Official Asian Cup Thread

[kevrenor]

Not Australia, but Group A opponents meet tonight in Bangkok.

After 12 mins Thailand are leading Iraq 1-0 from a penalty. 32 mins now 1-1. Full time 1-1 - suits us. Both teams competitive and attack minded.

Useful links

Results, reports and tables:
www.afcasiancup.com/en/#scores

Fans zone:
www.the-afc.com/english/fanclub/asiancup2007/

4-4-2
au.fourfourtwo.com/asiancup.aspx

Back-of-the-net
spirit.webcity.com.au/AFN/2006-2007/AC/ac07.htm

[kevrenor]

Well, well, Japan held to 1-1 also, in Hanoi. I saw a bit of the game and Japan dominated but good defence and wayward shooting kept them to 1. Then a stupid foul in the 88th and the Qatar import from South America Sebastian Quintana scored.

It would seem that this tournament is wide open. Will be interesting to see other groups in the next few days.

Back-of-the-net reports from our man in Bangkok: spirit.webcity.com.au/AFN/2006-2007/AC/ac07.htm

Kevrenor

Useful links

Results, reports and tables:
www.afcasiancup.com/en/#scores

Fans zone:
www.the-afc.com/english/fanclub/asiancup2007/

4-4-2
au.fourfourtwo.com/asiancup.aspx

[marinermick]

Also saw the match. Japan will be kicking themselves as they totally dominated. How they didn't score the winner in injury time is beyond me.

Great freekick by Qatar.

Also Matthew Breeze was in the action by that red card and the ejection of the Qatar coach - both totally justified.

[kevrenor]

marinermick said:

Also saw the match. Japan will be kicking themselves as they totally dominated. How they didn't score the winner in injury time is beyond me.

Great freekick by Qatar.

Also Matthew Breeze was in the action by that red card and the ejection of the Qatar coach - both totally justified.

Yeah Breeze did a good job. I must say I thought the Sheychelles (sp?) ref was pretty good too.

[honey soy]

kevrenor said:

Then a stupid foul in the 88th and the Qatar import from South America Sebastian Quintana scored.

I know this is off the thread topic but it reminded me of something my mum and I were talking about last week.

Can you play football for any country if they give you citizenship?

Do countries make up their own rules for allowing players into their teams or does FIFA have rules?

[kevrenor]

thetis said:

kevrenor said:

Then a stupid foul in the 88th and the Qatar import from South America Sebastian Quintana scored.

I know this is off the thread topic but it reminded me of something my mum and I were talking about last week.

Can you play football for any country if they give you citizenship?

Do countries make up their own rules for allowing players into their teams or does FIFA have rules?

A little complicated, esp. 'cos FIFA make the rules. If you are a citizen you can play for your "country", including some countries but not nations in places like Wales, Scotland, Tahiti, etc. BUT if you have played for your country at full senior adult level in a full international as an adult (over 18) then you are tied.

Dual nationality can confuse the issue until somone chooses - such as playing Spiranovic in a full Socceroo game would tie him to Australia and not allow him to play for Croatia (or vice versa).

For example Tim Cahill played for Samoa at full adult level, but as he was a minor the new FIFA rules allowed him to choose in later life.

[honey soy]

kevrenor said:

A little complicated, esp. 'cos FIFA make the rules. If you are a citizen you can play for your "country", including some countries but not nations in places like Wales, Scotland, Tahiti, etc. BUT if you have played for your country at full senior adult level in a full international as an adult (over 18) then you are tied.

Dual nationality can confuse the issue until somone chooses - such as playing Spiranovic in a full Socceroo game would tie him to Australia and not allow him to play for Croatia (or vice versa).

For example Tim Cahill played for Samoa at full adult level, but as he was a minor the new FIFA rules allowed him to choose in later life.

Thanks heaps. That is quite complex, especially the nation versus country aspect.

[Pete]

thetis said:

Thanks heaps. That is quite complex, especially the nation versus country aspect.

Not really if you look at the determined independance of the likes of Scotland and Wales, esp. in the area of Football.
Even with the 2012 Olympics at London, they will not be fielding a United Kingdom football side, (Scotland and Wales aren't recognised by the IOC). Scotland and Wales would prefer their players to miss out on the Olympics than get together with England for a one off (they see it as a threat to their own Football Associations' independence).
And look at how quickly Yuogslavia dissolved when the autocratic regime that held it together, fell apart after the death of Tito.

[kevrenor]

petethebusdriver said:

thetis said:

Thanks heaps. That is quite complex, especially the nation versus country aspect.

