Griffiths brilliant as Beijing sink Victory

Towser, I think in relation to Merrick, it's a bit of both, doesn't have the cattle, nor does he have the tactical knowledge. That says a lot about the quality of coaching in the A-League, doesn't it?

Interesting exercise the ACL & to me it shows the need for coaches to be able to straddle both worlds. Take the latest MV & AU matches. On the one hand we have the most succesful A-League coach Ernie Merrick ,who either hasnt got the players or cant adjust his tactics to outwit Asian teams. Or indeed a combination of both. On the other hand we have Aurelio Vidmar coach of wooden spooners Adelaide United. Yet last night they beat the ACL champions & reached the final in 2008 under Aurelio. Also reaching the WCC.

One of the things that really stood out for me during the Beijing - MV game was not just the technical quality of the Chinese side (they were streets ahead of all MV players except Hernandez), but, as Towser has stated, execution (or deliverance, to continue that eternal salvation theme). The execution of passes and the vision to see and hit the excellent runs of players in the front third was spectacular compared to Melbourne, who simply looked like they had no idea how to cope, or how to play against a superior team. Melbourne relied on hoofing the ball up to Mrdja, who is out of his depth, and hoping he could hold onto it or give it quickly to Hernandez. The fact that Merrick talked about playing "longer balls" against Beijing just shows he doesn't have the nouse at this level. Sure, the long ball game (and yes, that is how Melbourne score many a goal in the A-League, despite protestations to the contrary from MV supporters), which works in the A-League, against slower, less tactically proficient teams (i.e. all the teams in the A-League), but in Asia, where players are better, coaches are better, you need a bit of a more sophisticated game plan. For a start, as Art stated, Melbourne needs width. Then they need to start players with actual technical ability, who can hit passes accurately 90% or more of the time. That would help. And get over this long ball obsession. In short, I was disappointed with Melbourne's performance. And I honestly want Melbourne to do well, despite being a Roar supporter. The better our clubs do in Asia, the better the A-League begins to be viewed by both Asian nations and the Australian media, which in turn has the potential to flow on to the Australian public. As Towser pointed out, Adelaide's good performances in 2008 may well be responsible for the excellent crowd figures, despite their annus Horribulis this time round.

Well done Adelaide - Australia's most successful and experienced ACL campaigners. Still 5 more games for Victory to redeem themselves in the first round.

Das You must be happy 1-0 ... good result

Adelaide on the other hand shows Melbourne how it should be done 1-0 victory over the Asian champions. woo hoo

I know Fergies Man Utd struggled a bit with the difference.

Unless you support Real or Barca - I don't thing there's such a thing as eternal salvation as a football fan.

Sometimes a bit of both.

Yeh - it wasn't his finest moment. I read a funny post somewhere, can't remember where, concluding that Lawrie gave MV Mrdja so that MV would perform every bit as poorly as CCM did last year.

With the goal open and all around ready to cheer for the equaliser...twas a great clearance by...N Mrdja. :(

Is that "deliverance" as in, pin point delivery of the ball; or "deliverance" as in eternal salvation - or a bit of both!! :)

Nail - Head!

Art - I didn't know that about MV - thanks! Interestingly - their golden opportunity to equalise came the one time they hit the byline and cut the ball back in.

Actualy I think the first touch / dribling of young Angulo is bettered only by Carlos Hernandez and maybe Robbie Fowler on ocassion - very, very good in my opinion. I agree with your other observations though.

"I went there expecting to see a professional footballer deliver. Do things I couldnt do in my park football games. In other words Professional Football=Expectation + Deliverance." very good!

Dogz R Barkn It is indeed frustrating. Its what I call the "Expectation + Deliverance equation. What you called "The moment" Having been brought up on professional football in England,I put this equation as the single biggest reason for the failure of football in Australia apart from the last 5 years. Behind that of course is a myriad of other reasons which I now see unfolding & taking shape& being rectified. This will deliver the equation in the not too distant future. When I watched Wednesday as a youth/young man I went there expecting to see a professional footballer deliver. Do things I couldnt do in my park football games. In other words Professional Football=Expectation + Deliverance. Having watched the Roar for 5 seasons the algebra never added up. I persevered many havent Until we see more Expectation + deliverance & less Expectation + moment is gone We will struggle in Asia.

Dogz- MV hardly ever pass to wide positions. Merrick has always played narrow. What you saw last night was how MV have always played. They always try and play the ball thru the middle. Merrick once famously said the "width was overrated"

Dogz - it a game of opinions but how can you be so sure about Marvin when has only played 6 hours of football in the A-League (only twice started a game). He is still coming to grips with the physicality of the game in the A-League but in terms of passing ability he leaves most Victory players in the shade.

Better to have a player on the park that shows glimpses of potential rather than 2 players who consistantly stuff it up everytime they are near the ball. All it takes is 1 glimpse and you have 1 goal!