Well, so much for that. Gamba Osaka underlined the gulf in class between the A-League and J-League on Wednesday night with a performance in the first leg of the Asian Champions League final that was as comprehensive and crushing as Operation Urgent Fury, the US invasion of Grenada in 1983.
I wrote a column for The Roar on Wednesday morning that tried to give some credit to Australian teams for our “physical” style of play, but Aurelio Vidmar’s team, puzzlingly, didn’t even look to fall back on that tactic. The entire XI, plus the coaching staff (who, it must be said, cast a faintly ridiculous air with their walkie-talkies; fat lot of good they did) appeared completely at a loss about how to counter the fast, controlled, economical and astonishingly attractive play of Gamba.
What passing. It was a joy to behold.
There wasn’t one minute of the match where Adelaide looked in the hunt, which is a massive credit to Akira Nishino’s side. Adelaide aren’t chumps, but they looked third rate against Gamba, who dazzled Melbourne Victory away in similar fashion back in April, which I wrote about for The Roar.
Back then, speaking of an interview I did for Pim Verbeek for a magazine, I wrote: “Verbeek was nostalgic about Japan, waxing lyrical about the facilities available to coaches, the money invested in the development of junior players, the infrastructure of clubs, but mostly the technical ability of Japanese players. They didn’t always score goals, he said, and that wasn’t always a positive, but they could produce some beautiful possession football.
“The Japanese play combination football,” he told me. “More Brazilian influences than European … in Japan, they always try to build out from the backline to the midfield to the striker and back and that’s the way they prefer to play.
“[Against Melbourne in April] the Japanese side treasured the ball (55 per cent possession is telling), not wasting it for a moment, conjured some magical passing in midfield, were quicker, defter with their trapping, and overall their touch all over the park was superb.”
Half a year on, nothing had changed on the evidence of what we saw on Wednesday night. They were in every way superior to Adelaide.
The Australians didn’t produce one shot on target in 90 minutes and not even a decent one off target.
Apologists for Adelaide will point to the two basic defending errors that resulted in the Japanese side’s two goals before the break, but that does Gamba a disservice and casts a flattering light on Adelaide’s performance where there should be none.
It was a horrible effort from the Reds. Their worst game since the 6-0 demolition by Melbourne Victory in the grand final of “Version 2.0” of the A-League.
Michihiro Yasuda on the left was utterly dominant and his goal, Gamba’s third, was richly deserved and beautifully taken.
Hayato Sasaki on the right was equally a handful, and repeatedly left Adelaide defenders eating his dust with his explosive turn of speed and magical footwork.
Both men are tiny. Yasuda 173cm, Sasaki 167cm.
(Another lesson for the A-League here? Who needs tall timber when veritable homunculi can cut apart a storied and towering defence like Adelaide’s with consummate ease?)
The talk of an Adelaide fightback next week is patent nonsense if they play anything like they did on Wednesday, and they’re going to have to do it without Ang Costanzo and Eugene Galekovic, who will be
suspended.
Something Vidmar needed like a hole in the head.
Australians love a scrap, we revere the talk of “fighting spirit”, but frankly I think Gamba has already won the title.
There wasn’t one player or one aspect of Adelaide’s play that I thought could present problems for the Japanese side in the return leg.
They had the Reds’ measure in every conceivable way and, most impressively, it was a win arrived at almost entirely with Japanese players. Gamba’s Brazilians, Lucas’s opener aside, felt almost peripheral to the action generated by Gamba’s stellar midfielders.
We have much, much more to learn from Japanese football than even I thought.
Midfielder
Guest
Das Agree but he did mention coaching development and I am simply saying it's not all bad news ......... the paint it black types need to find some balance .....after all as was the title of the Moody Blues album it's "A question of Balance"
dasilva
Roar Guru
AFter reading that It's like we are basking in the shower of glory from FFA. It's almost like PR release from FFA. Yeah they are great compared to what we have before but shouldn't we be past that stage where we accept anything because it's better than what the old administrations. We should always keep walking forward. In all honesty Muscat didn't say anything about how to improve. It's just we need this to happen and whoop dee doo FFA are already on that case and doing it and so everyones happy. Sure sometimes I'm annoyed by the paint it black journos and believe that they should give credit when credit is due but this article seems like its the other extreme.
