Thompson slams Socceroos’ critics
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A war of words erupted between Socceroos past and present as goal-scoring hero Archie Thompson took aim at critics labelling the Australian squad too old.
Thompson scored an 84th-minute winner in Australia’s 2-1 victory over Iraq on Wednesday morning (AEDT) which breathed life into the Socceroos’ flagging 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.
It was the 33-year-old A-League star’s third goal in as many qualifiers, and he used it as a platform to hit out at those calling for the ageing Socceroo squad to be given a makeover.
Thompson was one of five over-30s – including fellow goal-scorer Tim Cahill (32) and skipper Lucas Neill (34) – to take the field against Iraq, while 32-year-old Marco Bresciano was an unused substitute.
“Who keeps telling me I’m old?” demanded Thompson when interviewed on the field post-match.
“Who keeps telling me I shouldn’t be in the Socceroos?
“Who keeps telling all us old boys we shouldn’t be part of the Socceroos?
“Maybe we’ve been lacking a little bit in the last (few) games – hopefully this will shut a few mouths.”
Former Socceroo-turned-football analyst Robbie Slater, who has been vocal in his call for some young blood to be given a chance in the national squad, fired back.
“To come and say that all they seem to cop is criticism and they’re too old, well Archie, sorry, we (the Socceroos) are too old,” Slater said on Fox Sports.
“And we’re not going to sit here on panels and other stations or on radio or people who write in papers and sit here and blow wind up people’s backsides and saying that everything is perfect. It’s not.
“We have an ageing team and that’s fact.
“We’re not saying that everyone’s bad players – we don’t criticise when they’re not to be criticised.
“But we’re not going to sit here and watch performance after performance after performance and watch the Socceroos go down in everybody’s minds in this country and sit back and say nothing.”
Slater would no doubt have been happy with the performance of 20-year-old winger Tommy Oar, who came off the bench to provide the pin-point cross for Thompson’s match-winning header.
Matthew Spiranovic (24) was also rock solid in central defence after being handed a start in place of injured regular Sasa Ognenovski, while 23-year-old Austrian-based midfielder James Holland was also given a chance off the bench late in the game.
© AAP 2013- Explore:
- Archie Thompson, football, Socceroos
October 18th 2012 @ 5:37am
Johnno said | October 18th 2012 @ 5:37am | Report comment
Robbie Slater is 100% right the current socceroos are old the evidence is all there in the Birth Certificates.
And as Bozza backed Robbie SLater up , if you can’t take the heat in the kitchen get out of the kitchen.
Well plaid players they have to expect scrutiny for average performances , this is not a sunday picnic, or a game of park football with your mates, this is pro football where winning is everything , and losing is unacceptable or poor performance,
No longer golden generation more like ancient generation this class of 2006. Mark Swarcher is 40 born in 1972. The fact a 40 year old goal keeper in your national team has no one challenging him or breathing down his neck is a big big worry depth wise.
He is the same age as Bozza and Spider both born in 1972 . They are 3 years older than Viduks lol remember him. He feels along time ago now Viduks. Viduks was born in 1975. And still no one has stepped up and replaced him. Some will say Arhcie Thompson, I say please.
Archie Thompson is also part of dad’s army. He is born in December 1978. Almost 34. Could never cut it Europe after many attempts, form memory he didn’t make the world cup squad of 2006 , he played in 1 of the legs the 1st leg in Montevideo in 2005 but got dropped by Hiddink in sydney.
Lucas Neil 34 bron in 1978. Emerton and Kewell both born in 1978. Tim Cahill will be 33 in December
Culina is born in 80 is 32. Vinny Grella is 33 . Sash is 34 .
David Carney and Brosque are not young either , neither is Bresciano who is 32 or 33. Luke WIlkishere is no rookie either.
So all in all it is hardly a young team dad’s army big time. Can’t see this lot making any impact at Brazil 2014, best teams are balance of youth and experience. The team of 2006 was perfectly balanced and had so many players at the peak of there careers and also 2010 but not this team . Most of this team is on the decline big time, and this is shown by how few are playing in top leagues now.
