The first half was 60% Roar. In the first 30 seconds, Murdocca got an early break and took the ball forward and to the right of goal. Wellington showed its hand by getting two onto the man with the ball. However, Murdocca's neat cut back and shot forced the bast save of the match from Paston.
For most of the rest of the match the Roar couldn't get near the goal. The exceptions came towards the end of the half when Miller took a free kick that forced Pasten to palm the ball to his left and McCloughan's get headed goal.
There was also McKay's great run from the left in towards goal deep into the penalty with a great cross for Van Dijk who over-ran the tap in. And deep into the second half, after he had come on for Smits, Reinaldo somehow was able to run the ball through the Wellington defence, run in from the right and cut back for Murdocca - who failed to use the time on his side - blasted wide.
In a mirror of Aloisi starting on the bench for Sydney, the big news was that Reinaldo was to start on the bench. By the time he did come on the Roar were in this business of closing out the match. And while his touch looked good, there was little forward momentum. And he was unable to copy Aloisi. But the 3 points were the same.
It is interesting that Herbert keeps players of the capability of Bertos and Daniel on his bench regularly. Only when they came on did Wellington look like scoring.
For the Roar both Smits and Van Dijk lacked the strength to force a goal. Charlie Miller was not able to really leave his mark on the game, although he looks better in midfield than up front. And the Roar were better for McKay getting more of the game as a result. Packer played well and made runs up the left. Mundy also impressed with his second game, this time we saw him run with the ball and shoot. Tiatto doesn't have anywhere near the impact he did last year and he limped off with a hamstring injury early in the first half. Van Dijk was stretchered off late in the game and could be out next week.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
CCM 1 V Jets 0, Victory 0 V Sydney 2
Matt Simon from CCM and Evan Berger from Victory are the stand outs for their teams. It is a credit to CCM and Victory that they have invested in these players without immediate payout to ultimately produce 2 new stars.
Simon was the difference against Newcastle this week, crossing the ball to set-up the goal. And while Berger was on the losing side, he was the best player on the park.
-----------------------------
The Women's league kicked off this weekend. I wonder if there is a salary cap system in the W-League? FFA said this week that they don't see the league making money for a while. I watched a bit of on the ABC - Syd v Perth. 835 people watched Roar beat Adelaide 4-1. I suspect that the w-league will be more open and less defensive than the A-L. Also I expect that there will be a wide gap between the team skill sets.
Simon was the difference against Newcastle this week, crossing the ball to set-up the goal. And while Berger was on the losing side, he was the best player on the park.
-----------------------------
The Women's league kicked off this weekend. I wonder if there is a salary cap system in the W-League? FFA said this week that they don't see the league making money for a while. I watched a bit of on the ABC - Syd v Perth. 835 people watched Roar beat Adelaide 4-1. I suspect that the w-league will be more open and less defensive than the A-L. Also I expect that there will be a wide gap between the team skill sets.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Weekend
An amazing weekend. Newcastle look top class again. Wellington hold off CCM. Perth time out Sydney. 3 of the bottom 4 beat 3 of the top 4.
Only the Roar miss out. The stress and fustration at Lang Park in Brisbane was palpable. While Roar fans are used to their team dominating and drawing or losing. This match was different. The Roar did not dominate, byenlarge their attacks were muted and almost all shots from far out and wide.
Specifically, Reinaldo had two opportunitiesto beat the keeper to the ball and certainly score. Both times he got there second. The second time he had a shorter distance to the ball. He looked hestitant and lacking confidence. Miller, who has been a revolation, was in obvious pain and after an initial burst played a muted role in the game. For too long the Roar looked a man short. Tiatto too was not effective in attack and tried to do too much himself, he was however solid in defence.
They have locked in their players to protect against raids from Gold Coast. Maybe by year end they will be looking for options. For this year, the guest player option needs to be looked at.
The Roar now play Wellington in Wellington. The underperforming Wellington has turned their home ground into fortress. The Roar must do the same. But they also now beat Wellington. They don't want to be facing their next home game (against Melbourne) in last place.
