Match stats/analysis for recent Socceroo games

[patjennings]

Italiano has proved as good as Miller with other games, with lots of stats too.

Live, and it can be different when looks at a replay, action by action, frame by frame, it can be different, but live I thought both Trewin and Italiano struggled to stop balls into the pen box from the Swiss left attacking flank.

Quite possibly - but RWB - even with Miller has been the weak link for a while.

 

[DandyCasey]

Guess i could live with Geria if it balances out with an all out attacking front three although I feel Italiano is still the best option we have.... and then there is the fact that Popa has made another baffling decision to favour Trewin at RWB over Geria.

 

[grazorblade]

Guess i could live with Geria if it balances out with an all out attacking front three although I feel Italiano is still the best option we have.... and then there is the fact that Popa has made another baffling decision to favour Trewin at RWB over Geria.

italiano also plugs gaps well in defense. I saw him race into the back three when geria was drawn wide to cover the space. He gets beaten 1v1 for club in country a lot, but because of how he works with teammates he concedes very few chances down his flank

he also has good acceleration which can help us get out of our half

 

[Decentric]

Guess i could live with Geria if it balances out with an all out attacking front three although I feel Italiano is still the best option we have.... and then there is the fact that Popa has made another baffling decision to favour Trewin at RWB over Geria.

Given his skill set - ball carries well, decent ball winner, gets up and down the pitch well, good engine, decent 1v1 exponent, both footed, good vision, acute game sense- Grazor in the past, and I now, have been astonished that Popa has never tried Metcalfe as either Right or Left Wing Back?

He used to play Right Wing.

 

[Decentric]

Grazor has written a detailed Mexico game match review in the Fan View section of G and G, for those who don’t know.

It is well worth a look.

 

[Decentric]

There is another good match review of the Mexico game from Aussie Scout, which appears in the last 2 pages of the Aussie WC Squad thread.

I think Aussie Scout may have it on Twitter too. Grazor will know.

It is really good we have guys like Grazor and Aussie Scout taking time to do these reviews. They need our support.

 

[Decentric]

One fascinating facet of the game Grazor reviewed in the Swiss game is set pieces comparing the efficacy of each team like for like. I’ve never seen it done before.

Good idea and credit to Grazor in Fan View.

 

[Decentric]

Two more articles well worth a visit in Fan View are from Rebellious Feminist, where she sheds light on average ages of 2026 WC teams comparatively, and Honest Spurs Fan elucidating different facets of Roo selections.

We need to support our fellow members’ work in putting together these Fan View articles - which are analytical.

Don’t necessarily agree with their mooted selections - through compilation of exhaustive data.

RF and HSF’s articles are well worth a look in Fan View though.

 

[Decentric]

I’m having a second look at Turkey game.

The Irankunda goal was Football Aus Tech Dept perfect football. In the past the Dutch stakeholders involved in Aus football analysed most Roo goals were based on opposition mistakes. Reactive football if you will.

They wanted Aus to play Proactive football.

They got it! Beach a tough save.

Rolled the ball to Burgess on left flank.

Burgess passed diagonally inside to an unmarked Okon ( poor Turkish closing down).

Okon played a well weighted longer, straight ball through to Iran.

Iran ran onto a perfect pass at high speed, beat and outpaced Turk defenders and the T keeper!

Perfect curriculum football! Build up from back to front of the pitch, resulting in a goal, without Turks touching the ball!

Would Irvine have been able to play the Okon ball? Probably not. Kudos to Popa!

 

[Decentric]

I can already tell Aus are beating the Turks in 1v1s.

Tackling, heading, body on body - usual suspects - the CBs and DMs too strong and rugged for the opposition. Our no names from Eng Champ, MLS and AL, play in leagues where body on body 1v1 winning is paramount.

Toure is making a nuisance of himself at central striker - both physically strong and fast too.

1v1 speed duels - Bos, Iran and Toure’s speed over the turf is worrying Turkey.

Turkey has some excellent dribblers who are dribbling around Roos in 1v1s.

 

[Decentric]

A few insights into some of our newer players from watching the Turkey replay.

