6 November 2006

U-20s Coming Home Early

Well, the better team won and it certainly wasn't Australia. Korea Republic were scintillating in a match they utterly dominated yet only managed to win 2-1 due to over-zealous long-range shooting and the best efforts of Australia's last man standing, Matthew Spiranovic.

Someone will have to take the fall for a performance that put the Koreans eons ahead of us in terms of teamwork, skill on the ball, tempo, organisation and running in midfield, and slickness in attack. We were no match at all, which is quite alarming when you consider this generation of U-20s is ostensibly one of our best.

Some will blame the pitch, again. The Koreans managed to adapt to the bumps and hollows, playing some marvellous football. Why not us? Did coach Postecoglou give the lads a fair run on cow paddocks back home in order to prepare? Or did we continue to play on smooth AIS pitches during our pre-tournament drills and warm-ups? Instead of air-balling it would have been nice to see a bit of the old Control The Ball First mantra being exercised.

Some of the players just have to share the blame. Shaun Ontong was terrible tonight, as he has been during the tournament in my opinion. He's Postecoglou's general on the park, and I see no other reason why he's been made captain. His distribution was woeful, his Grella-like suggestions made with much pointing and arm-waving were often not the best choices, his long balls were constantly cut out by the opposition 'keeper, and so it goes on. Aside from Spiranovic, the back line has also been at fault during the tournament. Tonight goalkeeper Tando Velaphi joined the merry antics of the clowns in front of him, finding himself out of position for the Koreans second goal, which bounced over his outstretched arms (probably off a divot of some kind). Kaz Patafta ran out of breath after about sixty minutes. David Williams was majorly unsighted for most of the evening. Incessantly, Bruce Djite tried to turn when safer options were available. Sebastian Ryall was sent off late in the match for a badly disguised follow through on a Korean who made a mockery of Ryall's defensive abilities a little earlier with a glorious skinning - you could almost hear the Korean thinking his way through the move, which he executed with perfection, leaving Ryall sprawled on the ground and attempting to haul the Korean in with his . . . arms.

It's hard to find positives, really. In fact, I'm not far off disgusted. As for the South Koreans, I hope they win the thing. Postecoglou will surely receive his pink slip now, but who's going to replace him? Nobody seriously qualified comes to mind, frankly, especially when you consider that anyone brought in will be obliged to acquaint themselves with the AIS and state league system that has been erected in "support" of youth football here. Sure, we need an academy, but I'm not sure the AIS structure is the answer.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Could not agree more; posted my comment under after the game under "First Major Clash".

Anonymous said...

that makes 2 under-age national teams out of 3 that have not qualified for world championships....not good enough!

there is NO good excuse for Ange this time...he must go

Anonymous said...

I'm a little perplexed to be honest as to how this team suddenly picked up the title of "golden generation".

During my 5 yrs at a state institute /playing in the old NYL, I have come up against the last 3 generations of AIS squads. The last one I played against was the squad that made up the bulk of this U20's team - and they were EASILY the worst of the lot.

In all the games I watched/played the worst player would have had to have been Ontong - he offered no more than a predictable five yard pass each and every time he got the ball, yet thought he was a hero.

True there are a few shining lights- Burns, Patafta, Williams, Bozanic (he is only 17) and maybe even Spiranovic (from my own personal experience somewhat overrated, yet has reportedly performed well of late), the remainder of the squad is very very ordinary to say the least.

Let's not forget a very ordinary coach either - this team was destined to be coming home early.

Anonymous said...

Some interesting comments. As a die-hard socceroos fan I lose sleep at night about the state of the youth in Oz. Firstly, Postecoglou has had too many failures at this level. Unless a manager is churning at teams that are qualifying for each and every youth competition, then surely he had to go a few years ago. Sure, at this age there is an arguement that players of this age should be busy learning tactics rather than win at all costs, however I disagree vehemently. If football is to truey prosper in this country, then our teams need to be challenging for the world cup let alone actually making the finals.
As far as postecoglou's tactics, or lack thereof, I feel that this has been oft lamented and we are long past time for a change. There are many wonderful, tactically astute managers from overseas that could impart fantastic dutch or french tactics that might have our boys up there at the top of the heap when European clubs go looking for youth talent.

Anonymous said...

isn't it about time we pinch someone from Argentina, Brazil, Holland or France to do something about our youth teams, or send the next Aussie coach to those places to get some knowledge on how to do it right

katsuben said...

Great comments; thank you all.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said thats 2 under age national teams that didn't make it Get your facts right first mate!!
well firstly the under 17's joeys did not lose they beat indonesia 3-1 and had a 0-0 with laos.
At the time of the tournament the indonesians protested about laos playing over age players. In fact they even wore shirts to the warm up stating this . This was later proven and Laos wre disqualified BUT Australia were not included in the next stage. We would be better served finding why ,, Australia was not included and why we did not protest about over age players In the two games Australia joeys played they had three disallowed goals also.

Anonymous said...

James i assume you must of been a very very good player when you were a youngster, those caustic comments about our young players is very poor, how about we get you to do a demonstration on how to play and defend and goal keep !!!!!You are a dead set pillock, and a mean spirited man. I say congrats to our players, you did your best and we are proud of you.
James you seem to have all the answers do you realise the Joeys were eliminated without losing a game and laos who went through to the next stage were disqualified for playing older age players.Were you aware that indonesia protested at the tournament and also Australia had 3 disallowed goals two against laos and 1 against indonesia.
You bag players , but the 20's have struggled because of the youth system where they do not play games, it is the structure not the players fault. The aust 20 players contain wonderful talented athletes who if given a decent go will excell. I would back any of these players to out tackle , out play and also to conduct themselves better than you.
Get a life d..k head

Anonymous said...

ok...so i may have got a fact wrong, but, honestly, a 0-0 draw with laos??????

and secondly, we did NOT qualify...you cant use all these sorts of excuses as identified...if you win games, you dont have to make up excuses - case closed

Anonymous said...

sebastian ryall is 17 and one of the best youths going around...he is one too look for in the future...i would back any team with him in the defensive line...your very harsh james....cruel man

Anonymous said...

The final game against korea cannot be blamed on what happened in the final minutes but merely the teams performance. Korea played better than Aus that game. Now james mate u can sit there on your computer chair and rag players that could rip shit on you all day, but the truth is korea were better on the day.

Anonymous said...

James , when are you gonna give us a demonstration on playing or even coaching, fancy bagging young players without getting facts right, all them players would skin you champion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Anon, said case closed joeys did not qualify. Check the facts fozzie australia were eliminated because of overage players-- ie corruption. Yes laos 0-0 these aust boys were 15 years old and laos players were at least 5 years older.