Sorry Mike, my bad. My speed reading, unfortunately, is declining just about as fast as I am. I need to slow it down a little.

At least we are in agreement on the soccer v Olympics issue.

Mike, it’s the other way around. The Olympic movement is more concerned about losing soccer. They went into melt-down when FIFA suggested they run the World Cup every two years.

The Olympic movement can hardly afford to lose their biggest crowd-drawing sport.

Waz, inaccurate reporting is rife in all areas of Australian journalism, and perhaps overseas as well.

Only today, I have read of federal ministers flying to the Hunter region of NSW in two private jets, or wait, was it two RAAF jets? Conflicting reports abound in all areas of reporting. Don’t get started on the Higgins – Lehrmann saga! Justice Michael Lee should certainly be disinclined to rely on any media reporting.

Add to this uninformed commentary inferring wrongdoings not even suggested in the original reporting. Adding fuel to the fire!

My bad FF. Fed a diet of Springbok culture that blurred my vision. Fancy Australian media not alerting readers and viewers to the chasm between rugby and soccer in South Africa!

It is intriguing that the former major British colonies located in North America, South Africa, Oceania, and to a lesser extent the Sub-Continent, are the areas where soccer has not become the major spectator sport.

Soccer, during the latter half of the 19th century, and continuing into the 20th century, was embraced in most other parts of the world with incredible fervour. And this in many regions where, more often than not, the British were, to put it mildly, disliked.

Just imagine, if Australia had been colonised by any European nation other than Britain, soccer would likely be our number one spectator sport, and more intriguingly, we would probably enjoy a higher world ranking.

But to quote Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, as a nation, we are very fortunate to have been colonised by the British. Just think of the alternatives. We could have ended up being a genuine Banana Republic!

chris, England’s centre of kkexcellence is at St George’s Park, via Burton upon Trent, in the middle of Staffordshire, in the Midlands, remote (in English terminology) from London, or any other major city.

I agree Waz. We enjoyed a kinder bounce of the ball than did Lebanon. Mat Ryan far superior than his opposite number, whose ineptness gifted us our first goal (back pedal two steps and deflect away). Two excellent saves by Ryan.

This backward and sideways passing is more than annoying. Presumably this is how our players are instructed to play. Vast improvements needed for us to impact further into the World cup.

Nice write up SS. Strange that it hasn’t received plaudits from the cognoscenti who supposedly frequent this site.

What an embarrassment, and in particular the behaviour of many (or most) of the fans. No signs of humility, which I thought was warranted in view of the lowly standard and ranking of the opposition.

That aside, the Matildas were too strong, too fast, and too strong for the opposition, so well done. Tougher days ahead.

Very interesting article and comments.

Having watched all the S Korea match twice, I have to agree with the posters who question our technical proficiencies, or should I write “lack of”. This was evident even in the Indonesia match, where I believe our physicality played a greater part in achieving victory than did our skill sets.

I have not been actively involved in football for about 20 years, but I have kept up with so called developments. The last curriculum was a longwinded document devoting time to an holistic approach, but lacking, I thought, in the practicalities related to developmental training on the pitch.

If you wish to improve players ball control, have them juggling (keepie uppie) until they are super proficient. I am aware that ball jugglers do not necessarily become good players, but good players are invariably good ball jugglers.

Similarly, being able to pass the ball to the intended target is a matter of practice, practice, and more practice. But, the ball must be constantly moving, not commencing from a standing start as practiced by some esteemed coaching directors I have observed in action.

Speed is essential, and for this short distance sprinting blocks can, and do, produce surprising results. Forget middle to long distance runs which produce plodders who can “run all day”. Monitor the recovery periods included in the sprinting, and look to gradually shorten them.

The possibilities and variations are endless. Coaches need to be inovative when dealing with young players.

And homework! Skills and fitness need to be practiced daily (6 days a week, with 1 day off). Depending on their location, not all developing players can attend training every day, and that may well be to their benefit.

As a footballing nation, Australia will always encounter difficulties at international level until the essential groundwork is carried out. Even then, there are never any guarantees.

Thoughts?

Agree 100%.

He was a junior football international player for England before his family emigrated to Australia.

Chris, I am over 80yo, and am lucky enough to have many friends from many walks of life. Over the years I have enjoyed countless discussions involving sport. Being resident in QLD, in winter NRL (read mostly Broncos) takes precedence, followed by AFL, horse racing, RU, etc. Towards the tail end is soccer (usually introduced by me) with EPL finishing up as the centre piece. Almost zero interest in A-League (in summer), even with the interest created by the Matildas. As for the Socceroos? Also close to zero.

Very different if the group contains football fans, but in QLD that is rare. And in summer, when the lunatics in charge decided A-League should be a summer sport, it is almost invisible.

