Tim Cahill sent off during the World Cup group D soccer match between Germany and Australia at the stadium in Durban, South Africa, Sunday, June 13, 2010. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
When referee Marco Rodriguez flashed a red card in Socceroo midfielder Tim Cahill’s face, he crushed the hopes of a nation. Four years ago was an epiphany, but 2010 has the potential to be our darkest hour – and it’s only just begun.
Picking apart the wreckage of Australia’s 4-0 capitulation at the hands of Germany is like trying to find the silver lining from a plane crash – whichever way you look at it, the result is an unmitigated disaster.
From the moment Richard Garcia’s effort was scrambled clear just three minutes in, luck was never on our side.
Our shoddy attempts to play an offside trap that looked about as a watertight as a tea-strainer saw Germany get in behind the back four time and time again, and even when the Socceroos managed to defend in numbers, Germany’s strikers still found time and space to reel in shot after shot on goal.
But the biggest worry for coach Pim Verbeek – apart from the disorganised defending, aside from the relative ineffectiveness of the attack – is the fact that talisman Cahill is now suspended for the crucial clash with Ghana, who defeated Serbia 1-0 in the other Group D clash.
Where will the goals come from, if not from Cahill?
Certainly not from Harry Kewell or Josh Kennedy, if they can’t even get on the pitch!
Forget Plan B – which was what Verbeek appeared to utilise with his surprise decision to include Garcia from the start – the Dutchman needs to devise a game plan which doesn’t see the Socceroos crumble as soon as Ghana start to apply some pressure in their next group game.
And as harsh as Tim Cahill’s red card was this morning, was it not inevitable from a group of players who perpetually seem to scoff at the notion of self-restraint?
Nathan Gibson was an assistant referee at the 2006 World Cup, and on the eve of this match he told his local newspaper The Manning Times that Mexican referee Rodriguez is “very card happy.”
“He hates those really hard defensive tackles, and Australia prides themselves on those, so we have to be careful,” Gibson said.
Prescient words indeed, yet Cahill still recklessly launched a two-footed tackle at Bastian Schweinsteiger, and this was after Craig Moore had already talked himself into a ridiculous booking, and Lucas Neill had continually blasted officials over offside calls which they actually got right.
It’s the lack of mental composure which bothers me as much as the result, and the body language on display hardly bodes well for the remaining two group games.
And while many will point out that neither Ghana, nor Serbia harbour the kind of awesome attacking power which tore Australia apart this morning, the problem for Verbeek is how to pick his team up off the floor and motivate them to recover – something he’s never had to do in his time in charge so far.
Former Socceroo David Zdrilic argued in the post-game analysis that a 1-0 loss and a 4-0 defeat were essentially the same outcome.
But what that doesn’t factor in is the brutal blow to morale that this morning’s defeat will have inflicted, not least because Germany could probably have wracked up double figures had they been less profligate in front of goal.
In the cold, hard light of day, the fact is that Pim Verbeek doesn’t appear to have a viable game plan or even the personnel to implement one.
And all the clichés about “fighting spirit” and “mateship” don’t make up for the fact that technique, tactics and some cool heads are required to perform well at this level.
None of those qualities were on display this morning, and that’s what makes this such a bitter result for me.
The Socceroos now have until Saturday to try and rediscover such traits, lest the 2010 World Cup becomes a tournament that we’d all just as soon forget.
joeb
Guest
Yep, Timmy deserved it, though he had the national interest at heart (ours of course).... but we're still in this - the boys didn't play as poorly as many suggest. For mine the Germans were plain simple lucky, and got some breaks from the ref. Serious. Where do yer get it? Here folks FREE online: http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/videos/562/WC%20Full%20Match Blissful.
joeb
Guest
"What happened to the SBS 2pm replay?" Happened at 02:00AM Tuesday 15.06.2010 on SBS 1. "Is it possible to watch the full replay online?" WC full matches online FREE: http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/videos/562/WC%20Full%20Match Heaven.
amband
Guest
A bloke on TV said they played without a striker. Why?
amband
Guest
European and African are notorious divers. It's been discussed at length on the BBC world service more than once Englishmen and Aussies hardly rate when it comes to diving
ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
We only beat Japan, Croatia was a 2-2 draw.
Zac Zavos
Editor
A reminder to all to vote down poor quality comments, or report the comment and we'll place the user on moderation. Note to all: being on moderation is not fun. It means any comment off-topic or personal gets deleted. Please remember The Roar is about respectful, informed and on-topic sports debate. Comments outside of this risk placing the user on moderation.
MattyP
Guest
I think the cry "Up There Cazaly" rang around the outer after that one! Just an example of what an undisciplined bunch of thugs our soccer team rightfully has the reputation for. I feel cheated, I want my 2 hours back.
