Michael Cockerill, bless him, has insisted in his newspaper column that next week’s World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan in Sydney will “entertain” us as well as take Australia to South Africa 2010.
I don’t know what his intelligence on the matter is, but Cockerill is convinced Verbeek, the man he describes as “results-orientated”, “typically cautious” and “conservative” (clearly a fan, then) is going to go all out and blow us all away with joga bonito.
“Now, with three of the final four matches at home, it’s not just about qualifying, but doing it in some style,” writes Cockerill. “The Socceroos will have to rise to the challenge, and the feeling is they will.”
The feeling? That’s a bit of a stretch. Hope, maybe.
Now don’t get me wrong. I share Cockerill’s frustration at some of the dourness we’ve seen in recent Socceroos performances, but I don’t think we’re going to see anything too different from the green and gold mob next week; certainly nothing out of the box.
I did a magazine interview with Mark Schwarzer yesterday in Sydney and he bristled when I put it to him Verbeek’s Socceroos were a pale imitation of the attack-minded brand we’d seen under Guus Hiddink.
Extraordinarily, he thought the Socceroos under Verbeek were just as attack minded, if not moreso.
So why would Verbeek change what’s been largely working for him – at least with the foreign-based Socceroos – now, just one game away from virtually guaranteeing qualification for the World Cup?
I don’t expect to see any major changes to personnel, to formation, to the intent of the team. The plan will be to win – and failing that, to not lose. The same modus operandi for which Verbeek is renowned and very rarely deviates.
And perhaps we can put to bed the idea the team is less than inspired under his tutelage.
Schwarzer, who it’s worth pointing out had notorious issues with Hiddink’s man-management skills, thinks Verbeek is approachable, clever, capable and gives each member of the team real confidence from knowing that he is 100 per cent behind them and believes in their ability.
Of course, that is not something available to all our Socceroos – as we have seen with the travails of the A-League-based players and Verbeek’s withering assessments of them in recent times – but it’s something that applies to the ones who come hell or high water will be going to the World Cup – the Kewells, the Brescianos, the Schwarzers.
And that’s important. Not all the Socceroos at Germany 2006 had that level of support from Hiddink, clearly.
So whatever approach Verbeek chooses to take next week, let’s just get out to Homebush or in front of the box and cheer his side on to the World Cup.
He’s going to be in South Africa, whether we like it or not, and in just getting that far he more than deserves the benefit of our collective doubt.
More than anyone, Verbeek doesn’t want to let us down.
Australian Football is played with a regulation FIFA No. 8 football
Guest
Interesting game on SBS this morning.. A WC qualifier between Spain v Turkey ... Pimbo if you were watching .??. Turkey is the model of how a coach should tell his charges to play when away against the best team, Spain, in the world at present .. Although they were beaten 1-0 they showed how to defend and still create chances to surprise the home team ... Turkey is a real breath of fresh air in today's World Game ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Australian Football is played with a regulation FIFA No. 8 football
Joe FC
Guest
Yes jimbo it is a good story but ultimately Australian football is and will be much better for the Asian experience.
Midfielder
Guest
Eamonn. Well said making the WC is fundamentally the single most important item in Footballs continual growth. It will provide media / sponsors / help A-League. With aside from Top Cat (Timmy Cahil) & maybe Kool the rest are not playing in top clubs and many are bench warmers even at the lower clubs.. Listen to the media and we have a world beater of a side... and also the way we still right the Asian teams off still amazes me.
