If you speak to club coaches or managers, football friendlies exist to get players match fit for the upcoming season. Sounds good so far, although you want to make sure it’s a decent contest, unlike the recent Villareal match against Navata.
Spanish La Liga versus Spanish amateurs sounds a bit lop sided, and so it turned out to be. But who would have predicted it would end up 27-0.
Yes, twenty seven!
However, I digress.
The point is, what is the point of football friendlies for the fans? It is pointless.
After years and years of being sucked in to glamour pre-season tournaments or one-off big games to see world class teams and players, I have finally seen the light (and saved some cash).
I will never ever go to another friendly again.
Between 1980 and 2006, I have been sucked in with the marketing, the advertising, the idea that my club needed me, there even though the reality is that no-one needs to be there.
The final nail in the coffin was Australia Vs Greece at the MCG in 2006.
This game, like all others, was a turgid affair. Endless substitutions, players holding back in case of injury, fans totally under-whelmed, managers worrying about the trip back, with only the board members rubbing hands in glee with the thought of all the money they have made in a space of a few days.
Closed door friendlies are the way to go. Spare us the misery.
Or maybe games against Navata?
MVDave
Guest
Generally would agree friendlies are not worth the money...except when someone like David Beckham can bend them in from 30m vs Barcelona in front of 93,000 in California overnight...watch via the link; http://web.mlsnet.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=5873741
Killer_Tomatoes
Guest
@ Pipinu, MV have played 3 games behind closed doors at OP, against Dandenong, Hume and Green Gully. As for friendlies, I love the friendlies against VPL sides cos I like the grounds, much more intimate and completely devoid of the sterile environment of Docklands. Games like the 'big name' friendlies against Juve and Fulham on the otherhand don't interest me at all, and I fail to see the point if all they serve to attract is 20,000 fans (less than most regular season games) or 20,000 MV fans plus 15,000 Euro Snob pseudo-Calabrian Juve fans who will never attend an actual A-League game again. There is in my opinion, definitely more value in involving the grass roots of the game here, as sides seem more inclined to do now they have been given freedom to pick and choose their own pre-season schedule, as these people are infinitely more likely to become involved in the A-League in some way (even the alienated ones) than those 'football fans' who will only come and watch a game if it's against a recognised Euro club.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I can't remember being too bored when we defeated England 1-3....... though perhaps games against England don't count as friendlies which may be why we haven't played them since.
Michael C
Guest
oops - typo "I feel vindicated" At any rate - I've been abused before for daring to suggest this - - and apparently it's not the message that some people respond to, but, the messenger!!!! re exhibition/friendly matches - - all well and good if, as with Becksmania - you actually GET the big name to come out. or Aust vs Greece in Melbourne is logical, just as MVFC vs Juventus would've seen Lygon St abuzz that night. All nice, cute little events.
Towser
Guest
The Beckham bash was extremely entertaining. Friendly or not I enjoyed it as well as the friendly Roar vs Celtic match recently. Luck of the draw really what you get. But that can equally apply to matches for points.
The Bear
Roar Pro
I remember SFC's Biddle being stepped on by some crazed LA Galaxy player a couple of years back. Now i didn't go to that game, but for "entertainment" value, i enjoyed that (and the game, surprisingly!!) from my couch.
Michael C
Guest
I will vindicated of my personal view that people more often than not got suckered in - - esp when a 3rd string Man Utd came out a few years back. Usually over hyped, unrealistic expectations and sadly over priced. Just a money making venture in the extreme. (not ignoring the value sometimes of the practice match - - but, that's all it is, a practice match).
melbvictory87
Guest
as a matter of fact i think that these high profile friendlies will only goto making our clubs a loss. after perth v fulham and melbourne v fulham i doubt that the fans will even bother to turn up again.
melbvictory87
Guest
didnt goto to aus v greece, still watched on tv. its interesting how you point out that they are dull affairs and are mainly for profit generation. i wouldnt have noticed it as much before but i can see your point. melb victory v fulham was a piece of crap and in fact the only pre-season friendly i could honestly say i loved was melb victory v south melbourne. i wont be going to any more "big names" matches because they are just a total disappointment. id rather watch a passionate vpl side dig deep and battle the a-league teams in what will usually be a terrific footballing spectacle. i just wish the a-league clubs would realize this and pay more attention to sydney fc's preseason and how well that has driven their membership numbers
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Tom interestingly, MV's pre-season has been decidedly free of hype (a good thing I reckon). All matches have been against either VPL sides, or Victorian selections (a good concept), and in fact, I think I read the other day that their last hit out, or a recent hit out, was behind closed doors. Jamie Mc Back to the subject of this article - well, I don't think you can get to worked up about club pre-season friendlies - they exist for precisely the reason you gave, and I think most fans would understand that. In most instances, they're usually happy to see their team back on the paddock and are interested in new signings, or up and coming youngsters.
Tom
Guest
I went to the Greece game to support the Socceroos before they went to Germany. Never expected an exciting, world class game of football. And I didn't get one. I've always quite enjoyed the MV friendlies against VPL teams. Possibly the lack of hype has something to do with it.