The Australian is reporting esteemed SBS analyst and broadcaster Les Murray has revealed an explosive split in the Socceroos camp in the minutes before Australia’s opening 2010 World Cup game against Germany in South Africa.
Murray’s book, The World Game, describes a players revolt, in excerpts obtained by The Australian.
Murray alleges captain Lucas Neill led the rebellion, asking coach Pim Verbeek to leave the change room moments before the game.
Murray goes on to allege that behind closed doors, Neill rubbished Verbeek’s strategy, telling players to ignore “this bullshit” and “play like we normally play”. Verbeek’s original plan was defensive-minded, void of attack and strike options.
“The problem was that the team had already been named, and it contained not a solitary forward with Harry Kewell, Mark Bresciano, Josh Kennedy and Brett Holman, accomplished attacking players, all omitted,” writes Murray.
“In the confusion there was so much delay that the point was reached when a FIFA match official knocked on the Australian change-room door and, pointing to his watch, warned the Australians that if they didn’t take to the field immediately they would have to forfeit the match.
This goes some way to explaining the mess that Australia fronted the Germans with, as they lost the match 4-0 and largely nullified their chances of progressing beyond the Group stage.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Of course. Thanks.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Titus agree on all points, but when you look at how the game panned out (and look at the heat maps of the game), it's clear that Cahill and Garcia ended up doing something quite different to what Pim had intended. And you must know with your experience in these sorts of matters, at world cup level, there is absolutely no shame in going into a game with the intent to contain a superior opposition. In fact, it's par for course.
Titus
Guest
My reading of it is that they thought about it but in the end it was too late. So they went with Pims game plan. The perception is that they played defensively because they didn't have any forwards. Still, that is some serious disharmony to be taking into a world cup. Ultimately Pim Verbeek was a very painful lesson for Australia.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
dasilva Yes - I am saying the same thing, we did not play defensively - but the public perception generally was that we did play defensively - there was a gross lack of appreciation at what had transpired at the time. Pim was pilloried for his game plan, when in fact, the players had taken it upon themselves to ignore his gameplan. Thanks for the correction on Garcia/Holman. It has to be said the fact that the team still managed to get those 4 points at the end of it all, putting in two fantastic performances, was a credit to both the players and manager - but obviously the damage had already been done.
Johnno
Guest
lUCAS Neil blew the chance of the golden generation not PIM. Lucas neil is not a master technician we had one in Aussy Guss lol. And to think he has more football onus than PIM turn it up. Pim is a head coach, and been an assistant to Guss , and we are talking about people of the calibre of Johan Neeskans to have been assistants to aussy guss (and no not gus gould aussy Guss our loved dutch Goose). So Aussy Guss, Nesskans and pIM NO MORE ABOUT COACHING football than lUCAS nEIL. ANd they were all pro footballers in there time to so have played to. It was totally naive and reckless and irresponsible of lucas Neil to overturn a head coach tactically when he is allayer he does not have the same tactical knowledge as PIM. Stupid,Lucas cost us the world cup , potentially we had a really talented squad .
dasilva
Guest
Just further comments It wouldn't just be Lucas Neill. Neill wouldn't be able to get his message across if he didn't have the support of the senior players. I would think that the likes of Grella, Moore, Chipperfield, Bresciano, Kewell, Schwarzer, Emerton etc could also be supporting him Once you lose the respect of the senior playing group. You're dead meat as a manager.
dasilva
Guest
Although I do agree that we played recklessly against Germany. I actually thought we DIDN'T play defensively (in fact franz beckenbauer commented that Australia played very openly and that we tried to win the game from the opening minute and thought we were naive). Now Lucas Neill maybe to blame for him taking over the tactics causing Australia to get pummelled (in fact he was probably the worst performing player in the match) However, if Pim lost the respect of the dressing room Then Pim failed. Full stop It doesn't matter how good his tactics is if you can't inspire your squad to follow it to the tee. Man management is an essential part of being a manager and considering that this could be the 2nd time in his career where he lost the dressing room then it reflect badly on his credential as his manager. the first time was with South Korea in the Asia cup where the South Korean team ignored Pim in the semi final and played more open against Iraq. Tony Tannous wrote complimenting Pim Verbeek on the way he coached in the semi-final http://roundballanalyst.blogspot.com/2007/07/west-asian-wonders.html here when that was the match where Pim lost the respect from the dressing room. By the way, Osieck has question marks over man management as well as he has lost the dressing room twice so far in his career so the jury still out for him but it is so far so good. ___ by the way it was Garcia that started and not Holman. In fact, Holman would have been a much better starter
Midfielder
Guest
Two wrongs don't make a right... Trouble was as I see it Pim lost the room... once this happens its all over red rover.... My guess for this to have occurred Pim must have changed from what they had been doing in training as these things are normally sorted out on the training paddock.... It does put a different twist on things... Neil is either a devil or a saint for his actions... will depend on what angle you come from... Has all the hallmarks of a coach who has lost the squad well before the WC... was too scared to bring up the game plan in training and announced it on match day... No winners really ... just a big mess...
jamesb
Guest
i wonder what craig "i love freeview" foster thinks of this story
Roger
Guest
The space in the back was not created by the Australian forwards, it was created by the back line. I don't think the forwards had anything to do with the German exploitation of our crappy offside trap.
Roger
Guest
Also Tristan, it was 2010, not 2006.
Rusty
Guest
Why is everyone assumng it's true? If it is, Lucas could be in deep proverbial for such a mutiny.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
There's no doubt that his attitude to the A-League bordered on despicable, I don't think anyone can argue otherwise. Holger is at least smart enough not to say anything similar, even if he might be thinking it.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Fair enough. Where I am coming from is that virtually all of these players who will be mid 30s by 2014 have put up their hand to go on and play in 2014, that represents a massive test. Don't forget some of these names are considered heroes and household names - Australia has never really had to confront something similar before - it's unchartered waters.
punter
Guest
Pim did fulfill his obligations to getting us to the WC, but unfortunatley he drag football & the A-League in this country backwards.
punter
Guest
He is right, in the final of a prestigious competition he (Holger) picked an A-League player over an English Premier league player. He's already done it, no need to test himself anymore. He has shown already form over reputation.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
That was the bone of contention, some said "Let's go and kick some German arse", whilst others maintained the World Cup was *in* Germany, and what the hell are we doing in South Africa.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Meanwhile on Twitter - Bonita Mesiades says: "Has anyone contacted Pim or head of national teams (or whatever his title du jour is) helping out in Mexico, or Board member/HoD 4 comment?" Another has responded that they have heard about the exact same story from Arnie's daughter. TC
The Cattery
Roar Guru
jamesb I hope you're right about your last sentence, I think that will be put to the test over the next couple of years, should be interesting TC
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Yes, I recall the US game, and yes, they made us look very silly (and we're talking about their second string strikers, who certainly exposed us). However, talking about the German game specifically, the high line gets exploited because you've allowed the likes of Ozil to camp in the space that wasn't meant to be there in the first place, and allowed Lahm the yardage to run down the wing. If the space is condensed, neither happens, and as a consequence a failing offside trap becomes less of an issue. TC