Hats off to the French, who after beating the World Champions will be confident of overcoming Portugal to lift the Henri Delaunay Trophy.
As an ardent German and Australian supporter, I can’t help but notice a clear similarity in the primary issue facing both countries.
While many have praised Germany’s overhaul of their academies following the team’s failure at Euro 2000, the emphasis on technical skills and the passing game has led to a proliferation of quality midfielders arguably at the expense of the traditional number nine.
In adopting a strategic program based around a 4-3-3 formation, the FFA has followed the same route with similar results.
Ange’s current crop of Socceroos present debatably the most technically gifted midfield I have seen in the 20 years I have followed the national team. Where Germany has Julian Draxler, Thomas Muller, Mario Goetze and Mesut Ozil Australia has Tom Rogic, Robbie Kruse, Aaron Mooy and Tim Cahill. Under Ange, Australia has on more than one occasion dominated possession against far superior sides but come up short in the final touch.
Die Mannschaft’s reliance on Mario Gomez up front was telling in their toothless performance against France and to a lesser extent the Ukraine, leaving many commentators to argue that they have failed to adequately address the retirement of Miroslav Klose.
From Australia’s perspective, I don’t believe that we have put enough effort in to find the next Mark Viduka.
No doubt there will be a review of die Mannschaft’s performance at DFB headquarters following this tournament where Joachim Low and Co. will identify this weakness and begin scouring the country before the next World Cup.
Given the relative success of the DFB to learn from previous mistakes, Australia could do worse than study the response by Germany following this tournament.
CruyffTotalFutbol
Guest
France, Belgium and Spain play 4-3-3 also but they have depth in the attackers department unlike Germany. Ill will be studying them instead if i was the FFA.
apaway
Roar Guru
Those clubs still exist, MF, and I'm pretty sure they still live and breathe the game.
BigAl
Guest
It would be interesting and valuable if "Hulk" could state here and now that he is not Fussball...
BigAl
Guest
Be pedantic if you like there Squizz, but what's being talked about here is stadia that can be used by multiple codes at the highest level.
BigAl
Guest
Please provide details of the "disaster", and "...gross miscalculation" about NSW Gov. investment into "AFL Stadia" - in a no nonsense fashion !
Griffo
Roar Guru
Agree Ben. I would also add that, while letting investment lapse and collapse is detrimental, it is never too soon to collectively plan and invest in the technical aspects of development at community clubs. Again, it is not all doom and gloom out in grassroots club land if my region is anything to go by.
Griffo
Roar Guru
I think you have to be careful 'broad brushing' in general when comparing generations. Sure there are more options that compete for the attention of kids now compared to earlier years, but I know in my area there are a number of kids of all ages who kick the football year round. Parks, schools, juggling going to the park, backyards, it is consistent. Like in all regions this doesn't guarantee a continuous production line of world class superstars, that involves other factors in addition, but I think there are more areas in pockets that are becoming like this.
marcel
Guest
Oddly Wentworth Park is actually further from Central than the SFS...which everyone seems to insist is too hard to get to.
Punter
Guest
Thanks Ben, at least someone is talking sense!!!!
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
@ caltex, whatever you call it is not the official name, that is what i was responding to and BTW please don't speak for all of NSW, i was born and bred there
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
In NSW it has always been known as Aussie Rules that is until your marketing team in the late nineties or 2013 rebranded it as "Dat thing"... Live with it.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6P0sQdl9L8
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
Correct name for ARF is Australian Football, accept it or not, it has been called that for over 100 years, aussie rules, australian rules, oz footy, footy, aerial ping pong, AFL etc etc are all incorrect. Australian football is the official name.
Squizz
Guest
Sorry Harry but 'football' or more correctly 'Australian Rules Football' is not a national code. It is a southern states code. Cricket can rightly claim to be a national code but no football code can claim to be the 'national code'
Hulk
Guest
I know what Cahill is. You still don't understand what a winger is do you.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Why so? why should football guarantee returns? This hasn't happened in NSW from AFL, its been a disaster---the money spent on AFL stadia has been a gross miscalculation and expensive one at that in NSW... when too much nonsense is never enough aye bigal.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Ben, we do need another stadium or change the Rugby scrums, (not that would be possible). The Greyhound Wentworth Park, has already a football pitch and now that the greyhound industry is going to me dismantled in NSW, Wentworth Park will be turned over to the developers. A refurbished football Wentworth Park could accommodate international football matches and could also be let out to the Rugbies in special circumstances that will not interfere with an international Football colander.
Caltex & SBS support Australian Football
Guest
Daniel T
Roar Rookie
He's an attacking midfielder and has only been played as a striker in the Socceroos due his versatility and the absense of a true striker (kinda the point of my original article). No need for personal attacks
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Much of the "stadium investment" debate is one of timing. When state governments were in the mood for suburban stadium consolidation into large, central mulit-purpose stadiums football in Australia was a mess. We had an administration that was struggling, a top tier that was folding and a national development model that was failing. We missed the boat. Hence rather than turn back time let's focus on what the situation is now and how we can make the best of it. Pitch investment is part of the answer as is the current stadium investment policies which include football as a major tenant (AAMI, NIB and Parramatta for example).
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
We don't need a football specific stadium, there are plenty of decent stadiums. We just need increased investment in pitch management.