Many football fans will remember the edict of Guus Hiddink when he was in control of the Socceroos.
Put simply, he argued that in order to control the opposition you have to control all the thirds, starting with the backline.
Hiddink often spoke about having one man spare at the back, so from a numbers perspective, Versleijen had that right, four against Ecuador’s trio, Juan Govea, Marlon De Jesus and Marcos Caicedo.
But the issue for the Young Socceroos on Monday, as it has been all along under Versleijen, is that the defending was too often reactive, rather than proactive.
Instead of stepping up and pressing the opposition as a unit, therefore winning the ball early and stopping the opposition from turning and facing goal, Versleijen’s sides drop off and give up space.
Inevitably, there is a disconnect between the back four and the midfield.
This is undoubtedly the safest way to defend, for it gives you a chance to protect the goalkeeper and minimises the potential for individual error.
Hiddink argued, however, that to control the opposition you have to take a risk in defence, win the ball early, and keep the team structure compact.
In essence, by doing this, you are controlling the opposition.
Against Ecuador, it was Versleijen’s backline that was being controlled, the Ecuador front men allowed to turn and hone in on Mark Birighitti’s goal.
What this created was a massive space that the central midfield trio of Ben Kantarovski, Dimitri Petratos and Mustafa Amini had to try and cover.
Little wonder then, there was so much space between them, with Amini trying to get close to Kerem Bulut and Petratos looking raw in an unfamiliar, withdrawn central midfield position.
The space between Amini and his two screeners was glaring. Compare it with the in-touch work of Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets, for example, emailed the always tactically-astute reader, Peter Kandy.
Meanwhile Ben Kantarovski had a particularly average hour, with his passing off. Analysing his performance afterwards on SBS, Paul Okon made an excellent point about the Newcastle Jets man.
Kantarovski, he argued, was more suited to playing in the last line, where he can face the play, rather than in the holding role, where he had to face his defence, receive and turn. This isn’t his strength, noted Okon.
It’s a compelling argument, and Kantarovski’s aggression might indeed allow the back line to press and win the ball higher against Costa Rica tomorrow.
Certainly, the defence appears to lack a leader and Kantarovski might be just the ticket, ensuring the defending is far more offensive and in-sync, rather than the one-out stuff we’ve hitherto seen under Versleijen.
And after an eye-catching cameo off the bench, Terry Antonis would assume a spot at the base of a more compact midfield. One thing that was patently obvious was how much more comfortable Antonis was, at receiving, finding space and turning, than his skipper.
If Versleijen is thinking of restoring Petratos to his more natural spot on the right side of attack, in place of a quiet Kofi Danning, then another option in central midfield is to play Rhyan Grant alongside Antonis.
What Grant might lack in technique, he makes up for with aggression, and if you are trying to win the ball early, then that could help.
Brendan Hamill would likely be the natural option at right back.
Irrespective of what Versleijen does with his 11 tomorrow, one of the keys to a more controlled performance against Costa Rica will be whether he can encourage his last line to step up, allowing the team to press as a unit.
clayton
Guest
Didn't see the games. So I have some questions for the forum. Did any of these kids look like they might be pushing for the NT in the near future? What did the team do well?
Bondy
Guest
Just on the Coach. Personally i dont think any teams respond to Verslaijen he's more of a reactive coach even that could be put into question . Im just wondering why we started to play good attacking football when we went a goal down against Costa Rica,why do we go a goal down and then start looking like where apart of the game, we've now got to get two . This bloke Verslajien lost me when we were against the North Koreans in last years Asian Cup "same team" i remember the little North Korean gaffa clear his bench even before half time in the final Verslajien did nothing with ten minutes to go he put an attacking midfielder on and replaced Bulut who was i contention for the golden boot i dont understand that logic . When you sit down to watch the kids, what do you think when the camera pans to Versleijen are you filled with optimism. Im not .
