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Soccer Ashes thread

tsf said:
You probably can’t read too much into it. Some absolute positives and awesome goals but NZ are terrible. The defending was a joke.
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The Kiwi last line defending wasn't good at times, but their closing down of space in their Ball Possession Opposition for 60 minutes of both games was outstanding.

They ran out of gas - again - which is the norm at about the 6o min mark for such sustained, intensive Squeezing within a Full Press. At times they were virtually marking every Aussie defender and midfielder in the Aus defensive half they had so many players in our defensive half.

The risk/ reward was on show in that Aus exploited the space behind the Full Press on a few occasions in the first half of the game, but increased a lot after 60 mins when they ran out of legs.

Popa seems to want Aus to Squeeze with far less intensity to preserve energy for the latter part of the game.

The space between the lines increased enormously after the 60 min mark enabling Aus to play in more time and space.

I take my hat off to the Kiwis. They've improved out of sight.
 
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Decentric said:
I don't criticise Popa much, but was appalled by him bringing Hrustic on in NZ.

His teammates at Heracles must do a heck of a lot to cover for his languid efforts in Ball Possession Opposition.
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as we said on the pod, it really made silvera's job tough being paired with silvera
 
Decentric said:
Do you mean being paired with Hrustic?
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yeah sorry paired with hrustic.
Between the ref not calling fouls on silvera and hrustic giving him no forward options he really didn't have a lot of options
 
Decentric said:
The Kiwi last line defending wasn't good at times, but their closing down of space in their Ball Possession Opposition for 60 minutes of both games was outstanding.

They ran out of gas - again - which is the norm at about the 6o min mark for such sustained, intensive Squeezing within a Full Press. At times they were virtually marking every Aussie defender and midfielder in the Aus defensive half they had so many players in our defensive half.

The risk/ reward was on show in that Aus exploited the space behind the Full Press on a few occasions in the first half of the game, but increased a lot after 60 mins when they ran out of legs.

Popa seems to want Aus to Squeeze with far less intensity to preserve energy for the latter part of the game.

Th space between the lines increased enormously after the 60 min mark enabling Aus to play in more time and space.

I take my hat off to the Kiwis. They've improved out of sight.
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Credit to the Kiwis they play a nice brand of football, they probably lack some depth in key positions but they building into a good team.
 
Pathetic from Poppa not to play Segecic in either game. Not putting him in matchday squad for this match is 100% about him making a statement. If he questions his allegiance as well it is completely on Poppa. So unnecessary to pit ourselves in this position. What an absolute moron bringing on guys like Boyle and Hrustic for a run again in a friendly and meanwhile one of our most in-form young players (and a dual national) doesn't see a minute. Regardless of results under his tenure, I've never disliked a Socceroos manager more.
 
Just watched replay. Happy with that. Great to see the young players deliver. A good window. Some match notes below.

12-13min: Loose balls by Metcalfe and Poor ball forward by Rowles

15: Rowles just not the type to overlap with room being afforded down the wing.

15: Metcalfe with perfect wing run and Miller hesitates. Too much stifling of any half attack.

16 Irankunda shot out for a throw. He had space and time to go forward and choose options.

17 classy ball by Circati into Toure's best area of play (a bit wide) and Australia get a corner.

18: Poor pass by Rowles. Degenek should've fed Metcalfe right after the corner.

19: An anomaly with Burgess not anticipating Degenek's pass.

20: Nerve wracking to see Irankunda and Balard go down. Both are fine.

24: Casual pass by Burgess leads to Metcalfe yellow. Some better movement but hesitation to thread final pass.

26: Nicely done by Miller. Metcalfe makes the firm pass but it's not entirely accurate. Had Bos been there instead of Rowles then a second good option exists.

30: Some good moments but generally too slow and hesitant. Bad tactics by Popovic and players not up to it

33: That's not Cahill in number 4! Rowles with a nice header and a nice save. Great cross by Miller.

34: Lovely goal. Evidently Australia are best when the ball is in transition and gaps form and we can take advantage.

38: Nice ball by Miller and Balard scuffs it but a tricky one to take. Toure with excellent movement.

39: In what is probably Circati's weakest half so far he's tricked by Singh and NZ just can't convert. Very nicely done by Izzo.

46: Izzo can simply not play a ball. Kicks out for a throw.

48: Great save by Izzo. Silly shielding by Miller for goal kick before.

54: This is exactly what we want! 2:0 Irankunda!

57: Not good by Degenek there. Could you imagine the blame Ryan would get for conceding that? Izzo powerless.

60: OMG Toure!!! Love Duke's service but surely that's that in our striker stocks.

62: And it keeps getting better but it's offside. What a shame.

72: Horrible challenge by Bindon in a practice game.

76: Bell, Wood and De Vries just foul and stop play. Need more cards in competitive games for it.

77: Irankunda scores a great free kick. Lord knows the Syria post counted as a goal, right?
 