Only the Roar miss out. The stress and fustration at Lang Park in Brisbane was palpable. While Roar fans are used to their team dominating and drawing or losing. This match was different. The Roar did not dominate, byenlarge their attacks were muted and almost all shots from far out and wide.
Specifically, Reinaldo had two opportunitiesto beat the keeper to the ball and certainly score. Both times he got there second. The second time he had a shorter distance to the ball. He looked hestitant and lacking confidence. Miller, who has been a revolation, was in obvious pain and after an initial burst played a muted role in the game. For too long the Roar looked a man short. Tiatto too was not effective in attack and tried to do too much himself, he was however solid in defence.
They have locked in their players to protect against raids from Gold Coast. Maybe by year end they will be looking for options. For this year, the guest player option needs to be looked at.
The Roar now play Wellington in Wellington. The underperforming Wellington has turned their home ground into fortress. The Roar must do the same. But they also now beat Wellington. They don't want to be facing their next home game (against Melbourne) in last place.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Roar 0 v Adelaide 1: 'the crowd of people turned away but I just had to look having read the book'
Same old book.
With one difference.
Mark Shield refed his last A-League game and made the clearest mistake of his career. He may blame his linesman. The Adelaide goal was offside.
Cristiano walked back from offside to head the ball in towards the Roar 6 yard box. On the replay the linesman can be seen watching Cristiano making his way back. Offside. Free kick Roar 0-0 game. But no - play on a scrappy goal. At the other end McKay gets in between Adelaide's defenders and heads beautifully over the keeper and into the net. Goal, Roar win 1-0. But no, offside. Was it? No one in the crowd could know because the replay was covered (just in case all the families with their kids their riot - or more likely not come back when they see a ref mistake go against them). The refs need to know the heat is on them if they make a mistake.
The FFA can't afford this type of error. Adelaide represents the upside and the downside of the A-League. It is great and we all celebrate their Asian giant killing. But the A-league needs the exciting teams to win - not the bores. Adelaide came to Brisbane to bore us and why would they care. Roar fans knew it was coming and only 11,100 turned up.
For the Roar, how can a club keep going when it is continually losing on the key decisions at home? Even Foxtel commentators are now making this point.
If there is any bias in a game it must favour the home team. Unfortunately, tonight you can watch the replay of the Adelaide goal and the Roar no goal, the bias - even if that is poor quality refing - favoured the away team.
To the TV viewer at full time it was all smiles and handshakes for Shields. What you didn't see or hear was that he was booed off the ground.
With one difference.
Mark Shield refed his last A-League game and made the clearest mistake of his career. He may blame his linesman. The Adelaide goal was offside.
Cristiano walked back from offside to head the ball in towards the Roar 6 yard box. On the replay the linesman can be seen watching Cristiano making his way back. Offside. Free kick Roar 0-0 game. But no - play on a scrappy goal. At the other end McKay gets in between Adelaide's defenders and heads beautifully over the keeper and into the net. Goal, Roar win 1-0. But no, offside. Was it? No one in the crowd could know because the replay was covered (just in case all the families with their kids their riot - or more likely not come back when they see a ref mistake go against them). The refs need to know the heat is on them if they make a mistake.
The FFA can't afford this type of error. Adelaide represents the upside and the downside of the A-League. It is great and we all celebrate their Asian giant killing. But the A-league needs the exciting teams to win - not the bores. Adelaide came to Brisbane to bore us and why would they care. Roar fans knew it was coming and only 11,100 turned up.
For the Roar, how can a club keep going when it is continually losing on the key decisions at home? Even Foxtel commentators are now making this point.
If there is any bias in a game it must favour the home team. Unfortunately, tonight you can watch the replay of the Adelaide goal and the Roar no goal, the bias - even if that is poor quality refing - favoured the away team.
To the TV viewer at full time it was all smiles and handshakes for Shields. What you didn't see or hear was that he was booed off the ground.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Socceroos 4 v Qatar 0: Wallop
Half hour delay and Pim put McDonald and Kennedy up front with Cahill in behind. The direction: lots of high balls into the box. Result: Qatar can't jump, playing with 2nd goalkeeper who wouldn't make Perth Glory.
