It should be a tough match for the Socceroos. I suppose Wilkshire, Neill, Emerton, Culina, Sterjovski and Thompson provide an experienced nucleus. Maybe Colosimo can also be described as experienced, but having suffered ill fortune in terms of luck and injury.
I wonder whether the inexperince of the other players will be exposed? Uruguay is a very good team and Australia was lucky to beat them last time.
I’ve viewed the DVD of the match on many occasions. I concur with Tim Vickery’s match assessment - that Australia gained the ascendancy in terms of possession, but Uruguay had the better chances. Uruguay looked threatening on set pieces, whereas Australia looked shaky in this area.
I’m concerned about Australia’s lack of matches in the precursory stage of preparation for the Asian Cup. A replacement opponent for Argentina would have been good.
The future looks pretty bright in this squad i reckon….. back four looks pretty solid for the future with neill, thwaite, kisnorbo, emerton, spiranovic and co all vying for positions. Midfield looks good if you add in a grella, bresciano and kewell who i think will all be around for 2010!!! Asian cup really is insignificant at this stage compared to developing for 2010 in my opinion but i think even with this squad they will give it a good shake!!! i am interested mostly in seeing scotty mcdonald play as i have heard about him a lot but havent seen him play since i played on him at under 16 nationals!!
I think you are the only one BackJack. how do you suggest the media should hype up the friendly?
CWI - so do you think Paris should go to prison? And how about Brad & Angeline? Should Madonna adopt that African kid?? Do you have that weight watchers recipe for chocolate cake?? blah blah
Maybe: “Australia v Uruguay - the next step and the next generation of Roo boys” (those in the know, or care, are aware that this is the first step to 2010. No need to sensationalise.
Comment by Cougar with Ice — May 31, 2007 @ 2:15 pm
I think the Asian Cup is quite important it has our national side playing in a comp that isn’t mickey mouse, it raises the profile of the game, and it provides a yard stick on how we’re doing with respect to our competitors for qualification for the next World Cup.
and what about those not in the know? Are we not keen on increasing the fan base outside of traditional sources?
More viewers = good ratings = more sponsorship = more coverage = more hype = more viewers and so on and so forth.
“The World Cup rematch between Australia & Uruguay will have added flavour when it was revealed today that Lucas Neil is at risk of being shot following the revelation from Australia’s Immigation authorities that ex British Special Forces hitman and disgruntled Liverpool FC supported “Scouser Jack” had mistakenly obtained a visa to visit Sydney for the weekend.
Bound to get bums on seats with that headline. Nothing to do with the truth though. BJ
Comment by Cougar with Ice — May 31, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
Thanks for the information about the match being on Main Event channel 518. I would have been expecting it to be on one of the Fox Sports channels!
The match was a great spectacle. Australia’s younger players did well against high quality opposition. It might be time for some of the older guys, who are currently ambivalent about continuing to play with the Socceroos, to retire. It seems all the younger fringe players are desperate to play for the Socceroos. Who did we miss most?
Viduka and Schwarzer’s collective presence could have been decisive in determining the outcome of the match. Thwaite did well but is probably more suited to central defence. Therefore Chipperfield was missed, as we have little back up for that position. Grella, Bresciano and Cahill are all excellent players, but we have reasonable back up for their positions.
It might be time for the vacillating Skoko to terminate his national career. I have been a big fan, but there are now better options in a long term context.
Alosi was missed in the context of the McDonald performance. However, he has plyed his trade in the Spanish second division this season. He didn’t start many games for Alaves, even though he was the top scorer for that club. The Spanish second division is not significantly better than the A League.
The only new player who concerns me, is Scott Mcdonald. He seems to be too short for a central striker in terms of delivering aerial balls. He is used to playing a faster, direct style in Scotland, in a four four two formation. He is used to having a strike partner. I would have thought Allsopp to be a better option. He won a few headers in the attacking zone in the short time he was on the pitch. From what I’ve seen, the Scottish Premier League is not much above the A League in standard. Players like the Victory’s Grant Brebner corroborate this perception. McDonald is not used to the slower Dutch style possession game of the Socceroos. He states he is going to have to adapt to the higher standard and different style of play.
Brett Holman struggled against better quality opposition than China, and, not having Viduka to run off.
