Any team that gives the ball away cheaply to Keisuke Honda is not going to win too many A-League games against Melbourne Victory this season.
One of the more notable aspects of yesterday’s A-League action was the fact that neither losing coach blamed their team’s loss on anything other than a poor performance.
“I think the performance was not the best. The intensity was not so high as I expected or as we need, and also the compactness was not (as high),” said Adelaide United coach Marco Kurz in the press conference following his team’s 2-0 defeat to Perth Glory at a hot and sunny Coopers Stadium.
Mariners coach Mike Mulvey was even more succinct in his appraisal of his team’s 4-1 defeat to Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.
“(You) can’t give a team like Victory opportunities to score, because they’re good enough to score goals themselves,” said the brutally honest Mancunian.
“You’ve got to play two halves of football. You can’t play just 20 minutes in the first half, concede three goals and then come alive in the second half. It’s not good enough,” Mulvey added.
So far, so accurate. And Mulvey – who was characteristically blunt – suggested he wouldn’t be afraid to test his squad’s depth since there’s “no relegation and promotion” in the A-League.
Central Coast Mariners coach Mike Mulvey (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
But here’s the problem if you’re a Central Coast Mariners fan. Despite signing no less than 14 new players during the off-season, do they really possess the quality to compete with the A-League’s best teams?
They certainly won’t trouble too many opponents when they needlessly hand possession to a player like Honda.
As if the Japanese star hadn’t already fired enough warning shots, he was quick to seize upon Antony Golec’s misplaced pass and fire Victory in front with a clinical finish.
And as impressive as Honda was for the hosts, it was arguably James Troisi who stole the show, with the pair working in perfect sync playing in duel number 10 roles.
That’s one of the major differences between a side like the Mariners and the defending A-League champions.
Whereas one team had a player like Tommy Oar struggling to impose himself on the game, the other had two creative sparks working in tandem.
And the Mariners inability to defend as a cohesive unit in the first half – let alone create some decent chances themselves – cost them dearly.
Why so many teams persist in trying to play the ball out from the back instead of employing safety-first tactics remains a mystery to many A-League observers.
Giving the ball away in the final third of the pitch is the ultimate coach killer.
Liam Reddy almost cost Perth Glory a penalty when Dino Djulbic put the Glory goalkeeper under all sorts of pressure with a difficult back pass, and the tendency for teams to constantly turn around and go backwards is one of the more frustrating elements of the A-League.
Glory got lucky again when the VAR intervened to adjudicate on a Shane Lowry handball, and while the replay suggested the incident took place inside the penalty area, referee Chris Beath nevertheless awarded a free-kick instead.
Credit, then, to Marco Kurz – who refused to blame the VAR decisions as the reason for his side’s defeat.
Adelaide coach Marco Kurz (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Had Joel Chianese buried an earlier chance when he smashed a left-footed shot against the crossbar, Glory might have been in the ascendency anyway.
Perth will be tough to beat under Tony Popovic this season – particularly if they continue to string five-men across the back when not in possession – and so far they’ve done all the little things well, including taking their chances.
It will be interesting to see if much changes once Diego Castro comes back.
And it’s nice to see a bit of attacking endeavour rewarded in the A-League.
Plenty of teams set up with their defence in mind, but it’s attacking football that keeps fans coming back.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
The subbing in injury time is terrible Make a rule change for sure
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Alex Gibb Such an insightful post
Kangas
Roar Rookie
n “the wider issue of attacking in A league, I think the lack of technique in the final third is the biggest issue. The inconsistency of crossing and the slowness of passing(and decision making) around the edge of the box is a constant so“ I agree., it’s incredibly frustrating. The slowness of passing and decision making, You articulate this better then I did last week. It drives me nuts .
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I have to admit, it's amusing when late in the game, there's a sub on the sideline, standing there, waiting for a break in play to come on, might take a couple of minutes, and then, when we finally get the break, the player coming off meanders, stutters, ties his shoe laces up, meanders, countless minutes getting wasted, just in case someone sneaks on without anyone being aware.
Nemesis
Guest
Most popular sport on the planet for a reason. Most popular team sport played in AUS for a reason. If ALeague is not the most popular watched competition in Australia, that's not a problem for me. Maybe, if Aussie Rules, Rugby, RL changed their rules they'd appeal to more people in Australia outside their home bases.
alexgibb
Roar Rookie
Coaches need to be better at appropriating their own coaching ideals to the ability of the players that they have in their teams as a whole. To Mulvey's credit the long ball game is probably not going to work with Oar, McCormack, and Paine in the front third, though the ball playing quality of players through their midfield and defence leave a bit to be desired it was still probably the best way to take on Victory. I also think in the first twenty minutes they had a few half chances that could have made things interesting. On the wider issue of attacking in A league, I think the lack of technique in the final third is the biggest issue. The inconsistency of crossing and the slowness of passing(and decision making) around the edge of the box is a constant source of frustration for me. For me, the build-up for most clubs is not too bad, but players like Keogh, Le Fondre, and even Honda show up the distinct lack of ability of local players in this area.
