World Cup Draw - Round 4

[The Coon Dog]

Socceroos set to face Japan (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,23933002-23215,00.html)

Group 1
Australia
Japan
Uzbekistan
Bahrain
Qatar

Group 2
South Korea
Iran
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
North Korea


AFTER surviving the group of death, Australia have become a serious live chance of qualifying for their second successive World Cup finals.

Asia's No.2 ranked team Japan, dark horses Uzbekistan and two teams ranked outside the world's top 70 - Bahrain and Qatar - stand between Australia and a spot at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa after tonight's draw for the final stage of Asian qualifying.

Coach Pim Verbeek believes the Socceroos' two final home matches in June next year will determine Australia's World Cup fate.

Those will be against Bahrain on June 10, followed by a blockbuster on June 17 against Japan - the team the Socceroos beat in the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.

Only the top two teams in each of the two five-team groups qualify automatically as Asia's representatives for the World Cup finals.

But Australia will have the luxury of playing three of their final four group matches at home, though Football Federation Australia yet to decide where the home games will be played.

"We have a very interesting group. We have to work very hard to achieve the final round," Verbeek said tonight.

"My feeling is the final decision (of who qualifies) will be made in the last two home games.

"And that's good. We will be ready."

While Verbeek was publicly saying the group would be difficult to negotiate, it was a draw that could have been far worse.

The Socceroos dodged Iran - their 1997 nemesis in World Cup qualifying - and regular World Cup finalists Saudi Arabia in their group.

As No.1 seeds, Australia also avoided being drawn against second-seeded South Korea, leaving the Socceroos' Group A an easier group on paper than Group B which the other three Asian powerhouses find themselves in.

North Korea and the United Arab Emirates join South Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia in Group B.

Uzbekistan, who scored 15 goals in the previous six-match qualifying stage, loom as the major stumbling block to a Socceroos top two finish.

They will be Australia's opening match opponents away on September 10 - most likely in the Uzbek capital Tashkent.

The Socceroos' matches against Japan will add to the growing rivalry sparked at the last World Cup finals and fanned as the Japanese avenged their defeat in Germany by knocking the Socceroos out of last year's Asian Cup at the quarter-final stage.

More comforting for the Socceroos will be home and away showdowns with Qatar, whom they twice beat convincingly in the previous qualifying stage to finish top of what had been dubbed the "group of death".

The Socceroos also have recent experience against Bahrain, beating them during 2007 Asian Cup qualifying.

The teams that finish third in each group get another chance to make the World Cup finals, playing off over two legs with the winner to play the Oceania champion for a spot in South Africa.

The first World Cup qualifier match day is on September 6, but the top-seeded Socceroos will get a bye before starting their campaign four days later.

As September 6 and 10 are FIFA-sanctioned dates, Verbeek is likely to be able to get his squad together for at least a week prior to playing Uzbekistan.


Draw

2008

Sept 6: Bahrain v Japan, Qatar v Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia v Iran, UAE v North Korea

Sept 10: Uzbekistan v Australia, Qatar v Bahrain, North Korea v South Korea, UAE v Saudi Arabia

Oct 15: Australia v Qatar, Japan v Uzbekistan, South Korea v UAE, Iran v North Korea

Nov 19: Qatar v Japan, Bahrain v Australia, UAE v Iran, Saudi Arabia v South Korea


2009

Feb 11: Uzbekistan v Bahrain, Japan v Australia, North Korea v Saudi Arabia, Iran v South Korea

March 28: Japan v Bahrain, Uzbekistan v Qatar, Iran v Saudi Arabia, North Korea v UAE

April 1: Australia v Uzbekistan, Bahrain v Qatar, South Korea v North Korea, Saudi Arabia v UAE

June 6: Qatar v Australia, Uzbekistan v Japan, UAE v South Korea, North Korea v Iran

June 10: Japan v Qatar, Australia v Bahrain, Iran v UAE, South Korea v Saudi Arabia

June 17: Bahrain v Uzbekistan, Australia v Japan, Saudi Arabia v North Korea, South Korea v Iran

[Chops]

Its a good draw. To avoid Iran, South Korea, UAE, and the Saudis is good.
No excuse from here.

[whythelongface]

Its a good draw. To avoid Iran, South Korea, UAE, and the Saudis is good.
No excuse from here.


