Cue criticism from football fans who think that the score should have been 10-0.

At the end of the day it’s never easy to play against teams when there is such a gulf in quality (Anybody watch the FA Cup over the weekend?). I thought India played the game in the right spirit without any sort of ‘cheating’ that we’ve seen in the past from other Asian sides. The second half performance was poor, but it’s always hard to replicate the same intensity and India went towards the road of damage limitation. As Ben of Phnom Perth pointed out rightly, let’s give the goalkeeper some praise too.

The obvious option against a team like India is to use the physical advantage and that’s what dissapointed me most really. It was a good opportunity to get the ball down and play quick passing football against a team who didn’t particularly press the ball. The result was there though, and if we beat South Korea on Friday then all of this will fall on deaf ears.

Great to see McKay and Burns get some game time as well. Not so great to see McDonald on when Kruse or Kilkenny could have been used. You’ve had your chance Macca….

I agree Davidde. Anybody who thinks India shouldn’t be in Qatar is kidding themselves, it’s the world game ffs… It brings cultures and the world together. Seriously, show a bit of respect.

If Scott McDonald can’t score a goal against India (assuming he starts), then the guy has no chance of ever breaking his international duck.

If Scott McDonald can’t score a goal against India (assuming he starts), then the guy has no chance of ever breaking his international duck

Bit harsh to put Watson in the Hughes and Clarke bracket.

If the team was performing well, his contribution of 40-60 runs wouldn’t even be looked at as an issue.

As for Haddin: He just can’t resist a flashy shot outside off-stump if the ball is pitched up.

Super piece Jared,

The experience of visiting stadiums over there can only be described as special and it really is something to behold for the football purists. One thing watching football, but to soak up the atmosphere is amazing, as you eluded to in your piece. I was lucky enough to get tickets to a Champions League match with Dynamo Kyiv a few seasons back which ended 5-0.

My only criticism is you should have purchased a lottery ticket on that day (as you did very well getting the passes for the match) – then who knows, you yourself could be the owner of a season pass!

Top stuff

Very refreshing article John,

I love the lower leagues of England as well as the English Premier League. The high octane, end to end, fast tempo is something that particularly attracts me. As you rightly point out in your piece the competition is fantastic and any team can beat any other in unpredictable fashion. Crowd of 17,000 at Huddersfield last night for the derby with Sheffield Wednesday created an awesome pure football atmosphere.

While the football might not be “technical enough” for some people, the excitement factor should not be ignored. Sky in the UK also do a magnificent coverage of the game in my opinion.

As for my boys Leeds – expectations have massively been exceeded and while i would have ripped your arm off for a top half finish, you just never know… **crosses fingers**

Good call Art.

The improved standard of the league definitely gives our kids an opportunity to leave later on in their development. With Burns, he didn’t have much of a choice because at that stage of the A-League, he wasn’t going to develop anyway so it was worth that risk.

Leaving isn’t the only option though now and that leadership is required from advisors and managers to talk to them as people with regards to “where they are” in their development. Cahill scored goals over a period of time receiving plenty of gametime in the process. Kruse and others need to perform with that consistency over two or three seasons and their recognition will come naturally.

Paul,

Far from a Victory fan. If you care to have a read through some of my other pieces you will find I’m actually a rare Glory fan!

Melbourne have a good pedigree of playing finals football. Players like Muscat and Thompson (if fit) are big game players, and their experience should guide them through to the final.

Nice read on Aloisi,

Will always remain a popular footballer in this country after his heroics against Uruguay. That result was a surprise though

great comment Olrac,

Little steps before big ones. Definitely a sensible post and one that benefits the national team, the players and the reputation of Australian Football.

There is nothing that replicates playing 90 minutes of competitive football. No matter the standard.

The players generally move abroad too early for mine when they haven’t proven themselves consistently over a full season.

