The fact that France doesn’t know the first thing about the Socceroos speaks volumes for how easy it is to ambush supposed heavyweights at the World Cup.
Football is rife with silly national stereotypes, and you never hear them trotted out more frequently than at a World Cup.
You know what France thinks about Daniel Arzani? They’ll think he’s a strong, physically dominant midfielder who never gives up but is technically limited.
Maybe Les Bleus’ technical staff will at some point glance at the video to discern the difference between Arzani and Andrew Nabbout, but the players sure as hell won’t be bothered.
That’s why France have barely had a single word to say about the Socceroos in the build-up to the game, other than to call Australian players “very rough” – all the better to alert the referee that the French are delicate multi-millionaires who must be protected at all costs.
One of the worst refereeing performances we’ve ever seen at a World Cup was Markus Merk’s baffling display in Munich in 2006, when the German referee awarded every conceivable decision against the Socceroos – even when Brazil had clearly fouled an Australian player.
So it’s a given that every fifty-fifty decision will go against the Socceroos on Saturday night.
All teams are equal at a World Cup, of course, but some teams are more equal than others – and they almost always come from Europe.
And it’s not like Australia – whom the French will know literally nothing about, other than the fact they beat the Socceroos 6-0 in a friendly in Paris which cost Holger Osieck his job – are the only nation to receive such short shrift.
Here’s a brief preview I found on SB Nation – and yes, I’m aware it’s hardly a scientific survey – of Costa Rica’s supposed chances at the 2014 World Cup.
“Costa Rica will have to defend like crazy to secure a point in the tough Group E,” so it goes. “Don’t expect much from the squad, as they will leave Brazil without picking up a single point.”
The Costa Ricans, of course, finished top of a group containing Uruguay, Italy and England, beat Greece in the Round of 16 and were only knocked out of the tournament by the Netherlands in a penalty shoot-out.
My point – obviously – is that established football nations and their sheep-like supporters underestimate lesser lights as a matter of course.
And an inevitable degree of complacency filters through to the players themselves.
So why shouldn’t the Socceroos dream of beating France on Saturday?
Yes, they’ve got Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba and yada yada yada. Who cares?
Costa Rica beat Uruguay in their group opener in 2014 because they did the simple things right.
They were accurate in front of goal – see Joel Campbell’s equaliser – took their chance from a set piece thanks to Oscar Duarte and converted a quick-fire counter-attack through Marco Urena.
Household names? Hardly.
But the Costa Ricans didn’t care what anyone thought of their chances because they’d already been written off by all and sundry anyway.
France will show Australia the bare minimum of respect in Kazan, then they’ll expect to win the game by virtue of having shown up.
If Bert van Marwijk is worth his salt – and it’s worth remembering the shoe was on the other foot when he was in charge of the Netherlands – he’ll instruct his players to respect but not fear the French.
[latest_videos_strip category=“football” name=“Football”]
Do the simple things right: remain compact, close down space, make the most of set pieces and most importantly, take your chances.
What’s the slogan? Impossible is nothing.
While the French are filling their heads with tired clichés about tough tackles and physical football and never giving up, van Marwijk should be instructing players like Nabbout and Arzani to simply run at their defence.
Play some football. What difference does it make if the Socceroos get hammered? That’s exactly what the world expects anyway.
stu
Guest
A silly characature of France in many respects, and very demeaning to professional structures for any team at this level. An 'under dog' always has a chance when conditions are right and if Australia were to draw or win this game it is down to their own preperation and professionalism. The tall poppy mind set is nothing more than a wind up.
Brad Thorne
Roar Pro
I think Milligan’s performance against Czech Republic was enough to give him the nod at CB over Jedinak. His long passing and distribution was a focal point of our game. He also has enough in the locker defensively to hold his own. Very smart player who should be in the 11 I feel.
groundhog day
Guest
our finishing has always been our achilles heel for as long as I can remember ... our best bet with France is a surprise early goal or 2 have them on the back foot from the start. but I hold little hope ... even in the Hungary game Robbie Kruse blew a sitter in front of goal that an u/15 would be embarassed from... Socceroos vs Thailand qualifier something like 15-20 shots on goal missed ... unacceptable. cannot afford to blow our chances on goal like we do. Simply does not happen with other major international teams.
nevyn
Guest
What does "go after them" mean? Pim's approach was extremely passive, sit deep and just track players which resulted at times in players dropping back into a flat line of 5 players at the back the resistance and ability to break down the German attacks was low. You can still set up a defensive block and press within that block (something that Pim didn't do) win the ball and get on the attack quickly, be tight defensively and get forward on the attack as soon as we can. Having a good defensive set up shouldn't preclude us from going on the attack.
nevyn
Guest
Ange's proactive (rather than positive) pressing was his own personal ideal for how we should play (i think we should be developing players that can play any style and approach), it worked great against teams that attacked us (Chile, Netherlands) and left us space to attack, but we struggled against teams that sat back such as Saudi under BVM, because we don't have the tools to unlock deep compact defences. You can see how bad the Saudi's were when they tried to play an expansive game against Russia and provided no cover to their back-line. I'd argue that our strength is in transitions and attacking the space. For all Ange's slow possession based approach (which I don't mind in theory IF we have the players that are good in tight spaces), most of our successes were in the transition phase of pressing and winning the ball, not from the build up phase of his game plan. Absolutely we should play to our strength. Set up a midfield block, invite the French out into the middle of the field, press in wing areas and attack the space they leave behind with willing runners (which is a low level summation of what BVM appears to be doing with the Socceroos).