We could not have asked for a better draw. None of the games will be easy (especially Uzbekistan and Japan). If we can come away with two wins and a draw in the first 4 games then we should be in a very good position to qualify.

[whythelongface]

Football Federation Australia - South Africa and The Netherlands to face Qantas Socceroos Monday, 7 July 2008
The road to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup is being mapped out at Football Federation Australia (FFA) with the announcement today of two prestigious international matches in August and September to kick-off the next stage of the World Cup qualifying campaign as well as qualifiers for the 2011 Asian Cup, courtesy of FOXTEL.
The Qantas Socceroos will meet the 2010 World Cup hosts, South Africa, in London on 19 August and the Netherlands in Eindhoven on 6 September.
“It’s all part of the road that leads to the door of the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” said FFA CEO, Ben Buckley.
“We said we would leave no stone unturned in doing everything we can off the park to help Australia qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the same goes for the 2011 Asian Cup.
“Coach Pim Verbeek sees these two international matches as important opportunities to get the squad together and to work with the players in a match environment.”
As hosts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa is the only team guaranteed of a berth at the tournament.
“With many of South Africa’s first team players also based in England and elsewhere in Europe, meeting them in London is an efficient and valuable opportunity for both of us,” Buckley said.
The teams last met in 2005 in Durban with a 1-1 draw, but previously met in London in 2004 with Australia winning 1-0.
The Netherlands game will be played four days before Australia’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan on 10 September.
“It’s important that we go into the Uzbekistan game with as much preparation as possible, and playing a team which is ranked 5th in the world and made the quarter finals of Euro 2008 will give us just what we need at that time,” Buckley said.
It is also a warm-up match for the Dutch team which is set to meet Macedonia in a World Cup qualifier on 10 September, and will be the first game with new coach Bert van Marwijk in charge.
Australia has only met the Netherlands once before – in a warm-up match prior to the 2006 FIFA World Cup resulting in a 1-1 draw in a highly competitive workout for both teams.
Australia v South Africa will take place on Tuesday 19 August at Loftus Road, the home ground of Queens Park Rangers, with the kick-off time to be confirmed. Netherlands v Australia will take place at Philips Stadium, Eindhoven, on Saturday 6 September with kick-off time of 8.45pm local.
These two games bring the Qantas Socceroos’ confirmed match schedule over the next 12 months to 12 matches including two Asian Cup qualifiers.
“It’s a busy schedule,” Buckley said. “But it’s also precisely why we wanted to be part of the Asian Football Confederation.
“We have regular, high quality competitive matches with real meaning and real context that fans want to see.”
Buckley said that more competitive matches for the Qantas Socceroos will lead to improved standards and greater growth and development in the game in Australia.
As with all matches in the Qantas Socceroos’ road to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the South African and Netherlands matches will both be shown live and exclusive on FOX Sports. Football Federation, Australia

[The Coon Dog]

Results overnight in our group:

Bahrain 2
Japan 3

Qatar 3
Uzbekistan 0

We play away to Uzbekistan in our first match later this week.

[Chops]

Australia Pass the Dutchy 2-1
Kennedy header, Kewell penalty. Dutch keeper sent off. Huntlaar for the orange.

[whythelongface]

Australia Pass the Dutchy 2-1
Kennedy header, Kewell penalty. Dutch keeper sent off. Huntlaar for the orange.

Good result for Australia - considering it was still a strong Dutch line up with the only notable omissions from the Euro squad being RvN, Sneijder, Robben and Engelaar with Van Der Saar also missing due to retirement. But still it was a strong squad and playing at home you would expect the Dutch to win - playing with 10 in the 2nd half didn't help their cause either.

[dog town]

Any danger of Holman being banished from this side? Surely we have better attacking options?

[The Coon Dog]

Scores overnight were:

Uzbekistan 0
Australia 1

Qatar 1
Bahrain 1


Table:
Qatar 1 1 0 4pts
Japan 1 0 0 3pts
Austr 1 0 0 3pts
Bahra 0 1 1 1pt
Uzbek 0 0 2 0pts

[dog town]

Handy 3 points last night. Didn't think we were all that convincing but given a stomach bug ruled out 2 players from our already depleted squad its a very good result. Bresciano should have ended it just before the break. Not sure what he was thinking.