Nick Carle did well when he came on. Why is he not a firm fixture? He appears to be the most skilled Australian, even compared to the European based players, in terms of close ball control, trickery and dribbling in tight spots. Uruguay are a class team and he worried their defence.
Archie Thompson also did well. On two occasions he was in good positions to score, but Griffiths, then subsequently McDonald, failed to deliver the ball to him. Valeri performed creditably, but possibly hasn’t acquired Grella’s range of passing yet. I would have thought Colosimo could have had a run in his place later in the match.
The back up goalkeepers to Schwarzer are a point of bemusement. I’ve seen Covic in brilliant form for Newcastle in the A League, then perform at a lower standard. Bolton was consistent for Sydney in the HAL season, but made mistakes in the ACL. Brad Jones mistake in conceding the second goal was worse than any in the A League in any match I saw last year, and I saw most! There was also possible culpability by a combination of Thwaite, Neill and Jones, for the first Uruguay goal. However, Scwarzer was arguably culpable for the goal conceded to Japan in the World Cup.
Vukovic is very promising for CCM and by all accounts has performed admirably for the Olympic team. He is a great shot stopper, but by his own admission, needs to work on his foot skills.
I hope there are more posts on this match.
I couldn’t watch the game as I had something else on and don’t have Austar anyway. (Although I was at the World Cup Qualifier live, so I think that makes up for missing this one!)
I just watched highlights of the goals. Yet, another scrappy goal in the penalty box for us - they’re becoming our specialty!
I don’t recall ever seeing a player from the men’s divisions down here missing the ball like Jones did, nevermind A-League and above, but everyone makes mistakes I guess. Is he the same goalkeeper that was complaining before the World Cup if not selected in the squad he might play for his country of birth or something?
Finally, for those of you wondering, the Australia v Argentina friendly has been announced as going ahead on September 11 this year.
Oh for those of you that watched the game, was there any (major) booing of the Uruguay national anthem this time? I hope not, as it was as appropriate as possible for the World Cup Qualifier, but no need for it this time. I imagine there’d be a number of people at the game who saw the last game on tv and thought they should repeat it. I wouldn’t like to see the general disrespect in the country spread as far as to those representing us/other countries.
Ril
How could an ardent football fan miss games of this magnitude? Even though I have no pecuniary interest, subscribing to Austar is almost like getting acces to the internet. There is little sport on FTA anymore at convenient times. I was a reluctant subscriber. Cricket is another passion and there is now little cricket available on FTA featuring overseas matches.
I didn’t notice booing. It is possible a minority did, but if they booed they were barely audible.
Decentric, I will most likely be getting it soon for those reasons. I follow Geelong in the AFL, and they’re often on there. A lot of soccer is (I know it’s football, but it’s never going to be called football widespread in a country with 3 more prominant ‘football’ codes…), and I find it impossible to keep up with the EPL, A-League etc. without the games and the magazine shows. I thought you had to pay $70-$100 a month for it, but I’ve recently been informed you can get it down to just over $50 and still have all the sport, so I’ll do that sometime in the next 12 months. I just don’t watch enough tv to warrant spending too much, I only watch sport & news these days.
Back on topic though, good to hear the booing. I found a video on Youtube from the Uruguay part of the crowd, and couldn’t hear any, so that’s good.
No RIL…no booing. Great wasn’t it!
Australia looked really good in the first half and certainly the original tactics outplayed the Uruguayans. Unfortunately I didn’t see much of a change in structure when Uruguay came out in the second half and pushed the extra player into the midfield which stifled us a bit too much. Perhaps Emerton and Wilkshire were great and Neill is world class without doubt. I do wonder what the score might have been if Recoba were playing for us?
I liked Valeri but, despite the fact the he played fairly well, I am still not a fan of Sterjovski (that’s how its spelt isn’t it?). Carle looked good when he came on and deserves more of a run with freedom to do his own thing if possible.
All in all a very creditable performance by a slightly depleted squad. Well done Aussie!
It should be a tough match for the Socceroos. I suppose Wilkshire, Neill, Emerton, Culina, Sterjovski and Thompson provide an experienced nucleus. Maybe Colosimo can also be described as experienced, but having suffered ill fortune in terms of luck and injury.
I wonder whether the inexperince of the other players will be exposed? Uruguay is a very good team and Australia was lucky to beat them last time.