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
A better second half performance today. I'm not quite sure, but it seem to me in the second half we switched from playing a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 with our replacements. Ibini and Amini coming on with Ibini joining Bulut up in attack and Oar dropping back in the midfield with Amini. This gave us an extra man in the midfield to regain the ascendancy. Although we did not win, I'm pleased to see the manager recognised that we were on the back foot with the 4-3-3 system, and it wasn't until we switched to 4-4-2 we regained control of the match. This team is far better playing 4-4-2 than playing 4-3-3. I hope we start against Spain playing that way. If we do, I believe we are in with a shot to progress to the second round.
Eamonn
Guest
I knew that - guess it was poorly expressed. Point remains - Rhyan Grant ain't a composed ball playing full-back and like the U17s this is where are teams problems has started.
Eamonn
Guest
Interesting point you make - Futbanous re:Roar players improving their touch Always amazes me so many teams and players don't improve their touch once they reach the A-League - especially given the huge amount of off-season and few midweek games. Not hard for teams to get an edge an our league - just ask Ange!
jamesb
Guest
"Emerton, allowing even more defensive recovery at all times – except when he was off in the last minute against Italy and his mate Bresc was exposed!" actually Eamonn, Emerton was suspended for that game against italy after picking up a second yellow against Croatia in that final pool game. Yes there many yellow cards flying around that game. Just ask Graham Poll. I believe Kanta should be switched to Central back. At least he can control the back four from their and allow antonis to continue to provide the spark from holding midfield
AGO74
Guest
+1
Vicentin
Guest
QSAF, it may not mean that you "have" too, but that's usually the end result and to my way of thinking the most effective use of this formation. Just on observation, but I've always found teams playing in a traditional 4-4-2 to be more linear and less successful in retaining the ball - if you're trying to develop a team to value possession which I gather is the national goal, is probably counterproductive. Anyway movement of the ball is key regardless of the formation used and I don't understand why our junior national teams are so static - there's certainly no suggestion of the 74 Dutch Team's DNA in the way they're playing. There is a trade-off between getting the ball quickly into the penalty area regardless of whether there's any control of the ball involved and a possession based game. I'm glad we're going for the possession approach but I just wish we could teach it and enact it better. cheers
nordozzz
Roar Guru
well Kanta is barely back from injury ...
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Vicentin----playing 4-4-2 does not mean you have to play a linear type of game. You can still play a lot of triangles in there with 4-4-2, providing your footballers use a bit more nous. I'm sure you would agree, it only requires a little more thought of not being caught too square of each other. Movement off the ball is critical to get in these right position----it should not be too difficult for an accomplished footballer to achieve.
nordozzz
Roar Guru
absolutely ... I'd love to think our teams could take Germany's winning attitude re junior teams. But we're a fair way behind those guys ... i don't mind at all a few stumbles attempting to do something beyond us. I'm sure the Germans were prepared for that in order to get to where they are now.
Vicentin
Guest
While I agree with all of Tony's observations I do agree that the midfielder's really didn't help by being so static and - from my limited viewing of the game, frankly looking uninterested in receiving the ball from the back four. The 4-3-3 system is not the problem but the way it is being taught or at least its very static application is. Really in defence (or transition out of) it should be much more of a 4-2-3-1 or even more of a 4-4-1-1 with those "wingers" dropping right back to give our back four more passing options. The lack of movement of the midfielders made the back fours' passing game look even worse than what it was. Regardless, technically we still aren't where we should be and the amount of "panic" - overhit long passes rather than measured build-ups was a real worry. Suggests a lack of confidence in their ability individually and collectively to retain the ball and a serious lack of composure when put under "perceived" pressure. Perhaps contrary to that I agree that putting someone like Grant with his extra aggression in a holding role is something that the team needs. Even Foz (who everyone seems to endlessly enjoy selectively quoting) would agree that you need some agressive players in your team ....if they've got fantastic skills all the better of course. Football has always been about balance. Also, 4-4-2 to me encourages far to much "linear" football. I'll take triangles over channels any day. The ball might move front to back faster but you're far more likely to lose it too - the antithesis of the ideal of controlling a game. cheers
Futbanous
Guest
"Finally ball movement needs to be quicker! particularly moving forward" Now that PK is a facet of football that definitely relies on cultivating technique. Its obvious I know but the the quicker you can control,turn,pass combined with clever running off the ball the faster it goes forward. I saw the Roar improve on this throughout last season,so I'm not entirely convinced that technique has to be entirely nurtured when your straight out of nappies. You can improve on it somewhat later IMO. I saw Mitch Nichols,Matt Mckay,Massimo Murdocca as examples, improve their first touch 100% compared with previous seasons ,consequently the ball moved forward much quicker.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Peter----Kanta is not fit enough to be in the squad says his coach (Culina) I would agree. Kofi Danning is off his game lacking confidence and was let go by SFC. I would not have these tow players in my team on present form. Ibini and Bulut in my view should start together as twin strikers leading a 4-4-2 for now, which gives us an extra player in midfield. I think we have two reasonably fast big strong guys with attitude who won't be pushed off the ball and both have an eye for goal. Get Ibini and Bulut working left and right of each other and the goals will come.
