Qatar v Australia - Preview

[pch0508]

The game against Qatar is the most significant of Verbeek’s reign and should the Socceroos lose, the home game against China will be a do-or-die affair for both the World Cup and Verbeek’s tenure as national coach. It is pretty hard to guess how Verbeek will approach this game, whether he will stick with the negative tactics that he has been roundly criticised for or whether he will pursue the away win as he failed to do against Iraq and China.

Even more experience has been ripped out of the heart of the Australian team with Grella being suspended, Kennedy returning to Germany and Neill only being available for the China game. The team will also be facing an old friend in Uruguayan, Jorge Fossati.

Crystal Ball

I’m predicting, or hoping, that Australia will go on the offensive. During Verbeek’s entire tenure, the only time that Australia looked really dominant was in the first half against Qatar when we managed to knock three goals in. However, two of the goal scorers than night, Kennedy and Cahill, are unavailable which really deprives us of the aerial threat that so troubled the Qataris. Additionally, it is they who have the momentum after beating China away. They also have their best player available, Uruguayan born Quintana who can be relied on to provide a bit of class up front as well as spontaneous cramps if the Qataris hit the lead.

Hopefully the formation will be a 4-4-2, what we used against Qatar in the home game, or maybe a 4-5-1. I honestly can’t stand the sight of us playing a 5-2-2-1. We are playing Qatar, not Brazil.

I’m thinking 4-5-1 is more probably as it allows Verbeek to play two defensive midfielders, probably Culina and Valeri. It certainly helps when Quintana drops into midfield to pick up the ball which he likes to do. I thought Culina did a good job of shutting down Iraq’s Nashat Akram and perhaps he can do a similar job against Quintana. Bresciano should be on the left with Wilkshire on the right while Kewell will play at the head of the midfield.

As for the lone striker, going against the general wave of opinion, I think Holman should start with Djite a close second (if we are playing two up front, I’d go with Djite and McDonald as the Celtic man should be much more effective in his poaching role playing off Djite). Holman was lambasted for wasting Australia’s best chance against Iraq but people tended to leave out the fact that he created the chance for himself. Give him a few more opportunities to link up with and play off Kewell and he could prove to be our match-winner.

In terms of attack, the formation lends itself to creating chances through the centre with the likes of Kewell, Holman and Bresciano while Wilkshire, Culina and Valeri will be depended upon for the build-up play. The formation does not suit the hitting of aimless crosses into the box which was frustratingly all Australia could come up with against Iraq. Playing Djite instead of Holman will provide more flexibility to our attack as he does provide a target, has the physical strength to hold the ball and bring others into the play and is a general nuisance for the defence with his high work-rate.

The defence picks itself with Coyne dropped despite his assured performance on debut.

Prediction

Australia to finally show their wears away from home with a 2-1 win. We will take a two nil lead before being pegged back a goal. We will then see the traditional Australian heart-stopping finish before just managing to hold out in the heat.

[Rocky10]

We should win this one...(fingers crossed)

Also whats the deal with Marco Bresciano, is he going to play this match or what?
I dont think he played last match?

[pch0508]

Bresciano missed out against Iraq, didn't even make it on as a substitute

[Lilly Whites]

we'll lose fuking 4-0 probably.

[Bomber]

What time does game start (our time)? Anyone know?

[pch0508]

2pm for eastern states

[Missing Post Count]

2pm for eastern states

That's like 9:00am or therea abouts in Qatar. Correct time is 1:30am sunday morning.

[rus217]

do we no when the starting line up will b announced?

[manU4life]

im sure we'll hear it about half hour before kick off....i think we'll play 4-5-1 with kewell up front with 2 from midfield joining in when we have the ball....it will be a tough match in doha and i hope we can win. i will be spewing if we dont, may even put the boot in the missus

[Lilly Whites]

im sure we'll hear it about half hour before kick off....i think we'll play 4-5-1 with kewell up front with 2 from midfield joining in when we have the ball....it will be a tough match in doha and i hope we can win. i will be spewing if we dont, may even put the boot in the missus

ditto.

[limozeen]

1-1 I reckon

[Knight7]

I think this post sums up the mentality of so many of this forum - they bag Australia the same way they bag Adelaide Utd

10 posts at least half negative - with one even predicting Australia lose 4-0 yet when we win with a fantastic away performance no posts!!!

Australia are through to the next round, with teams like Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and probably Iraq it will be very tough to qualify - lets try something different and SUPPORT the team!

[pch0508]

I think this post sums up the mentality of so many of this forum - they bag Australia the same way they bag Adelaide Utd

10 posts at least half negative - with one even predicting Australia lose 4-0 yet when we win with a fantastic away performance no posts!!!

Australia are through to the next round, with teams like Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and probably Iraq it will be very tough to qualify - lets try something different and SUPPORT the team!

I posted my match report in response to your claim that we just bag out the team. And I wasn't bagging out the team anyway, I predicted a win which occurred and I called for attacking football which also occurred.

[Knight7]

I think this post sums up the mentality of so many of this forum - they bag Australia the same way they bag Adelaide Utd

10 posts at least half negative - with one even predicting Australia lose 4-0 yet when we win with a fantastic away performance no posts!!!

Australia are through to the next round, with teams like Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and probably Iraq it will be very tough to qualify - lets try something different and SUPPORT the team!

I posted my match report in response to your claim that we just bag out the team. And I wasn't bagging out the team anyway, I predicted a win which occurred and I called for attacking football which also occurred.

Yes, I am aware I did say that at least half the posts were negative, which implies that almost half were positive - how many posts if we had lost??? I think Australians just seem to expect to win more than most - whether it's Rugby, Cricket or Football - Asians teams shouldn't be underestimated