Australian Football is played with a regulation FIFA No. 8 football
Guest
Rob, wrote : Cockerill et. al. seem to want us to play like Brazil without having players like Kaka, Robinho, Ronaldinho Gaucho and co. Rob, far from it of me wanting to be pedantic, but when you Google; try typing in "Jogo Bonito" .. you get "Joga Bonito TV" ... Hmm I think in this instance Jesse is fine using the "Joga" instead of "Jogo" .. But if you want to split hairs then maybe you should also refer to "Brazil" in its correct spelling of "Brasil" ... As the Brasilians prefer to spell it.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3q-gL9HN84 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x6PvVSObf0 http://www.metacafe.com/watch/121547/joga_bonito/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Australian Football is played with a regulation FIFA No. 8 football
jimbo
Guest
This a good article from Mike in today's SM Herald and sums up my feelings exactly. http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/the-past-is-another-country-as-socceroos-revel-in-cup-comfort-zone/2009/03/27/1237657146806.html
Rob
Guest
I agree with Eamonn. Qualifying is far more important than anything else. Cockerill et. al. seem to want us to play like Brazil without having players like Kaka, Robinho, Ronaldinho Gaucho and co. Yes, it would be lovely to see the Socceroos roll over Uzbekistan 4-0 and march on through to the World Cup like football gods, but, let's face it, we are not a nation that has produced such players. We have good, solid players, but not superstars, a certain H. Kewell notwithstanding. Current media expectations are completely unrealistic and need to be tempered by the reality that, while we have appeared in FIFA's top 50 consistently in recent times, we have, can, and will struggle against teams ranked 70-100 because we are not a footballing superpower with an endless supply of mega-talented kids coming through. The moment Kewell is injured we lack creativity up front. We lose Moore or Lucas Neill and we are freaking out about who will lead our defense, etc. So Jaymz, I think it's ridiculous for people such as yourself (sorry, there are heaps of others in your boat, but you're the last one taking this line as I write this) to say that people will be "baying for blood" if a more attacking style isn't forthcoming. Surely it's all about the results? And there are lots of examples of defensive teams doing well in world cups - classic example being Italy. It's a results driven business, and Pim is on the money so far. It's unfair to compare his efforts to anyone else, including Hiddink, because no one else has had to go through a qualifying process like this one, where you have to battle through 2 group stages to qualify. Attacking football is fine, as long as we don't sacrifice results in the search for the "jogo bonito". And Jesse, when you wrote, "joga bonito", you used it incorrectly, because "joga" is from the verb "jogar", which means "to play". So, the correct term would be "jogo bonito", which is in fact what the Brazilians say when they wish to refer to the "beautiful game" ("jogo" in this case being the noun). Sorry to be a pedant on you. Cheers.
jimbo
Guest
Late news, Bruce Djite has been flown over to join the squad. Does Wags the Dog need another oranges boy or is Pimbo going to take notice of Australian football fans for once and play more attacking football?
jaymz
Roar Rookie
I agree Jesse, but once we qualify Pim had better start instilling some more positive tactics, otherwise fans will be calling for blood. I do however think he is capable of doing so as he showed against Netherlands, if he doenst then once at the WC we will be out in the group stages., which is why i believe if he doesnt we should find someone else. The formula for success (depending on your group) usually is a win and a draw can squeeze you through to the next rounds, so its not out of reach for him.
Joe FC
Guest
I think you've summed it up perfectly Jesse. No point looking pretty if you're not invited to the party.
dasilva
Roar Guru
Pim should be more attacking. Not because to entertain the fans but because I believe it will help us win the match. Playing Scott McDonald as a lone striker up front is a disaster waiting to happen (which is what is rumoured in the media). However, Pim has shown he is willing to play two strikers at home as he has done that for all if not most of the matches at home (kewell and mcdonald, kennedy and mcdonald strike partnership so far). Let's hope those rumours are just rumours. However Pim has also hinted that he is considering starting Jedinak as he has singled him out for praise recently. Unless he is going to drop culina, this is a strong warning sign that 2 DM and a sole striker is the way it's heading. Reading a few forums I think Pim is one lost away from a football fan backlash and if he loses to Uzbekistan there will be people calling for his sacking as he has 4 poor matches in a row. Let's hope it doesn't get to that stage.
jimbo
Guest
Wilkommen Manfred, 2 pints of milk and half a pint of cream for my wife's pussy and no need to deliver it through the bedroom window tomorrow morning while I'm at work . . . thanks. Zelko has been recalled . . . and is playing lone striker with Federici in the behind hole . . . sorry, I meant to say the hole behind him.
