Monthly Archives: March 2015

Socceroos Mat Ryan and Luke DeVere watch a cross go past as Germany’s Lukas Podolski slides in the background. Photo: Getty Images

Winning is contagious and there is no greater builder of confidence than success – as the Socceroos continue to show.

Twelve months ago Ange Postecoglou’s team was losing pre-World Cup friendlies in London to the likes of Ecuador.

Now, having put up a strong performance in Brazil and won the Asian Cup on home soil, they are capable of going to the home of the world champions, Germany, and taking it right up to the best team on the planet, as they did early on Thursday morning when they came from behind to lead, and then draw, with the Germans.

There was nothing fluky about this 2-2 result and in truth with better finishing the Socceroos could have put the game to bed some time before Lukas Podolksi spared Germany’s blushes with an 81st minute leveller.

Australia almost always (save for those horrific displays against Brazil and France that resulted in 6-0 losses 18 months ago) plays with character and commitment.

Postecoglou geets Germany coach Low. Photo: Getty Images

It showed its traditional virtues once more this morning  by shrugging off the concession of an early goal to regroup, take the game to the world champions and, for much of this fixture, look the likely winners.

Of course Germany have been going through a rocky period since their stunning success in Brazil and their form in European championship qualifiers has not been what might be expected, with draws against Ireland and a loss to Poland amongst recent results.

And Jogi Low picked an experimental side for this game with a number of fresh faces as he seeks to refine his squad for the Euros next year and the World Cup in 2018.

Germany goalkeeper Zieler cannot stop Jedinak’s screamer. Photo: Getty Images

But that takes nothing away from the merit of Australia’s performance. Whichever side Germany puts out is strong. It is a powerhouse of world football precisely because it has such strength in depth with a number of players who would be starters in many other international teams.

And Postecoglou’s hand was not completely full either. Talisman Tim Cahill was a late withdrawal, while regulars Massimo Luongo and Trent Sainsbury were not in the starting line up either.

Postecoglou received any number of plaudits – justifiably – when he guided the Socceroos to that Asian Cup triumph in Sydney six weeks ago.

His aim was not just to win, but to develop an Australian style; one based on pace, power, pressing, passing and, crucially, self belief. Postecoglou wants to develop a squad where the parts are interchangeable; where any one player can come in and do the job of another without the collective losing any quality or efficiency.

He encourages his teams to compete, but also to play football and back themselves, to go into any match believing that they can win even if they are up against the world champions, as they working this morning.

It’s a template that is working, but one that will require continual refinement as new players come in and old stars depart.

Postecoglou and all those within the camp have been reluctant to rest on their laurels since the Asian Cup, which is now seen as the starting point for what the coach and the country hopes will be a new era of success for a new golden generation.

With the World Cup qualifiers now on the horizon the signsare good. But Postecoglou, more than anyone, will not be content unless there is continuous improvement. He has certainly created the mindset within the squad for Australia to believe it can compete against anyone, including the very best.

source:smh.com.au

The honeymoon period is the time when you and your loved one can do no wrong in each other’s eyes – the time when all mistakes and slip-ups are forgiven.

This is the period in which Australian football finds itself in now with its national team.

Ever since the Asian Cup victory, the football community in Australia have been serenading coach Ange Postecoglou with lavish praise of his side’s revival and victory at the Asian Cup – and rightly so.

However football waits for nobody. Postecoglou knows this more than most. He knows his team must keep improving, must keep evolving and must not rest on its collective laurels.

The problem now – just like when Postecoglou first took over – is the Socceroos are back to there default position as the underdogs, the battlers, the team who have to overcome insurmountable odds to win. Another David and Goliath battle awaits the men in green and gold.

So as Australia prepares face the World Cup-winners Germany, where can they find the sling shot and stone?

First of all, Australia are not expected to deviate from the successful 4-3-3 formation that was used to great effect in the Asian Cup. However, Germany too play a version of the same formation – and they won the World Cup with it.

This was employed to play football at its free flowing best, forward passes from the centre backs was a main stay in the entire Asian Cup and Matt Ryan’s role as a sweeper keeper allowed Australia to recycle the ball across the defence to keep possession.

Against Germany, Australia are without Matthew Sprianovic due to a hamstring injury. Alex Wilkinson, the third choice centre back, will fill the position with Trent Sainsbury. Their role is to keep Australia playing forward with passes to the two full back and the playmakers in midfield.

Speaking of midfield, Socceroos’ captain Mile Jedinak is expected to screen in front of defence, breaking up attacks and laying on passes to the playmakers.

This role in a game against such an attacking and fluid team like Germany is going to be vital if the Socceroos are to gain traction in the match. In defence, Jedinak needs to be at his best, as Toni Kroos looks to play the ball into the channels and to the inside forward of Germany.