I’ve viewed the DVD of the match on many occasions. I concur with Tim Vickery’s match assessment - that Australia gained the ascendancy in terms of possession, but Uruguay had the better chances. Uruguay looked threatening on set pieces, whereas Australia looked shaky in this area.
I’m concerned about Australia’s lack of matches in the precursory stage of preparation for the Asian Cup. A replacement opponent for Argentina would have been good.
Comment by Decentric — May 30, 2007 @ 11:06 pm
The future looks pretty bright in this squad i reckon….. back four looks pretty solid for the future with neill, thwaite, kisnorbo, emerton, spiranovic and co all vying for positions. Midfield looks good if you add in a grella, bresciano and kewell who i think will all be around for 2010!!! Asian cup really is insignificant at this stage compared to developing for 2010 in my opinion but i think even with this squad they will give it a good shake!!! i am interested mostly in seeing scotty mcdonald play as i have heard about him a lot but havent seen him play since i played on him at under 16 nationals!!
Comment by corey smith — May 31, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
I think you are the only one BackJack. how do you suggest the media should hype up the friendly?
CWI - so do you think Paris should go to prison? And how about Brad & Angeline? Should Madonna adopt that African kid?? Do you have that weight watchers recipe for chocolate cake?? blah blah
Maybe: “Australia v Uruguay - the next step and the next generation of Roo boys” (those in the know, or care, are aware that this is the first step to 2010. No need to sensationalise.
Comment by Cougar with Ice — May 31, 2007 @ 2:15 pm
I think the Asian Cup is quite important it has our national side playing in a comp that isn’t mickey mouse, it raises the profile of the game, and it provides a yard stick on how we’re doing with respect to our competitors for qualification for the next World Cup.
Comment by Tommy — May 31, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
and what about those not in the know? Are we not keen on increasing the fan base outside of traditional sources?
More viewers = good ratings = more sponsorship = more coverage = more hype = more viewers and so on and so forth.
“The World Cup rematch between Australia & Uruguay will have added flavour when it was revealed today that Lucas Neil is at risk of being shot following the revelation from Australia’s Immigation authorities that ex British Special Forces hitman and disgruntled Liverpool FC supported “Scouser Jack” had mistakenly obtained a visa to visit Sydney for the weekend.
Bound to get bums on seats with that headline. Nothing to do with the truth though.
BJ
Comment by Cougar with Ice — May 31, 2007 @ 2:36 pm
Thanks for the information about the match being on Main Event channel 518. I would have been expecting it to be on one of the Fox Sports channels!
Comment by Decentric — May 31, 2007 @ 6:54 pm
The match was a great spectacle. Australia’s younger players did well against high quality opposition. It might be time for some of the older guys, who are currently ambivalent about continuing to play with the Socceroos, to retire. It seems all the younger fringe players are desperate to play for the Socceroos. Who did we miss most?
Viduka and Schwarzer’s collective presence could have been decisive in determining the outcome of the match. Thwaite did well but is probably more suited to central defence. Therefore Chipperfield was missed, as we have little back up for that position. Grella, Bresciano and Cahill are all excellent players, but we have reasonable back up for their positions.
It might be time for the vacillating Skoko to terminate his national career. I have been a big fan, but there are now better options in a long term context.
Alosi was missed in the context of the McDonald performance. However, he has plyed his trade in the Spanish second division this season. He didn’t start many games for Alaves, even though he was the top scorer for that club. The Spanish second division is not significantly better than the A League.
The only new player who concerns me, is Scott Mcdonald. He seems to be too short for a central striker in terms of delivering aerial balls. He is used to playing a faster, direct style in Scotland, in a four four two formation. He is used to having a strike partner. I would have thought Allsopp to be a better option. He won a few headers in the attacking zone in the short time he was on the pitch. From what I’ve seen, the Scottish Premier League is not much above the A League in standard. Players like the Victory’s Grant Brebner corroborate this perception. McDonald is not used to the slower Dutch style possession game of the Socceroos. He states he is going to have to adapt to the higher standard and different style of play.
Brett Holman struggled against better quality opposition than China, and, not having Viduka to run off.
Nick Carle did well when he came on. Why is he not a firm fixture? He appears to be the most skilled Australian, even compared to the European based players, in terms of close ball control, trickery and dribbling in tight spots. Uruguay are a class team and he worried their defence.
