Sunday, 08 July 07, 06:17 PM
Actually no need, someone has already taken up the challenge.
Australia 1 - 1 Oman
Credit to the Omanis for creating the better chances and holding Australia out for the time they did, but Australia should have done better. So far this tournament is throwing up some unexpected results, both hosts to have played are unbeaten, and the other big teams will have to watch their guard in their respective openers.
Did Australia take Oman lightly? Hard to know, maybe the talent just isn't there when Kisnorbo is playing in the backline and Wilkshire is taking the corners. The psyche would have been interesting to read, best mate "Arnie" in the rooms probably not giving the team too hard a time about trailing at the break.
As a stand-alone result a draw with Oman is unacceptable, especially one which requires a last minute equaliser. Maybe in the context of a full tournament it can be easily forgotten. Arnie's time in the top job is up, will he turn the team's defending and performances around? I doubt it. The players have to take responsibility against Iraq. The side might look a bit different to the one that was eliminated from the 2004 Olympics but after a shaky opening nothing can be taken for granted.
Thursday, 05 July 07, 07:48 PM
Something different to the previews out there, because there are lots of them.
1. Win the thing
Obvious really.
2. Beat Iran
Tempted to put this at number one, but at the end of the day winning the cup is more important than settling this old rivarly. There will be plenty of chances in world cup qualifying to avenge 1998. Nothing will erase the hurt, but let's face it, had Australia qualified for France then the NSL would probably still be alive and none of the nation's domestic football overhaul would have happened.
How do we want to beat Iran? Nothing cruel, a straight up and down beating would be nice. No Iranians out injured or sent off, just their best team, and our team beating them.
3. Defend
Where the hell is Spiranovic? For some reason he's been cut loose to go and do pre-season with Nurnburg. Beauchamp is a stop-gap solution, and while he's always done the right thing by the national team, he isn't the long-term answer at centre back. I'll make the call now - every goal Australia concedes at this championship will be "soft". It's just a matter of concentration and limitation.
4. Arnie back to number two
From day one I've said that if Australia is going to hit a hurdle qualifying for 2010, it's going to be in the first stage. Four teams in a group, only top spot goes on to the next stage. Maybe the AFC will change the qualifying format but at this stage there's nothing to suggest they will.
Names have been thrown around for Arnie's replacement; Van Gaal, Advocaat, Hiddink - at this stage either of the latter two would be preferable. Arnie is the players' best mate, the sort of relationship a squad should enjoy with an assistant coach - not the top man.
On Victory's title defence officially over