[el-capitano]

5:00 pm Shanghai (CHN) 7.08.2008

This is the crunch game. We can assume that most teams will drop points against the Argies, so its up to the performances between us, Serbia and the Ivory Coast to see who else progresses.

And this was good news leading up to our games!

POLICE in Shanghai have cracked a terrorist cell planning to attack an Olympic football venue in the Chinese financial hub.
Australia's Olyroos are to play their first two matches of the Olympic Games at the venue.

"We have obtained information that international terrorist organisations would likely launch an attack against an Olympic venue in the city during the Games," said Cheng Jiulong, Shanghai Public Security Bureau deputy director and head of the Shanghai security office for the Olympics.

"We have staged raids and cracked a group of terrorists."

Cheng would not provide details about when the terrorists were detected, how many suspects were detained or where they came from.

"According to information we have obtained, the Olympic venue, athlete's apartments and routes leading to the venue are at a safe level now," he said. "But the threat of terror attack still exists."

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...014104,00.html

[el-capitano]

AUSTRALIAN coach Graham Arnold is still unsure about his starting XI to play Serbia in their Olympic opener tonight, but the team appears to be distinctly tinged with the sky blue of Sydney FC.

Worried about the size and strength of the Serbians, Arnold - who has been criticised for some left-field selections in his original squad - looks set to continue doing things his own way. With the back four and front two settled, the competition for places in the midfield and for the goalkeeping spot is unresolved.

Many had expected attacking midfielder James Troisi to slot into a creative role behind the two strikers, but now he won't start. Instead, Arnold wants tall, strong bodies in midfield who can lend presence in the box at set pieces.

That's good news for former Sydney FC defender Ruben Zadkovich, who is in the mix for the right-midfield spot. Zadkovich trained with the first team during most sessions this week and is a big chance to take the field from the opening whistle.

On the left side, former Sydney man David Carney is a certain selection. The Sheffield United midfielder is the highest-profile name in Arnold's squad and the only first-choice Socceroo in China for the Olympic campaign.

Captain Mark Milligan, who recently left Sydney FC, will be the defensive midfielder, sitting in front of the back two of Matthew Spiranovic and Jade North. Another former Sydney FC player, Nikolai Topor-Stanley will play at left back, with Trent McClenahan - who has looked dangerous at training this week - on the right side of defence.

In the crucial attacking midfield role, Arnold still has a giant question mark. Sydney's Stuart Musialik probably has his nose in front of Adelaide's Kristian Sarkies and Leeds United's Neil Kilkenny. He would bring to the team good vision and a strong passing game, but also a better work rate and defensive capability than Sarkies and without a tendency to fade in and out of matches.

Both Perth Glory stopper Tando Velaphi and Reading keeper Adam Federici have been switched in and out of the first team at training this week, and the word from the camp last night was that a decision had not yet been made.

Up front, Nikita Rukavytsya will partner Archie Thompson in an attempt to catch out the Serbians for pace. Rukhavytsa has since impressed the coach and inked his name on the team sheet.

It is a big, strong line-up, perhaps one that lacks a little creative finesse but which is capable of addressing Arnold's fear about the Serbian's forest of tall timber.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/latest-ne...702143481.html

[NoRightFoot]

From an Austrailian perspective that was the most horrid game of football I've ever seen. I think if Arnold had any brains he'd sign off now. The cleanliness in passing was non existant and this Topor Stanley character needs to be shot.

[hihi]

It's very humid right now in China so that's probably a contributing factor.

I didn't watch the particular match, but I did watch couple of others. I can tell you if you too had watched the other matches, you'd probably understand how difficult it would have been for midfielders to be precise, let alone being creative. The weather was so tough today players couldn't run five metres without getting tired. Also must have been that much easier for players to be lacking the focus needed to be playing an effective game.

[NoRightFoot]

Originally Posted by hihi

It's very humid right now in China so that's probably a contributing factor.

I didn't watch the particular match, but I did watch couple of others. I can tell you if you too had watched the other matches, you'd probably understand how difficult it would have been for midfielders to be precise, let alone being creative. The weather was so tough today players couldn't run five metres without getting tired. Also must have been that much easier for players to be lacking the focus needed to be playing an effective game.

Australia had Serbia beaten, but they didn't. Make sense out of that?

We were appalling. No fluency, no direction whatsoever. I shudder to think what will happen when we face Argentina.

[el-capitano]

That was woeful, 2 DM's, meant there was nothing going through the middle Carney had to track inside to try and link up which meant we had no width. Most of the "attack" consisted of long balls for Archie to chase........

Painful.

[NoRightFoot]

Originally Posted by el-capitano

That was woeful, 2 DM's, meant there was nothing going through the middle Carney had to track inside to try and link up which meant we had no width. Most of the "attack" consisted of long balls for Archie to chase........

Painful.

And as expected Arnold was encouraged with the performance.

Does it realize that we're now actually in the competition and the warm ups have finished?

[almango]

Originally Posted by NoRightFoot

And as expected Arnold was encouraged with the performance.

Does it realize that we're now actually in the competition and the warm ups have finished?

I'm encouraged by the performnce as well. We've got 1 point more than I expected us to get in this tournament.

[Akumastarr]

Originally Posted by almango

I'm encouraged by the performnce as well. We've got 1 point more than I expected us to get in this tournament.

LOL

[NoRightFoot]

Originally Posted by almango

I'm encouraged by the performnce as well. We've got 1 point more than I expected us to get in this tournament.

Yes but that is you, Almango.

I never expected you to be positive.