Daley Mayall
Roar Rookie
You have that typical mind set of FIFA Nemesis. Stuck in your old, boring ways. An advocate for the simulator too no doubt. "Oh look he really did kick his leg...that 6 inch space between his boot and the other guy's shin...that's the invisible anvil that caused the injury". You sound as uninspired and bland as a 1938 world cup ball.
Daley Mayall
Roar Rookie
Oh yeah, I forgot this beauty as well. Substitutions.... 3. NO BLOODY SUBSTITUTIONS IN EXTRA TIME...NONE ! This is one of the biggest jokes in World sport. In all honesty it's quite pathetic....akin to cheating really. Extra-time is what you have left after all the goals, simulations, real injuries, free kick's, streakers / pitch invaders...etc, have already eaten into the 90 minute's. Yes, and this includes any substitutions that have or should have taken place in that 90 minute period already. What about if there's a serious injury and the team has to make a substitution in extra time I hear you ask.....then you can open up another can of worms with more extra time simulation. So it's just best to have 10 against 11, extra time injuries....bad luck....still no sub's.....just take the injured player off and continue. Sounds harsh but like Sheila from the Orange people cult used to say..."Tuff Titties" Oh, by the way...."Golden Goal"......can't believe they ever got rid of that. Brilliant, loved it.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Daley Thankfully, there are fewer nil-all draws these days then there once was. Certainly in the A-League, the rate of nil-all draws is quite low, and last WC, I think there was only one for the whole tournament (that's one in 64 games). Things are looking up for the game of soccer.
Nemesis
Guest
I think you should stick to watching sports that have rule which you enjoy. Leave the rest of the world to enjoy the boring, rubbish, low-scoring sport that is football.
Daley Mayall
Roar Rookie
I really like the A League but I have a few issues. 1. Too many back passes 2. Not enough attacking Football 3. Often, the play seems too slow.....too casual looking. Coaches have to become more focused on moving the ball forward and looking to score. I'd also like to see some rule changes. FIFA don't really make any to be honest. Why? what's the bloody stigma with this. The games not perfect in it's current rule book. 1. When a team is in possession of the ball, once they cross the halfway line, then decide to either carry the ball or pass the ball back into their own half......Instant penalty.......harsh but stuff 'em.....serves them right. At least you'd see more goals anyway. If this happened to my team Victory, bad luck....learn the lesson. 2. If teams wanna play out a boring nil all draw or just can't score....bad luck, stuff 'em again. Instead of 1 point a piece......half a competition point only......no goals you loose half a point....simples. What do you guys think? What rules would you like to see changed or tweeked to promote a more attacking brand of Football.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
For those interested, Simon Hill is currently hosting a public forum with most of the FFA board candidates present, answering questions from Simon and from the public. Still about an hour to go, you can listen to it online on footballnationradio
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Yes I definitely see a different style of play to last year. I think the real reason we are on fire this year is because our players from last year are on form. Keogh, Lowry, Reddy. Our signings have been good but the existing ones have been great
Barca4life
Guest
Teaching to do it properly is what is needed, not launching the ball and showing the players limitations as players doing so, it’s outdated in its theory. I like to think with work on the training paddock it can be done but I don’t see many examples in the a-league of teams playing through the lines with great effect. Ange at Brisbane did it with ease. Next evolution of the league I guess.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
But surely the point of 'playing out from the back' is to do so successfully, not turn the ball over to your opponent to open the scoring? In many instances, wouldn't simply clearing the ball be preferable?
pakistanstar
Roar Rookie
Positive as usual
Brendo51
Roar Pro
Without a doubt it was more Victory taking their foot off the petal than anything CCM dished up. Muscat can be so reluctant to make changes at times. It was obvious by the 60min mark that Victory needed a injection of fresh legs in midfield, yet he waited another 15mins before bringing Hope on for Broxham. As soon as he did Victory again looked in control.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Agreed but Golec’s de ision making process wasn’t adequate in the circumstances!
Barca4life
Guest
Playing out from the back is the norm in the modern game, its nothing to do with being a Dutch phenomenon or a youth development scheme its a current modern trend that's effective. I can't believe this i say this but Oz football has a long way to go when it comes to understanding the modern trends, some of the commentary especially from Slater and Harper is cringeworthy to say at least.
Nemesis
Guest
We know not stopping for international breaks hindered clubs in the past - especially hinders the NIX. Further drives a compromised competition. The biggest leagues in the world never used to stop for international breaks in the past. The reason they do stop now is because it hinders teams. Common sense.