Nick Symonds
Guest
NEWS: FRENCH MEDIA WARY OF CAHILL AND ARZANI - France’s Eurosport named Cahill as the team’s standout star, writing: “Between legend and controversy, people have not finished talking about Tim Cahill. “In Russia, he will play his fourth World Cup and if he scores again, he will join the Brazilian Pele and the Germans Uwe Seeler and Miroslav Klose among the players who scored in four editions of the World Cup.” The publication added that Cahill is ‘seriously criticised for declining form’ and pointed to a lack of playing time since leaving Melbourne City for Millwall in January. Eurosport then tipped Arzani as the man set to take over from Cahill as the Socceroos’ star, after bursting onto the scene at Melbourne City when the 38-year-old left. “Bert van Marwijk did not even know [Arzani] until a few weeks ago, but was quickly seduced by his dribbling skills and ability to make differences,” the publication wrote. https://www.news.com.au/sport/football/world-cup/socceroos-cause-french-media-concerns-before-world-cup-2018-showdown/news-story/a954ffcc05683a41a74b3f4dfdd03d86
Kurt
Guest
thais didnt outplay us second time round ( mind you, ange was outcoached), and first time it was a horrid game in a humid country, playing on a cow paddock
Griffo
Roar Guru
Petratos may come on out wide, as preferred CAMs are Irvine and Rogic, but as a CAM behind Nabbout/Juric/Cahill is Dimi's best place. Agree defence/attack is just how you perceive an approach - I just hope some of our aggressive instincts come out and wallop France hard when they have the chance, we may not have many.
midfielder
Guest
That would be something
Redondo
Guest
Yes
Midfielder
Guest
Mike Great work over the last few weeks have enjoyed reading but been very busy so commenting has not always been possible. Anywho, me thinks I want the side to play to their strengths and I think this sides strength is more a attacking or sorry counter attacking .... I just don't think we have the players with the skill at holding the ball in the front third and constantly probing for gaps.
nevyn
Guest
The negative football label is thrown around so freely nowadays, possession-based attack or counter-attack, you're still trying to get forward attack and score goals, both have their inherent risks but both are a positive intent to get to the goal. As has been pointed out, many top nations and clubs utilize the counter-attack in their games, but like them the Socceroos entire game plan hasn't been counter attack, they have tried to counter WHEN they have the opportunity but equally they've scored some good goals via possession in the two recent friendlies. Your style doesn't have to be one or the other. Negative football would NOT having an intent to attack, keeping 8 or 9 men back and booting it to one or two men to attack on their own whilst the rest of the team set up to defend. The Socceroos have countered in numbers on all occasions.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Can the Roos replicate the Senegal opening performance from 2002 ? An early goal by Australia would set the cat amongst the pidgeons. The boys have been through the wringer to qualify so are battle hardened in that respect. If they can bring that resilience into this game I will be happy.
Fadida
Guest
Under Ange and his supposedly positive attacking style we finished behind what I called at the time a poor Saudi team. Russia (who are considered one of the weakest teams in the cup) just put 5 past them, essentially conceding possession and using fast transitions. We are told, however, that we should attack France, a much better side than Russia, and the Saudis that we couldn't get past, and that playing on transitions is negative? Play to your strengths?
MQ
Guest
Thanks Stevo, a good read. Unfortunately, a lot of it is pie in the sky. BVM is not going to make drastic changes to the line-up which started the last two friendlies, at most we're looking at one change (two at the very, very most). Having read all accounts, mulled it over, the most likely change is to sacrifice Rogic to bring in Jedi as a specialist holding mid, boy, will we need it against the French. It's natural that our midfield triangle against the French will be more defence minded for this first game - we can play around with that concept for the two games which follow.
Kris
Guest
Yeah the management will have it all scouted. They might not bother to give the players 10-page essays - rather just more general stuff; attack the flanks, get behind them, shoot at Ryan's left hand, don't back off Nabout, high-tempo passing etc etc. The French approach will be informed by scouting, even if the players don't get told how the sausage was made.
Kris
Guest
Feeling that he is not a wartime consigliere ?
MQ
Guest
8+ goals is a wee bit of an exaggeration. I'd say it would be closer to half that.
Fadida
Guest
It appears Richard Parkin plans to play Petratos wide right. Anyone who's seen him play knows he's not a wide man. Risdon would get slaughtered without the protection of an athletic wide man. He also needs to understand that it is not so black and white, attack or defend. You can play on the counter without being "defensive". Above all you need to play to the strengths of your squad
Kaks
Roar Guru
----------------Ryan---------------- Risdon--Sainsbury--Jedinak--Behich ----------Luongo-----Mooy---------- ---------------Rogic----------------- Leckie---Nabbout---Arzani And tell the boy's to run at them with pace.