A Tale Of Two Halves

Australia 2 - South Africa 2

The game yesterday morning was certainly a game of two halves. The first dominated by a rampant Australia and the second dominated just as fully by South Africa.

I like the fact that Pim continues to favour a two striker combination when using Kennedy up front. His 4-1-3-2 certainly has the potential to display some exciting attacking football (though the defensive game seems to suffer a bit).

---------------------Schwarzer--------------------
---Wilkshire----Neill---Coyne----Chipperfield
------------------------Grella-----------------------
---Sterjovski---------Culina--------Bresciano---
--------------McDonald---Kennedy--------------

Australia’s first half was excellent. The Socceroos were not under pressure at the back and were able to consistently build up attacks through the vacant wings. Vinnie Grella had a day out (doing his transfer options no harm I am sure) controlling the midfield with slick one touch passing. Culina provided good box to box support, with Brescanio and Stevjoski rampant on the wings.

If there was one area where we suffered it was through the middle. Jason Culina provides excellent box to box support for Grella but as a creative outlet I don’t think he is the best option here. Just about 100% of our attacks came from balls crossed in from the wings and we saw practically no balls played into our box at the strikers feet.

I was surprised that Pim didn’t give Nick Carle a just chance to display what he can bring to the table by taking off Culina at half time and using a Diamond Formation. Instead he opted to try Milligan out in Central Defense, Holman up front with Kennedy and also brought Carney on for Chipperfield. The interesting part however was that he didn’t change the formation. He continued to stick with the 4-1-3-2

----------------------Schwarzer--------------------
---Wilkshire----Milligan---Coyne------Carney
------------------------Grella-----------------------
---Sterjovski---------Culina--------Bresciano---
-----------------Holman---Kennedy--------------

I wasn’t surprised to see the turn around after half time as Holman in the past has always looked comfortable running at defenders but is less capable in a true strikers role. I would have preferred he leave McDonald on and replace Culina with Carle. Add to that the inexperienced paring of Milligan and Coyne at the back we were always going to be less effective than the first half.

At the 62’ mark Garcia came on for Sterjovski and Grella made way for Valeri. Both good changes but it did have a negative impact on the game. With the loss of Grella we suddenly seem to give up control of the midfield and the turn over of possession to the South Africans became epidemic. Garcia looked a little lost in first international match and provided very little down the right.

By the time Djite was introduced at the 73’ mark our structure had broken down significantly and the South African’s were in control. I have read some criticisms of Djite performance but I thought he did well. He needs to improve his finishing (you just have to take those chances when you get them) but I thought we were already seeing some improvement in his fitness and his ability to get himself into better positions. Lets hope he gets regular game time in Turkey.

Overall there was a lot to like about the first half and I wouldn’t read too much into the second. I still feel we are still missing a left side central defender to partner with Neill (could Spiranovic start against the Dutch in the next friendly) and the creative AM position is still a concern. If Nick Carle is not the answer (and it appears that Pim Verbeek doesn’t think so) then who is ?

,

And We Are Away 2008

Well season four of the A-league has finally kicked off. I can’t say the build up to the first match was exactly electrifying. The media coverage has been bordering on nonexistent and with the FFA seemingly focussed on the expansion of the league next year it has left the start of the season feeling very flat.

So what of the first round ? Well there were certainly some positives and negatives.

First the coverage. On the positive side, Foxtel seems to determine to bump up their investment in the league this season. New graphics and a post-game review of matches has definitely improved the viewer experience. I really enjoyed the look and feel of the new graphics they have introduced and post game show on Friday night was excellent. Nice to hear from the coaches straight after the game. Also it is good to see that Foxtel has retired the idea of the “Versioning” of the league idea and are referring to the new season as “Season Four”.

It’s a pity then that Foxtel didn’t feel the need to refresh the commentary as well. I am sure that some will disagree with me but Foxtel could cast a critical eye over one of two of their commentary team. Friday Nights game was excellent but I thought the commentary on Saturday Night was very poor and actually distracted from the viewing of the game.

