it with foreigners and only pick players for the national team who are based overseas? The reason European national teams do so well is because they have continuity throughout their national competitions right through to the national team. Spain’s players are basically Barcelona. Germany’s side is built largely on Bayern Munich and now Dortmund, and except for Ozil, Khedira and Klose all the rest play in the Bundesliga. I can’t think of a single player in the Australian team who plays together with another Socceroo in the same team.
There needs to be continuity from the club systems right up to the national team. Osieck needs to take a chance on A-league players once(if?) we qualify for the World Cup. I don’t know what the FA are doing for youth teams but I can only hope that our young kids are training in small sided games to improve their touch and that we have academy systems at all A-league clubs. If you combine that touch with the physicality Australian’s are reknowned for we could produce something similar to Germany in 10 years. Right now though, I don’t see much hope for the future once our ‘golden generation’ die off.
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:49am
AGO74 said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:49am | Report comment
Decent patches of play but for mine it was a pretty average performance. When the 2nd goal went in it seemed like the boys wanted to pull up stumps and head home. Hopefully this game can be used as a kick up the pants for the upcoming Oman and Japan matches.
June 3rd 2012 @ 8:50am
Kasey said | June 3rd 2012 @ 8:50am | Report comment
The only potential saving grace was we as fans do not know how hard Holger pushed the squad in his pre-friendly training sessions. If he drilled them hard then that might account for the sluggish opening. Normally we as a country get ‘up’ for playing a bigger name Euro country on their own dung heap Hence our recent top record over Germany, Slovenia and Poland etc. I didn’t see much evidence of that, except perhaps Luke Wilkshire’s agricultural challenge on Poulson in the first half.
June 3rd 2012 @ 9:21am
The Cattery said | June 3rd 2012 @ 9:21am | Report comment
As Davidde said during the live call:
With an average age of 31 years and and 112 days this is the 4th oldest Socceroos starting XI of all time.
Kasey touches on this above – for how long more can we rely on Bresh and Kewell to be amongst our best players?
For how long has a back four issue been emerging? I’d say it has been emerging since soon after the 2006 WC. We’ve had years to plan for the retirements of Moore, Poppa and Chippers – but we’ve continued to plug gaps with second best options. Spiranaovic has not come on, which means we might have to seriously consider using the Ogre – just in case we thought our average age was already too high.
It’s taken us so long to find a partner for Neill that now Neill himself is 34 years old! And incredibly, Chippers is still our best left back at the age of 36!! It represents poor planning.
And to think, Holger thought our best forward structure would include Harry and Arch – both forming the bedrock of an A-League team that couldn’t make the top 6, I mean honestly – are we that bereft of talent?
A lot of the blame lies with Holger, he has been selecting safe starting XIs ever since he was appointed, when it was obvious a long, long time ago that the generational change had to start immediately.
Now we have an Australian team that is around the standard of the Socceroos circa the 1980s.
If you don’t believe me, check out where most of the Danish players earn their living, and compare to where most of the socceroos are currently earning their living.
The one saving grace is that we’re up against half-assed Asian teams to win a spot in the WC, and this is the one huge thing Frank Lowy did for the Socceroos – getting us into the weak Asian confederation, because it’s essentially a guaranteed qualification for Australia, along the lines of Mexico and the US in CONCACAF
June 3rd 2012 @ 9:27am
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 3rd 2012 @ 9:27am | Report comment
Did you voice these concerns when AUS beat GER – in Germany – 12 months ago?
AUS NT is ranked 21 in the world, which is higher than the majority (39) of the nations in UEFA. Based on AUS results at the last 2 FIFA WCs, AUS would have qualified for both WCs even if we were part of UEFA!
AUS NT has lost 2 practice matches & 2 meaningful games under Holger Osieck in 24 months. Is there any Australian National sporting team that can boast this type of record in the past 24 months?