And our Olyroos are sadly even more awful than our socceroos now. There Olympic qualifying campaign was as miserable as it gets. We barley scored a goal in qualifiers from memory was a truly awful and horrific campaign, so hardly gives much confidence going forwad. And our FIFA world ranking has dropped to about 34 too. We from memory were in the top 20 as high as 16 or 17 for a while or top 25 defiantly eg 22 or 23. .
Portugal 91 semis, Barcelona 92 semis, Confeds cup 97 runners up, World cup 2006 2nd round and unlucky not to beat the champs Italy could of made the semis as we only had to beat a very average and out of form Ukraine, and 2010 good team just 1 bad match and tough red card on Harry Kewell and goal difference meant we could tog pastiest round just as we were hitting form . All these memories feel along way away now for this golden generation and aussy soccer.
October 18th 2012 @ 7:19am
Johnno said | October 18th 2012 @ 7:19am | Report comment
And too add to that to show the signs of an ageing team. I wouldn’t be surprised if more of the socceroos have read the book 50 shades of Gray, than have done the Gangnam dance.
October 18th 2012 @ 7:44am
Realfootball said | October 18th 2012 @ 7:44am | Report comment
The Olyroos didn’t score a single goal. Anywhere else on the planet Vidmar would have been moved on, and yet he’s still there (having previously guided Adelaide to the wooden spoon), and also the assistant coach to our dire Socceroos. Is there a link there? I think so.
Vidmar must have incriminating photographs of someone high up, because there is no other explanation for his continued tenure.
October 18th 2012 @ 8:13am
Kasey said | October 18th 2012 @ 8:13am | Report comment
The thing I’m most concerned with is the attitude of the Socceroos, this: How dare you criticise us?Bunker attitude
ie: “No matter what dross we serve up the public should blow wind up our @rses and big us up!” attitude.
No.
We are maturing as a football nation and if we can make an argument as fans/punditry supported by facts then we are entitled to voice our thoughts. The argument being made is regarding regeneration and the future of the Socceroos looking toward 2015 and it is supported by facts like the ages of the team and the lack of opportunities given to the young bucks in the national team sphere of influence. It’s a straw man argument the players use to say we are not supporting them as individuals and as a team. That deflects attention from the facts.The facts are there and laid bare in the birth certificates of the players. I challenge any bitching and moaning Socceroo to name one outfield player anywhere in the world who got better at 35 than he was at 28.
October 18th 2012 @ 8:58am
Disco said | October 18th 2012 @ 8:58am | Report comment
Exemplified by the ever-on-the-defensive, past-it-years ago captain.
October 18th 2012 @ 10:32am
Kasey said | October 18th 2012 @ 10:32am | Report comment
What does it say about the esteem with which our captain is held by the football loving public that quite a few of us are beyond pleased that he is suspended for the next WCQ….Now that his hand has been forced I am super keen to see who Holger brings in to replace Neill – I don’t think we have any Friendlies between now and March 2013[ WCQ @ home: Oman in Sydney?].
Who do we have as a CB that is over 30 and a decent footballer? Og-monster(d.o.b. 3 April 1979) fits the bill. taking bets now that Sasa will get the gig:(
October 18th 2012 @ 12:28pm
AndyRoo said | October 18th 2012 @ 12:28pm | Report comment
November 14 in Korea….. I will be there
There are also qualifiers for the East Asian Championship around December or so. That will probably feature mostly A league players. Although it could also be full of the guys not getting a game in Europe….. so nearly full strength then
October 18th 2012 @ 9:12am
philipcoates said | October 18th 2012 @ 9:12am | Report comment
It’s one thing for a club to have a bunker mentality against say the governing body, or an aggressive press who are hounding you night and day (eg a John Therry scenario) but judging by Archie’s (and Neill’s) comments, the Aus national team are seemingly developing a bunker mentality against a reasonably supportive press and even against there own supporters, like me, who have every right to state the obvious and that is , the team is a little old and too many players are playing in easy leagues and not at an elite football level. If you bunker down against your own supporters, rather than face reality and deal with the issues openly, you soon end up playing in half empty stadiums.
