Can Australia beat the 5th place Sth american side and qualify for Germany 2006

[liveroo]

I think Australia has a good chance against a South American team if they can play physically strong and can intimidate them. I think the South Americans are more skillful so it can be an intriguing matchup.

I think they would have the most trouble against Colombia, because of their great defense, and secondly against Uruguay, which has tough physical players with European experience. I think they can physically match up well with Chile,.

You are on the money with the first point and i dont know what you know about Australian football or even more generally, All Australian teams have had at least a reputation for being physical and mentally tough although this is balanced with a known lack of technical skill in comparison to the sth americans. The ******** up last time in Montevideo was widely attributed to the complete lack of tactical ability of then coach Farina.
Funnily enough i dont really worry about our ability to score we have a good creative midfield/ strikers and despite the flaws in the confeds cup we managed 3 against the germans and 2 against your boys(argentina), now i know the difference between the confeds and world cup qualifiers, if we have a fit squad we can score goals both home and away. Kewell, Viduka, Breschiano(?),Emerton, Cahill, Skoko
And we also have excellent european experience. All play in europe except few squad players

You are absolutely correct about altitude i fear a trip to Bogata, Equador.
Fundamentally we dont have a good defence in all of the last few games we have let in goals because of sloppy defending, we lack defenders of international quality. Moore, Neill(sometimes), Lazarides(sometimes) excepted
But as all fans must do i hope and dream in fact i think we'll romp it in 5-0 on agg, ah hopes and dreams...hopes and dreams......zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

regards, andrew

[astabooty]

No.

[X Box X]

Kewell is in big trouble. He is never going to be as good as he once was. Thankfully we have other attacking options to replace him, but the big hole continues to be in defence.

[vilafria]

The poll is swinging towards the negative by 4 points difference. An uphill battle for Australia (in the poll) Meanwhile , at the flatness of the playing field some of home grown / A- league soccerroos should get some experience in international matches as Australia is joining the Asia federation w/ access to the vastly improving Asia cup.

[Melbourne Croatia]

Its funny how all these yanks who have no idea about Aussie soccer, say that Australia can't qualify. :p

It would interesting if this Poll was if the USA could qualify against the 5th place SA Team! :cool:

[nicodemus]

At least at home, we know we'd have some measure of success. While we haven't played some of these teams in SA, we have beaten Chile twice there in the last 10 years, as well as Paraguay. We even beat Argentina at the Copa America in the last 10 years.

In the last five years, the USA's results against the teams in question:

Chile
US 2 - 1 Chile @ Chile in 2000

Colombia
USA 3 - 0 Colombia @ USA in 2005
USA 0 - 1 Colombia @ USA in 2001
USA 2 - 2 Colombia @ USA in 2000 (Gold Cup, Colombia won on PKs)

Ecuador
USA 1 - 0 Ecuador @ USA in 2002
USA 0 - 0 Ecuador @ USA in 2001

Paraguay
USA 2 - 0 Paraguay @ USA in 2003

Uruguay
USA 2 - 1 Paraguay @ USA in 2002

[ilovesoccer77]

ummmmm.... i agree!.. (no clue wat im talking about! )

[I. Tristeza]

I think they certainly can qualify, but they'll have to win big in the home leg and hope for some lucky breaks away. The crowd alone in the away match will be worth a goal or two for the S. American side, and a handful of crap ass calls. And if they have to play at altitude, forget about it... Of course, I am not coming down on Australian soccer, which I think is very good. I think the US would have just as much trouble...probably more so seeing as they'd have to face thousands of the opponent's fans both away and at home.

[vilafria]

Well I'm going on vacation . I'll check the polls in 5 weeks when I get back( unless I get hold of a computer before then)Aloha. :)

[Jay510]

Go Solomon Islands!!!!!!!!! :d

[vilafria]

Go Solomon Islands!!!!!!!!! :d
I'll be close by.

[liveroo]

Its funny how all these yanks who have no idea about Aussie soccer, say that Australia can't qualify. :p

It would interesting if this Poll was if the USA could qualify against the 5th place SA Team! :cool:

i agree a disturbing amount of ignorance has been shown by some on this topic, Especially by some who take fifa rankings too seriously and actually believe their own bvllshvt, a quick check of some facts would i hope make some take a good long look at themselves.

Australia squad:
John Aloisi (Alaves), Marco Bresciano (Parma), Tim Cahill (Everton), Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel), Jason Culina (FC Twente), Ahmad Elrich (Fulham), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers), Vince Grella (Parma), Joel Griffiths (Neuchatel Xamax), Zeljko Kalac (Perugia), Harry Kewell (Liverpool), Steve Laybutt (Gent), Stan Lazaridis (Birmingham City), Jon McKain (Politechnica AEK Timisoara), Ljubo Milicevic (FC Thun), Craig Moore (Newcastle United), Lucas Neill (Blackburn Rovers), Jade North (Newcastle United Jets), Saso Petrovski (Sydney FC), Tony Popovic (Crystal Palace), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough), Josip Skoko (Genclerbirligi, Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory), Michael Thwaite (National Bucuresti), Tony Vidmar (NAC Breda), Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough), Luke Wilkshire (Bristol City).