Got to say I have nothing but positives to talk about in terms of the refereeing. I didn’t watch the last match between Adelaide and Perth but up to that point I don’t think the referee put a step wrong. Breeze, Shields and Green (I think) were just about prefect I felt.

In terms of the matches it is a worry that not one team managed to score more than a goal and three of the four matches ended in a draw. Of course the 2007/8 season also started with three draws (though two of them were at least 2-2 affairs). Watching the matches nearly all teams seemed to lack the cohesion in the final third that is ended to finish off the build ups.

Of the teams I saw

Newcastle
Of all the teams on the weekend they looked the most underdone. Song was a standout for them but the team as a whole lack cohesion. Zura was disappointing I felt, its going to take time for him to adjust to the most physical league here. Van Egmond will be looking for improvement as the season goes on.

Central Coast
By far the most disappointing team I saw on the weekend. They lack drive through the middle and almost 100% dependent on Elrich and Caceres putting crosses into Petrovski. One dimensional would be an accurate term.

Melbourne
How refreshing to see Melbourne play the ball on the desk. Had three excellent chances to score in the first half and fluffed the lot of them. Taking into account that they were playing against a very under strength Sydney they looked the best team of the weekend. Fabiano looked like a good pickup and Lopez adds a calmness to the midfield.

Sydney
Hard to comment on Sydney with so many first teamers out. Koshmina will be very happy to take a draw away. I thought Chris Payne was excellent in his debut and Shannon Cole was a revelation (if there are players of his quality still lurking in the lower leagues the quicker we bring new teams in the better).

Queensland
For most of the game yesterday the Roar looked like they lacked teeth. Their build up play for the most part was far better than Wellingtons but they looked lost in the final third. But then Farina brought Reinaldo on and they looked a different team. Van Dijk and Reinaldo look a very dangerous combo and are going to give all teams lots of headaches this year. Miller is quality, just needs to lose another five kilos.

Wellington
Shane Smeltz would be my tip to take out the Golden Boot award this year. He kept Wellington in the game and will be a handful for every defence. Wellington overall though were disappointing, they seem to lack quality in midfield to control the game. Their defence though looks much better than last year.


Overall it was a slow start to the season. We can only hope we see more goals as the teams begin to jell.

,

The Foreign Lads – Part 3

A continuation of the look at the Foreign Player for the coming season


Adelaide United
Aurelio Vidmar seems to be in love with players with one name and now have four Brazilians. Adelaide fans have a lot of football to look forward to this year due to being the first team to graduate from the AFC Champions League Group Phase.

Cassio
One of the few foreign defenders in the league, Cassio showed signs last year of being a real find. Assuming that the scare with his knee has been settled and his current calf injury isn’t too serious Adelaide can expect to have the perhaps the most dangerous left wingback in the League

Alemao
Not content to have one foreign defender Vidmar has gone himself a second. Can’t say I have much to say about him because to be honest we haven’t heard much to date. The fact however that he has changed clubs every year in the Brazilian First division before landing here isn’t a good sign.

Diego
He has taken a while to settle in and Adelaide will be hoping he steps up in his third season here in Australia. His stats though are not flattering with only 1 Goal and 1 Assist in 20 games. Not good for your playmaker.

Cristiano
Shown signs that he is going to be a real handful during the preseason. Adelaide may have a one of the best strikers in the league here. He is a good age (27) and comes to us after playing in a quality league and team. He could be one to watch.


The four Brazilians will need to fire (especially Christiano), as Adelaide lack depth and will miss Burns/Djite. On paper I think Adelaide may not see finals football this year. Hopefully they can give the Kashima Antlers a scare instead.
League Position Tip : 6th



Central Coast Mariners
The Mariners have once again ignored Foreign signings and looked locally for the vast majority of their squad.

Andre Gumprecht
The loss of Gumprecht to a long term knee injury will leave the Mariners dangerous short of attacking midfielders.