October 18th 2012 @ 8:36am
Mals said | October 18th 2012 @ 8:36am | Report comment
Goat photos?
October 19th 2012 @ 10:21am
nachos supreme said | October 19th 2012 @ 10:21am | Report comment
Johnno,
Regarding Thompson, last I checked Belgium is in Europe? He managed to score a goal every other game there over 187 appearances for Lierse.
He was also a part of the 06 WC squad. He didn’t get any playing minutes but he was a member of that squad.
Sure he’s not my cup of tea either and I agree that he’s not the answer but let’s get it right if we’re going to bag a bloke.
October 18th 2012 @ 7:28am
Punter said | October 18th 2012 @ 7:28am | Report comment
Not too often I agree with Slater, but this time I do, certain players are past their use by date!!! Lucas Neill has perform great things for this country, but he’s not played a decent game for Australia for some time now. There is a reason why he is playing in the middle east instead of Europe.
October 18th 2012 @ 1:27pm
Mals said | October 18th 2012 @ 1:27pm | Report comment
I thought he is without a club now?
October 18th 2012 @ 8:17am
Lucan said | October 18th 2012 @ 8:17am | Report comment
Thompson is a good footballer, but a tool in the media.
Have we all forgotten the way he behaved in the media when MV played hardball on his PSV transfer?
October 18th 2012 @ 8:54am
philipcoates said | October 18th 2012 @ 8:54am | Report comment
Agreed. Archie has a habit of talking without thinking. They should keep him well away from the cameras and microphones.
October 18th 2012 @ 3:47pm
Nathan of Perth said | October 18th 2012 @ 3:47pm | Report comment
Put him in a glass case that says “Break Only In Case Of Football”
October 23rd 2012 @ 2:45pm
mahonjt said | October 23rd 2012 @ 2:45pm | Report comment
LOL – too true! I dont mind that he is insane, what I also don’t mind is him having a pot at unamed critics f his age when having finaly been givn a decent run – he is knocking them in for fun… I have a much bigger problem with the comments of our keeper in recent months frankly.
October 18th 2012 @ 1:01pm
Pete #205 said | October 18th 2012 @ 1:01pm | Report comment
Or the way he…
October 18th 2012 @ 9:05am
stu said | October 18th 2012 @ 9:05am | Report comment
I hope the comments of the football punters get back to the management and older members of the national team. Thank you for your efforts but time waits for no man.
October 18th 2012 @ 9:07am
jamesb said | October 18th 2012 @ 9:07am | Report comment
Slater is spot on. If some of our older players are sensitive to criticism, than they should retire.
Some of these older players are still living off 2006 World Cup. 2006 is now 6 years ago.
Surely we have a better defender than a 34 year old. Surely we have a goalkeeper we can rely on rather than a 40 year old.
I understand football in this country has been through some tough times in the last couple of years, but surely Australian football has other options other than a 34 year defender, and a 40 year old goalkeeper.
October 18th 2012 @ 9:27am
c said | October 18th 2012 @ 9:27am | Report comment
It is a balance between short term job security for the current coach and admin versus achieving long term gains for the future of the team
The current bosses need the results now and they are best achieved by the current mix of players but what is forgone is developing the future players
The prime reason for this predicament is the shallow depth of the pool of players’ in aus
The hal will address this imbalance over time
Go the world game
October 18th 2012 @ 9:29am
Roger said | October 18th 2012 @ 9:29am | Report comment
Gotta say guys, you need to give the team some slack.
This is the reality: we’re not the team of 2006, both with the standard, and the quality of players available. The 2006 team was a beautiful team, we somehow managed to have a team where we pretty much had a full contingent of players playing at the highest (or near enough to) standard in the world, and a world class coach. Plain and simply, those players don’t exist anymore, and Lowry hasn’t dug deep into his pockets to hire one of the world’s best.
