Roar Rookie
Joined September 2009
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I first met Matildas striker Lisa De Vanna eight years ago when I was 18 years old. Although "met" is a bit strong. She…
As I watched the DPR Korean women’s football team walk off the Ballymore pitch during Saturday’s international friendly against the Matildas, my first thought…
On Saturday the Westfield W-League kicked off on ABC1 with a Grand Final replay between Brisbane Roar and Canberra United. The Roar and Tameka…
Women’s sport has long played Little Sister to men’s sports Big Brother. We all know the Little Sister, trailing behind in your shadow and…
It may not be the greatest achievement but it comes pretty damn close. The Matildas are ranked No. 5 in Asia and in this run they defeated the No. 5 (Japan), 7 (DPR Korea) and 10th (China) ranked nations in the world.
I think some of you need to do a little bit more research before you start typing. This wasn’t the Matildas best line up in the final. In fact they were missing three of their top 4 strikers in Sarah Walsh, Lisa DeVanna and Tameka Butt and Uzunlar and Garriock were injured and sore. Yes there was a lot of long balls but as one of the guys said you have to play to their strengths and were the best organised tactucally astute team and defence in the tournament by far. They had the pace of Sam Kerr and the ability of Katie Gill to hold up the ball so they used that in the final and held their nerve with 5 of the best penalties you will see.
With those other strikers in the side, the girls play a completely different system, tempo and style (4-3-3 to the 4-4-2 they played in the final). They keep it on the ground a hell of a lot more, play it out slowly before attacking at pace. That’s because the speed and skill of Walshy and DeVanna with Gill as a pivot allows tham to play that way. In fact it was master coaching by Tom Sermanni and for all the setbacks they had throughout the tournament, they defeated a full strength Japan, Korea and DPR Korea and lost 1 – 0 with our second XI to China.
Hats off the girls and the coaching staff. They did us proud in trying and atrocious conditions. It wasn’t pretty at times but you can’t always play beautiful football. Sometimes its just about guts and determination which the girls displayed in spades!
Now its up to the fully professional, high paid and top ranked men to do the same in the Asian Cup in January, after they take out the WC of course!
Matildas’ win Australia’s greatest achievement?
AF of course it wasn’t a penalty. Did Henry handle the ball? Of course he did. That is not the point. Questionable decisions happen in football every day but you suck it up and play on. In 2006 did the Socceroos walk off the pitch when Italy were given a penalty. No they didn’t even though they were clearly incensed by the decision.
Sadly for DPR Korea, they have form very bad form. Yes, the race card my be trotted out but in the 2006 AFC Asian Cup against China they went ballistic again and this time it was an Italian referee and they do it regularly in Asia. They need to grow up and FIFA needs to make them!
Time for FIFA to act on walk-off farce
Wow boys and I thought girls were bitchy! We seem to have lost the point of FF’s article and it has denigrated to a free for all. Back to the key points.
Before I get attacked by Mr Cheese, no I’m not English, yes I do know where Liverpool, Manchester etc. etc. are. BTW many of your top commentators I have spoken to refer to the League as the EPL themselves. I also have played, managed and refereed the game for many years, so hold fire!
I’m an Arsenal supporter and have been so since I understood what football was (admittedly it was cos’ everyone else supported Moan U and I hate to follow the crowd). Wenger has been great for the club but even I understand what works for us would not necessarily work for other teams. Fergie and Wenger purchase the players best able to bring to life his vision.
I love football because its one big chess game with the Managers moving the pieces around. Football has been so successful and popular because of its simplicity. The rules have remained relatively the same for decades with the changes usually in the interpretation rather than the rules repealed or new rules enacted.
“While the game is in such a healthy state it’s hard to envisage the powers that be tinkering much with the game. ”
That has been the problem with AFL. As a lover of that code as well, frustration is brought about as no sooner do the fans, players and umpires alike adapt to one set of rules, another set or the interpretation is added.
The managers will adapt, the players will adapt. Look at how the premier league has changed with the infusion of continental footballers. Even you have to admit Cheese that it wasn’t the most pleasant league to watch compared to now. Rule changes aren’t required. Players and managers will work it out for themselves. In the end you can only develop a style of play that complements the players at your disposal.
We need to reward attacking football
It has long been my worry that after the current crop of Socceroos, there would be a gulf and big let down for supporters of the Australian game.
While I am pleased that the side displayed some good football qualities, I still have doubt over the next generation. It’s not their fault. During the critical years of their development mentioned above 8 – 13, the previous football administration was still farting around trying to get their expense accounts balanced rather that developing a road map for future success.
I still believe that even with the Curriculum now in place, it will take another generation of footballers for Australia to see any real rewards.
Foz, as usual, overstated the achievement and maybe it was a case of bravery by Jan. Sadly, I believe that if it had been an Australian educated coach after the first game we would have reverted to the tactics that Australian football is so well known for.
Let’s face it as a sporting public we love to win. That’s why at my local football park, parents still bitch about the SSG system not realising what we are trying to accomplish.
Boys it was step in the right direction but let us be completely honest with ourselves. There is still plenty of work to be done and pain to be endured
Young Socceroos take Australia's first step to World Cup success
I take your point. I know it wasn’t pre-pubescent boys because I get the comments every now and then. However, it was an article meant to open up the sensible debate that did not denigrate any particular person. Naming people would do just that and I want to stay away from that.
Female commentators deserve more respect
Spiro, I completely agree. Even this “militant feminist” can agree that boxing is the only sport that women probably shouldn’t go near. I think when you look at women’s sport it should not always be in comparison with men’s sport. It’s like comparing the A-League with the EPL. It will always come out lacking but when you examine it in its own right, it can be pretty good.
Women's football is finally back in business
Thank’s DaSilva you’re right, I didn’t pick the title. My original title was more generic.
Female commentators deserve more respect
Thanks for the comment. I wish it was just the pre-pubescent boys Freud of Football. I have had and heard many a comment. It’s just that the comments on YouTube best illustrated the attitude I was describing. I didn’t want to misquote anyone.
Female commentators deserve more respect
Thanks for opening your mind Raider. Hopefully the girls will be on song.
Women's football is really taking off
Interesting approach to the analysis
Dear Tony Gustavsson: are the Matildas succeeding thanks to you, or in spite of you?