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Born in Melbourne but now based in England, Davidde Corran is a freelance journalist, photographer and videographer who has contributed to AP, PA Sport, Football+, Fox Sports, The Blizzard and The New York Times among many others.
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Cattery, Berger is also responsible for raising the level of coaching education in this country so it’s entirely his business.
Football needs coaches not characters
This was a very poor and disappointing performance from the Socceroos but not necessarily a worrying one by itself. Either way you can expect a lot of analysis over the coming days here on The Roar. Thanks for joining me.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
FULL TIME – Oman 1 Australia 0
Desperate long balls chatacterise the final moments of the game as the final whistle blows and Australia lose their third game under Holger Oseick and will have to wait to secure the final point they need to progress through to the next round of qualifying.
For Oman this is a huge victory that keeps their Brazil 2014 aspirations alive.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
Robbie Kruse cuts in from the left hand side but his shot is poor and flies closer to the corner flag than the goal. The clock is ticking away and once again an Omani player is on the floor…
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
We’re now into five minutes of additional time and Oman are slowing things right down and Australia are getting frustrated.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
The ball fell fortuitously to Josh Kennedy but the Omani defence fell back into position immediately and snuffed out the opportunity. They defended excellently today.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
15 minutes to go and Australia are still 1-0 down and look set to lose their 100% record in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
A worrying sign for Socceroos fans as Rhys Williams comes off with a leg injury (not sure where exactly but the stats say it’s probably be an ankle!) for Brett Emerton. Poor Williams was sent off last time he played in Muscat and now his game ends early again after suffering an injury.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
Interestingly Al Hadri, who’s given Australia trouble all night with his delivery from set pieces has been substituted. Ismail Al Ajim is his replacement.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
A phenomenal opportunity to equalise flashes by Holman. WIlkshire gets into the penalty area and his driven shot goes past Al Habsi, Holman and eventually the far post. It was the best opportunity the Socceroos have had so far.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
Play is starting to stretch a little bit with the Socceroos attempting to keep the tempo high as they look for a way into the game and both teams showing a willingness to counter quickly. Luke WIlkshire has a nothing shout for a penalty kick waved away before Oman waste a decent opportunity from a corner kick.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
Now Valeri tries a deep cross searching for Kennedy who gets his head onto it but he’s off-balance and it flies harmlessly over the crossbar. Soon after Rhys Williams sends in a half-volley form the corner of the penalty area which forces a finger tip save from Al Habsi.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
After a positive start for Australia it’s Oman with the first chance. Al Hadri gets himself into an excellent position but his driven shot goes well wide.
Straight after Kewell is substituted with Robbie Kruse coming on.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
The second half kicks off in Muscat with no personnel changes from either side. Though Kewell deos appear to have been shifted to the left with Holman in behind Kennedy.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
As we wait for the 2nd half to commence North Korea have lost in Uzbekistan and are out of contention for the next stage of qualifying. Uzbekistan and Japan are through to the next round.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
Yeah the problem is with the host broadcaster in Oman. This one is definitely not Fox’s fault. Frustrating though.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
The referee gives an extra minute of additional time and cruely makes us go through all 60 seconds of it. Half-time and a very disappointing Socceroos team are 1-0 in Muscat against Oman.
The Omani’s have hit the woodwork while Holman had a goal ruled out for offside.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
Al Hadri has another pop from a set-piece and it skims off Schwarzer’s outstretched arm and hits the upright. Oman are looking by far the more impressive team so far – though that’s not really saying much based on the first 40 minutes of this game.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
Eid Al Farsi fouls Wilkshire right on the corner of the penalty area. Incidentally Wilkshire was copped in the ankle which is a combination of the two most common forms of injuries in international mens football – ankle and contact injuries. Like I said things are going pretty slow in Muscat.
Anyway, the Dynamo Moscow player dusts himself off to put in the free kick which is headed over by Spiranovic. Again.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
Wilkshire now reverting to his other trick – sliding in two footed. In his defence Mubarak who he collided with did almost the exact same thing and he ends up with a yellow card too. Wilkshire seems to have got off though.
Kewell’s low drive from the resulting free kick rolls harmlessly wide.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
Tired of dinging in crosses from deep positions, WIlkshire decides to take a long range shot. It floats well over the Omani goal – imagine Wilkshire crossing deep towards the goal instead of Josh Kennedy’s head and you’ve got a fair idea what it looked like.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
Al Hadri now has a crack from a direct free kick and forces a strong save from Schwarzer who was fully outstretched to his left. The result corner kick comes to nothing though. Oman have their tails up.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
GOAL – Amad Al Hosni gets in behind the Australian defence to latch on to a through ball and, in acres of space, finishes expertly beyond Mark Schwarzer. Definite questions over the space left between Neill and Spiranovic and lack of pressure in midfield from Australia. 1-0 to Oman.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
Another set piece and another header goes wayward. This time from Matthew Spiranovic. This is a massive game for the Urawa Reds defender who is jousting with Sasa Ognenovski for the place of Lucas Neill’s centre back partner.
Socceroos vs Oman: Live scores, blog
I don’t really see how Berger and FFA can increase the level of coaching if there aren’t minimum standards which are enforced. If coaches can get a job at the top of the football pyramid without them than the whole system is undermined in my opinion. That is what is concerning Berger.
Football needs coaches not characters