Expecting that our NT play with the attacking flair of Brazil, and the defensive structure of Italy, isn’t reasonable.
All we have getting regular game time at the highest standard now are Holman, Kruse, Schwarzer, and maybe Oar. We may have a couple more within a year or so, but I wouldn’t hold my breath (e.g. Zullo, Troisi, Amini, Leckie, Langerak, etc).
The whole “but we’re maturing as a Football nation”, and therefore expect more, argument doesn’t wash either. Australian fans may have “matured” in relation to expecting more, but that doesn’t mean our team is better, or that the players are better.
Everyone seems to think that all we need to do is play [insert favourite A-League players here] and all will be fixed. I think you might find it’s a bit more complicated than that, and blooding players like that half way through a qualification is a massive gamble – one that I doubt too many would take.
You think Osieck doesn’t think about these things? You think he doesn’t agonise over selections? Maybe Osieck believes that he will be able to get us to the World Cup with the veterans, maybe he thinks that a lot of the younger lads are too green – and you know what, he’s probably right.
But what about the experienced A-League player you say? They’re still green on the national stage, and replacing one experience Socceroo veteran for an inexperienced A-League veteran doesn’t actually seem like the best trade.
Maybe, with the 5 month gap, Osieck will use the opportunity to source some talent to plug gaps etc. Maybe he’ll find likely replacements, maybe he won’t. I’m sure he’ll do what he believes is best, under the advice of those around him. But make no mistake, he is between a rock and a hard place. Especially when some of our best younger players are injured (for example Rhys), and others “injured” every time they are selected.
And honestly, if you are fans, start acting like it. Get behind the team, support them when they win, support them when they lose.
World Cup qualification is a big deal, and for most nations, it’s what they aspire to. We’re not Brazil, we’re not Spain, we’re not Germany. We’re Australia, with 22 million people, many competing codes, playing on the world’s biggest stage. Put it in perspective.
October 18th 2012 @ 10:37am
philipcoates said | October 18th 2012 @ 10:37am | Report comment
Roger, the vast majority of us do support the team whether they win or lose BUT the true supporters aren’t a bunch of parents watching the under nines saying “good boy Johnnie” even when Johnnie just gave the ball away. We’re should be mature enough to ask the questions “can we do better?” ïs this the best squad?” “are the players performing to expectations?” “are we best served by players in the middle east and other players who don’t even get game time for their teams?” and other hard questions. I think it’s a good sign that no longer does the average Joe look at the Socceroo score and say “yeah, whatever.” now there is a growing level of expectation on everyone and the players and coach need to be held accountable. 2:1 away from home, a great result, but not a great performance so let’s just call it as it is.
October 18th 2012 @ 10:45am
Roger said | October 18th 2012 @ 10:45am | Report comment
Spare me the “we’re mature, and therefore critical” slop.
I’m sorry, I was under the impression that we won away from home, in the middle east (which is hard for any east Asian team), dominating possession, created the most chances, in hot conditions, against a team that can hold its own in Asia.
Oh wait, yes that’s right, that is what happened. How is saying the performance “isn’t good enough” reasonable? Seriously.
Did you actually watch the game? I did. We had plenty of decent chances, and if one of those really good chances weren’t scuffed, or the ball was on a slightly different angle when headed, or the shot dipped just that smidgen more, we would have been up earlier. At the end of the day, Holger’s strategy worked, the players had a decent game, and we got a good result. What’s the issue exactly? That Holger’s strategy almost didn’t work? But it did. So I guess that’s not a valid argument.
October 18th 2012 @ 11:46am
Punter said | October 18th 2012 @ 11:46am | Report comment
Roger, while Iraq has in recent times had a decent team, the one they put out on Tuesday was a very poor. Not surprisingly in a war torn country, their football federation is in a shambles & you could hear from Zico’s pre match interview that Iraqi football was not well & the fact we still nearly lost.
Some of the players in the Socceroos aren’t performing & keep getting picked, this is the issue, there are possible better options, but they are not being given a chance.