They will rely on their wide players (Elrich and Caceres) to provide quality crosses to their big forwards (Mrdja, Petrovski & Simon). It’s a recipe that’s worked before and took them to the final last year but will it work again? I have my doubts.
League Position Tip : 7th




That brings me to the end of my preview. So in summary here is my tip as to how the ladder will look at the end of Round 21

Melbourne Victory
Queensland Roar
Newcastle Jets
Wellington Phoenix
----------------------------
Sydney FC
Adelaide United
Central Coast Mariners
Perth Glory

,

The Foreign Lads – Part 2

A continuation of the look at the Foreign Players for the coming season

Melbourne Victory
Victory have headed back to Costa Rica to find a partner for Hernandez and shape up very well on paper.

Carlos Hernandez
In outstanding form during the preseason, Victory fans expect a lot from him this season and it appears he may deliver. His form towards the latter part of last season showed what a danger he can be when fit and on song.

José (Pupy) López
A regular international for Costa Rica, López appears to have the credentials to shine in the A-League. The question will be how quickly he can adapt to the faster pace game here. The pairing of Hernandez and López may prove a handful for most opposition midfields.

Ney Fabiano
Melbourne picked Fabiano up after he scored in both legs against them for Chonburi. He looks a handful and provides a true backup to Thompson and Allsopp (He may even challenge for a starting position). Judging by his performance in last nights PSC Final his fitness may be a concern.

Grant Brebner
Currently injured Brebner may find himself sitting on the pine when he finally gets back to fitness. He does however provide an excellent backup for López who will spend some time on international duty.


Victory have perhaps the deepest squad. They may finally have a third striker to add to their dynamic duo, Allsopp and Thompson. Hernandez has looked in very good form in the preseason. If López can adjust to the Australian game style they could go all the way.
League Position Tip : 1st



Wellington Phoenix
Should easily be the biggest improvers this year, they have made some very solid signings over the break to shore up a poor defence. The signing of Kwasnik will give some much needed support for Smeltz

Daniel
He certainly has the skills to be a top performer in the A-league. He however needs to improve his consistency. Wellington will be looking for a substantial improvement on last year when he ran hot and cold.


Leilei Gao
The Chinese midfielder who first appeared at the NZ Knights is back. He has a knack of finding space and although I am not convinced that he is going to dominate defences like Hernandez and Song could he will prove tricky and will punish teams if they take him too lightly.



They need to hold onto Lochhead, without him they once again lack depth in their defence and rely too much on McKain but I would expect to see an improvement and they may even slip into the Top 4.
League Position Tip : 4th




Perth Glory
It would be fair to sign that Perth have been the basketcase of the Australian teams over the last three years. Their original foreign squad players were awful (awful is probably too nice a term) and this year Mitchell is practically building from scratch.


Eugene Dadi
35 year old striker from the Ivory Coast. It is a risk and as we have seen from previous attempts to bring older players to the A-league one that can come back and bite you. If he stays fit, he may bring some needed bite to the Glory Strike team.


Adrian Trinidad
Glory are in desparte need of some attacking flair and they are hoping the Argentinian will provide that. So far he has been far from impressive in the preseason but you do need to allow time for the team to jell. Jury is still out here but if he flops the Glory are in deep trouble as they just don’t have the depth to cover him


James Robinson
Is he a striker or a midfielder. Robinson is will need to step up this year and demonstrate why Mitchell has so much faith in him. He doesn’t score enough goals to justify his position of striker and I don’t think he has the creative skills to hold onto a midfield position


Amaral
Another 35 year old player. This one though has the class to perform at this level. If he is fit and can stay healthy he should add some quality to the Perth midfield. But he brings to mind Juninho and his ability to stay healthy. It doesn’t matter how good you are, if you can’t make it on the park you add no value.


On paper the Glory still have the poorest squad in the league, they will need more than one of their foreign signings to star to lift them I am afraid.
League Position Tip : 8th

,

The Foreign Lads – Part 1

There is already some excellent previews to the season out there, I especially recommend jumping over to Australian Football where they have provided a fantastic breakdown of each team.