Lang Park was heavy and Qatar wanted to cancel. But it dried out well and the cooler wet conditions gave the Socceroos the advantage. Which they leveraged by playing attack for the first half hour.
As it turned out Qatar's highly questionable qualification to this round over Iraq seems to have paid off for the Socceroos. Qatar changing coaches mid stream had me favouring the Socceroos. But they really belted them. Moore, Emerton (with 2 goals), and Cahill (1 goal) stood out. But every Socceroo beat their counter-part. Qatar lone striker - very lonely and missed a sitter near the end - tried diving in the box early on.
Lots of foul play from Qatar and their standin 2nd half captain should have been sent off for 2nd yellow hand ball.
The hard games are Japan and Bahrain. But so far so good.
Lang Park was heavy and Qatar wanted to cancel. But it dried out well and the cooler wet conditions gave the Socceroos the advantage. Which they leveraged by playing attack for the first half hour.
As it turned out Qatar's highly questionable qualification to this round over Iraq seems to have paid off for the Socceroos. Qatar changing coaches mid stream had me favouring the Socceroos. But they really belted them. Moore, Emerton (with 2 goals), and Cahill (1 goal) stood out. But every Socceroo beat their counter-part. Qatar lone striker - very lonely and missed a sitter near the end - tried diving in the box early on.
Lots of foul play from Qatar and their standin 2nd half captain should have been sent off for 2nd yellow hand ball.
The hard games are Japan and Bahrain. But so far so good.
Green (& Gold) Skies Over Brisbane
I was walking up Ann Street with colleague. I decided to turn down through Anzac Square. And I walked straight into that unmistakable beaming face. 'Hey Archie, Archie.' Hey how you going. The other Socceroos thought we knew each other. 'Hey Craig, you going on Friday?' 'Are you' he replied. 'Yes, I'll be there.' 'Yes I going' ... He said more to me but he was up a few steps and I was down a few. I then got carried away and started talking to 'Dwight' when it was Bruce Dijte. 'Hi Josh'. Others marched up the steps past me. I wrapped it up with handshakes with assistant coaches Baan and Ron Smith (formerly of Perth Glory - I made a point of reaching out to him as he has been around the Socceroo and youth Socceroos for years). Arnold was on his mobile and focused away from me.
This morning when this happened it was hot and humid. By the afternoon it was green skies. Plenty of gold moments there too. Seeing the Socceroos with no one else around - that's Brisbane and I forgot my camera. Go guys, go.
This morning when this happened it was hot and humid. By the afternoon it was green skies. Plenty of gold moments there too. Seeing the Socceroos with no one else around - that's Brisbane and I forgot my camera. Go guys, go.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Roar injury list
It had started to look like Charlie Miller was the find of the A-League. He did look unfit and did look a question mark for the heat. But now it isn't clear just how much more will be seen of him. The Roar says he has a hernia and that he is a week-to-week proposition. Hmmm. He does try so hard, really he has looked like he has pushed his body beyond its capability. It really was too much Charlie Miller. Every one wanted to push to him, he wanted to give one more ounce. He was the last of the breed of Scottish greats with a real work ethic. Maybe he went too far. I wish him well.
Luke DeVere did his leg training for the U19s. The U19s won their tournament and it was CCM's 3rd keeper Andrew Redmayne that got them there with 3 penalty saves in a tropical storm. Bosnich's injury gave him a chance in the A-League, maybe that experience made the difference. A star is born?
Sergio Van Dijk has done his leg. I'd like to see Tajh M get a start.
Luke DeVere did his leg training for the U19s. The U19s won their tournament and it was CCM's 3rd keeper Andrew Redmayne that got them there with 3 penalty saves in a tropical storm. Bosnich's injury gave him a chance in the A-League, maybe that experience made the difference. A star is born?
Sergio Van Dijk has done his leg. I'd like to see Tajh M get a start.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)