While only a friendly, we lost & was totally outplayed by Scotland & they are at the bottom of their qualifying pool in Europe gives us a much better understanding of where we truly are at the present.
No-one are expecting performances like 2006, you are right we do not have the players, they took it to Brazil & Italy, but we should still be beating countries like Jordan quite easily.
October 18th 2012 @ 2:20pm
AVictory said | October 18th 2012 @ 2:20pm | Report comment
“we should still be beating countries like Jordan quite easily.”
Says who?
If we were a mature football nation, our supporter’s still wouldn’t be making ignorant comments like this. Beating countries easily in every circumstance is not how football works.
October 18th 2012 @ 2:33pm
Kasey said | October 18th 2012 @ 2:33pm | Report comment
The highly football –literate Guardian in its football podcast this week made fun of France for losing 1-0 to Japan*. Is there anybody that follows football in this part of the world game to do the same?
Punter you are making fun of Jordan by your comment and showing an assumed level of superiority based on what, you don’t rate West Asian football?
*you might remember them being crowned champions of Asia in Jan2011.
October 18th 2012 @ 3:32pm
Punter said | October 18th 2012 @ 3:32pm | Report comment
Did you see the Jordanians celebrating after the game as if they had won the world cup, this was a great achievement for them. Have a look at the English press as England drew with Poland away from home, they are a mature footballing nation.
Kasey, no not belittling West Asian football, the powerhouses from that area are Iran, Ubeks, Iraq & Saudi Arabia, even maybe even Oman, same as East Asia, it’s sth Korea, Japan, lesser extend nth Korea & China, but we should be beating teams like Jordan & Thailand (yes they are improving, but….), they don’t have players with experience in the best leagues in Europe.
Yes I know Portugal drew with Nth Ireland, but this more the issue with Portugal, you would never find Germany or Spain drawing with Nth Ireland.
I understand the difficulties in the middle East, the jetlag, the heat, the different culure.
October 18th 2012 @ 4:20pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | October 18th 2012 @ 4:20pm | Report comment
@ Punter
International football can throw up a lot of surprises that make a mockery of reputation & technical disparities.
On 16 October 2002 (exactly 10 years to date before IRQ v AUS!) Germany – who had just lost the 2002 WC Final to Brasil – and were ranked 4th in the world at the time, played Faroe Islands, who were ranked 119 in the world.
Most of the Faroe Islands players are amateurs – farmers, publicans, accountants, etc.
The match was played in Hanover and it was a qualifier for the 2004 European Championship. Final score?
GER 2 – 1 FRO (HT score was 1-1)
I’d be keen to see how UEFA teams would play in the heat of the Middle East & the humidity of SE Asia. Apart from a few fixtures, most UEFA teams travel less for their away WC qualifiers than Perth Glory travels to away games in the A-League.
October 18th 2012 @ 2:26pm
Roger said | October 18th 2012 @ 2:26pm | Report comment
Haha AVictory, that was going to be my comment exactly.
Why should we be beating Jordan away from home easily? Because you don’t rate them? Because Australians don’t rate them? Because Europe doesn’t rate them? I don’t think perception is necessarily reality.
I think it’s safe to say that the Asian standard is increasing year by year. Why would we be the only team to develop and improve? You know that Jordan made it to the final round of Asian qualification right? They can’t be push overs, otherwise we wouldn’t be playing them.
I do agree however that we should be beating teams like Jordan at home.
October 19th 2012 @ 2:40am
Marc said | October 19th 2012 @ 2:40am | Report comment
Hi all
I live and work in Jordan and was at the Socceroos game last month. Make no mistake this is a football crazy country. The Nashama, is the pinnacle of sport here, and Jordan is a small, but very proud country and football team. When they play they are literally playing for their countries pride. And especially when they play, what they perceive to be the “big” teams in Asia, like Japan and Australia.
National team players are mainly from the 3 main domestic clubs: Wehdat, Faisaly and Ramtha, so their teamwork and the understanding is already there, not developed during a 5-day pre-game camp, like the Socceroos, with players from, I am guessing, about 18 different clubs.