[Sedat]

Handy 3 points last night. Didn't think we were all that convincing but given a stomach bug ruled out 2 players from our already depleted squad its a very good result. Bresciano should have ended it just before the break. Not sure what he was thinking.
Uzbek's first loss at home in 17 matches and 7 years apparently. Outstanding result all things considered.

[Chops]

Great result. Not sure about our defence though.

[hujsh]

I read that the defence was pretty solid but didn't watch so can't really say for myself

[Chops]

You're probably right and I'm wrong.
Only saw the highlights. I based my observation what I saw of Uzbeks chances and from what I know about the past. Still not that confident about the defence.

[Mantis]

Handy 3 points last night. Didn't think we were all that convincing but given a stomach bug ruled out 2 players from our already depleted squad its a very good result. Bresciano should have ended it just before the break. Not sure what he was thinking.

I don't think he was, on that basis he would walk into the Bulldogs team.

Terrific result, any points away from home are worth there weight in gold. Good to see a draw in the other match which also helps our chances.

4 more wins and we are off to Sth Africa.

[Topdog]

Yep fantastic result. The Qatar - Behrain result was very surprising and may help us out greatly.

[The Coon Dog]

Heavy rain in Brisbane. A pitch inspection has been completed & at this stage kick off between Australia & Qatar has been delayed half an hour. There will be a further pitch inspection in 15 mins.

[The Coon Dog]

Australia 4 (Tim Cahill 9, Brett Emerton 16 Pen, Brett Emerton 59, Josh Kennedy 76)
Qatar 0

[FrediKanoute]

Australia 4 (Tim Cahill 9, Brett Emerton 16 Pen, Brett Emerton 59, Josh Kennedy 76)
Qatar 0

Great result! Maximum points from our first two games. If we can win the one in Nov against Bahrain we will have 1 foot in Sth Africa

[The Coon Dog]

Japan 1
Uzbekistan 1


Table

AUSTR 2 0 0 - 5 0 - 6
JAPAN 1 1 0 - 4 2 - 4
QATAR 1 1 1 - 4 5 - 4
BAHRA 0 1 1 - 3 4 - 1
UZBEK 0 1 2 - 1 5 - 1

[Scraggers]

Great result! Maximum points from our first two games. If we can win the one in Nov against Bahrain we will have 1 foot in Sth Africa

Is that game in Australia or Bahrain ??

[The Coon Dog]

Is that game in Australia or Bahrain ??

Post #1 has the draw, but to answer your question, it's away.

[Chops]

The Qatar side are terrible. Not sure how they got into this round.
Their keeper last night was worst than many keepers I've played with at Amateur level. I've never seen a keeper wear the no.2 and he played like he was a number 2.
Without a doubt the best performer for Qatar was coach Bruno Metsu's hair.
Its beautiful and was unaffected by the rain.

Back to the game.
First goal came after Cahill ghosted in at the back post unmarked with a left foot first time shot. Cross from Wilkshire, headed on by Carney then Kennedy.
Second goal was a soft penalty for mine. Cahill pushed in the process of having what would have been a miracle goal. Emerton's penalty went through the keeper's hands.
Third goal was probably the best. The build up on left was pretty good. Kennedy knocked it on to Emerton who first time right foot shot across his body was tipped by keeper(no fault here) but still went in.
The last goal was all the keeper's fault. Came off his line to challenge when there was no chance of getting it and in the process eliminated himself from the play. Soft header from Kennedy, cross Wilkshire.

The centre forward for Qatar missed a sitter. Not all that convinced on the defence, still have defensive lapses. Moore is solid but slow and Neill isn't great one on one.

[Scraggers]

Post #1 has the draw, but to answer your question, it's away.

It would help if I learned how to read :o

[bigwoofa]

The centre forward for Qatar missed a sitter. Not all that convinced on the defence, still have defensive lapses. Moore is solid but slow and Neill isn't great one on one.

I agree with you here.... Does anybody know is R.Vargas is Aussie? Wouldnt mind if we gave him a chance :o or even bring back J.North

[hujsh]

I agree with you here.... Does anybody know is R.Vargas is Aussie? Wouldnt mind if we gave him a chance :o or even bring back J.North

Yes he is.
I'd prefer Spiranovic

[bigwoofa]

Yes he is.
I'd prefer Spiranovic

There alike players, i just love how hard Vargas is at the ball and would of thought he deserved a chance.