They go to other leagues as “development” players because they’ve been scouted as potential players of the future who have shown glimpses of talent. Obviously a move is “exciting” and it’s worth the risk definitely (if you are getting on a bit), but from the angle of Australian football it’s not worth it. Particularly with someone like Zullo or Djite, if anything their development has been hindered.

Really that’s down to the players and their agents though to make that decision, but the buck has to stop somewhere – surely there needs to be advisors of some sort to ensure players don’t slip through the system or waste potential talent.

As for Kruse, definitely too earlier to even talk about a move abroad. The guy is only 22 and still has time left in his career to blossom further. If he keeps scoring goals upto Xmas then there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be in the equation for the Asian Cup. Beyond that a further season of consistent performances in the A-League and ACL will put him in the equation for a move elsewhere. It’s really all about timing though

Dan,

My geography is aware of that 😉 – your points are fair though

I just think expansion is such a delicate thing, especially in a new competition like the A-League. Queensland of course is a very fast growing state and there is no doubt they can facilitate a good proportion of teams in the league. I like the Fury and I think they’re an exciting club and I’m not saying Townsville doesn’t deserve a team. I just thought it was a hasty decision from the FFA at the time to go there at the same time as Gold Coast when more viable options might have been available.

Agree completely Robbie – well written.

I don’t think the Fury should have been in the competition to begin with though. Expanding the league into Queensland with two teams was an error from the FFA to begin with. One of Gold Coast or NQF would have sufficed for the time being in that region. Amazing to think that they have as many sides as New South Wales.

Still, they are here and unfortunately things haven’t panned out. The FFA as a business need to support them though it because as you rightly point out the image of our competition will deteriorate. The talk of expanding when one of our teams is on the verge of collapse is laughable really – so much of the talk since the failed WC bid has been about improving the league, adding a cup competion, expansion etc.

Baby steps still need to be taken though. An honest world cup bid yielded no luck, so doesn’t that alone send a message?
We need to get what we have right before we start getting too far ahead of what we are. That includes crowds, marketing, common sense and of course the survival of every team including the Fury.

While runs are clearly a problem in the team, admittedly to win a test match you MUST take 20 wickets regardless of who you are playing. Imperative now given Australia have to win 2 of 3 test matches to win the series.

On a Perth wicket I’d flirt with playing an extra frontline bowler:

Out: Katich, North, Dohery
In: Hughes, Smith, (pace bowler)

While Hilfenhaus could come back into the side given I thought he was a bit harsh to be cut for Adelaide, I think Peter George could be an outsider on a bouncier Perth pitch. Bollinger looks unfit though and should be replaced too. Tremlett is also a big bloke – again with the bounce, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was to replace Broad. As for Khawaja, possibly too early to throw him in here but i agree him and Ferguson need to come into the test team post-ashes as part of the re-building phase.

1. Hughes
2. Watson
3. Ponting
4. Clarke
5. Hussey
6. Smith
7. Haddin
8. Harris
9. Siddle
10. Hilfenhaus
11. George

Wow! what a game, certainly lived up to expectations.

Definitely game of the season and what a way to brighten my spirits after the dissapointment of last night. Feel hard done by if you’re a Victory fan though, appauling refereeing really… Green was alright tonight in most instances, but it’s the big decisions they seem to get wrong week in week out (ie.) fowlers two non-penalties last week

The A-League is definitely here to stay!

It was incredible Fussball,

I don’t catch as much La Liga as I should really, mainly because ESPN broadcast it and I’m not really a fan of their Americanised coverage (if that’s a word – might need to include a Z). I Watch a lot of the other leagues, but when I do get to see Spanish sides in Europe it’s usually special to watch. Watching this match though in particular was sensational and you’re right, seeing members of the Spanish team kicking each other was a bit odd. I’d like to see what Fozzie has to say about it on TWG!

Unfortunately it’s all about the TV coverage nowadays Geoff.

