Socceroos | PUNT ROAD END | Richmond Tigers Forum
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Socceroos

Ian4

BIN MAN!
May 6, 2004
22,180
4,679
Melbourne
Huge game tonight. Saudi Arabia at home. Then China away (but being played in the middle east) on Tuesday night. Win both and Japan drop points against Oman away, then that’ll put us something like 5 points and goal difference ahead of Japan with 4 games left. Big round of qualifiers coming up.

Expect the Saudi’s to park a bus and play for a draw. But after 2 years away from home and close to a full house in Parramatta, I think we’ll get the job done. Even without Mooy and Rogic.
 
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Baloo

Delisted Free Agent
Nov 8, 2005
44,113
18,923
Like our last few games we're rushing it in front of goals. We're dominating the Saudis but we haven't had 1 decent shot on target.

#SackArnie
 

tigerman

It's Tiger Time
Mar 17, 2003
24,150
19,618
Like our last few games we're rushing it in front of goals. We're dominating the Saudis but we haven't had 1 decent shot on target.

#SackArnie
I wish channel 10 would sack Andy Harper, **** he annoys me, surely they can get better expert commentators than him.
 

Baloo

Delisted Free Agent
Nov 8, 2005
44,113
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That was *smile*. Reminds me of when Frank Farina was coach
 
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marella jube

Tiger Champion
Jul 27, 2004
3,269
358
Draw is all we deserved. Ran out of steam & ideas before the Saudis showed glimpses of their quality to create the 2 best chances of the game that Ryan was able to deny. Fortunately there's plenty of matches to play but great improvement required.
 

King Kong

Tiger Legend
Aug 26, 2016
6,127
5,321
Draw is all we deserved. Ran out of steam & ideas before the Saudis showed glimpses of their quality to create the 2 best chances of the game that Ryan was able to deny. Fortunately there's plenty of matches to play but great improvement required.
I watched 5mins of it. Two Saudi players rolled around on the ground in agony after barely being touched................then I turned it off
 

Ian4

BIN MAN!
May 6, 2004
22,180
4,679
Melbourne
I think this result was almost decided at the selection table. The worst 2 players on the pitch last night were Duke and Grant (Arnold’s favourites). Leckie is clearly not match fit and should have come off the bench. How McLaren didn’t get on is a massive mystery. Our midfield was decent, except for being unable to provide that killer ball. At this level, Irvine should have buried his chance.

I’m very disappointed. we have let Japan back into the hunt. it’s probably gonna come down to Japan at home on March 27 (really hope this game is in Melbourne, but it probably won’t be).

I wish channel 10 would sack Andy Harper, **** he annoys me, surely they can get better expert commentators than him.

I'm not a huge fan of Andy Harper, but gee... the CH10 coverage has been nothing short of brilliant. Lot of A-League promotion on the coverage last night as well. They really are taking this seriously.

On a side note, the APL have released a new App called “KEEPUP.” It basically provides Football news, fixtures, live scores, tables, etc, from Australia and around the world. If you download the App and register with KEEPUP, you’re eligible for a free 30 day subscription to Paramount Plus.
 
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AngryAnt

Tiger Legend
Nov 25, 2004
27,017
14,791
I was playing soccer last night so couldn't watch the soccer, but sounds like I didn't miss much
 

Ian4

BIN MAN!
May 6, 2004
22,180
4,679
Melbourne
I was playing soccer last night so couldn't watch the soccer, but sounds like I didn't miss much

It was a decent game for 0-0. Could have easily been 2-2 (although I don’t think the Korean referee had a great game). Saudi Arabia are a resiliant team with a good coach. But after the last 2 games, i really feel like Arnold isn't up to it tactically and at the selection table.
 

Ridley

Tiger Legend
Jul 21, 2003
17,755
15,433
Seemingly the same old perennial issue that has always dogged Socceroo teams; inability to convert scoring chances.
 