Midfielder
Guest
Jes and any other paint it black jurno's Here is the other side of the coin and yes he does mention coaching and skill ...... but its a positive uplifting article ..... and from a Socceroo currently in the A-League Mr Clean himself Kevin Muskie Kevin Muscat November 9, 2008 - AUSTRALIA will not win the World Cup in my lifetime. The notion is unrealistic. However, it will only improve and get stronger with our current crop of players, and making the top five is something that is achievable within the next two or three World Cups. What we must do is try to crack the top five powerhouses - Italy, Germany, Brazil, Argentina and France - and aim to reach a semi-final. Here is my take on the journey so far and the way ahead. MOVING INTO ASIA Australia's move from the Oceania to the Asian Football Confederation is one of the major factors that will make us even more competitive in South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014. We're now playing continuous games that are meaningful and they are generally against better opposition than we faced in Oceania. We've got to be diplomatic and honest about the way we approach each game and give due respect, but the way we played and the professionalism, dominance and quality of the performance in our last World Cup qualifier against Qatar was near enough a throwback to an old Oceania qualifier, which is a sign of how much we are improving. These World Cup and Asian Cup qualifiers give Australia an opportunity to develop the present squad, the younger players and the system and playing style in meaningful internationals where points are on the line. That will only benefit the Socceroos when we do qualify for World Cups because we'll be match-hardened in big games, rather than having played two home-and-away qualifiers, traditionally against South American opposition. If you isolate all the different decisions Football Federation Australia has made over the past years, moving into Asia will go down as the most significant in our code. It was the biggest win Frank Lowy and his men had as most of Asia lobbied hard not to have Australia there. Now we're seeing why as I believe we have already pinched a spot for South Africa. YOUNG PLAYERS During the 1990s, many said the crop of players coming through at youth level was the best Australia had ever seen. I'd like to think that today's crop of players will catch up and be as good as anything we've produced for a number of reasons. Guys such as Matthew Spiranovic, Bruce Djite, Nathan Burns and Adrian Leijer are now plying their trade in European competition at a decent level. The fl ipside of that is that young players are also playing in a decent competition in Australia where they're getting a solid grounding and coaching for the future. These young players will develop their careers further through the additional World Cup and Asian Cup qualifi ers. That has never been an option previously and, hopefully once Australia gets enough points for South Africa, we'll see a lot more young players getting a game at the highest international level. COACHING DEVELOPMENT We've currently got the older brigade, including Ernie Merrick, Frank Farina and John Kosmina, but now we're starting to see younger coaches such as Aurelio Vidmar, Gary van Egmond and Paul Okon develop through the system. Further to that, FFA is actively trying to improve and entice players to complete coaching courses and scholarships. I completed my AFC B coaching licence last year and I'm going to do my AFC A coaching licence in March alongside the likes of Tony Popovic, Steve Corica, Tony Vidmar, Steve Mautone and Mehmet Durakovic. All of them were household names when they were players and are now being encouraged to build their coaching careers, which soccer in Australia will benefit from for the next 20 years and beyond. There are plenty of short-term positives, but if you don't plan for the future, all you will have are short-term gains. What Australia needs to be doing now is developing young coaches and players, which the FFA is right on top of. HOSTING THE WORLD CUP I vividly remember playing in the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship in Australia when we made the semi-final and took the nation by storm, so I can only imagine what excitement a World Cup in Australia would generate. With the current regime the way it is, I wouldn't say no to anything. FFA has achieved everything it set out to recently and I think we've got a lot to be grateful for. Lowy has given us so many opportunities in Australia and there's no doubt hosting the World Cup is in his sights. Whether it be 2018, 2022 or beyond, luck and timing will play a part because expectations lift when you're hosting a World Cup and having the right players at the right time is important. For the European and South American countries, Australia is a long way to travel, which would also work in our favour if we managed to host the tournament. EXPECTATIONS The one thing Australian soccer is afraid of is expectations. When we have been the underdog, we've competed and done well. We were the underdog to qualify for the 2002 World Cup against Uruguay and we beat them at home before going away and losing 3-0. Everyone was saying it was too difficult, there's always next time and they're a good side. Now, and it's the nature of the beast, we should qualify for the next World Cup quite comfortably. I understand the logistics and the travel throughout Asia, but I also understand the preparation of the players and the quality of the squad and management we've got. Once you analyse that, the answer for me is that we should expect to qualify for every World Cup. It would be great to sit here with a crystal ball and foresee everything, but you cannot honestly predict what's going to happen. What you can do is give yourself the best chance of success. At the moment, we're on the right track and everything that's in place has given Australia the best chance of success. Whatever happens in 2018 and 2022, there will be no point looking back and thinking we should have done that in 2008. Let's get 2008 right, so in 2022 there are no excuses.