That wicket on day four and five reminded me of a Sri Lankan wicket, it’s making the game last five days and lowering the chance of a result. Shame too because the best test matches I’ve seen are the ones that go 3 or 4 days and plenty of dismissals. Then you see the characters in the batting lineup of who can perform and who can stand up against the odds and make that century. Unfortunate because after 1 and 1/2 days it was looking it was going to be a belter of a test.

While Cook batted very well, his technique is still a bit suspect. Bell has a wonderful technique, there’s no reason why he can’t make big runs but it’s just a shame he has lapses in concentration and doesn’t make the BIG score.

Not sure about the sneaky little jab at Powderfinger though 😉

I can’t see why FIFA wouldn’t want to have the world cup in Australia. I just don’t see any reasons. Other than the Stadiums maybe, but 11 years to build stadiums for 2022 won’t matter a bob really.

Also – Nice Legs Jimbo, presume they aren’t yours though!

Certainly looks ugly for Everton without him in January. They are well-known for playing poor in the first half of the season and rising in the second half of the season, but this season is definitely different. The mid-table sides (other than Everton) are progressing while the poop (Wigan and West Ham) are deservedly at the foot.

9 of Evertons 17 goals in all competitions have come from Timmy and that is an alarming ratio. Bad times ahead for the Toffees.

Back to the topic though: Moyes has no right to pipe up. While I understand that Everton pay his wages and there should be some degree of compensation, if a player wants to play for his country then he should be allowed to. Particularly in a cup competiton like this.

Not to mention the liability of having Chris Martin coming in at 11!

Jimbo,

While I agree that it’s very harsh and it’s a terrible thing to happen to Oceania and Australia, there’s no place for corruption in the beautiful world game.

I feel sorry for the guy – admittedly he was set up, but he should have been a bit smarter really being as it’s only two weeks away from the announcement. I have no problems with the punishment from FIFA i guess, but I do have a problem with the s-called “do-gooders” like Bin-Hammam and Platini.

It’s just really unfortunate for our bid though and I’m gutted about the whole thing… James is right – it’s tragic that such a massive event in the world will have no input from Ocenia.

For a different spin of drama, you couldn’t go past the 1st ashes test of 2009 at Cardiff.

Watching Panesar and Anderson face those 69 balls was incredibly nerve-wracking, for both sets of fans i would imagine.

Every dot ball was seemingly met with a cheer louder than what would have been heard if Monty was hitting sixes!

While they didn’t make the runs the others in your article mention, it was gritty, determined and as edge-of-your-seat as you can be.

Otherwise yes, tail-end batting can be quite flamboyant and exciting at times. Nice article Geoff

Well said Jiggles.

I do agree with SamSport, the France thing in 2007 was a disgrace and the – but that’s a completely different situation to the England instance that this article is getting at. There’s no psychology to it, it’s just simply trying to market a different style for people to wear. To me the red is a more likely option than black because of the rose. But why would England want to wear Red when they play wales at Twickenham back by thousands of fans draped in white?

England wore the darker kit because Australia were playing in a lighter gold colour. It was just a complete one-off to try and gain a little bit more revenue. Simple. Highlighted by the fact they went back to white a week later against Samoa.

Does anyone highlight the fact that Australia changed their ODI and T20 shirts from yellow to darker green?
India also went from light blue to a darker blue and New Zealand went from that horrible colour they wore on those world series cricket shows on fox sports to their black now.

Seriously, get with the times.

This article is just making a big deal out of nothing as far as i’m concerned.

Australia played in a yellow guernsey against England (as always)
England rather than wearing another light colour (white) – decided to use a darker alternate kit (which looked good on tv)

This weekend Samoa wore Blue (as always)
and England went back to White (as per usual)

I don’t see the problem in it at all. It’s just a marketing ploy to create something a bit different than the usual thing – people need to realise this is the 21st Century instead of being traditionalists with everything. In the England team store at Twickenham they have a red/blue and white version of the jersey, and using it in a match is obviously going to make it more marketable. Go to the Australian team store and I’m sure they have a predominantly green and yellow alternative (they just don’t use it on matchday)