World Cup Draw - Round 4

[The Coon Dog]

Re: World Cup Draw - Round 4

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]

Re: World Cup Draw - Round 4

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]

Re: World Cup Draw - Round 4

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

Was the goal for his team?

[Mantis]

Re: World Cup Draw - Round 4

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]

Re: World Cup Draw - Round 4

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]

Re: World Cup Draw - Round 4

Ticket has gone.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: World Cup Draw - Round 4

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]

Re: World Cup Draw - Round 4

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]

Re: World Cup Draw - Round 4

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.

[LostDoggy]

Re: World Cup Draw - Round 4

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]

Re: World Cup Draw - Round 4

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.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: World Cup Draw - Round 4

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

Wikipedia - 2010 World Cup

[LostDoggy]

Re: World Cup Draw - Round 4

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]

Re: World Cup Draw - Round 4

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.