The Kiwis at the 2010 WC beg to differ 
Considering the players we have left out of this tournament, the results are actually quite good.
The Kiwis at the 2010 WC beg to differ
Considering the players we have left out of this tournament, the results are actually quite good.
True. I should probably re-phrase and say that the ‘don’t lose’ approach is better suited for the knockout rounds as everyone has a chance in a shootout.
I haven’t got an issue with the results, we keep underestimating Asia thinking we have a devine right to steam roll them but without having a look at opposition players game time/minutes in their local leagues compared to ours, dare I say, they probably have played more games and have nothing to lose in these tournaments so they play with a bit more freedom.
Olyroos V Syria
Looks like they are on the right side of the draw as well.
Good chance of making the final and having a shot!
The fact that they are automatically qualified for the Olympics whatever the result of the tournament probably takes some of the weight of pressure to do well off their shoulders here, but I would also have expected better performances.
But you would think they would want to do well under tournament conditions as a lead in.I suppose there’s still plenty of time to prepare.Their players would be out of season right now too,I suppose that doesn’t help.
When the Olympics comes round,their whole squad should be match fit.
If we qualify our players won’t have had a competitive game for a while.
Into the semis after a 1-0 victory,one more win in the next 2 games gets Olympic qualification.
Two wins and it’s CHAMPIONS of Asia at u23 level.
Arnie has done OK so far.
I’m hoping it’s not a so close,so far scenario though.
A final appearance would be excellent,to win would be superb.
Lovely finish by Toure, but that game must have been brutal to watch going off the highlights.
The inabilty of the team to simply hold onto the ball for more than 5 or so passes was concerning. Especially Bacchus. Replace him with Devlin immediately.
Was it Adam Peacock calling the game last night?
He was thoroughly unimpressed by the antics of the Syrian keeper after a challenge by one of our strikers and the subsequent moaning and carry on that could be heard on the TV and was clearly as a result of having been stabbed on multiple ocassions.
I can confirm it was absolutely atrocious. Only Piscopo and Gersbach had any inclination to have a go at the Syrian defence for most of the game. Syria had a moment or two but were generally very sloppy as well. I fell asleep at the hour mark and woke up thanks to Peacock calling out the Toure goal.
We’re doing just enough to progress but if we qualify for the Olympics it should also be seen as a damning indictment of AFC youth teams.
Possession,which can mostly mean passing across the back,Favoured Ozzie’s.
However 14 shots by Syria and 7 corners.
aAustralia 9 shots and a solitary corner.
I haven’t seen even a highlight of any game,so don’t know what the standards like.
Perhaps a weak group and a favourable draw in the 1/4???
Guaranteed 2 more games and have to win one to have a shot at Gold!
I hope we can do enough and get some players back for Tokyo.
Not sure whether this is the best thread for this, but I found this an interesting and persuasive argument:
I don’t get the continued playing of Baccus. O’Neill was average first game but needs to be playing. Great ball for the goal
I thought Italiano was great the first two games as well. Didn’t feature last night though. Our play has been slow and ponderous for most of the tournament. Could be the conditions, not sure.
Still, when we look to turn the other team quickly and go at goal we aren’t too bad. Just doesn’t happen quickly/often enough.
Ozzie’s V sthKorea semi…this is the real test.
And they failed absolutely miserably. Nothing sums it up more than in the 90th minute, at 2-0 down, we got a corner and inexplicably decided to play it short, then pass it again outside the area. Even Simon Hill sounded extremely frustrated.
Yep, completely outplayed. We were way below the Sth Koreans in every aspect. Not expecting anything different against the Uzbeks unfortunately.
The Uzbeks will smash us. They’re the defending champions and have dominated all tournament and are a little unlucky not to be in final instead.
It’s the result I expected,the development system isn’t producing a lot to be excited about.
Let’s hope they can win the next one and get a Olympic tag on their resumes?
Doing that puts them top 16 at that level and that’s an achievement that plenty of past Aussie teams hasn’t got to.
D’Agostino! What a run! Where the hell is this from him in the A-League?