The scene was the Sydney Football Stadium, matchday one of the Asian Champions League, a third of the way into Sydney FC’s match against South Korea’s Suwon Bluewings. The Sky Blues’ skipper Terry McFlynn had just been sent off for a reckless stomp on Suwon’s Lee Sangho.
Vitezslav Lavicka had a couple of options.
Having started the match with a 4-2-3-1, which featured Hiro Moriyasu on the left, debutant David Williams on the right, Nicky Carle in behind Bruno Cazarine, and McFlynn and Stuart Musialik in the anchor roles, his response wasn’t exactly the most obvious.
From my vantage at the SFS the most likely option appeared to be to drop Moriyasu into the holding midfield, alongside Musialik, and then get Carle and Williams running off and supporting the big Brazilian.
But Lavicka, in his almost characteristic conservative way, took a far simpler option, dropping Carle deeper, into a more traditional central midfield role, not quite in line with Musialik, but only slightly advanced of him.
He went to what essentially became a 4-4-1.
It effectively killed any hope Sydney had of getting on the front foot and dictating proceedings, but, having been reduced to 10 men with two-thirds of the match left, the objective clearly became about surviving and trying to pinch something.
What followed was 66 minutes of lung-busting effort from Sydney’s marquee, perhaps Carle’s finest performance yet for Lavicka.
Even though his performance in the final few weeks of the regular season, since returning from injury, were very promising, including a cracking goal at Perth, this was a more complete effort, demonstrating he was back on song, both physically and mentally.
For a player known more for his touch and work in and around the opposition box, this was a job full of industry and commitment, a part of his game that should never be under-estimated.
At one point, late in the game, he made a 30 metre sprint to the left side of Sydney’s defence to shut down a Suwon raid.
Clearly some lessons learnt in Crystal Palace’s 4-4-2 were at work.
Even if he wasn’t wearing the skipper’s armband after McFlynn’s dismissal (that honour went to Musialik), this was the work of a leader. Carle took one for the team.
Certainly, the fans appeared to respond, not only to Carle’s effort, but the spirited nature of Sydney’s well-earned point against the odds.
Now, with Sydney FC at home to Shanghai Shenhua and Kashima Antlers over the next two matchdays, starting tonight, Carle must continue to assume the responsibility bestowed upon him by his pay-packet.
Whereas he was required to roll up the sleeves against Suwon, tonight he might be required to roll out the odd move, even if the pitch doesn’t look entirely conducive to keeping the ball on the deck, a point well made by the visiting manager.
The role of main man is one Carle appeared reluctant to take on when he was unveiled as Sydney’s marquee signing, instead deflecting attention to team-mates like Alex Brosque and the collective.
In recent times he has kept a low profile, preferring to work himself back to full fitness away from the limelight.
But there was a sense of ownership and steely determination in his matchday one effort, and Sydney fans will be hoping it’s just the start of bigger and better things to come.
Bondy
Guest
bottom, Gavin Miller was awarded the most attractive man in Rugby League for four seasons.
Bondy
Guest
I just watched the game between Sydney F.C. and Shanghai Shenhua honours shared, through the game i reminded myself be patient with the style and tempo of the football, after watching Real Madrid tear Tottenham apart at the Bernabeu earlier in the morning . Is that possibly why we get a bit cranky with A League teams and Asia because twelve hours earlier we were watching one of the best football teams on the planet and does that reverberate back here subconsciously ? Also in watching the Melbourne Victory last night i thought to myself, gee i think the Brisbane Roar and too an extent the Central Coast Mariners constructive (offensive sides) are going too have a very good run in the Asian Champs League next campain. Nick Carle played well tonight good to see him back from the stog of Championship football were he had to become a physicaly violent player which desrtoyed his make up.
Realfootball
Guest
Sarota must have improved a great deal since his Brisbane days, when he looked a very ordiinary player indeed. Consistently awful first touch, average pace. Never rated him at all from the stands at Suncorp.
Davo
Guest
The saddest thing is that Australia never got to witness the magic that would have unfolded if nicky carle was playing in behind viduka. The skill and flicks and tricks would have been amazing!!