But saying that Pim has a negative look at the A Leauge ( which i dont blame him for ) and isnt really looking at picking them up .

[Chops]

There alike players, i just love how hard Vargas is at the ball and would of thought he deserved a chance.

But saying that Pim has a negative look at the A Leauge ( which i dont blame him for ) and isnt really looking at picking them up .

He picked Cornthwaite (who is a dud) and 3 other Adelaide United players in the train on squad. Moore played and he has been at QLD for 2 years.
He is right about the A-league anyway. Vargas deserved a go cos others from the A-league are worse but he isn't up to international standard.

Pim is way better than Arnold but not a top line world coach.

[dog town]

I am a touch worried about our game this week. Few key players out and a chance we might be complacent which wold be disastrous in such foreign conditions. A win here would set us right up bt a loss will put us back in the pack.

[Mantis]

We will be adding players of the quality of Kewell, Bresciano & Cullina into the team from our last outing.

If our defence holds up (which is a big if) we have enough quality up front to do some damage.

[The Coon Dog]

Japan v Australia

Wed Feb 11

8.30pm

Fox Sports

Should be a ripper game & hopefully we can take at least a point away from Japan.

[hujsh]

Japan v Australia

Wed Feb 11

8.30pm

Fox Sports

Should be a ripper game & hopefully we can take at least a point away from Japan.

Beat them and top two is looking good

[Mantis]

Japan v Australia

Wed Feb 11

8.30pm

Fox Sports

Should be a ripper game & hopefully we can take at least a point away from Japan.

Mission accomplished.

It wasn't pretty to watch, but we kept another clean sheet and achieved the desired result.

Let's hope the Bahrain v Uzbek game being played shortly results in another draw.

[The Coon Dog]

Mission accomplished.

It wasn't pretty to watch, but we kept another clean sheet and achieved the desired result.

Let's hope the Bahrain v Uzbek game being played shortly results in another draw.

Terrific result for the Socceroos. As you say, not pretty, but a mature performance.

[strebla]

Had to tape it very ordinary but a good result nonetheless

[The Coon Dog]

The other group game finished Uzbekistan 0 Bahrain 1.

Here's an updated table at the half way point:

AUSTR 3-1-0--6/0--10
JAPAN 2-2-0--7/3--8
BAHRA 1-1-2--4/5--4
QATAR 1-1-2--4/8--4
UZBEK 0-1-3--1/6--1

[Chops]

I honestly think Japan are overated. Australia played for the draw, shown by playing 1 striker who isn't really a full time striker anyway. At home in front of 70K and against an Australia side with little or no prep, it took them til 70min to force Schwarzer to make a save. Even that one above his head and very savable. They then missed a free header (easily over bar) and later a ricohet that troubled us.
They got around the back numerous times, our back line is slow but rarely put a decent ball in.
Nakumara, so much for his free kick skills. Can't claim to be top line if you are playing in the Scottish football leagues.

[Chops]

The other group game finished Uzbekistan 0 Bahrain 1.

Here's an updated table at the half way point:

AUSTR 3-1-0--6/0--10
JAPAN 2-2-0--7/3--8
BAHRA 1-1-2--4/5--4
QATAR 1-1-2--4/8--4
UZBEK 0-1-3--1/6--1

That is a great result for Australia too, I'd say 1 more win and we are in South africa.
We have 4 games left with 3 at home.

[The Coon Dog]

Overnight results in our group:

Japan 1
Bahrain 0

Uzbekistan 4
Qatar 0


Updated Table:

JAPAN 3-2-0--8/3--11
AUSTR 3-1-0--6/0--10
UZBEK 1-1-3--5/6--4
BAHRA 1-1-3--4/6--4
QATAR 1-1-3--4/12--4


Remaining games in the group:

April 1: Australia v Uzbekistan, Bahrain v Qatar
June 6: Qatar v Australia, Uzbekistan v Japan
June 10: Japan v Qatar, Australia v Bahrain
June 17: Bahrain v Uzbekistan, Australia v Japan

* A win against the Uzbeki's on Wednesday night in Sydney will all but guarantee the Socceroos a World Cup berth in South Africa next year. A win would take Australia to 13 points with 3 games remaining. The bottom 3 teams in the group are all on 4 points with Bahrain & Qatar playing each other on Wednesday. If they draw that game & Australia win, we qualify!