June 3rd 2012 @ 10:14am
The Cattery said | June 3rd 2012 @ 10:14am | Report comment
I’m not alone in expressing concern about the lack of regeneration in the NT at a time when it is needed (has been needed for a few years in all honesty).
You only need to go through the various facts and figures to know there is merit in this argument as a broad theme.
I had the view last year that the Socceroos were better off using the Asian Cup to re-build, but Holger took the safe option – at the end of the day – what does the NT gain from being runners up in the Asian Cup? Nothing really. They could have made it into the top 4 with a team aged completely under 27 and started the rebuilding process.
You mention the German team – did you notice the relative youth of its team last world cup? You’d think Holger may have noticed himself.
I mean honestly, look at some of the names in the starting XI: Jade North (30), Archie Thompson (33) – on what basis would we be bothering giving these blokes a run? To what end?
Archie was in the 2006 squad, when he was near his peak as a player, didn’t get a run then, of what value is he to the NT now six years on? What’s the point of starting him?
North has made four senior appearances in the last 12 months!! why play him – are we that desperate that we have to turn to him? Surely he can’t be central to our plans for 2014? If he is, that says a lot.
It serves no purpose playing these sorts of blokes – you have to start developing players who can play for the NT – Holger is failing in that endeavour.
I remember Spiranovic’s debut 3 or 4 years ago, he made a serious positioning error. I thought at the time, better to get it out of the system now in a game that doesn’t matter, he will learn from that.
But he hasn’t learned – and part of the problem is that he hasn’t played often enough to have the building blocks to become a success in the NT – and that is at least partly the fault of the national coach.
June 3rd 2012 @ 10:29am
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 3rd 2012 @ 10:29am | Report comment
“Socceroos were better off using the Asian Cup to re-build” … that would have been absolutely ridiculous strategy for Osieck to adopt.
There are TWO – yes, TWO – significant tournaments open to the AUS NT. The FIFA WC is the biggest & the Asian Cup is the 2nd biggest.
Who in their right mind “re-builds” during the 2nd biggest tournament. This is not like AFL, where you stuff up a season you try again in 12 mths. An Asian Cup occurs ever 4 years – there are no guarantees about if/when AUS will play another Asian Cup Final.
June 3rd 2012 @ 10:41am
Football United said | June 3rd 2012 @ 10:41am | Report comment
I’m with this, the asian cup is the completely WRONG time to do rebuild.
June 3rd 2012 @ 1:44pm
The Cattery said | June 3rd 2012 @ 1:44pm | Report comment
The top ranked team in Asia was second in the Asian Cup – big deal.
In the meantime, we have shunned the opportunity to re-build.
Once again, I note that Germany went to the WC with a very young team – yet we felt compelled to play all our geriatrics in the Asian Cup.
And we’re sticking with them!!
It underscores that Holger has gone missing in the task of team re-generation.
I’m not sure why anyone would even try to argue the point – it’s pretty obvious – you just need to look at the players getting picked.
June 3rd 2012 @ 1:53pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 3rd 2012 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
Yes, it is a big deal that we made the final of the Asian Cup. People, who don’t follow international sports, won’t understand how big a deal this is.
Perhaps, Germany would’ve done better than their 3rd place if they had retained some of their geriatrics?
Maybe the 34 year old Michael Ballack would have done a better job – than the 23 year old Sami Khedira – at blocking & impeding Carles Puyol from powering in that decisive header from a Xavi corner, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban?
I certainly would rate Ballack’s aerial prowess well above Khedira.
June 3rd 2012 @ 2:29pm
The Cattery said | June 3rd 2012 @ 2:29pm | Report comment
People might argue it was worthwhile keeping the band together for one more shot at the big time – but I would argue:
1. it ain’t really that big; and
2. far, far more valuable to build a new team and maybe make a semi final spot – which would have been far more valuable than keeping the band of has-beens together for one more shot at glory.