A few thoughts on the game:
  • It was so nice to see Irankunda and Toure together. They need to be starters from now on.
  • Toure is so strong he panics defenses and links up well with players around him. Good finishing too. Breath of fresh air.
  • Irankunda is living up to all his hype. Great dribbling goal and finish. His 77' free kick ...Phhwwoaarrr!!!
  • I liked the balance with Metcalfe in the front 3. Metcalfe dropped back at times to help the midfield and it helped a lot.
  • Balard starting debut and I thought he was very good. Screened well and some positive forward passing. Partnered well with O'Neill. Balard should be a starter imo.
  • Stoked Circati got the arm band and I personally think its well deserved. Love his central forward passes.
  • Toure 7 games, Circati 7 games, Irankunda 4 games, Balard 2 games ... the future looks bright.
  • Izzo is a competent back up for Ryan.
  • Popovic needs to play Segecic next time!
That game was much less dour and struck a better balance within the framework of Popovic's system. That was a massive positive for me and should be the blue print moving forward.

An XI like this now seems a realistic possibility and its exciting.

Irankunda - Toure - Metcalfe
Irvine - Balard
Bos ---------------------------------------- Miller
Burgess - Souttar - Circati
Ryan​
 
JS96 said:
57: Not good by Degenek there. Could you imagine the blame Ryan would get for conceding that? Izzo powerless.
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Degenek at fault but Izzo should have done better. Once Degenek is beaten he should dive for the ball or at the very least move forward. He falls backwards. Overall over both games probably his only shot stopping error but his distribution is not what is needed.
 
patjennings said:
Degenek at fault but Izzo should have done better. Once Degenek is beaten he should dive for the ball or at the very least move forward. He falls backwards. Overall over both games probably his only shot stopping error but his distribution is not what is needed.
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Yep, Izzo was very poor with the ball at his feet, both games. I can’t remember him being this bad with his feet in the A League, but maybe he was mostly under less pressure then.
 
patjennings said:
Degenek at fault but Izzo should have done better. Once Degenek is beaten he should dive for the ball or at the very least move forward. He falls backwards. Overall over both games probably his only shot stopping error but his distribution is not what is needed.
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I mean yeah Izzo can make himself wider there. It does irk me how keepers have the toughest job in football. If that goes past Ryan all the MV fans start shouting.
 
melbcityguy said:
Guys how well does Nestor do compared to other wonder kids his age?

Can't quote you for some reason.

We don't speak of that as to avoid the curse!
 
A few things to remember. Rowles had a purely defensive job tonight and shut them down a lot early. A tidy enough game. Some good first time balls if you watch carefully and a few wayward ones. Definitely not a viable LWB and Elder needs a go. Won't happen.

Bos at the end was really just closing the game down and avoiding injury.

Some faith in that Kalik and Botic didn't get chances either so it's just Popovic showing who's Bos. Nice for Milanovic.

Toure was a boss tonight. On this evidence we surely don't see Duke return and Behich as a lucky reserve.

Balard was tidy and tonight afforded us more space and transition where we looked at home.
 
Quicky said:
A few thoughts on the game:
  • It was so nice to see Irankunda and Toure together. They need to be starters from now on.
  • Toure is so strong he panics defenses and links up well with players around him. Good finishing too. Breath of fresh air.
  • Irankunda is living up to all his hype. Great dribbling goal and finish. His 77' free kick ...Phhwwoaarrr!!!
  • I liked the balance with Metcalfe in the front 3. Metcalfe dropped back at times to help the midfield and it helped a lot.
  • Balard starting debut and I thought he was very good. Screened well and some positive forward passing. Partnered well with O'Neill. Balard should be a starter imo.
  • Stoked Circati got the arm band and I personally think its well deserved. Love his central forward passes.
  • Toure 7 games, Circati 7 games, Irankunda 4 games, Balard 2 games ... the future looks bright.
  • Izzo is a competent back up for Ryan.
  • Popovic needs to play Segecic next time!
That game was much less dour and struck a better balance within the framework of Popovic's system. That was a massive positive for me and should be the blue print moving forward.

An XI like this now seems a realistic possibility and its exciting.

Irankunda - Toure - Metcalfe
Irvine - Balard
Bos ---------------------------------------- Miller
Burgess - Souttar - Circati
Ryan​
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I'd like Metcalfe at RWB and have him roam all over the place. Bos/ Goodwin is a contentious combination. Irankunda right and Goodwin left?
 
download (1).jpg

Chris Wood all night. Bloke just stares bewilderedly. Moaned when Circati totally smashed the header after the VAR goal. wE WaNT tO BeAT aUSsIe....
 
One of two slips or missed passes by our mids but that's an average number. You've really got to watch them like a hawk to see what they do. We need to remember Popovic is holding them back with his system but there are the moments of space when we go or it and it's to good effect.
 
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