Archie Thompson also did well. On two occasions he was in good positions to score, but Griffiths, then subsequently McDonald, failed to deliver the ball to him. Valeri performed creditably, but possibly hasn’t acquired Grella’s range of passing yet. I would have thought Colosimo could have had a run in his place later in the match.
The back up goalkeepers to Schwarzer are a point of bemusement. I’ve seen Covic in brilliant form for Newcastle in the A League, then perform at a lower standard. Bolton was consistent for Sydney in the HAL season, but made mistakes in the ACL. Brad Jones mistake in conceding the second goal was worse than any in the A League in any match I saw last year, and I saw most! There was also possible culpability by a combination of Thwaite, Neill and Jones, for the first Uruguay goal. However, Scwarzer was arguably culpable for the goal conceded to Japan in the World Cup.
Vukovic is very promising for CCM and by all accounts has performed admirably for the Olympic team. He is a great shot stopper, but by his own admission, needs to work on his foot skills.
I hope there are more posts on this match.
Comment by Decentric — June 3, 2007 @ 8:31 pm
I couldn’t watch the game as I had something else on and don’t have Austar anyway. (Although I was at the World Cup Qualifier live, so I think that makes up for missing this one!)
I just watched highlights of the goals. Yet, another scrappy goal in the penalty box for us - they’re becoming our specialty!
I don’t recall ever seeing a player from the men’s divisions down here missing the ball like Jones did, nevermind A-League and above, but everyone makes mistakes I guess. Is he the same goalkeeper that was complaining before the World Cup if not selected in the squad he might play for his country of birth or something?
Finally, for those of you wondering, the Australia v Argentina friendly has been announced as going ahead on September 11 this year.
Comment by Ril — June 3, 2007 @ 9:33 pm
Oh for those of you that watched the game, was there any (major) booing of the Uruguay national anthem this time? I hope not, as it was as appropriate as possible for the World Cup Qualifier, but no need for it this time. I imagine there’d be a number of people at the game who saw the last game on tv and thought they should repeat it. I wouldn’t like to see the general disrespect in the country spread as far as to those representing us/other countries.
Comment by Ril — June 3, 2007 @ 9:39 pm
Ril
How could an ardent football fan miss games of this magnitude? Even though I have no pecuniary interest, subscribing to Austar is almost like getting acces to the internet. There is little sport on FTA anymore at convenient times. I was a reluctant subscriber. Cricket is another passion and there is now little cricket available on FTA featuring overseas matches.
I didn’t notice booing. It is possible a minority did, but if they booed they were barely audible.
Comment by Decentric — June 3, 2007 @ 10:51 pm
Decentric, I will most likely be getting it soon for those reasons. I follow Geelong in the AFL, and they’re often on there. A lot of soccer is (I know it’s football, but it’s never going to be called football widespread in a country with 3 more prominant ‘football’ codes…), and I find it impossible to keep up with the EPL, A-League etc. without the games and the magazine shows. I thought you had to pay $70-$100 a month for it, but I’ve recently been informed you can get it down to just over $50 and still have all the sport, so I’ll do that sometime in the next 12 months. I just don’t watch enough tv to warrant spending too much, I only watch sport & news these days.
Back on topic though, good to hear the booing. I found a video on Youtube from the Uruguay part of the crowd, and couldn’t hear any, so that’s good.
Comment by Ril — June 3, 2007 @ 11:19 pm
No RIL…no booing. Great wasn’t it!
Australia looked really good in the first half and certainly the original tactics outplayed the Uruguayans. Unfortunately I didn’t see much of a change in structure when Uruguay came out in the second half and pushed the extra player into the midfield which stifled us a bit too much. Perhaps Emerton and Wilkshire were great and Neill is world class without doubt. I do wonder what the score might have been if Recoba were playing for us?
I liked Valeri but, despite the fact the he played fairly well, I am still not a fan of Sterjovski (that’s how its spelt isn’t it?). Carle looked good when he came on and deserves more of a run with freedom to do his own thing if possible.
All in all a very creditable performance by a slightly depleted squad. Well done Aussie!
Comment by A whisper — June 5, 2007 @ 11:43 am
does anyone know how nick carle played ?
Comment by Dutchy — June 6, 2007 @ 5:49 pm