The role of the full backs in this game will be vital. They offer Australia the width they need when going forward.

They usually receive the ball first from the two centre backs as to stretch opposition midfields. In attack, it is a must that they are able to play the ball to the playmakers in midfield and also the inside forward in attack.

Any loose balls here will be intercepted by the German pressing game and could spell danger if Germany transition quick.

On the other side, the full backs will also need to be astute when it comes to defending. Germany have an array of attacking weapons including their own full backs. They are tasked with getting forward and pulling the Australian midfield out of position to make space for the inside forward to run into.

As for the central midfielders, Australia have their Asian Cup hero Massimo Luongo under an injury cloud but if cleared he should play his Asian Cup role. He needs to be smart with space and time, the German midfielders will press him when the ball is at his feet.

He will need willing intelligent runs to play the ball to, his role is vital to the way the team recycles the ball and the rest of the team will have to make the field as big as possible for him to succeed.

The other central midfielder, either Mark Milligan or Matt McKay, will be tasked with breaking up the flow of the German midfield passers, getting up and down the pitch supporting all aspects of play and recycling the ball to the wingers or the playmakers.

In attack is where we need to be the most potent, for this game Australia is missing a two of their regular front three from the the Asian Cup, Tim Cahill and Robbie Kruse. Nathan Burns looks the most likely to replace Cahill and Tommy Oar or James Troisi will replace Kruse.

The idea of the two inside forwards is to receive the ball, take it inside and play it to the central striker before making runs to a wide position to cross. Second fold is to link up with the midfield and full back and to take the ball wide and cross it into the middle.

The way Australia plays is to get the central striker to have one-on-one chances with the defenders, whether it be in the air or on the ground. Any slight chances Australia gets they will need to be ready to take them, the German defenders will be physical in the tackle and in the air. With the world’s best goalkeeper Manuel Neuer on duty, in-goal crosses and key passes will need to be accurate.

We all know that Australia have a very tough test ahead, but if the Socceroos stick to the game plan which has served them well, then win, lose or draw progress will have been made.

To test yourself against the best in the world is something that does not come around often and the team must relish the chance to put their game plan into action. Australia beat Germany last time they played and both teams now are in very different stages of development, but if the Socceroos can carry their Asian Cup form into this game then the honeymoon can last a while yet.

source:theroar.au

Coach Sergio Markarian has called up Apostolos Giannou of Panionios to replace the Fulham-owned striker.

Olympiakos needs just two wins in its six remaining games to clinch another Super League title mathematically, as it enjoyed another easy home win on Sunday while its rivals lost on the road again. This was the first round of games with only 16 teams, as on Saturday OFI became the second club after Niki Volou to withdraw from the Super League.

The Reds saw off Kerkyra 3-0 in Piraeus thanks to goals by Chori Dominguez, Alberto Botia and Franco Jara, but had striker Costas Mitroglou come off injured in the second half. His injury means he will miss Greece’s game in Hungary a week later and national coach Sergio Markarian has called up Apostolos Giannou of Panionios to replace the Fulham-owned striker.

Panathinaikos suffered its second away loss in the space of four days, as after going down at Atromitos on Wednesday it lost 1-0 at Veria on Sunday to a local side that was clearly superior on the night. Ben Mohamed scored the game’s only goal in the first half, to leave the Greens nine points behind Olympiakos that has a game in hand, too.

PAOK also lost away from home, going down 3-1 at Panthrakikos on Saturday to goals by Nicolas Diguini, Christos Tzanis and Igor de Souza. Dimitris Papadopoulos pulled one back for PAOK.

The battle for the fifth spot, behind Asteras Tripolis that downed relegation-destined Ergotelis 2-1, is really heating up, with four credible challengers for a play-off spot: They are PAS Giannina, Atromitos, Xanthi and Panetolikos, with five rounds of games left to play.

PAS Giannina gets three points from its fixture at OFI, Xanthi downed Atromitos 1-0 in the weekend’s most balanced game, and Panetolikos suffered a shock home loss to Levadiakos with a 1-0 score.

On Monday Platanias hosts Kalloni Lesvou.

Source: Kathimerini

Panathinaikos is now behind Olympiakos.

Greek club Panathinaikos has lost its appeal against a three-point deduction for fan violence at a match against Olympiakos.

The violence at the Feb. 22 game prompted a one-week suspension of the 18-team league, followed by a government decision to ban fans at all stadiums until security standards are improved.

Thursday’s decision by the Greek Football Association leaves Panathinaikos with 58 points, three behind leader Olympiakos, which has played fewer games.

Panathinaikos was also fined 100,000 euros ($108,000) and ordered to play two additional home games without fans. [AP]

Source: Panathinaikos