Some are saying Archie should start. No. Archie is exceptionally good at exploitation, it's why he's a world record holder. It's how he plays. In the A-league he does it with foot skills AND pace against players he's better than, but at national level he is best with pace and endurance against the slow and the tired. He's also a good finisher. If he starts he'll tire himself out on ineffective runs and be mediocre against equally-matched defenders. Sub him on later when he can exploit a tired defence he'll be a real weapon. Cahill should start. Too much quality to be used so sparingly, especially when players like Archie can be used in that role as a sub to unsettle defences. Viduka starts as a lone striker. When all is working well Kewell, Cahill and Bresciano give enough goal-scoring power. If Viduka has no goals by half time he gets Aloisi next to him at the expense of an attacking midfielder, maybe Cahill if he lacks fitness. Later sub Dukes for Archie. Oh and get Carle on somewhere, I just want to see him given a go . As for the defence we should have faith that it will get better than the Oman game. Surely that has to be a one-off, doesn't it? Doesn't it?
Read page 2, This interview is full of Bullshit..since when is Mohammed Nasser a key player for Iraq, hes a Sub player, hes not even a starter.
man thailand just won 2-0 against oman.. in this game against iraq WE HAVE TO WIN!!! no exceptions.... the next 2 games is crucial... thats for sure@
He got his first international cap vs. Australia, and the stupid coach is hoping he might score again on them somehow lol. I think he's starting Nassir because he has a stronger physical presence than the others. [youtube]6_uGMiNsWOI[/youtube]
---------------Schwarzer--------------- ----Kisnorbo------Neill-----Thwaite------ Emo------------------------------Carney -------------Grella---Culina-------------- ----Kewell-------------------Bresciano--- -----------------Viduka------------------ Need to play wingbacks, the left side has been lacking especially, thats why a quick left footed player must play there. Doesn't matter if Carney is not the best as long as he plays the system. I would like the wide midfielders such as Bresc and Kewell to be able to cut into the play and come towards goal rather away, and get in supporting Viduka, and allowing the space wide for the wingbacks. Also having an opportunity to have a shot on goal as well. We need them running at players as well, so i hope they don't play along the last line as much as they did on the last game, which invited the long ball more often than not. Pray the defence is up to scratch, should be alright when the players get back into position, literally making it a possible 5 man defence.
FOR Australia - and Iraq - the stakes could not be higher. Victory in the second of the group matches in pool A of the Asian Cup would almost certainly guarantee the winner a place in the quarter-finals and the chance to top the group and stay in Bangkok rather than travel to Hanoi for a meeting with the pool B winner next week. A loss would not guarantee the defeated side would return home early, but it would certainly mean that it would have to win its last match - in Australia's case a meeting with hosts Thailand, in Iraq's, a clash with Persian Gulf rivals Oman - and rely on the outcome of the other game going its way. A draw would keep both teams alive, setting up a fascinating round of simultaneous final group games next Monday night.
good line up ascoli but i wouldn't go with carney there. Maybe swap him with Valeri. Its not his proffered position but hes better than carney. If dukes is not performing out on Archie, he will excel in the conditions.
Anyone know where i could grab match updates ? Not just this stupid thing the FFA have on their website.
Why oh why does the midfield keep passing the ball backwards as soon as they receive the ball? I saw two good fast breaks ruined by the ball being passed back. As for the goal, I just saw the replay and Schwartz has no fault as the Iraqi player cleverly went to head the ball and it looked like he was about to connect. And the diving on Iraq’s part is irritating.