[Mantis]

Big game tonight.

Win and we can just about book our tickets to Sth.Africa.

Looks like we will have an almsot full strength squad (bar Emerton & Moore - Viduka??) to pick from which has been a rarity. I think they will start Kewell & McDonald up front and look to add Kennedy and Timmy to the mix in the 2nd half.

Let's hope we score early and we play with some attacking flair.

[craigsahibee]

We have gone from fighting for the last place available to potentially being the first team to qualify.

Good idea moving into Asia.

[The Underdog]

Josh Kennedyyyyyyyyyy

[The Coon Dog]

Australia 2 (Kennedy 66, Kewell Pen. 73)
Uzbekistan 0

All but there!!

A draw between Qatar & Bahrain later tonight & the Socceroos will have qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

[The Coon Dog]

Bahrain defeated Qatar 1-0 in the other group game.

Updated Table:

AUSTR 4-1-0--8/0--13
JAPAN 3-2-0--8/3--11
BAHRA 2-1-3--5/6--7
UZBEK 1-1-4--5/8--4
QATAR 1-1-4--4/13--4

With 3 games remaining Australia needs just 1 point to qualify.

[Mantis]

Has anyone else applied for tickets for the WC via the FIFA website?

I heard on SEN this morning that in the first batch of online applications 1.6 million people from 205 countries have requested tickets. Not counting the host country Australia ranks 5th in ticket requests.

[Lantern]

Has anyone else applied for tickets for the WC via the FIFA website?

I heard on SEN this morning that in the first batch of online applications 1.6 million people from 205 countries have requested tickets. Not counting the host country Australia ranks 5th in ticket requests.

Yep. Taking my father. Hope we don't get mugged.

Last World Cup I applied for quite a few games but only got nominated for one, which I duly sold on ebay, using the proceeds to buy, on ebay, a ticket for a game I did want to go to. Bought all my tickets on ebay at the end of the day (all the Aussie games, a couple of other first rounders, a quarterfinal, and the semis between Italy and Germany).

Probably will have to rely on ebay again this time, except that I doubt that internet coverage is as good in SA as it was in Germany (was bidding for tickets on the day of games!), so that'll be a challenge...

[The Coon Dog]

Australia can become first team to qualify for South Africa 2010 World Cup (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25582345-5014539,00.html)


After so many cruel last-gasp World Cup qualifying failures, Australia can become the first nation to qualify for the South Africa 2010 World Cup on Sunday (EST).

With the top two teams from Asia's group A set to advance, a draw against Qatar in Doha would be enough to guarantee the Socceroos of an automatic ticket to South Africa.

This joyous passage would come as a stark contrast for Australia football fans who watched the Socceroos struggle to a heart-stopping penalty shootout win over Uruguay to qualify for Germany 2006.

With qualifying still in its interim stages in the conferences of Africa, CONCACAF, Europe and South America, they could also become the first nation to officially secure a position in the 32-team tournament.

Whether the Socceroos qualify first or second will depend on the result of the Uzbekistan v Japan qualifier two hours earlier in Tashkent, where a win for Japan would see them seal the first South Africa spot.

While John Aloisi's famous penalty-spot winner is remembered as one of Australia's great modern sporting moments, the current qualification route has proved much easier on blood pressure levels around the nation.

FIFA's 2005 decision to allow the Australia to qualify directly through Asia has provided the Socceroos with consistent rigorous competition, as opposed to their previous route through the Oceania Football Confederation.

Previously, Australia would frequently finish at the top of the Oceania conference, only to be shipped off to play the fifth-best South American team.

The rapid step up in quality resulted in heart-breaking qualification failures against Argentina for the USA 1994 World Cup, Iran (France 1998), and Uruguay (Japan/Korea 2002).

The Asian qualifying tournament has rewarded the team for consistent group performances and allowed coach Pim Verbeek to experiment with different squad combinations.

If a point is secured against Qatar, final World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain on June 10, then Japan on June 17, will determine whether Australia qualify first or second in group A - they currently hold a slender one-point advantage over Japan.

But what's already assured, is that the Socceroos have been given their best preparation for a World Cup tilt since their first qualifying campaign in 1966.


* The game will be televised on Sunday morning by Fox Sports at 2am.