The atmosphere at the Socceroos game was intimidating. Not “fear for your life” intimidating, but scary, and certainly nothing the Socceroos players would be used to. I have seen the Socceroos play in Australia and at the World Cup, and the atmosphere was on another planet compared to those games.
Don’t forget that Jordan came within minus 2 minutes of beating Japan at the Asian Cup, after Japan scored in the 92nd minute to snatch a draw.
So please please do not underestimate how hard it is to get a result in the Middle East – at home Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar are not easybeats. Away from home is a different story and they simply don’t travel well. So I would expect the Socceroos to take all 9 points from the upcoming games, PROVIDED they play well.
October 18th 2012 @ 12:02pm
oly09 said | October 18th 2012 @ 12:02pm | Report comment
Nice comment Roger, spot on.
Some people will slag the team off no matter what. People are even saying Neill should have been red carded, when he was actually unlucky to get a yellow. But if fans don’t like a player they can’t see past it.
The team isn’t perfect, but slowly Holger is bringing in some young guys. But if some fans had their way we’d field an inexperienced starting 11 with two rookie centre backs etc etc.
October 18th 2012 @ 12:35pm
phutbol said | October 18th 2012 @ 12:35pm | Report comment
+1 Roger. We dominated the game but didnt put 3 or 4 past them early. thats the only thing we did wrong. if we had it would have been hailed as a remarkable turnaround…
October 18th 2012 @ 12:48pm
philipcoates said | October 18th 2012 @ 12:48pm | Report comment
Roger if you’re going to respond stick to the facts and please dont misquote me. I didnt say mature and “therefore critical”, i said we can ask the questions. and i didnt say the performance “isnt good enough” i said it was a great result but the performance wasnt great.
I did watch the game and wasn’t overly impressed. In case you missed it, Iraq was away from home also and had no home ground advantage. And dont start with IF we didnt scuff the ball, IF it was a different angle … that adds nothing. The facts are the ball was scuffed, the ball was at the wrong angle … that adds to the performance wasnt great in my books.
October 18th 2012 @ 2:22pm
Roger said | October 18th 2012 @ 2:22pm | Report comment
Sorry if I misunderstod, but I was pretty sure (still am actually) that’s what you were getting at. If people were just asking “questions”, there wouldn’t be so much negativity here about the performance. You appeared to be defending the reasonable amount of negativity here.
So what wasn’t great about the performance exactly? The win? The posession? The shots on goal? The goals? What? Or was it only the misses? If it is only the misses, then that’s a pretty weak issue to be pinpointing.
And Iraq was much more at home than we were. However, I also don’t doubt had there of been a Jordan type atmosphere at the game that we may not have bounced back from behind.
October 18th 2012 @ 12:49pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | October 18th 2012 @ 12:49pm | Report comment
Well said, Roger.
People seem to have incredibly selective memories when it comes to critiquing our National Team.
When we played JPN at Lang Park a few months ago, AUS played some absolutely scintillating football – technically & tactically perfect – and had numerous chances. By contrast, JPN’s chances were nice build-up but Schwarzer didn’t need to make a save
5:30: JPN GK saves Timmy shot with his legs as it’s heading into goal
5:35: JPN GK saves Luke Wilkshire shot that was going in at the nearpost
18:50: JPN GK is flapping & the ball is cleared off the line by JPN defender, whilst lying on the grounds
19:30: JPN GK saves with his feet as Dave Carney’s drive from inside the box is going straight for goal
76:30: Ognenovski’s shot beats the JPN GK but hits the crossbar and rebounds out
90:00: JPN GK saves a free-kick from Luke Wilkshire that was heading for his bottom right corner.
Watch here & let’s remember what actually happened – when Australia’s geriatrics played against Asia’s most technically proficient & vibrant young team and the team that everyone sees as the blueprint for how the AUS NT should develop.