Okon Jr- has really improved as a 1v1 ball winner. Constantly shoulder barging Turks off the ball, and making lots of timely tackles. He may already be the equal of Irvine as a 1v1 ball winner, but better on the ball.

He has also made some timely intercepts too, from reading the game well.

Italiano- his jockeying, showing, delaying has been impressive against some superb left wingers for Turkey. He has held up some superb dribblers - at a higher level than any Roo RB or RWB, given Geria is usually used at CB.

Italiano has also produced heaps of rugged tackles. Miller could never achieve Italiano’s jockeying.

Iran - superb on the ball, goal scoring craft, with electric pace and control, but a bit undisciplined off it. Good move by Popa to replace him with Nishan V.

 

[Decentric]

As the game is progressing, Turkey is making a huge mistake constantly gegenpressing or Full Pressing with intensive Squeezing in the attacking half.

This cedes space between the midfield line and defensive line.

It also cedes space between the defensive line and keeper.

Also, it forces a higher defensive Turk line, where Aus speedsters Bos, Toure and Iran are too quick for the Turk defenders.

What the Turks should have done is mixed up the Full Pressing, often with 7-8 players camped in Aus half in the Defensive Transitions, with retreating in the DTs and deployed a Half Press (only actively trying to win the ball back in their own half).

They could have ceded more ball and territory to Aus, BUT, they never had the Aus defence turned around and defending running towards the Aus goal.

Despite limited ops, Aus turned the Turk defence around running towards their own goal. The Irankunda goal exemplified this.

The Turk tactics were arrogant, naive, and stupid. They lost the game, because they always had Aus outfielders in between them and the Aus goal.

Moreover, the Turks played heaps of aerial crosses into the Aus pen box that Souttar, Butgess and Circati, or Beach, won virtually every high ball.

 

[LFC]

A few insights into some of our newer players from watching the Turkey replay.

Okon Jr- has really improved as a 1v1 ball winner. Constantly shoulder barging Turks off the ball, and making lots of timely tackles. He may already be the equal of Irvine as a 1v1 ball winner, but better on the ball.

He has also made some timely intercepts too, from reading the game well.

Italiano- his jockeying, showing, delaying has been impressive against some superb left wingers for Turkey. He has held up some superb dribblers - at a higher level than any Roo RB or RWB, given Geria is usually used at CB.

Italiano has also produced heaps of rugged tackles. Miller could never achieve Italiano’s jockeying.

Iran - superb on the ball, goal scoring craft, with electric pace and control, but a bit undisciplined off it. Good move by Popa to replace him with Nishan V.

JS and myself have been telling you re Miller for ages haven't we but you kept talking from your stats

OkonJ performed better than anyone expected and I put my hand up, not because didn't think he lacked the ability but the experience to handle a/the 1st up game - cheeez Dad must be proud as punch as are we......
Nes has always had that semi/little kind of lack of control touch for now but given the space he can recover it....
What I was impressed of (due to his pace) is the touch he made pushing the ball behind the coming defender coming his way in turn takes him out of play cutting inside him with ample room with his pace back to the ball for the finish ! superbly taken inside the post.
Nah I don't agree replacing with NV but glad he rested Nes but would have preferred Yengi first up but whatever.

The Turks tried every avenue hence the amount of cross balls that our backs plucked off easily, many out of box shots forced that outside play, I think they were hoping for the uncontested loose ball but we covered that as well, block many a shot.
I admired Circati's jockeying very much, Souttars performance was his best ever imo.
I actually would have given MOTM to Beach/Souttar actually.

Correct re worrying the Turks in attack, I hope Poppa sees we now to have the go more pace once released, thats how USA blitzed Paraguay going forward - let it happen more.
The yanks has suss backline, also not tested enough last game, they are good but when running at them with support and pace we can break em open.

 

[Decentric]

JS and myself have been telling you re Miller for ages haven't we but you kept talking from your stats

OkonJ performed better than anyone expected and I put my hand up, not because didn't think he lacked the ability but the experience to handle a/the 1st up game - cheeez Dad must be proud as punch as are we......
Nes has always had that semi/little kind of lack of control touch for now but given the space he can recover it....
What I was impressed of (due to his pace) is the touch he made pushing the ball behind the coming defender coming his way in turn takes him out of play cutting inside him with ample room with his pace back to the ball for the finish ! superbly taken inside the post.
Nah I don't agree replacing with NV but glad he rested Nes but would have preferred Yengi first up but whatever.