Not really if you look at the determined independance of the likes of Scotland and Wales, esp. in the area of Football.
Even with the 2012 Olympics at London, they will not be fielding a United Kingdom football side, (Scotland and Wales aren't recognised by the IOC). Scotland and Wales would prefer their players to miss out on the Olympics than get together with England for a one off (they see it as a threat to their own Football Associations' independence).

Can't for the life of me think of how to make this Asian Cup related, other than Chines Taipei (Tawain) for example is in a unique situation in AFC.

Now, unless 'our' bid - turned down so far - that bid being one by the Cornwall Olympic Committee - to be admitted to the Olympic games - is accepted, I will boycott the 2012 olympics! ;D

BTW - in the interests of neighbourly goodwill - come on Indonesia over Bahrain tonight!

[Pete]

kevrenor said:

Can't for the life of me think of how to make this Asian Cup related, other than Chines Tapei (Tawain) for example is in a unique situation in AFC.

Now, unless 'our' bid - turned down so far - that bid being one by the Cornwall Olympic Committee - to be admitted to the Olympic games - is accepted, I will boycott the 2012 olympics! ;D

BTW - in the interests of neighbourly goodwill - come on Indonesia over Bahrain tonight!

It's not at all related to Asian Cup football, unless you count the mention of Tim Cahill and your analogy of Chinese Taipei ;D
Sorry I can never see a good enough reason to ever support Indonesia. Go Bahrain!

[kevrenor]

petethebusdriver said:

Sorry I can never see a good enough reason to ever support Indonesia. Go Bahrain!

Well after 26 mins it is 1-1. A Persik Kediri player scored after 16 and then Bahrain got back on against play. I'd told the stadium in Jakarta holds 100K and even less than half-full it is very noisy.
62' Bambang scores - now 2-1 to Indonesia - crowd going bananas - that is how it ended.

In Group C, China defeated hosts Malaysia 5-1

[kevrenor]

"By Nick McCormack, PA Sport

BANGKOK – Australia may have been seconds away from defeat to Oman in their AFC Asian Cup opener but Saleh Sadir is taking nothing for granted when the Iraqi midfielder and his team-mates square-up to the Socceroos on Friday.

After seeing Graham Arnold’s side wilt in the Bangkok humidity, only to salvage a point after Tim Cahill’s stoppage-time strike cancelled out Badar Mubarak’s first-half opener, Saleh admitted that the Australian’s below-par performance came as something of a shock.

“We were surprised at how they played against Oman as they are a team full of professional players who are with clubs in Europe,” said Saleh

“But this is football and although they made a lot of mistakes there is no way we will ever underestimate them.”

Saleh is one of 11 players in the current Iraq side that defeated Australia’s Olyroos 1-0 on route to the semi-finals of the 2004 Olympic Games and the 24-year-old from Najaf could find himself renewing acquaintances with Luke Wilkshire, John Aloisi, Brett Holman and Carl Valeri who also featured in that match in Heraklio.

“We have great respect for the Australian side,” continued Saleh. “They are very good team as they proved at the last World Cup in Germany. But we are not afraid and although we know it will be difficult the whole Iraqi team is confident.........”

Useful links

Results, reports and tables:
www.afcasiancup.com/en/#scores

Fans zone:
www.the-afc.com/english/fanclub/asiancup2007/

4-4-2
au.fourfourtwo.com/asiancup.aspx

Back-of-the-net
spirit.webcity.com.au/AFN/2006-2007/AC/ac07.htm[/quote]

[marinermick]

How exciting was the Indonesian and Bahrain game!!!!

Technically average but so quick with end to end action, plenty shots on goal and some very late tackles.
Adding to the excitement was the noisy Indonesian crowd.

Bambang must be a hero in his country today.

And a mention to the Mariners when they were talking about Malaysia's pre-game preperation.

[kevrenor]

marinermick said:

How exciting was the Indonesian and Bahrain game!!!!

Technically average but so quick with end to end action, plenty shots on goal and some very late tackles.
Adding to the excitement was the noisy Indonesian crowd.

Bambang must be a hero in his country today.

And a mention to the Mariners when they were talking about Malaysia's pre-game preperation.

Worth watching for sure!

What about this one for a laugh tonight:

"11 July, 2007 - Korea Republic vs Saudi Arabia - in Jakarta
REFEREE - SHIELD Mark Alexander (Australia)"

[kevrenor]

Viduka hails tactical switch
Jul 10, 2007 PA Sport

BANGKOK - Mark Viduka believes Australia improved in their opening AFC Asian Cup Group A clash with Oman when the veteran striker was joined in attack by Socceroos legend John Aloisi.