October 18th 2012 @ 1:14pm
philipcoates said | October 18th 2012 @ 1:14pm | Report comment
Fuss, I’m not sure what your point is by bringing up another match but to me it re-iterates why we should be questioning last nights performance. I was at the game Vs Japan and we played some fantastic football. If we had played the same way vs Iraq last night we would have beaten them 5 or 6 nil. Facts are we didnt play that well last night and, excluding the game vs Japan, we havent played that well in any of our other WCQ’s either.
October 18th 2012 @ 1:25pm
jmac said | October 18th 2012 @ 1:25pm | Report comment
every other game was in the middle east and we shouldn’t underestimate the many difficulties that must preent in terms of delivering our best football. in the case of Jordan, there was also the friendly beforehand in those conditions which appeared to drain the players, a mistake we didn’t repeat this time. cheers,
October 18th 2012 @ 1:39pm
Fussball ist unser leben said | October 18th 2012 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
Philip
The point about bringing up the match v JPN from a few months ago is to demonstrate that the same geriatrics that are being ridiculed by fans, demonstrated they are more than capable of bossing a younger team that is highly technical & tactically sophisticated.
October 18th 2012 @ 2:27pm
Roger said | October 18th 2012 @ 2:27pm | Report comment
Very true Fuss.
October 18th 2012 @ 10:42am
Damiano said | October 18th 2012 @ 10:42am | Report comment
I agree with all of this. You don’t see top national teams blooding new players until Frendlies, where there isn’t anything at stake. The team needs renewal, but for a match like the one against Iraq, getting a result is key.
October 18th 2012 @ 10:45am
Roger said | October 18th 2012 @ 10:45am | Report comment
Exactly right Damiano.
October 18th 2012 @ 12:27pm
Kasey said | October 18th 2012 @ 12:27pm | Report comment
A lot of the criticism stems from the fact that earlier this year, prior to the 4th phase of WCQs Australia HAD and IMO ‘wasted’ 3 friendlies against Denmark, Scotland and Lebanon where Holger could have blooded youngsters.
An area that has been identified since SA2010 in dire need of improvement has been the Socceroo backline Who got played in defence in these2012 friendly games? Lucas Neill, Rhys Williams, David Carney , Jade North and the Ogmonster in front of Schwartzer. Jason Davidson only got a half hour in the SCO game. In the Denmark game Lucas Neill again played in front of Schwartzer, this time partnered by Jade North. Assuming we qualify if Lucas thinks he is in the frame to represent Australia at Brazil (in 2 years time) then I want access to whatever drugs he is on! He was shown up in Durban by a swift and nimble Germany team 2 years ago. FFS Lucas, you’re not getting any faster as you age!
October 18th 2012 @ 1:31pm
jmac said | October 18th 2012 @ 1:31pm | Report comment
I completely agree Roger.
The issue here is not whether Archie was better 6 years ago, but whether right now he’s a better option off the bench late in a game than anyone else. Recent performances, and the goals in the last two WCQ’s would suggest Holger has made a good choice.
Also, friendlies might be good for blooding new players, but I presume they are also there for the existing first team to work on things in a game situation. That’s why we don’t see 8 youngsters on the pitch (unfortunately).
We have the East Asian Cup starting in December, typically treated as a development tournament. It would be good to see our best up and comers from Europe, but I guess there’ll be issues with clubs not releasing them.
October 18th 2012 @ 2:16pm
AVictory said | October 18th 2012 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
+1 Roger,
Well said and spot on.
October 18th 2012 @ 5:22pm
fadida said | October 18th 2012 @ 5:22pm | Report comment
If Holger would blood a few promising players in meaningless friendlies he’d have a gauge of their abilities and have more depth, and importantly more COMPETITION for places. A large part of the problem in recent games is that some players aren’t pushed by fear of non-selection. That we don’t have an experienced stand-in for our heroic, but 40 year old Keeper is simply because he plays him in every game. Ditto left back, right back and centre back.
October 18th 2012 @ 10:19am
Arthur Fonzarelli said | October 18th 2012 @ 10:19am | Report comment
Cranky veteran player fires up at outspoken media commentator, who returns serve with interest. Love it. Full marks to Archie and Robbie for defending themselves and being honest, rather than the usual “full credit to the opposition, the boys dug deep” dribble that comes from the mouths of many players and commentators.