As a nation, we appear to be infatuated with high scoring sports contests. A nil all draw in football is automatically classified as “boring”, even though some of these contests I have found to be absorbing and highly entertaining.

You will, naturally, be aware of the football skill factors. Do you think the average parent at Saturday morning junior football is? If you do, you haven’t been paying attention. Give them a football, and they can’t kick their way out of a paper bag. Herein lies part of the problem. No awareness of required skills.

I could go on and on, but if you think we are a football country, so be it. I will politely disagree. Cheers.

One of the more interesting discussions on this site for many a day, and I will endeavour to expand it by raising a few issues.

The critics here are commenting with the advantage of hindsight, which many would suggest is an unfair advantage, or even one that is grossly unfair. Furthermore, readers are rarely, if ever, apprised of said critics’ credentials.

One hurdle that needs to be cleared is playing in 30C deg plus temperatures. Simply ridiculous. The solution is simple.

Profit, apparently, is unimportant. Try to expand your business if you do not generate a profit (AKA a cash operating surplus) to re-invest in that expansion. You will need to rely on a generous benefactor (not always available).

Government constructed stadiums inhibit the games growth. This is the primary reason profits/operating surpluses are essential. Clubs need to operate in privately funded and owned stadiums (owned by the clubs or private syndicates).

CEO’s are answerable to their employers’ board of directors, not the customers or fans.

My experiences suggest it is unwise to employ “football people” in business management – in any type of business. Exceptions are as rare as hen’s teeth.

At least one poster has suggested the A-League’s planned growth has been too rapid. A very interesting point.

I will now stick my head out, and head for the bunker;
We are NOT a football country. Sure, junior numbers are great, but from thereon it is a steep dive to oblivion.
The proposed NSD is a mammoth disaster in the making. Check out the metrics. An absurdity!

No! I do not have all the solutions. I have been distanced from the game for 25 years – enough said!

Don’t intend to be picky, but can we get/spell names correctly? Miguel Di Pizio!
Extremely bad manners to spell people’s names incorrectly, and damn lazy as well!

He won’t succeed, hence my suggestion that he gets help from his FIFA mates.

As I understand it FF, the state federations would be required to vote for dissolution, and that is unlikely. Perhaps JJ can lobby his FIFA mates to intervene with a suitable ultimatum? Anathema for probably most of us, but if it occurred and worked, holy cow!

Waz, I have had dialogue with Qld Govt regarding football, and honestly, they do not have a clue. When Roar last competed in the ACL (a few years ago, I will admit), I drew the Govt’s attention to the advertising potential that could be aimed at potential tourists. The response was “duh”.

Qld is a RL mad state, and locating A League teams in the locations you have mentioned would be a financial disaster for investors. Cheers.

“…the ball was definitely out.”

It has never ceased to amaze me the number of pundits/”experts” who are not conversant with what constitutes “ball out of play/over the line”.

Given the population, support for football in SE Qld is disappointing. Unfortunately, NRL is in the prime position, supported by a media with divested interests. Then, one looks at NRL in NSW, and AFL in Vic, SA and WA. Similar story.

NSD is unlikely to prosper in this country, if for no other reason than a simple lack of interest.

One needs experience to adapt to 9 v 11 formats. It is a rare experience for most managers, especially when it occurs on the run.

Hopefully Ange will learn from this. From observation however, this will not be as simple as many would think. Much depends on the playing philosophy of the manager, and whether that manager is able to adapt to changing circumstances.

Well organized teams will have at least a plan A and a plan B in place. Not a guarantee of success, but it at least gives one a basic chance.

There is a Wikipedia article covering Brisbane 32 Olympic group football matches, including venue details. Each venue will host a 4 team round robin, resulting in a total of 6 matches per venue. Hope this helps.

Incorrect. Refer to Lionheart’s post above.

Crap playing surfaces at NRL/RA grounds is the first thig that comes mind.

Enjoyed the article and the comments.

I thought one aspect was conspicuous, the missing ingredient you could say.

The fan base? How about concentrating on the younger generation, i.e. 4-14 year olds, or similar age brackets? Free admission, half price merchandise, and so on. Saturation marketing aimed exclusively at this age group.

Add in discount adult packages for accompanying adults – the higher match package, the greater the discount.

Advertising? How about an arrangement whereby no other sport is advertised or promoted during a football segment? Nothing like an ad break in a football match promoting a different sport – ridiculous!

Stop cringing at the use of the term “soccer”. It is frequently used in the UK. I have a Cambridge United program from about 5 years ago, when I literally froze my ass off in their home match against the indomitable Accrington Stanley. The program is in A3 format, 64 pages long, and the term “soccer’ is used about 30 times. I am very comfortable using the term, as it identifies the game I follow without creating confusion.

In other words, cease aiming promotion at rusted on fans of competing sports. Aim at the younger generation and get them rusted on to “soccer”.