mmm i count 12 that play in one of the big 5 leagues Eng, Ita, Ger, Spa, Fra
plus it looks like Zeljko kalac might be going to AC Milan and Josip might be going to the premiership as well. Also 2 ply their trade in holland (better than MLS)

Now lets look at Team America where most of the more ignorant posts originated (this is aimed at a small minority of the american posters, the vast majority have shown themselves to be scholars of the beautiful game, and i in no way group them with the ignorant)

USA squad - to play against T&T august 17th
Goalkeepers (3) – Kevin Hartman (Los Angeles Galaxy), Tim Howard (Manchester United), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

Defenders (5) – Chris Albright (Los Angeles Galaxy), Gregg Berhalter (Energie Cottbus), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Greg Vanney (FC Dallas)

Midfielders (8) – Chris Armas (Chicago Fire), DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven), Bobby Convey (Reading FC), Eddie Lewis (Leeds United), John O’Brien (ADO Den Haag), Santino Quaranta (D.C. United), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution), Claudio Reyna (Manchester City),

Forwards (4) – Jeff Cunningham (Colorado Rapids), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian McBride (Fulham FC), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)
Info from the official Ussoccer.com website

mmm a quick count revels only 5 playing in one of the big 5 leagues with a further 5 playing in other european leagues of a better quality than the MLS Holland, the championship (old Div 1 England)

Now i understand that this doesn't neccessarily reflect the quality of the national side but it also seems to be ignored that we now have a world class manager Aussie Guus Hiddink.

Much of the arguement seems to based on the fact that we haven't qualified for the WC recently, while this is true it ignores some crucial facts, our process for qualifying has been fundamentally flawed the most obvious example would be for the 1998 WC we didn't lose a match in the in the qualifiers yet were denied by away goals, how many other sides can say that?
That is why we joined Asia, then if we still dont qualify i will be more than happy to put my hand up and say we were beaten by better sides.

All i ask is that some people pull their fingers out of their @rse look at some facts and make an informed comment and then if you still think we wont qualify thats ok. Thats the whole point of these forums to discussthe game we all love, but also have the insight of people from all over the world that bring with them different perspectives, however ignorance and generalisations help no one and relect poorly on yourself as both a football fan and more importantly a human being.

Funnily enough for all the previous ranting in the post, i looking at the facts,previous results, and time spent together.Ina one off friendly at this very moment think that the US would prob win.

regards, andrew

[WALDO]

If this were a beer drinking contest not only would they beat the 5th place SA team, they would be facing Germany in the finals. Ok, back to soccer. I think this time the Socceroos (as they call them) are going to find a way to win. They may have to call Crocodile Dundee to play, and have the fans throw boomerangs at the opposing team when they play at home, but this is their year, or their next year.

Gooday & Goodnight Mates! :D

[WALDO]

At least at home, we know we'd have some measure of success. While we haven't played some of these teams in SA, we have beaten Chile twice there in the last 10 years, as well as Paraguay. We even beat Argentina at the Copa America in the last 10 years.

In the last five years, the USA's results against the teams in question:

Chile
US 2 - 1 Chile @ Chile in 2000

Colombia
USA 3 - 0 Colombia @ USA in 2005
USA 0 - 1 Colombia @ USA in 2001
USA 2 - 2 Colombia @ USA in 2000 (Gold Cup, Colombia won on PKs)

Ecuador
USA 1 - 0 Ecuador @ USA in 2002
USA 0 - 0 Ecuador @ USA in 2001

Paraguay
USA 2 - 0 Paraguay @ USA in 2003

Uruguay
USA 2 - 1 Paraguay @ USA in 2002One team we can't beat is those damn Bolivians. :eek:

[nicodemus]

i agree a disturbing amount of ignorance has been shown by some on this topic, Especially by some who take fifa rankings too seriously and actually believe their own bvllshvt, a quick check of some facts would i hope make some take a good long look at themselves.

Australia squad:
John Aloisi (Alaves), Marco Bresciano (Parma), Tim Cahill (Everton), Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel), Jason Culina (FC Twente), Ahmad Elrich (Fulham), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers), Vince Grella (Parma), Joel Griffiths (Neuchatel Xamax), Zeljko Kalac (Perugia), Harry Kewell (Liverpool), Steve Laybutt (Gent), Stan Lazaridis (Birmingham City), Jon McKain (Politechnica AEK Timisoara), Ljubo Milicevic (FC Thun), Craig Moore (Newcastle United), Lucas Neill (Blackburn Rovers), Jade North (Newcastle United Jets), Saso Petrovski (Sydney FC), Tony Popovic (Crystal Palace), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough), Josip Skoko (Genclerbirligi, Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory), Michael Thwaite (National Bucuresti), Tony Vidmar (NAC Breda), Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough), Luke Wilkshire (Bristol City).

mmm i count 12 that play in one of the big 5 leagues Eng, Ita, Ger, Spa, Fra
plus it looks like Zeljko kalac might be going to AC Milan and Josip might be going to the premiership as well. Also 2 ply their trade in holland (better than MLS)