The Turks tried every avenue hence the amount of cross balls that our backs plucked off easily, many out of box shots forced that outside play, I think they were hoping for the uncontested loose ball but we covered that as well, block many a shot.
I admired Circati's jockeying very much, Souttars performance was his best ever imo.
I actually would have given MOTM to Beach/Souttar actually.

Correct re worrying the Turks in attack, I hope Poppa sees we now to have the go more pace once released, thats how USA blitzed Paraguay going forward - let it happen more.
The yanks has suss backline, also not tested enough last game, they are good but when running at them with support and pace we can break em open.

What have you been smoking lately, LFC?

You are making some quality comments, mate!

 

[LFC]

not sure to take that as a insult the many posts I have made don't make sense ??? hahaha
I know, I'm talking your talk, the analysis jargon possibly haha
I hope you are not getting into that lazy weedy slow life up there in Cairns, its slow ol world up there, hang on your taswegian same same, you must be boiling up there, you watching games in camo I expect.
Oh thanks mate, enjoy your summer hol.

 

[JS96]

A few players really lifted and played the game of their lives. Look at the O'Neill, Okon combination. It worked well collectively and individually.

I don't want to imagine how Miller would've gone but he probably would've defended well enough.

Who bloody knows how McGree would've gone out there. I find removing one important player creates a vacuum where 2 or 3 others then need to adjust and the overall set up gets better.

Does McGree score the Metcalfe goal? Probably blasts over but Metcalfe had a day of excellent fortune. Just got to get one right.

 

[Decentric]

not sure to take that as a insult the many posts I have made don't make sense ??? hahaha
I know, I'm talking your talk, the analysis jargon possibly haha
I hope you are not getting into that lazy weedy slow life up there in Cairns, its slow ol world up there, hang on your taswegian same same, you must be boiling up there, you watching games in camo I expect.
Oh thanks mate, enjoy your summer hol.

Thanks, LFC.

Watching all the games here.in Cairns dogsitting on a cheap holiday.

Apart from the ads, SBS coverage, and all the replays is good, minus Basheer.

 

[Decentric]

A few players really lifted and played the game of their lives. Look at the O'Neill, Okon combination. It worked well collectively and individually.

I don't want to imagine how Miller would've gone but he probably would've defended well enough.

Who bloody knows how McGree would've gone out there. I find removing one important player creates a vacuum where 2 or 3 others then need to adjust and the overall set up gets better.

Does McGree score the Metcalfe goal? Probably blasts over but Metcalfe had a day of excellent fortune. Just got to get one right.

I think Italiano jockeyed that Turkish number 11, better than Miller could have done. Geria did well too.

We will never know about McGree? A big loss from his recent performances.

O’N and Okon worked very well defensively as a unit. I think they also played 2 passes to each other, under pressure, with O’N providing the assist to Metcalfe.

One area we dominated, which one of the Turks admitted begrudgingly after the game, was 1v1s! When I get home from Cairns I’ll start compiling them. The Roos won the physical battles, plus at times Iran, Bos and Toure burnt them for pace.

 

[Decentric]

not sure to take that as a insult the many posts I have made don't make sense ??? hahaha
I know, I'm talking your talk, the analysis jargon possibly haha
I hope you are not getting into that lazy weedy slow life up there in Cairns, its slow ol world up there, hang on your taswegian same same, you must be boiling up there, you watching games in camo I expect.
Oh thanks mate, enjoy your summer hol.

You’ve gone from average to brilliant!

 

[JS96]

Australia vs USA

0:34: A wayward pass across the back is picked up by Toure who dribbles and shoots on target. Had he stopped and looked Leckie was free but even more so a very light tap across the box and Okon is in miles of space. We need to look up more in these moments.

1:26: Risky and lazy return pass by Bos to Burgess who then first times it to the opponent in the centre. Okon was free and Bos should've stopped the ball and considered all other options. O'Neill intercepts the ensuring play but a heavy tough gives back possession immediately.


