Match stats/analysis for recent Socceroo games

[Decentric]

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.

Good detail, JS!

 

[Decentric]

I’m going to analyse a few teams at the WC and relate it to an Aus context.

When Netherlands have played in Ball Possession they play a 4-3-3 attacking midfield triangle.

…..X…………X……….X………X

……………………….x
………..,,,,x…………..,,,,,,,,,,x

…..x……………….. X………..,,,,x

They lose it and initially it changes to a 4-5-1, 1:4 midfield, with the 2 wingers dropping back in a line with the attacking midfielders.

Then it becomes a 5-4-1 flat midfield in Ball Possession Opposition, as the opposition build up penetrates deeper.

Aus ends up with a 5-4-1 flat midfield too in the defensive third in BPO, when after first losing the ball it is a 5-2-3.

When Aus regains the ball in the Attacking Transition the shape usually becomes a 3-4-3 building up forwards. Until it loses the ball in the attacking half it becomes a 5-2-3 again.

So deep, the Dutch and Aus play the same formation, but with different formations in other main moments of the game.

 

[Decentric]

Another WC phenomenon occurred in England v Croatia.

Croatia with the ball often tried to play in triangles and diamonds.

Players had to move a bit off the ball and passed in distances from 5, 10 to 15 metres. Aus tries to do this most of the time, but Croatia does it better as their players are technically superior to Aussies.

Meanwhile, England formed bigger triangles and diamonds where they often passed and received over bigger distances - like 15 -25 metres. Not all the time, but I don’t think I’ve seen players play as effectively passing with the inside of the foot over these bigger distances. The body shape and technique was perfect. When receiving they quickly assumed good body position too.

I felt like English players hit very accurate passes in some 3-4 passing sequences, with only minimal width passing lanes., resulting in eye of the needle passing being normalised. Of course they gained territory too. Very, very impressive!