But here we, two full years since re-building should have started in earnest – it hasn’t started – and we’re playing Jade North and Archie Thompson, and seriously talking about bringing the Ogre back into the team to partner another 34 year old.
I mean, honestly….
We have haven’t had a proper left back in years, and to be honest, we haven’t had a fair dinkum striker in years – but rather then look for genuine replacements – we slot in North and Thompson???
June 6th 2012 @ 11:49am
Kasey said | June 6th 2012 @ 11:49am | Report comment
The World Cup aint really that big? Surely you jest? I can just imagine the doom and Gloom articles that would befall our sport on that day that we do actually fail to qualify for the WC. a fate that has befallen England, the Netherlands, Turkey and Egypt. The general commentariat would decide that Soccer is dying and we’d all have to put up with a barrage of negativity in all forms of media, both modern and especially traditional.
June 4th 2012 @ 4:53pm
whiskeymac said | June 4th 2012 @ 4:53pm | Report comment
agreed
June 3rd 2012 @ 12:46pm
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party said | June 3rd 2012 @ 12:46pm | Report comment
“Getting us in the weak Asian Confederation”,yeah we should stayed in the far superior Oceania,and comparing CONCACAF to the AFC as far as difficulty frankly shows me your knowledge of football is a little”half assed”
June 3rd 2012 @ 1:45pm
The Cattery said | June 3rd 2012 @ 1:45pm | Report comment
The point is that like Mexico and the US, we have an easy road to the WC – how is that half-assed?
The Special One makes the identical point below.
Maybe your own soccer knowledge is not at the elated levels you had thought?
June 3rd 2012 @ 5:30pm
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party said | June 3rd 2012 @ 5:30pm | Report comment
AFC is a far more difficult path for qualfication than CONCACAF,end of story.
June 3rd 2012 @ 2:21pm
Realfootball said | June 3rd 2012 @ 2:21pm | Report comment
100% agree, Cat. And while we’re on the subject, Fuss, I thought that was a flat out lucky win against Germany and meant absolutely nothing.
June 3rd 2012 @ 3:04pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 3rd 2012 @ 3:04pm | Report comment
Yes – silly me.
When AUS NT wins, we are always lucky (e.g. if we beat GER or NED); when we lose against anyone it’s because we’re rubbish.
Fair enough – I’ve heard the same tired criticism of our NT for the past 6 years. In that time, we’ve qualified for another WC & were runners up in the Asian Cup.
I sincerely hope these rubbish performances continue – far better than the top class performances from 1975-2004 when we achieved nothing.
June 3rd 2012 @ 9:33am
Ben of Phnom Penh said | June 3rd 2012 @ 9:33am | Report comment
Bresciano looked sharp and is shaping to be the key man for these qualifiers. The absence of Holman was telling. I was curious as to why Rukavysta was not starting on the right and am a little worried he may be carrying a niggling injury.
In all not terribly comforting though I guess this is what friendlies are for.
June 3rd 2012 @ 3:52pm
dasilva said | June 3rd 2012 @ 3:52pm | Report comment
Who would have thought that Holman is now the key player of the socceroos. We are basically building a team around him and matches where we miss him, our performances suffers dramatically.
June 3rd 2012 @ 4:50pm
The Cattery said | June 3rd 2012 @ 4:50pm | Report comment
dasilva
an unlikely turn of events.
June 4th 2012 @ 11:29pm
David Heidelberg said | June 4th 2012 @ 11:29pm | Report comment
From Lolman to Golman.
June 3rd 2012 @ 11:48am
Emric said | June 3rd 2012 @ 11:48am | Report comment
Did anyone get the crowd figure?