dasilva
Roar Guru
Midfielder If you want to learn more about J-league then a good place to start is to search "Mike Tuckerman blog" on google and you'll find a football blog from an Australian living in Japan. He comments on J-league football, ACL and A-league.
dasilva
Roar Guru
sorry about confusing you with a gamba supporter It's just when you are saying "I'm happy" I assumed you're happy with Gamba beating Adelaide and hence supporting them
lol
Guest
dasilva Wow, I'm NOT supporter of Gamba. I think Gamba and Kashima are not same style. Kashima attach more importance to switch over from offense to defense than Gamba. And they don't use side change like Gamba. I think both human's skill are much the same, but both tactics are NOT. Kasima's style is almost Brazilian coz they are affected by Zico. However, Kasima and Brazilian aren't same coz they use individual play, instead of organization like Japanese. I have to say again. That's match was that both sides had played on an equality before Gamba scored. Or I can think Adelaide controlled the game on that' situation (0-0 and away match).So they had to continue to be on the defensive. And I have to say again. I’m japanese.I can’t use English well, so If you can understand what I want to say, I’m happy. And I recommend to watch Japan v England in U17 Women World Cup in NZ on Sunday,I think this team is more artistic than other national teams in japan.
dasilva
Roar Guru
lol I don't believe Adelaide were complacent or overconfident because they defeated Kashima. In fact I think they show way too much respect for gamba and gave them the most timid half of football. I hear about physique of Australian players but I didn't see them imposing themselves physically. They were however fatigue by a gruelling schedule and run out of steam. I'm not too sure what was Gamba schedule like but they did have a week to prepare for the match while adelaide had 3 days. by the way the better team won and congratulations lol but we'll beat you 4-0 this wednesday
Midfielder
Guest
LOL Thats for the post would be interested in you giving us a run down of all the J-League sides and how strong football is in Japan.
Slippery Jim
Guest
If a none-too-flash Liverpool, in certain other Champions League final were able to overturn what was a 3-0 deficit until the 54th minute, by scoring three in six minutes, to go on and win the thing after extra time and penalties, Adelaide have an easier chance than they did, and have the advantage of an extra 50 minutes to do it in, with a home ground advantage. Anything can happen in football, going in with the defeatist attitude Jesse is trying to instill is not going to galvanize anyone. Congrats on being such a great demotivator of others and uninspirational writer Jesse.
lol
Guest
What caused they can’t keep on this how to defend during 90′min difference of stamina. It's asian a strong point like park of ManU and Nakamura is most runner a long distance in Celtic.