2:15 clear already McKennie is hugging the sideline and our left side can't even tough him with a double press.

2:53 Good early duel win by Italiano on Robinson.

4:03: USA spread it to the left and Leckie is already behind as is O'Neill. The USA back 3 width just allows them to have a vertical row of passers while the kids and wing backs are free to move.

4:52: Velupillay sitting deeper marking but the it becomes apparent Okon is there too. Lack of press allows a free pass in the channel and the USA can cross for a tricky clearance by Australia.

5:48: Beach long goal kicks relieve a lot of the pressure at the back and The USA get it but an overweighted pass by their keeper is nicely anticipated by Velupillay. He's jockeyed and then loses it despite having Okon free. The ensuing USA pass is nicked by Souttar and then O'Neill quickly passes forward to Toure but the USA defence can scramble. We look more at home in the transition moments when the opponent isn't organised.

6:10: Kudos to O'Neill running on after his pass forcing the USA to just clear it and we get a throw.

6:40: A wayward backpsss by Okon sees Souttar go back to Beach. A nice long kick is chested by Leckie but lost and then Australia quickly intercept but a weak pass by O'Neill means Ldxmke slides in for a tough foul.

8:29: Dest is allowed to run free by Bos and his shot is blocked by Burgess.

10:04: The sequence for the goal begins. Leckie is too central and focused on Ream which means Italiano has to go across to Robinson. A wing ball sees Circati track too carelessly for the cross to be put in by Burgess. Souttar actually hesitates. If he glides through he probably just sidefoots it for a corner.

Australia react immediately and a nice Playoff by Velupillay sees Leckie shoot wide with the outside of his boot. Wish Leckie has taken a tough and used his left. This shows Bos would be decent higher up for those moments.

12:46: Burgess gets the ball in space and is rattled and passes it right to the USA. It's very interesting viewing as Velupillay and Toure started runs and a scene like the Switzerland goal could have eventuated. It's hard to tell if Burgess scuffed it or wanted a firm ground pass to Toure. This would've been optimistic. I hardly think he was blinded by the sun. I think he's just mishit and underhit a ground pass to Toure. Burgers blocks the ensuing pass for a corner and he apologises and knows.

14:02: Terrible zonal marking allows McKennnie a free header from a corner.

14:55: Burgess wins a small header and Velupillay is able to squeeze through his man. Toure has it then it's lost. Some firm distribution here is needed.

15:41: McKennnie can dodge past Okon and then runs on and Bos just floors him for a yellow. Some posters said it was so save Burgess. Burgess was 15m behind is his defensive line. If Bos lets the ball roll through Burgess sweeps it.

17:06: A soft Souttar pass to Italiano is intercepted. A cross to no one and Australia can win a throw. Australia get a free kick and McKennie purposely blocks the quick free. Should be a yellow there. Okon gets it and weakly falls in a dual and the USA are given the throw.

19:26: Bos is in all sorts. He doesn't track while Velupillay can intercept the pass on the edge of our box he also first times it into their man. Panic stations but Toure can win the ball and Australia clear.

20:00: Italiano has it on half way. Slow play and they win it back.

20:56: Dangerous play from Australia with Burgess passing to a surrounded O'Neill who has the ball stolen. O'Neill called for it. Burgess was being press and should've gone long and high over to Italiano. The block actually sees Leckie thread it through to Italiano who then is isolated and Australia go back.

22:09: A good touch by Toure sees Leckie down the wing and a very good cross is blocked for a corner. Velupillay was pretty close to it. Better intent and a good run by Velupillay. If that ball goes through Bos is all alone on goal.

Not much happened after the drinks break except for a Circati yellow.

36:40: Australia with some firm passes but Velupillay goes back to O'Neill who is beaten off it.

42:03: Dest gets past Bos and Okon scuffs the tackle. A scary looking box tackle by Burgess is actually quite clean.

Okon with silly grabbing gives the USA the free kick that leads to the goal. No one watching the deep man and the charge is it too slow.

Bos wins a free kick in added time in a good position but it hits his arm and USA get a free kick. The last action of the half is a good weaving run by Bos but he's outmuscled.