June 3rd 2012 @ 11:52am
Kasey said | June 3rd 2012 @ 11:52am | Report comment
Do you ask for any particular reason? or is it just a reflex action to any football article on this site
June 3rd 2012 @ 6:52pm
Emric said | June 3rd 2012 @ 6:52pm | Report comment
I’ve tracked attendance figures for soccer, Rugby, and Rugby League across NZ/Aus more for personal interest then anything else…
June 3rd 2012 @ 12:02pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 3rd 2012 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
The great AGE MYTH
For some reason Aussies seem to think the younger you are, the better you are at playing all sports. In football, this is not the case.
The most successful club football teams in Europe this season had an average age of 26-28:
26 years: Man City, RM & Bayern:
27 years: ManUtd & Barca
28 years: Chelsea & Juventus
The average age of the likely match-day squads for the most successful current International teams are also within this range:
26 years: ARG
27 years: NED
28 years: ESP (current World Champions & Euro Champions), URU (current Champions of Sth America)
When you put Rhys Williams, Kennedy, Holman & Valeri into the AUS likely match-day squad & remove Schwarzer (who skews the average age abnormally) the AUS NT average age is 28 yrs.
No big deal.
June 3rd 2012 @ 12:29pm
Titus said | June 3rd 2012 @ 12:29pm | Report comment
I only caught the first 30mins but I thought we looked alright going forwards at times, some nice quick interplay.
The big difference was Denmark were much better at keeping the ball. passing it around quickly, moving off the ball and building up the attack.
I think our biggest issues are cultural, you get the feeling that the Danes learn to play this way from the time they are kids and now it is just natural, where as we have a bit of the NRL/AFL culture of physicality and strength. It will take years to overcome this but I think the FFA are trying to change things at the grassroots level.
The biggest dissapointment is the complete lack of mainstream analysis and coverage, not a word in the buildup and barely a mention as an after thought, it’s hard to expose kids to a football culture, make them feel passion, get them to think about the mental side of the game in this kind of environment.
June 3rd 2012 @ 12:38pm
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party said | June 3rd 2012 @ 12:38pm | Report comment
Wasn’t as bad a performance as some are making out,people expect too much some times.In reality we more clear cut chances than the Danes from open play and Brosque butchered two one on ones with the keeper from memory and Bresc had two good strikes saved fron the edge of the box.Defensively we looked a little unorganised at times and lacked intensity without the ball(i think this was a game plan looking toward the Oman game to not waste too much energy early in the heat and hit on the counter).I think we’ll see Holman come in for Thompson and hopefully Williams for North.As far as the age concern lets face it the next big shift will come after 2014 and personally think theres a group of younger players that can step up in the next few years like Ruka,Williams(apparently his brothers are pretty handy too),Herd,Leckie,Oar,Lowry,Zullo and hopefully Dylan Tombides can overcome his cancer scare because hes the most promising of the lot,you don’t win West Ham Academy player of the year(an academy thats produced Lampard,Ferdinand,Defoe,Ince,Joe Cole,Carrick etc) if your not a bit special.
June 3rd 2012 @ 1:04pm
The Special One said | June 3rd 2012 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
Age is a problem and will continue to be so. The game is getting faster every year and the older players are struggling. Imagine in 2 yers time?
I understand Australia doesn’t have the depth of Germany/Spain Netherlands etc that produce quality new players at will but there comes a time when one needs to let go. I get the impression some of the players are just hanging around so they hopefully get to another world cup.
Luckily for Australia though, the Asian Football Confederation is rubbish so they will qualify for the World Cup given the number of spots on offer for Asia. If Australia had to qualify through Europe/Africa/Sth America with this squad they wouldn’t even get close.
But like the recent under 20′s team, dominating in Asia will mean little once on the World stage. Those junior teams were lauded as the best ever by many on this website and by the media for their exploits thru Asia, only for them to be outclassed to such a level at the World Cups it was embarrassing.
A similar fate awaits the Socceroos i’m afraid.
June 3rd 2012 @ 1:19pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 3rd 2012 @ 1:19pm | Report comment
“The game is getting faster every year and the older players are struggling”.