Midfielder
Guest
Tony This is off your topic so sorries for that but tho you may be interested in the following two threads on the Mariners .fans forum.. both essentially about building football exposure through club / fan fourm sites ... even theroar gets a postive mention from one poster http://ccmfans.net/board/index.php/topic/4399-cc-mariners-memberships-communication-and-the-community-club/ http://ccmfans.net/board/index.php/topic/4406-the-ccmfans-brainstorming-thread/
Australian Football
Roar Guru
Floppy----yes I agree with you on that point .
whiskeymac
Guest
I know your position is diametrically oppossed to, say, Mr Tannous' on Sarota. I merely mention his name as one with "potential" (as in "There are others now coming up to which will potentially supercede him in NT places "). He cld become what Tannous' suggests; he cld become the next Patafta. The point being, we have lots of players attached to reasonable teams o/seas (and here) with potential to supercede a 29 yo (or however old Carle is) for NT honours.
floppybottom
Guest
i'm not sure he has the 'engine' to play the uptempo style of brisbane though he definitely has the technical ability...
Titus
Guest
A bit of both I think. Sometimes I feel that there is way to much expectation on Carle simply because he is technically very good and he plays with a bit of flair. It seems that Carle isn't always the playmaker people would hope for, though he can certainly split open a defence at times, but if he was playing in a team that played fast, controlled, passing football, then you would get the most out of him. He can hold the ball, draw players and engage in quick passing movements. He's basically a very, very good squaddie. By which I mean, the whole team should have similar capabilities, really. He would go well in a team like Brisbane I think.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
are you sure about January? My feeling was that it was primarily moved to January to avoid the heat of Qatar in June; a switch that was to be temporary.
floppybottom
Guest
i remember gavin miller was the best player in the ARL for years in the late eighties/early nineties, eventually he belatedly forced his way into the national side but it never clicked for him at international level. he needed the whole team to be based around him which worked at club level. i think carle is the same but i don't think at international level there is the inclination to base the team around him both for egotistical reasons and because perhaps he just isn't quite good enough to demand it.
floppybottom
Guest
whiskeymac, could you please fill me in on what sarota has DONE (this doesn't include threatening to play for poland) to deserve to be even considered for a midfield spot in the national team?
floppybottom
Guest
i hope we never again in australia see a player like jade north play for the national team (although yet to play i suspect he has found his niche in the japanese 2nd div)...
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
This is another bonus for A-League players wanting to be Socceroos. The 2015 Asian Cup will be played in Australia in January, right in the middle of the football season As hosts and with no qualification games, there will be plenty of friendlies and warm up games. The Euro based Socceroos would be less likely to come over for the practice games, so the next couple of years will probably be the best time ever for an A-League player to get noticed for the Socceroos. In Holger, we also have a good national team coach who has shown that he will pick the right players, no matter which league you play in. He also has a good understanding and appreciation of our A-League.
whiskeymac
Guest
good point.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
As SFC fans, we have been a bit disappointed in Nicky and he hasn't even approached the excellent form he showed for the Jets a few years back before he went OS. I know he's had injuries and the atrocious weather this summer has made pitches pretty much unplayable at times, but I think this is his last chance to shine and get back into the Socceroos. At least he has a national team manager who appreciates the A-League and will give you a chance, even if you don't play reserve grade in Germany.
Australian Football
Roar Guru
Whiskey----It's good news that, in Osie he has an open mind and picks players on merit---no matter what league they play in.. That is the most pleasing aspect of the man Osie. I hope we never again in Australia, we see a manager in charge with tunnel vision..
dodgey
Guest
There are no Asian cup qualifiers as we have automatic entry as the host country so not as many games as you would thin k
whiskeymac
Guest
might not be so different under Holger. There are others now coming up to which will potentially supercede him in NT places - ie Amini, Sarota, Vidosic etc - the question always being whose place/ position wld he take, espec if Olger plays Jedinak and Valeri as a preferred DM pairing and Holman, Cahill - but for now, with the number of fixtures in Asia, a fit Carle shld at least have a chance.
Midfielder
Guest
I like Nicky maybe at his peak we had the choice of mids and a coach that never allowed him to be in the national team...