Now lets look at Team America where most of the more ignorant posts originated (this is aimed at a small minority of the american posters, the vast majority have shown themselves to be scholars of the beautiful game, and i in no way group them with the ignorant)

USA squad - to play against T&T august 17th
Goalkeepers (3) – Kevin Hartman (Los Angeles Galaxy), Tim Howard (Manchester United), Kasey Keller (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

Defenders (5) – Chris Albright (Los Angeles Galaxy), Gregg Berhalter (Energie Cottbus), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Greg Vanney (FC Dallas)

Midfielders (8) – Chris Armas (Chicago Fire), DaMarcus Beasley (PSV Eindhoven), Bobby Convey (Reading FC), Eddie Lewis (Leeds United), John O’Brien (ADO Den Haag), Santino Quaranta (D.C. United), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution), Claudio Reyna (Manchester City),

Forwards (4) – Jeff Cunningham (Colorado Rapids), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brian McBride (Fulham FC), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution)
Info from the official Ussoccer.com website

mmm a quick count revels only 5 playing in one of the big 5 leagues with a further 5 playing in other european leagues of a better quality than the MLS Holland, the championship (old Div 1 England)



It's also easier for Australians to get work permits in Europe because they belong to the Commonwealth. Many American players are denied work permits. The players that have played with the senior side for a long time find the process a bit easier, but the younger players that could play over there are often denied. Many of the US players that play in Europe are only eligible to play because they have one grandparent from an EU country (Jonathan Spector for instance) and have been able to obtain an EU passport.

Now, I'm American, and I said I think Australia can do it, but if we're going to call people out for ignorance on a topic, then this has to be brought up too.

[liveroo]

It's also easier for Australians to get work permits in Europe because they belong to the Commonwealth. Many American players are denied work permits. The players that have played with the senior side for a long time find the process a bit easier, but the younger players that could play over there are often denied. Many of the US players that play in Europe are only eligible to play because they have one grandparent from an EU country (Jonathan Spector for instance) and have been able to obtain an EU passport.

granted, However Australians have too fell foul of the work permit system, if my memory serves me correct Hayden Foxe spent some time without a club after attempting to sign with west ham, and i'm pretty sure Viduka had some questions raised in his move to Celtic from Hadjuk Split, Ahmed Elrich said he had some trouble moving to Fulham.

But a lot of other nations suffer from being outside the EU aswell many africans, more recently Asian players, and of course sth americans
America and Australia are both multicultural nations surely a few european grandparents are had by the players that dont play in europe.
But being in the commonwealth doesn't really help i think in the 80's Britian changed it's immigration laws treating all nations the same, although that would need some confirmation.

[Ciclon_Ecuatoriano]

At least at home, we know we'd have some measure of success. While we haven't played some of these teams in SA, we have beaten Chile twice there in the last 10 years, as well as Paraguay. We even beat Argentina at the Copa America in the last 10 years.

In the last five years, the USA's results against the teams in question:

Chile
US 2 - 1 Chile @ Chile in 2000

Colombia
USA 3 - 0 Colombia @ USA in 2005
USA 0 - 1 Colombia @ USA in 2001
USA 2 - 2 Colombia @ USA in 2000 (Gold Cup, Colombia won on PKs)

Ecuador
USA 1 - 0 Ecuador @ USA in 2002
USA 0 - 0 Ecuador @ USA in 2001

Paraguay
USA 2 - 0 Paraguay @ USA in 2003

Uruguay
USA 2 - 1 Paraguay @ USA in 2002

that was the first time in history USA beat Ecuador, and it was just a friendly. We owned you guys everytime when it mattered, home and away.

as for the topic, I wanted to thank you guys for giving me a good laugh.

there is no way Australia will make it at the expense of a S.A. team.

you guys should take one of Asia's spots, I think you would do better in the WC then teams like Saudi Arabia and Iran *they got embarrassed last time they went.*

[Latin Pride]

At least at home, we know we'd have some measure of success. While we haven't played some of these teams in SA, we have beaten Chile twice there in the last 10 years, as well as Paraguay. We even beat Argentina at the Copa America in the last 10 years.

In the last five years, the USA's results against the teams in question:

Chile
US 2 - 1 Chile @ Chile in 2000

Colombia
USA 3 - 0 Colombia @ USA in 2005
USA 0 - 1 Colombia @ USA in 2001
USA 2 - 2 Colombia @ USA in 2000 (Gold Cup, Colombia won on PKs)

Ecuador
USA 1 - 0 Ecuador @ USA in 2002
USA 0 - 0 Ecuador @ USA in 2001

Paraguay
USA 2 - 0 Paraguay @ USA in 2003

Uruguay
USA 2 - 1 Paraguay @ USA in 2002

"sigh" why do US fans always orgasm over beating South American b-teams in friendlies :rolleyes:

[Latin Pride]

Alert US fans, playing South American b and c teams in friendlies and making a trip to Montevideo, Asuncion, or Barranquilla vs a determined full strenght S.A are two completly diff ball games

[Latin Pride]

US players where complaining about the altitude in Mexico City which is not even that bad, how would they do in Quito or La Paz which is twice as bad?