When you say older players – what age? Perhaps, 30 is too old?
Here are some of the geriatrics, who are over 30 and really struggling at the top level of footbal .. many will be featuring prominently for their country at Euro2012 or the Continental WCQs:
Giggs, Gareth Barry, Paul Scholes, Del Piero, Buffon, Pirlo, van Bommel, Ibrahimovic, Casillas, Xabi Alonso, Puyol, Xavi, Abidal, David Villa, Drogba, Lampard, Ashley Cole, John Terry, Malouda, Kuyt, Klose, Stevie Gerard, Patrice Evra, Shay Given, Damien Duff
June 3rd 2012 @ 1:54pm
SangkyB said | June 3rd 2012 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
here’s thing thing: the guys you listed have proven season after season they can compete at the highest level and win leagues/cups, hence you won’t find many fans complaining about their inclusion in the respective national team.
But neill just got released from middle eastern club in noncompetitive league where players go for a last big cheque, plus kewell an thomspn had overall average seasons for an average performing club.
June 3rd 2012 @ 3:30pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 3rd 2012 @ 3:30pm | Report comment
So, it’s got nothing to do with age? It’s all about quality of the player? So, why bring up age in the first place?
June 3rd 2012 @ 2:24pm
Realfootball said | June 3rd 2012 @ 2:24pm | Report comment
None of whom, in case you hadn’t noticed, took the field for Australia last night.
So your point, in relation to the Roos, is exactly what?
June 3rd 2012 @ 3:01pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 3rd 2012 @ 3:01pm | Report comment
TSO asserted: “The game is getting faster every year and the older players are struggling”
I provided FACTS that refute the assertion.
Is this reasoning too complex for you to grasp?
June 3rd 2012 @ 11:15pm
Realfootball said | June 3rd 2012 @ 11:15pm | Report comment
Ah yes, Fussball, you love FACTS. You are also notoriously selective in the way you use them.
June 3rd 2012 @ 2:02pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 3rd 2012 @ 2:02pm | Report comment
“Luckily for Australia though, the Asian Football Confederation is rubbish” .. do you actually follow international football?
At the 2010 FIFA WC, 2 teams from Asia (50%) Qualified for the Ro16; 6 teams from UEFA (46%) qualified.
* JPN knocked out DEN (UEFA) & CAM (CAF); KOR knocked out GRE (UEFA) and NGA (CAF).
At the 2006 FIFA WC, AUS knocked out CRO (UEFA).
Those of us, who follow football, understand Asian teams are doing very well thank you very much.
June 3rd 2012 @ 5:47pm
MelbCro said | June 3rd 2012 @ 5:47pm | Report comment
Wow, using misleading stats to try and prove a poor arguement. The AFC is extremly weak. Anyone who says otherwise is clueless. Last World cup qualifiers a horrible Bahrain came in as the 5th best side, and they got done by New Zealand in the palyoff. Oh how mighty Asia is (rollseyes)
June 3rd 2012 @ 6:17pm
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party said | June 3rd 2012 @ 6:17pm | Report comment
From memory MelbCro New Zealand didn’t disgrace themselves at the World Cup.Sure once you get past the top sides there is a gap in quality,but the difficulty lies with other factors.Lets say Croatia had to play Oman in 40 degree heat with a day or two’s preperation,would they just waltz in and get a result?,interested to hear what you think.
June 3rd 2012 @ 6:34pm
MelbCro said | June 3rd 2012 @ 6:34pm | Report comment
So because Oman plays in 40 degree heat, that somehow is evidence of the strength of Asian football? What point are you actually trying to make?
June 3rd 2012 @ 7:44pm
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party said | June 3rd 2012 @ 7:44pm | Report comment
Ok Lets look at the other factors involved playing through Asia,how many times have the players had to come off 10+ hr flight from all ends of the world,had 2 days if lucky to prepare and then played in very hot difficult conditions,this is where the difficulty in our confederation lies,i would say alot of Euro sides would struggle with that.I recall Pim Verbeek mention that alot of Euro sides would struggle mentally with that.To spell it out again the quality of the football is not the only deciding factor in these kinds of matches,plus you didn’t answer my question.