Dublin Dave
Guest
Sorry mate. Head to head comparison is way down the pecking order when it comes to separating teams. The offical FIFA website has the rules in full (in the Official Documents Tab in the section on the World Cup). The relevant paragraph is : " 5. The ranking of each team in each group will be determined as follows: a) greatest number of points obtained in all group matches; b) goal difference in all group matches; c) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches. If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings will be determined as follows: d) greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned; e) goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned; f) greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned; g) drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee." So overall goal differences is the second most important criterion and so your four-goal deficit is a big handicap. I don't think Australia are necessarily gone, though. It is the group of Death with no clear favourite for the second place position. I think Serbia are capable of coming back and giving Germany a hard time. Possibly even beating them. They didn't play well against Ghana but have some serious players. Also, I don't think Germany are going to pass their way through the likes of Vidic as easily as they did the middle-aged Australian back four. You CAN'T play the offside trap unless your defenders have some serious pace. That's just nuts. A win against Ghana and you're right back in it.
dasilva
Guest
I think the Tie breaking criteria is goal difference first and then head to head so we do have to win both matches as we can't rely on Germany thrashing Ghana especially when they will probably be resting players in the last game.
Phutbol
Guest
Yes, we were bad today, but this can hardly be surprising when Pim had players out of position to start, and spread from arsehole to breakfast trying to press a team that thrives on being pressed. Massive holes in midfield caused by too much space between the defensive lines. As the zonalmarking report said, and i agree, we should have stayed with the so called 'negative' compact defensive tactics, similar to the Denmark game. probably would have lost still, but at least we might have been close enough to pinch a goal late and get a draw. This 'new' game plan didnt offer up any more scoring chances anyway so what was the point? My biggest beef is that after dozens of WC, Asian quals, and friendly matches, Pim trots out that crap in the first game of the WC!!! It beggars belief! Still, beat Ghana, Serbia (or at least draw) is still the plan. If Germany helps us out and wins both of their games we still get through I think as we would have the better head to head with Ghana if we end up on same points so i dont think (can anyone confirm?) that goal difference will come into it. Lets just hope the roos confidence can be rebuilt in time for Ghana....
Rhys
Guest
Milligan has played full time for the past 2 years, at Newcaslte, Shanghai Shenhua and now JEF United...
apaway
Guest
No Rhys, it was definitely Schwarzer's fault.
sheek
Guest
So Crashy, You're starting against Ghana, are you? You're going to sort them out..... ???
Joe FC
Guest
Well Steve you’ve had your 15 seconds in the spotlight now you can recede to the level where you and your sport are accustomed – inconsequential anonymity.
sheek
Guest
Dasilva, Fantastic to read the insights of someone who actually knows his football. It's a bit sad The Roar is being infiltrated by cyberspace Rambos without any other intention than to hide behind the anonymity of cyberspace to thrash anyone & anything. Their brief is to spread poison, not to offer anything constructive.....
jupiter53
Guest
Me too mate!
jupiter53
Guest
Actually he thought it was the final warmup game. He used it to trial a new offside trap; Lucas had assured him he was the reincarnation of Franco Baresi and Craig said he'd been training with the quickest team in Greece. Unfortunately all Lucas remembered from Baresi's role with AC Milan was standing with his arm raised, and Craig actually said he was complaining about the thickest team in Greece. He also used the game to see if Vinnie was ready for the tournament - he isn't. And the trial of the "ZInedine Zidane" supplement did not go well. It seems to have been heavy on the "red mist" component and light on the claimed "superlative technical excellence". Back to the drawing board!
jupiter53
Guest
I commented on "Zonal Marking" [a great tactics oriented website] a few days ago that the German squad looked frightening. I've watched the Bundesliga a fair bit this year and so knew the players. Many of this squad have already won international tournaments [European under 21s]. What I didn't anticipate was just how good their offensive passing and movement was going to be. With the squad we have this time around we were always going to have trouble coping. I don't know whether Pim could have picked a better team from this group of players but I don't think there is an obvious selection that would have beaten or indeed held Germany. It's like the Brazil game last time - 3 points we were never going to get. Does this squad have the capacity to get something out of the other games? As I have previously suggested I think Pim has been unlucky compared to Guus - no Viduka and for practical purposes no Kewell takes much of the attacking potency we had 4 years ago. Good luck boys!
Fisher Price
Guest
Yep, and we've all had to put up with apologists lauding Pim's achievement in qualifying despite playing very, very poorly.
Fisher Price
Guest
Quite; with Ballack and Rolfes it would have been 7-0. The red card was harsh but the fact remains that Cahill jumped into the back of an opponent's legs. He is a clumsy tackler.