Peter Kandy
Guest
Great analysis Tony, the back 4's positioning and their inability to play the ball out cost us, but the midfield made it hard for them. Moving forward to the next game id like to see the following changes: -McGowan replaced by Kanta and Warren dropped (defensively a bit slow and offered hardly aything moving forward). Overall the back 4 did not look comfortable on the ball! -Amini and Petratos to play as attacking mids with Antonis to anchor, important that Amini and Petratos give options to the back 4 at all times though. - Ibini to start for Bulut (not that Bulut is bad, he had no service but i rate Ibini higher), and Danning and Oar to make more diagonal runs in the attacking third. - Finally ball movement needs to be quicker! particularly moving forward. Must win game the next one, lets hope Versleijen gets it right or it will all be over for him! PS. Thanks for the compliment :)
Futbanous
Guest
Interesting results for the Young kiwis so far. Two draws against Cameroon & Uruguay. Are they playing to their strengths(ie somewhat similar to our previous MO) . I would most certainly say yes. IMO were expecting too much in this transition from the "Physical" style to the "FOZ fairyland" football expected nowadays. By too much I mean It wont happen overnight. The history of the game & the way its been played in Australia dictate that any change cant be forced. It must be cultivated gradually before its a reality. Ok I'll accept that technique is the "Holy Grail" to success in reaching success in World Football. But there is some physical involved even with technique. Just because the bottom half of an attackers leg doesnt fly into the stand doesnt mean a defender isnt tackling properly. Shielding is a classic example of combining technique & strength. Dont need to bump the defender with a version of "Hands knees & bumps a daisy" but you do need to have instant first touch to control the ball ,turn & pass instantly whilst holding off the defender with physical strength. Watch all these teams with superior technique to us,there is some physical involved,just that its less obvious(because its combined with superior technique) than an over the top so called "hard tackle" etc. I still see the gap between our players & teams like Ecuador in this respect. So we can blame the coach,but only from the point of view that he is incapable of getting through to our players what he wants/needs from them.
Aka
Guest
agga78, I think the theory is that learning to play 4 3 3 gives them the best chance to adapt to all systems of play. It also forces us to produce a variety of players, e.g. we must produce wingers. - I could be wrong. And winning at the junior level is not as important as developing the players into the best they can be.
Striker
Guest
Agree with davo this Coach is one of the worst coaches we have had no excuses he has to go.
punter
Guest
It's well known that Germany has also reformed their systems to produce more players like Ozil & Moller, while they were successful before they were deemed quite Robotic. The last 2 German sides at the world cup did not win, but they did win many fans with their flair.
Davo
Guest
This backs up my theory that it is not the players, it is versleijan. We know how capable, Amini, Kantarovski and alike are. So why don't they fire at International level, becuase of Versleijan's tactics. We Really need to change from this dreadful 4-3-3. Because we don't really have the players to esecute it properly. The Dutch front 3 would have been an out-and-out striker, e.g Van Nistlerooy. The two other wing fowards so to speak are players like Robben and Van Persie. Versleijan often fails to grasp how attacking these front three are meant to be, causing a complete lack of any kind of quality attacking substance. As for defence, i agree with you there Tony. All of Versleijan's defences drop far too deep. This is what creates all the space for the opposition to attack in front of them. The fact is that Amini, Kantavorski and Petratos were forced to try and defend a near 50 metre gap between attack and defence, a near impossible task.