June 3rd 2012 @ 6:23pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 3rd 2012 @ 6:23pm | Report comment
We can only beat the teams we’re given to play and, when Asian teams have played UEFA teams at the WC we keep knocking out the UEFA teams.
Would love to have seen your face the night AUS knocked out mighty CRO in 2006 … heck we had qualified through OFC that World Cup and still knocked out one of UEFA’s most-fancied teams.
Even in 2010, AUS prevented SRB from qualifying – I guess the Balkan countries aren’t good enough to match it with Asian nations?
PS: Did you watch the 2010 FIFA WC? I ask b/c CRO never qualified. Anyway, NZL were the only team to not lose a single match. Even World Champs, ESP lost to SUI so, when you make disparaging comments about NZL football, it says more about your lack of football knowledge than NZL’s lack of football quality.
June 3rd 2012 @ 6:33pm
MelbCro said | June 3rd 2012 @ 6:33pm | Report comment
We were one of UEFA’s most fancied teams is 2006? rofl, really? You think more highly of the 2006 Croatian side than I do.
Good work Fuss, in what has become your boring routine, deflecting from the point being made. AFC is weak, to suggest otherwise is a blatant lie. And the fact you are trying to somehow bizzarely using New Zealand’s victory against Bahrain as somehow validating your opinion of Asia’s strength is just incredible. You have completly lost it
June 3rd 2012 @ 7:03pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | June 3rd 2012 @ 7:03pm | Report comment
12 months after AUS kicked CRO out of the FIFA WC, CRO was ranked No. 6 in the world.
12 months later, CRO stormed through Euro2008 beating GER before they choked in the final minutes of ET in the QF against Turkey.
More than 50% of the CRO team that beat GER at Euro2008 lost to AUS in 2006.
So, yeah, I saw top football qualities in CRO in 2006 – even if you didn’t.
June 3rd 2012 @ 7:08pm
MelbCro said | June 3rd 2012 @ 7:08pm | Report comment
Using FIFA rankings as a sign of quality. WOW.
Using FIFA rankings from a year after the time that is actually being discussed. WOW.
Using a result 2 years after the time that is actually being discussed. WOW.
Fussball, you have outdone yourself this time. Time for you to retire mate.
June 4th 2012 @ 9:13am
Kasey said | June 4th 2012 @ 9:13am | Report comment
Alright, let’s not. Thanks, Roar Mods.
June 4th 2012 @ 12:08pm
Emric said | June 4th 2012 @ 12:08pm | Report comment
Melbcro
Your wrong. Soccer in New Zealand has grown in strength based upon its being included in the A-League.
Your right in syaing that Eurpoe remains the strongest hub for soccer in the world but lets not forget the rise of soccer in the USA, Latin America, China and Japan. It’s a global giant and its rising is like that of a golden sun
June 3rd 2012 @ 5:57pm
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party said | June 3rd 2012 @ 5:57pm | Report comment
Of course we’d struggle through Europe and Sth America but Africa?,i think the last World Cup showed that the African sides are hugely overrated.From the AFC both Japan and Sth Korea progressed from their groups and Australia only missed out on goal difference because of the tactical brain explosion of Pim Verbeek.Of the 6 African sides competing only Ghana progressed out of their group and they were a little lucky to do so(they had a good 80 minutes with an extra man against us and didn’t outplay us at all).
June 5th 2012 @ 2:11pm
Nathan of Perth said | June 5th 2012 @ 2:11pm | Report comment
I do remember watching the FIFA comments thread on that game, so many Ghana supporters growing ever more panicked as they failed to outplay a ten man Australia (which was a flukey result for them in and of itself).