As I couldn’t possibly improve on that analysis I am going to take a different tack. The four visa squad spots in each team is always a hotly debated item. The quality of the foreign players and their ability to adjust to Australian conditions can determine success or failure of a campaign and it appears this year that clubs have done an outstanding job to up the ante here.

In previous seasons the success of the foreign players could be a crap shoot. There have been many more failures than successes. For every Fred there has been Jadel and Love to tip the scales on the negative side.

So lets go through the teams and see what we can expect from the foreign brigade


Newcastle
A week ago the jets were looking very light on up front but with two new signings they have they certainly have the potential to go back to back.

Edmundo Zura
1.82 metres tall, extremely quick and judging from the U-Tube videos not afraid to have a crack outside the box. Zura has excitement written all over him but he is still a big IF. He is going to be much more tightly marked here in Australia and his ability to adjust to Australian is unknown. And as we all know the Jets have been burned before, signing foreign players on good faith and finding them less than hoped for when they step off the plane.

Jin-Hyung Song
From the little we saw of him late late season I was extremely impressed by Song, he has the ability to find space and his passing is first class. He should continue to provide the Jets that creative element that they lacked early in last years season.

Jesper Håkansson
A Danish international who has lots of experience in the “Viking” Leagues (though has been hit severely by injury over the last three years). He comes straight from playing in the top division in Denmark and the cold weather start here will not bother him (he may find the summer later in the season an issue though). The question will be weather Van Egmond will play him up front with Zura or out wide. Either way in Zura, Griffiths and Håkansson the jets now appear to have one of the most formidable strike force in the league.

A week ago I would have tipped them to come 7th as I couldn’t see how they were going to score goals now I can’t see how they cannot score a bucket load. They will take time to jell but I suspect come January they will be there abouts.
League Position Tip : 3rd



Sydney FC
With their big Australian signings over the break, there had to be something that suffered in the Salary cap and on paper Sydney look very underdone in the foreign stakes.

Terry McFlynn
I think his stats tell the story. 54 games played, 3 goals and 1 assist. For a player listed as a attacking midfielder hardly a record to strike fear into the opposition. Now truth be told he hasn’t been used much as a attacking midfielder but the question mark remains.

Michael Enfield
The biggest problem with the American is we have hardly seen him. He seems to be constantly injured (and is again this preseason). If he can make it onto the field and obtain some match fitness he might prove to be handy on the right hand side where Sydney appear to be lacking at the moment but I am not holding my breath.

Their reliance on the Australian signings and their severe lack of depth is going to hurt. Enfield and Aloisi won’t make it onto the field until Mid-September. I going against the bookies as I cannot see them making the finals.
League Position Tip : 5th



Queensland Roar
On paper the Roar have the most balanced side in the competition, a nice blending of experience, raw young talent and foreign skill.

Sergio van Dijk
A Dutch Brazilian, now that is a combination that makes you sit up. A 185cm powerhouse forward who has been showing signs in preseason that he will be the most dangerous man up front bar none this season.

Charlie Miller
By all accounts this Scotsman can play. The question mark is his application and ability to get his fitness to a level where he will be dangerous across the whole season. Early signs are good though and Farina seems very confident he can get the best out of a player who has the latent just waiting to be unlocked.

Hyuk-Su Seo
Tough, dependable and very solid. He will continue to play a large part of a very solid defence this year. Can’t say much more, his not the best Foreign player in the league but he is extremely reliable.

Reinaldo
This came out of left field. I certainly wasn’t expecting a return of the big Brazilian. It’s an interesting choice, he wasn’t exactly a star during his previous stint at the club but then again late last season he started to looked like he was finally settling in and knocking some important goals in. Will Farina play him and van Dijk up front? With the wide players the Roar have, they could prove to be a lethal combination.

Overall the Roar are very well balanced, Farina has a solid defence and an excellent strike force. Can see them going close this year.
League Position Tip : 2nd

,