Manfred the Milko
Guest
BTW ... I am surprised that Cockerill hasn't called for the "Kalac comeback" yet ? Isn't he his agent ?
Manfred the Milko
Guest
Pim is recalling myself and Atti to - a) give the team more flair b) allow me to kick a few faux Ruskis around (it's in my genes) c) Atti to become more famous than Archie Thompson d) bring more ethnic fans to the game, as they feel unwanted of late I am having a great time in camp with Schwarzey ... we share a bit of kraut humour here and there. I miss Rale and The Fuehrer barking orders ... Pim is too soft. When he's angry with us at training, he sounds like Pauline Hanson with a cold. We will win, and I am hoping to be selected for South Africa 2010. Manfred
jimbo
Guest
If you take out the one sided games against Qatar, Pimbo's Blockeroos have scored 3 goals in 7 games or 0.4 goals per 100 minutes of football. . . . and AFL or NRL journalists don't try and drum up interest in their sport? That's his job in a sense and everyone, including journalists have a right to express their own opinions.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Do remember that the game plan has always been don't lose away and win at home. I'm expecting a more attacking approach this game but only because this is the formula Pim has been working on to get us to South Africa, not because he feels the public would like to see some attractive football. Do remember we've only had one qualifier at home thus far, 4-0 if memory serves me correctly (though a win against a capitulating Qatar is hardly the yardstick)
Eamonn
Guest
Jesse..Tell Mike we played beautiful football against Iran...2-0 we were flying. Lazaridis and Vidmar carved them up, it was joyous, Aussie poetry at the G..but we didn't qualiy...so let's get real...forget the beautiful game..lets' qualify Anyhoo Wake up Mike, Wake up Australia. Does this Australian side without Viduka and Emerton have real depth, the creativity to play consistent attacking football? Clearly to do this in international football we need to have players in the front 6 playing at the highest level of football. Do we have any players in the last 16 of the Champions League? Do we have any players with the major clubs in the major leagues. Only Scott MacDonald comes close. Even Nicky (bless him) is doing his bits and pieces..where..The Championship..hardly the International game for a creative genius is it! The rest of our forward six, whoever you choose, play with the middle of the road clubs in their leagues and few score goals. Systems and players make beautiful football. Do we really have the players in the last third of the park to get you out of your seat, the players (ie more than 1) to provide a real goal threat. Australia will qualify and may well do what they do best. Not concede. They may win comfortably on the night but to expect wonderful flowing football from our current player group is to dream. Where's the tricky Del Piero, even a Giggs, where's the pace of a Robben, the class of a Torres, the genius of a Kaka, even an Endo. This is the Internationa Football, the World Game, and we are a long way from the top of it....despite all the so-called superstars playing at second tier clubs in Europe. The team needs support. And if they get to the World Cup..with this group of players that is clearly enough. Australia has come along way but expectations from our media are ill-informed and way too high for this group of players. They are not world beaters! As for our Mike...tell him he's dreamin...!
whiskeymac
Guest
just a thought. but could Mr Cockerill just be trying to drum up interest in the game? Journalism as marketing is hardly a new concept....After a few dull matches maybe they (Fox, SMH) need to be selling the product. promising a glittering attacking game is one way. ..of course (as Tifosi laments) reasonably priced tickets might be another.
Tifosi
Guest
Jesse, Good article. I like many others no doubt are aware that qualifying for the world cup is the most important thing. However im also starting to get a little frustrated with Verbeek style of play. Ill give him till this game but after that i would like to see a more attack minded structure. We wont do well at the world cup if we dont. On a side note, does anyone know how many tix have been sold? Prices seem a bit steep for me. Any chance of a sell out?