The pre-tournament favourites looked on course for a shock defeat to the Gulf side, who led through a Badar Mubarak goal before substitute Tim Cahill rescued his side with a later equalizer.

Australia will once again face Middle Eastern opponents when they tackle Iraq in their second game on Friday in Group A, which sees all four side’s level on one point from the opening round of fixtures after Iraq shared a 1-1 draw with Thailand.
Against Oman, the 31-year-old Viduka was ploughing a lone furrow up front throughout the first half with Harry Kewell, returning from a long-term injury, playing in a supporting role.

Consequently chances were few and things only really improved when Aloisi was brought on at the break to partner the Newcastle man in attack.

"I think we all looked very comfortable when we put two strikers up front, I thought we attacked a lot better than we did in the first half," said Viduka.

"We changed formation and went 4-4-2 with John (Aloisi) up beside me, which made it easier as it gave the midfielders an extra man to pick out.

"We certainly didn’t want to start in that manner, with that result. But maybe we needed it to remind us that it is not that easy.
"It could have gone very badly for us, Schwarz (Mark Schwarzer) made some unbelievable saves and kept us in the game."
Viduka’s team-mate Vince Grella believes the hot and humid conditions took their toll on the players against Oman, but is confident Australia can improve against Iraq.

The Torino man struggled along with many of his team-mates in the sticky Bangkok climate and will likely have to face similar conditions on Friday, with Australia tackling Jorvan Vieira’s side at the same time as they did Oman.

"We will try to freshen up the legs and look for a better performance. Australia can only improve in the next game," he said.

"I think it is a problem with the physical condition, but they are hard conditions to play in. Until you are on the pitch and feel it, it is hard to explain.

"It is not excuse each player knows what they have done good and what they haven’t done as good and we need honesty and we will be okay."

[brett]

1 striker means 2 or 3 midfielders busting their arses to support him

2 strikers means they can work in tandem with much less running required

It is the way forward for this tournament

[omni]

Oh, ARNOLD OUT, you knew it was coming!

Beauchamp still out?

[LeedsMariner#4]

That was utter shit!!
not just the result, but the inept performance...

[littlelol]

Black Friday for the Socceroos!!! The whole team where rubbish and should hang their heads in shame. Harry cruel did nothing, again, Lucas Neill was a disgrace from start to finish, giving the ball away and to many free kicks away, a player who is supposed to be one of the exprienced players getting sent off like that at the end, and now missing for the big game against Thailand. Grella was lucky not to be sent off, another one giving needless free kicks away. It could and should have been 7 v 1. Vidmar had just said how important it is to stick together as a squad and fight for each other, then the next minute Arnold is saying some of his players don't even want to be there??? Name and shame them, thats what I say. He did have a big pop at Lucas Neill, which he was entitled to. I could count on 1 finger the amount of good moves the Aussies made, while the Iraqies strolled from one end of the pitch to the other with ease tearing the Aussies apart at will, with their nippy one touch football, skill, and their speed and "team work" with the Aussies Clueless again once they crossed the half way line. It will be interesting to see who Arnold will drop for not wanting to be there? I can't be bothered naming all of the other sh@t players

[pippinu]

We all agree we need a change of direction for the last game - and a heap of fresh players - keeping faith in people that had never really earned a spot in the first place has not worked. And people are correct in asking for all our A-Leaguers to be given a go - they'll be jumping out of their skin to play in a major tournament in a gold shirt - and they can most certainly keep up with the Thais! In this tournament - your pay packet and where you earn your living has nothing to do with how you play in the gold shirt.

I recall that we played 3-4-3 with some success in the game against China, and now is the time to try it again:


---------------Schwatter---------------
----Luke---------Spike-----Thwaite----
-----------------Valeri-------------------
Emo-------------------------------Carney
-----------------Carle---------------
--------Culina------------Harry-----
-----------------Dukes--------------

Timmy is still working his way into match fitness and can start the 2nd half again. Bresh needs to be rested, as does Vinnie. Beauchamp can replace Luke if necessary, Mile also remains fresh and available.

Keep a tight flat back three at all times, use Emo and Carney down the flanks, Carle to be the central play maker, and Culina and Harry providing close support to Dukes.

This is the formation we must use in the next game!!

We need a completely fresh approach - we want players who want to run their guts out for the gold shirt! (it would also be good if they don't give the ball away too cheaply).