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World Cup 2018
- Thread starter 22nd Man
- Start date
jb03 said:
When it was time for the subs we were in the game and we’re holding the Danes off. You don’t go putting on a 38yo hoping a cross lands on his head at the risk of getting exposed and copping a goal. Bert wasn’t playing for a draw, Nor were his decisions made to settle for a draw, but there was no way he was going to make a sub that would weaken the teams defensive setup. Conceding a goal meant conceding the World Cup.
It’s really not that hard to understand.
I don't understand the Japanese. They hadn't qualified, but rested some of their best players. It was in their interest to win to be on the better side of the draw. Who would you rather face potentially in the last 16 and quarter finals, England and then one of Sweden or Switzerland, or Belgium and then one of Brazil or Mexico.
Strange decision to not go for the win and win the group and get on the easier side of the draw.
Strange decision to not go for the win and win the group and get on the easier side of the draw.
mrposhman said:
The match itself was weird. They started wasting time with about 10 mins to go. They were 1-0 down as were Senegal playing at the same time. Had Senegal equalised, Japan would have come 3rd on goal difference (I think). For the life of me I couldn't understand why they Japan were doing that.
Prior to the fair play rule. How did it used to be split when you had two teams on equal pts and equal on 'For' and 'Against' Goals?Baloo said:
Nomorewaiting said:
Yes I think there is something in that. It's quite interesting seeing how the predominant way the game is played has evolved differently from country to country. As well as available talent in a country, it's also about getting the balance right between getting the basics right, being part of a team structure (inherently linked to defensive structure) and encouraging individual flair (linked to attacking play).
I'd suggest we are probably strongest on team play and defensive structure, but the other two elements are lacking.
A country worth really looking at, at how they go about the game is Croatia. Only a population of 4.4mil and they seem to really get the balance right. They have elements of that central-eastern European defensive structure and team play, with dogged defense. But at the same time, they foster creative fair, individual brilliance and attacking play from a young age. They play hardly any full team versions of the game until later in age than most countries. Very much small field, small team matches where each player gets more time and space with the ball and is encouraged to experiment with flair and individuality. A lot of Futsal played too.
If Yugoslavia didn't have all of it's ethnic factionalism and fighting, finally resulting in their spectacularly ugly and violent split. I reckon they would have perhaps won a couple of world cups by now.
I think the only reason Croatia has failed to get to the absolute pinnacle of the sport as yet, is due to challenges of a smaller population, hence smaller player pool than the giants. But, they're consistently ranked in the top 10-15 in the world. You'd probably find that Australia actually has a larger playing pool, despite the competition for talent from other football codes.
And I think there are options to get around the competition for talent in Australia. Should all levels switch to summer like the A-League has? This means so many kids playing other football codes get the opportunity to play both (at different times of the year). Might mean a lot of junior and amatuer level played twilight or under lights to avoid heat. Perhaps on the summer theme, in parts of the country where appropriate, a lot of organised small field, small team beach soccer competition would be worth promoting, to foster that individual attacking flair. Works in Brazil. And Croatia use Futsal for this same purpose. Perahps an opportunity for Australian Surf Life Saving Clubs to go into a mutually beneficial relationship with FFA to establish beach soccer as one of the sports offered under their umbrella?
You are onto something there PT.
For a long time coaching in the UK was very traditional. Focused around the basics, defend well, get balls forward, direct, down the wings and get crosses in. Around 10-15 years ago after many abject failures the philosophy was changed and different skillsets were revisited. We are starting to see that now with players playing in the national team with more flair and more individual skill than we have seen rather than the odd one with excellent technical skill sets. The game changed, and England took a long while to change with it.
Australia is partly similar to that but play more of those variants. I think looking at Futsal / beach soccer is an interesting look at things as they do teach different skills than when you play on the larger pitches. The balls are different and certainly focus on different skill sets that can be taken into the longer form of the game. England was very slow on the uptake of futsal, national team was only incorporated in 2003.
Tactics in soccer will only get you so far, the skill level is what sets you apart and its clear from looking at the finalists over the last 20 years that skill levels are what really drive improvements in onfield success.
From an Australia perspective I really do see a lot of similarities with England in terms of old school skill sets, there aren't many players that you look at for Australia that could unlock defences. Even looking back at the previous stars of Australian soccer and the same pattern runs. Kewell was largely defined by pace than ridiculous amounts of skill, hence why when injuries caught up with him, his performances fell off a cliff. Viduka was great but very much an old school type of striker. Emerton similar to Kewell but more structure not as much pace etc etc
For a long time coaching in the UK was very traditional. Focused around the basics, defend well, get balls forward, direct, down the wings and get crosses in. Around 10-15 years ago after many abject failures the philosophy was changed and different skillsets were revisited. We are starting to see that now with players playing in the national team with more flair and more individual skill than we have seen rather than the odd one with excellent technical skill sets. The game changed, and England took a long while to change with it.
Australia is partly similar to that but play more of those variants. I think looking at Futsal / beach soccer is an interesting look at things as they do teach different skills than when you play on the larger pitches. The balls are different and certainly focus on different skill sets that can be taken into the longer form of the game. England was very slow on the uptake of futsal, national team was only incorporated in 2003.
Tactics in soccer will only get you so far, the skill level is what sets you apart and its clear from looking at the finalists over the last 20 years that skill levels are what really drive improvements in onfield success.
From an Australia perspective I really do see a lot of similarities with England in terms of old school skill sets, there aren't many players that you look at for Australia that could unlock defences. Even looking back at the previous stars of Australian soccer and the same pattern runs. Kewell was largely defined by pace than ridiculous amounts of skill, hence why when injuries caught up with him, his performances fell off a cliff. Viduka was great but very much an old school type of striker. Emerton similar to Kewell but more structure not as much pace etc etc
Well I figure Posh. Why not use what outstanding environment we have at our disposal. Australia has so many marvelous beaches. Just another way of expanding our love affair with the beach. Like I say, would love to see the Surf Life Saving Clubs adding beach soccer to the sports under their umbrella, in partnership with FFA and local soccer clubs. No doubt it is already played, but it's not really that formal or mainstream.mrposhman said:
Panthera Tigris said:
I agree beach soccer would be great, follow in the footsteps of the Brazilians.
Australia are already far in front of England in futsal. Qualified for 7 (out of 8) world cups, to Englands zero. Unfortunately they've largely been cannon fodder.
MD Jazz said:
most soccer media pundits, even the 'experts' are cheerleaders. the commentators are shocking. yes they are calling to an aussie audience, but they spend more time cheering and talking the team up than calling the action and analysing the game.
MD Jazz said:
he is our best goal scorer ever, but he is finished. when he came on against Peru he got them worried for a few minutes, but then did nothing. he could have scored except a short cross was terrible but besides that he was a non-event.
we had a guy on the bench who has actually been playing and scoring. he didnt get a run, but noone seems to care about him.