lol
Guest
Hay I'm japanese.I can't use English well, so If you can understand what I want to say, I'm happy. . I think dasilva right. Gamba use the tactics like Arsenal or Spain don't make much physical but technique. They use the wide of pitch, speedy pass and change of tempo well. Their sideback position is just nearly touchline.When Adelaide defend, they have to run and go on presser so as to lose the space to use their technique. But I think they can't keep on this how to defend during 90'min. I think both sides had played on an equality before Gamba scored. Adelaide had to continue to be on the defensive. But they wanted to score. What caused them such miserable match was that they thought they overwhelmed Japanese football by beating last-year-J-champ Kashima, but it wasn't true. As you (maybe) know, Gamba now on the 7th in J-league, but only 6 points clear from top Kashima. The fact is that J-league is very FLAT league, and each J-club has various style of football. (For example, Urawa is diffensive like turtle while Gamba and Kawasaki are offense-mad.) So while Adelaide has beaten J-champ Kashima, it doesn't ensure them superiority to all J-clubs.
dasilva
Roar Guru
Jimbo About Urawa. They are pretty defensive side with a win at all cost mentality. THe manchester united of Japan are only in name and not in style with a reputation of doing what is necessary to win. They sat back against Sydney and let them have the ball and from the beginning was aiming for a 0-0 all or just nicking a goal from the counter attack. Pretty much anti-football. From what I read it is not uncommon for them to do that. Gamba are the Arsenal of the J league where they have the reputation of the most attacking and the most attractive team in the J league but they concede goals. They may not win but damn are they a joy to watch. That actually gives us hope for Adelaide to actually do something in the return leg. I'm not too sure they are good at defending the lead and playing counter attack and they did look shaky when Adelaide took it too them in the second half. I feel either Adelaide will score some goals and give Gamba a good scare or they'll run over top of us and give us another spanking. (by the way Gamba did not have a full strength team as well and were missing some key players against MV) You are right that one bad game doesn't make Adelaide or A-league a bad side/league. However what is undeniable is that Gamba is technically a class above every other side in the a-league. I haven't seen any tean perform like that at their peak in the A-league. You are also right that Australians sides no longer rely on physique to beat side nowadays. We now add tactical awareness, positioning, defence and football intelligence to the game which cause Adelaide and Australia to match it with it the best of Asia (which we forgot in that match). However at no time in the ACL were Adelaide technically above any opposition they played against. They just played more smarter football. So even if Adelaide overturns this deficit we still have a lot to learn from the J-league.
Midfielder
Guest
Jes Why can't you take the positivies ......... why carry on for F sake, the budget difference the newness of the league ....... Be proud and learn from the experience .......the thread sees it that way ..... Mil has won the thread ......... But let me hear it one more or 1 million more times we need to improve our skill level .......... well thanks Jes you have opened my eyes thank god you have shed the light on why we are lossing ........BTW ...... don't leave out the bit about the coaches also need to understand how to play the game .......... and remember to put the bit in about the great old NSL clubs and they SHARED their skill and knowledge with everyone........ finally we need to be told we need to own our own football stadiums with proper fields (don't worry about the money) and that park football needs to increase skill level ......... Change the record mate ........ give credit where its due and do so proper analysis of the ACL ........ Towser does a better job in this area ........ finally remember TIPS
jimbo
Guest
What about Sydney FC matching Urawa, last year's ACL winner, and only worse on away goals. What about AU's win over Kashima? MV matched Gamba and only lost by a goal at TD and didn't have their best team available. Gamba palyed the best I've ever sen them play and one bad game from AU doesn't mean the demise of the A-League. Is Uzbekistan football and Kuruvchi crap because they got beaten 3-0 by AU. There were many reasons (not excuses) why AU played so badly on Weds. This ain't the 70s Jesse, Aussie football teams don't rely on the physical stoush to beat "superior technical teams" - its time we put that stereotype to bed. I'd like to see Gamba win 3-0 again in Adelaide. If they do, feel free to write some more crap about the A-League.
burgerman
Guest
how can this be an example of the gulf between the australian and japanese game? this is an example of the gulf between adelaide united and gamba osaka. When Adelaide played Kashima Antlers (top of the J league) there was no smashing of either side. This is showing up a gulf between the style and skill of Gamba Osaka and Adelaide United and also Melbourne Victory. That style and skill does not win them the J league though, they are only in sixth position. That said, I really enjoyed watching Gamba play, much better to watch than Kashima Antlers, whose style seemed more defensive. However that style obviously is enabling them to win top the J league.