[The Coon Dog]

Results overnight:

QATAR 0
AUSTRALIA 0

UZBEKISTAN 0
JAPAN 1


What does that mean?

It means Australia & Japan have both qualified for the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa!


Table:

AUSTR 4-2-0--8/0--14
JAPAN 4-2-0--9/3--14
BAHRA 2-1-3--5/6--7
QATAR 1-2-4--4/13--5
UZBEK 1-1-2--5/9--4

[Scraggers]

Australia can become first team to qualify for South Africa 2010 World Cup (http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25582345-5014539,00.html)


After so many cruel last-gasp World Cup qualifying failures, Australia can become the first nation to qualify for the South Africa 2010 World Cup on Sunday (EST).


Due to timetabling we actually became the second team to qualify ... with Japan winning their game guaranteeing their spot in the World Cup 2010

[angelopetraglia]

Great to be part of the biggest sporting show on earth again.

So different to last times qualification.

We have gone from being the last team to qualify in a dramatic penalty shoot out with half the country watching to a non-fuss 2nd team to qualify with hardly anyone watching.

All these tough qualifying games together over the last few years, will make us stronger. Can't wait for the final draw to see what group we get into it. Hopefully Cahill and Kewell can stay fit as they will be the key to our team in 2010.

South Africa 2010 ... bring it on!

[The Coon Dog]

I'll keep a list here of all the countries who qualify for the 2010 World Cup:

1 - South Africa
2 - Japan
3 - Australia
4 - South Korea
5 - Holland
6 - North Korea

[Chops]

Who is going next wednesday for Australia vs Japan?
I'm not but I'm wondering how it should go considering its a dead rubber for both sides.
I think its time to blood some youth and squad players for the WC.

[The Coon Dog]

Who is going next wednesday for Australia vs Japan?
I'm not but I'm wondering how it should go considering its a dead rubber for both sides.
I think its time to blood some youth and squad players for the WC.

We play Bahrain on Wednesday.

[Chops]

We play Bahrain on Wednesday.

I know. A week later Japan in Melbourne. Bahrain might be a chance still for 3rd in a playoff?

[lemmon]

Hopefully we'll play some attacking football and blood some of the young fellas in the remaining rubbers, so far we have managed to squeak through but the football we have been playing wont win us any games in the main tournament.

[The Underdog]

A really great effort, not the excitement/pants wetting of last time but come next year it'll be awesome as all hell. Pim's had a lot of criticism of the way they play but he's got them there

[The Coon Dog]

Results overnight in our group:

Australia 2
Bahrain 0

Japan 1
Qatar 1

Updated Table:

AUSTR 5-2-0--10/0--17
JAPAN 4-3-0--10/4--15
BAHRA 2-1-4--5/8--7
QATAR 1-3-4--5/14--6
UZBEK 1-1-2--5/9--4

[comrade]

Brett Holman reminds me of Jarrod Harbrow - he’s quick and sneaky and takes the game on but lacks some polish, that will improve with more game time.

[Mantis]

Brett Holman reminds me of Jarrod Harbrow - he’s quick and sneaky and takes the game on but lacks some polish, that will improve with more game time.

No thanks.

Holman has the touch of a rapist. How he gets a game amazes me.

[comrade]

No thanks.

Holman has the touch of a rapist. How he gets a game amazes me.

Hilarious, but harsh :)

He did butcher at times, but he got himself into some dangerous positions. Who does he play for at club level?

[The Coon Dog]

Who does he play for at club level?

AZ Alkmaar in Holland, though he has only played 17 times this season for 1 goal.

[Mantis]

He did butcher at times, but he got himself into some dangerous positions.

He did and does. He played a nice ball thru to McDonald (who should have scored), but in general his touch was very heavy.

He needs to find a way to make the most of his opportunities if he wants to be a permanant fixture in the team. Over the past couple of years I have been watching him I see no signs of improvement as he still finds himself in good attacking postions, but then either fluffs the shot on goal or loses possession thru poor control.

[Sockeye Salmon]

AZ Alkmaar in Holland, though he has only played 17 times this season for 1 goal.

Was the goal for his team?

[Mantis]

Who is going next wednesday for Australia vs Japan?
I'm not but I'm wondering how it should go considering its a dead rubber for both sides.
I think its time to blood some youth and squad players for the WC.

I am going.