Its a great sign of Australia’s standing in world football now that we are so critical of our national team and expecting high performance at all times.
October 18th 2012 @ 11:09am
Roger said | October 18th 2012 @ 11:09am | Report comment
“Its a great sign of Australia’s standing in world football now that we are so critical of our national team and expecting high performance at all times”
Lol
October 18th 2012 @ 11:26am
Arthur Fonzarelli said | October 18th 2012 @ 11:26am | Report comment
My point Roger is that post-2006, we now have an expectation of world cup qualification, rather than a “hope”.
This brings greater pressure and more media scrutiny than ever.
October 18th 2012 @ 11:34am
Roger said | October 18th 2012 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Sorry Fonz, I thought you were making a joke. Anyway, your point about expectations being higher is valid. But I question whether or not it is justified.
October 18th 2012 @ 11:36am
Kasey said | October 18th 2012 @ 11:36am | Report comment
Exactly Fonzie, we even had one clown yesterday here on the Roar who decided that had the Socceroos qualification fate for Brazil2014 been decided the other night in the negative) that Soccer would die out in this country (of course that’s tosh!) but Realistic or not, the public of this country now expect the National team to qualify for the World cup Finals.
From my perspective as a long time football fan. I think I’d much rather wait a lot more time before we find out just how robust our game is and how it would weather the storm of criticism that would come its way upon failing to qualify for the last 32.
October 18th 2012 @ 10:24am
Jim Bob said | October 18th 2012 @ 10:24am | Report comment
Just a question: how come no one is talking about Adam Sarota?
He has started every game for Utrecht in Holland and, by all accounts, has been one of their best players.
For the life of me I can’t think of why Carl Valeri (has played 30 mins for his Serie B club this season) is starting ahead of him. I think Sarota would be a better partner for Jedinak as the defensive midfielders. Jedinak is great defensively and in the air but his passing is average at best, so Sarota could be distributor. If you stick those two behind attacking mids like Oar, Kruse, Holman or Bresc, the midfield is looking not so bad and, importantly for this topic, not so old.
I think once (if) we qualify the need to blood more of the young guys before Brazil is paramount – and maybe Holger is thinking this himself. Getting a couple of the young Roar boys in the squad more regularly mightn’t be a bad idea either (Nichols, Halloran, Paartalu etc)
October 18th 2012 @ 11:09am
Roger said | October 18th 2012 @ 11:09am | Report comment
Good point Jim. But hasn’t Sarota only *just* breaken into the first team at Utrecht? He’s been in and out of the squad for the past two years. Like Oar, maybe he just needs a little more time to settle.
I also believe that Osieck is actively keeping an eye on him, and has even made the trip over Holland to watch him play.
October 18th 2012 @ 12:05pm
oly09 said | October 18th 2012 @ 12:05pm | Report comment
I agree we need to bring a few new guys in between (hopefully) qualifying and Brazil. That was the big disappointment of Pim I thought. He did so well qualifying with the same group of players, had 12 months to rejuvenate the squad, but didn’t do it.
We need to use the 12 months before the WC to bring in 2-3 new guys, much like Guus found Kennedy after we qualified in 2006.
October 18th 2012 @ 11:10am
Ben of Phnom Penh said | October 18th 2012 @ 11:10am | Report comment
Looks like we will get to see how the back 4 looks without Neill as his 2nd yellow has him out of the match with Oman. I am assuming Sasa will, if fit, slip into that role.
October 18th 2012 @ 12:59pm
jmac said | October 18th 2012 @ 12:59pm | Report comment
In the current environment, suggest an over-30 replacement for Lucas at your peril.
Seriously though, that is a big concern for the manager – who he selects is paramount. Finding a capable (and faster) defender won’t be hard, but getting someone who can match or better Lucas’s distribution from the back is important.
October 18th 2012 @ 5:08pm
Realfootball said | October 18th 2012 @ 5:08pm | Report comment
The hand of God played that yellow card.