lol
Guest
If you interested in japan style, I recommend to watch Japan v England in U17 Women World Cup in NZ on Sunday, I think this team is perfecter than other national teams in japan.
onside
Guest
Millster, I totally agree.I am so proud of Adelaide. They have taken us on a wonderful journey. And its not over yet. No ,I dont give them any chance of overhauling Osaka, but they still have the opportunity to get into that series against club champions from around the globe (forgotten its name) if they beat the leading team from Oceana.
dasilva
Roar Guru
Even things that we traditionally are superiour such as physicallity and mentality and fighting spirit. Gamba has match Adelaide with. Gamba were more physically fit through out and they have proven to have fighting spirit as much as any other team in Australia. Gamba shown they had fighting spirit in some of their incredible come back to beat Melbourne and one of the Korean sides away from home after being 1 or 2 goals down. They show fighting spirit against Urawa Red Diamonds to win the match away from home after being a goal down.
vicentin
Guest
Millster - absolutely agree that we should use this positively. If a team is going to get spanked let's have it done by a team playing in the style of Gamba Osaka the other night. What it mainly shows me is the commitment that the Japanese FA have put into their game over the past forty years as opposed to our pitiful efforts. The quality of their players is no accident, it has come about through huge investments, not only in money but in intellect to strengthen their game. Frankly I wish that Australia was following more a Brazilian or South American model for it's development - the importance of Brazilian footballers, their philosophies and training schools (think Zico) over the past 20 years is massive. The Dutch method we're supposedly following is fine though I don't think it produces as many truly creative players. I know that our National team can sometimes beat the Japanese etc but the gulf is there - certainly when we are forced to look deeper into our squad anyway. Ok, if anyone wants to read about what we've done wrong for the past 40+ years I suggest reading Les Murray's latest blog - yes it is somewhat subjective but I think it goes to the heart of the bitterness that many feel about the influence of the "British Mafia" in Australian football over that time. http://203.15.102.152/blogs/lesmurray/time-to-import-knowledge-149257/ Here's a extract which shows that is isn't just 10 years of J-League that gives the Japanese a technical advantage What we did in the early 1970s was to recruit Englishman Eric Worthington as our first director of coaching. He was not our first choice. That was the German Dettmar Cramer, who in a similar job in Japan, lifted that country’s stocks to the level where, under his helm, Japan won a football medal in the 1968 Olympic Games, the first country to do so outside Europe and South America. Though Cramer wanted the Australian job he was mysteriously overlooked in the last minute and the governing body, under the presidency of Sir Arthur George, chose Worthington. Cramer returned to Germany and went on to lead Bayern Munich to two European Cup wins. On the small players issue - as I posted in Jesse's last blog, the current Spanish side that won the Euros are generally height-challenged but it wasn't a problem for them. The current Argentine squad includes Messi, Aguero, Tevez, Lavezzi, Buonanotte and others who'll never bump their heads on a bus ceiling..... Some tall timber will win you some headed goals at corners etc but often look ponderous in defence against skillful teams - height really doesn't help at all if the ball is played on the ground or thereabouts .... and in case you're wondering I write as someone who is just under six foot.... Enough ... I think I'll go for a swim. Have a good day all.
Millster
Guest
Two quick comments then off to a meeting: First, despite all that is written about their inferiority, still praise to Adelaide. You guys got to the final and there is no dishonour to go down to a manifestly superior team. In fact we would not be as interested in Gamba's beautiful play were you not up against them. Second, and kind of related, lets use this positively. We have a league and a code going in the right direction. And we have the cance each year of having 2 of our better clubs test themselves against this sort of standard and see where they come up. What a fantastic opportunity for benchmarking, for introspective analysis, for thinking creatively about how to further our beloved game.