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leon

Tiger Legend
Apr 6, 2014
8,903
4,405
Seemingly the same old perennial issue that has always dogged Socceroo teams; inability to convert scoring chances.
Yep, same old. We still lack anyone with the true abilities of a top striker who can really just take their opportunities, and also make opportunities. It's what separates any quality side in this game IMHO. We have only ever produced one such striker *- Mark Viduka - who would set up chances for others to score as well as find them himself on a consistent basis. Although Boyle is good/promising, providing chances that others could not take; when he wasn't being dragged down by Saudi defenders. [ *Add Tim Cahill who was a brilliant header of the ball, but hardly anyone since who is remotely similar?]

But how Hrustic and especially Irvine could not get a shot on target last night from great opportunities is really puzzling for me, as professional players?
Surely McClaren was worth subbing in for the last 15m? There is almost no idea how to set up a cohesive attack under Arnold. Players often fail to utilise someone in a more offensive position like Leckie not switching it back for 2 players running into the box, instead just blasting it at the keeper.

But Saudis were allowed to kill so much time with flops and dives as if shot. Then, after lengthy injury stoppages, we only get 3m extra time. The refereeing and time-keeping in this sport is a complete joke e.g. watch the faking players soon jump up and start running hard after the ball when their theatricals are ignored and ref says 'play on'!

And agree on Harper; seems to be a mumbler to me.
 
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AngryAnt

Tiger Legend
Nov 25, 2004
27,017
14,791
Yep, same old. We still lack anyone with the true abilities of a top striker who can really just take their opportunities, and also make opportunities. It's what separates any quality side in this game IMHO. We have only ever produced one such striker *- Mark Viduka - who would set up chances for others to score as well as find them himself on a consistent basis. Although Boyle is good/promising, providing chances that others could not take; when he wasn't being dragged down by Saudi defenders. [ *Add Tim Cahill who was a brilliant header of the ball, but hardly anyone since who is remotely similar?]

But how Hrustic and especially Irvine could not get a shot on target last night from great opportunities is really puzzling for me, as professional players?
Surely McClaren was worth subbing in for the last 15m? There is almost no idea how to set up a cohesive attack under Arnold. Players often fail to utilise someone in a more offensive position like Leckie not switching it back for 2 players running into the box, instead just blasting it at the keeper.

But Saudis were allowed to kill so much time with flops and dives as if shot. Then, after lengthy injury stoppages, we only get 3m extra time. The refereeing and time-keeping in this sport is a complete joke e.g. watch the faking players soon jump up and start running hard after the ball when their theatricals are ignored and ref says 'play on'!

And agree on Harper; seems to be a mumbler to me.

Cahill was a freak - starting out an attacking and goal scoring mid, then scoring headers for fun for Millwall and Everton, then for Australia in the latter days of his career. He really got screwed by that coach in the last World Cup, could have made it out of the group if he'd been given a chance.
 
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Baloo

Delisted Free Agent
Nov 8, 2005
44,113
18,923
Cahill was a freak - starting out an attacking and goal scoring mid, then scoring headers for fun for Millwall and Everton, then for Australia in the latter days of his career. He really got screwed by that coach in the last World Cup, could have made it out of the group if he'd been given a chance.
yeah nah. Loved Timmy but he just didn't have it anymore. Impact off the bench for the last 20mins at best, but even then you'd need to consider the merits of bringing in a pensioner.
 

AngryAnt

Tiger Legend
Nov 25, 2004
27,017
14,791
yeah nah. Loved Timmy but he just didn't have it anymore. Impact off the bench for the last 20mins at best, but even then you'd need to consider the merits of bringing in a pensioner.
boooo

we had no real striker that cup. We relied on Jedinak to score from penalties which he was damn good at but that's not enough. An aging and half crocked Cahill still would have knocked in a few headers even playing 20 minutes a game.

Besides that, that dutch coach was shyte. He was so bad I can't even remember his name.
 

Baloo

Delisted Free Agent
Nov 8, 2005
44,113
18,923
Besides that, that dutch coach was shyte. He was so bad I can't even remember his name.

Agree. He was crap. But Timmy was past it. He just couldn't get to the right spots anymore for the headers. His timing and evasive skills were just as important as his leap, accuracy and power with the head. It's the timing and ability to lose his man that Cahill had lost.
 
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