Not really happy that Kewell isn't playing would have been great to watch him in action. Conversely happy that Holman is being rested, I don't think I could sit through him muffing chance after chance.

[Mantis]

Fellow WOOF'ers,

As at 10.10 I have one spare ticket to off-load for tonight's game.

The seat is in the MCC and I am willing to sell it at a reduced cost. If you are interested send me a PM.

[Mantis]

Ticket has gone.

[The Coon Dog]

Took The Coon Pup along tonight to watch the Socceroos (a first for him). Great atmosphere.

The first half was a bit disappointing & perhaps the best thing that happened was Japan scoring before half time. It forced Australia to attack a little more & BANG, BANG the scourge of Japan, Tim Cahill struck twice as he did in Germany.

If Australia want to get to the last 16 in South Africa & then go further, they are going to have to play much better than tonight.

AUSTRALIA 2
JAPAN 1

[Sockeye Salmon]

Australia are slow, slow, slow. Japan were all over us in the middle of the pitch.

I think we're miles behind where the team was last world cup and it could get ugly if we have to play Brazil or Italy this time.

Kennedy was fantastic on his own up front.

Cahill only touched the ball twice but they were both reasonable touches.


When is Brett Emerton expected back?

[Remi Moses]

Went also tonight pleasing result first half looked a touch like we've already made it.
The second half was a top performance. Tim Cahill clearly one of our countries best sportsmen
We're going to try and scrap results in South Africa,as we're not world class. The second round would be a very good result.I just don't understand the thinking as we have lower league players playing for our national side.

[Chops]

The second half was a top performance.
Not really. the only thing that saved face for Australia was 2 set pieces. Otherwise it was pretty poor. The result means everything but you can't rely on that sort of play against quality opposition. Japan aren't that good.

So slow, ball movement and player movement. Neill wants 10 touches everytime he has it. Carle is just too slow for international level and I'm not sure how you can groom a lanky/clumsy player (Williams) for a position that required quick mind and feet. Not one players outside the 06 squad has stood up to say they deserve to play.

As expected they scored from 2 set pieces, the second one you can give it to the opposition keeper as he was flapping at butterflies.

[Mantis]

As with others I was pretty disappointed with the performance last night, but I don't think this was unexpected considering we were without 6 or 7 first choice players and probably 2 or 3 of our better replacements. I think this performance exposed the lack of real depth we have at present.

Long term or even post the next WC we look to be in a little bit of strife as there doesn't seem to be the quality coming through, but I still think with our best team on the park we can cause some concern for opposing teams at the WC.

Anyway I think Verbeek and his team have done a great job in qualifying for the WC in such clinical fashion and once you are there anything can happen.

[aker39]

Anyway I think Verbeek and his team have done a great job in qualifying for the WC in such clinical fashion and once you are there anything can happen.


The draw for the finals will be very important.

My understanding is that SA (as host) will be one of the seeded countries, so if we are lucky enough to draw them in our group as the seeded team, will would avoid others like Brazil, France & Germany etc

[The Coon Dog]

Here's a terrific site with lots of useful information about the 2010 World Cup:

Wikipedia - 2010 World Cup (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup)

[Chops]

The draw for the finals will be very important.

My understanding is that SA (as host) will be one of the seeded countries, so if we are lucky enough to draw them in our group as the seeded team, will would avoid others like Brazil, France & Germany etc

I don't think SA at home will be an easy game. Hosts always do well. No other easy games either as we will be seeded in the 3rd or 4th teams.

I prefer we play the tough sides to see where we are at. We should have beaten Brazil last World Cup.

[Rocco Jones]

I don't think SA at home will be an easy game. Hosts always do well. No other easy games either as we will be seeded in the 3rd or 4th teams.

I prefer we play the tough sides to see where we are at. We should have beaten Brazil last World Cup.

I prefer to play the tough sides during friendlies, you avoid the tougher side for as long as you can when it matters. If we keep on progressing, it in itself will show us where we are at.

I would much prefer to play SA in SA than any of the other A Potters. The majority seems most concerned with who we get from Pot A but I placed a lot more importance in who we get from Pot B/C. Two teams qualify from each group and I really don't care if we qualify as 1st or 2nd. I would much rather be in a group with the best side and a poor Pot B/C team than have an average Pot A and strong Pot B/C team/s. Getting South Africa (assuming they are top seeds) would be the only exception to this rule. They are poo.