Pim's squad for tonight's clash against Indonesia

Pim has just announced his starting line up for tonight's game against Indonesia, and will look something like this:

-------------- Galekovic ---------------
Cole --- Moore(C) - Roddy --- Jamo
--------- Reid ------ McKay --------
Tommy P --------------- Heffernan
-------- Danny boy - Arch --------

Galekovic wins his first cap, no real surprise there. He has been the stand out keeper for the season.

Cole must have only just got the nod over Elrich, who has had a pretty good season. Maybe Pim likes the idea of Cole's free kicks as an option for nicking a goal in what might be tough conditions?

Roddy and Jamo both win first caps, but no real surprises in the rest of the back four.

Equally, Reid and McKay joining forces as dual CDMs is straightforward enough, both were very reliable and consistent this season.

Tommy P was a big surprise being in the squad (I haven't seen him as a stand out with us this year), but clearly Pim sees something about his combination work with Arch/Danny.

Heff wins a first cap on the other side and that is a big surprise, that he would start in an attacking wide role. I don't think anyone picked that, although we know from the first season what he is capable of. Perhaps Pim has in mind that he would be marking a dangerous winger on the Indonesian side? (where does Bang Bang play??)

We've known for a while that Pim has been eyeing off the Arch/Danny combo - he's been dropping hints for ages now.

In the CCM game (2nd last round), he would have thought after the first 60 minutes: hmmm, maybe this is not such a good idea, but in a devastating 7 minute period (admittedly with Carlos' intervention), they combined to pile on 3 goals.

That would have sewn the deal - a tried and tested combo that remains dangerous till the 90th - just what he needs.

The CCM combo doesn't quite give him that same sense of completeness, balance and reliability. However, if Pim had opted for a sole striker - I'm 100% confident it would have been Macallister in there.

That may yet occur if he wants to protect a lead later in the game, replacing Danny, and dropping Arch back into a midfield, harassing role (also the choice of replacing Arch with Celeski to bolster the midfield to protect a lead).

Addicted to FM09

A reminder that MV fans can find additional news and blogs on MV on 442 online at: http://au.fourfourtwo.com/aleague2008_club.aspx?team=melbourne

Readers of FourFourTwo will know that a sample of Football Manager 09 was available a couple of issues back, allowing you to demo an A-League season.

Naturally enough I tried it, bringing along the Victory into a top 4 spot two thirds into the season, when the demo abruptly ended!

When my wife refused to my buy me a copy of the game for Xmas, I took matters into my own hands and bought one soon after new years day.

You've probably guessed by now that I have become thoroughly addicted to it.

I've just finished my first complete season and I successfully lead the Victory to the Championship!

After finishing 3rd, we defeated Adelaide 4-1 on aggregate, including a marvellous 1-3 away win!We then dished out a further 1-3 away win to the Roar, and met a red hot CCM, who had also won the premier's plate.We went behind to a strong MacCallister header from a set piece around the 15th, but was able to tie it up with a typical Arch to Danny combo a few minutes later.

MacCallister then turned villain early in the 2nd half, giving away a penalty during a set piece, very controversial decision from the ref. Muskie duly converted. Victory leading 2-1.About half way through the 2nd half MacCallister found an inch of space in a goal mouth scramble and belted it home from close range - it was all tied up again!

I decided to put Lopez on and put him in the centre of the park as Celeski was tiring. Around the 80th, Berger was released on the left (again), the ball was a loose one, and Vuka came rushing out after it (as he is wont to do). His clearance ricocheted to Lopez, standing precisely where I had told him to stand - he runs a few metres forward of the centre, and blasts it low and hard into the empty net, with Vuka running hopelessly back to position, but being far too late.

We then held on in a desperate period of injury time. It was meant to be 4 minutes of extra time, but we played 7 minutes! During this time CCM had 3 corners, managed to hit the crossbar and flashed another shot from close range just over!

What a relief it was - the crowning achievement of my life to date!

I then tried to purchase Carlos from his club, was on the verge of signing all the papers, but then the club doctors knocked him back on medical grounds!

I couldn't afford Thwaite, so he's gone, and I also decided to not renew Brebs' contract. So it will be a case of bringing along a few of the youngsters from the youth team this next season. I'm going to hold off all significant recruitment action until I can nail a big fish.

I look forward to my very own season 2 - can I keep this team sufficiently together to defend our trophy?!

I'm happy to share all my secrets re formations and game day tactics if anyone is interested.

A to Z of the goals of the year

For the last two years I have published my A to Z of goals for the year on the FLOG. This year, I drafted it in my blog just because that better enabled me to put toghether the material. One thing I've noticed is that it's getting harder to find current EPL clips on You Tube (a criterion for all nominations is that there is a clip of it on You Tube). This means that there are plenty of choices from the A-League, the ACL, the WCC, Serie A, La Liga, Euro 2008 and the odd UEFA cup tie. I always try and put together a nice range of goals, from long bombs, to team goals with nice build ups, to quirky, unusual goals.

A

Let's start slowly with this Anelka goal in Chelsea's recent 2-0 win against Hull City. He's very lucky not to be called for fouling the keeper, but look how he's running in from about 25 metres away when the ball's coming in. Full marks for persistence when most strikers would have given up the ghost.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=hsRhas7TBB8

B

I don't like this one at all - Baga bags a big one against MV in the ACL (wonderful local commentary, can't understand a word, but we get the drift). This clip also shows his 2nd goal from the same game, which was pretty good as well.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=T_Kvlbwrs7Q

C

Not exactly a goal as such, but one never tires of seeing Crouchy in action:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=w0W1Ncq7KWg

But the cigar must go to Cristiano, in Adelaide's historic win against Al Ahly - the commentators are initially underwhelmed.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=jEVVlhE5mw0

Special mention to Shannon Cole, see under G below.

D

It was Dodd's goal against Kashima that really set up AU for a run at an ACL final spot:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=I-ovMonsesI

E

I've spoken at length about Endo's goal against Adelaide at the WCC. Watch how he starts the move near the half way line, and then times a 40 metre run to perfection to be at the drop of the ball with no defenders around him:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=yOioJMDjmC4

F

Fuller for Stoke City vs Villa, takes the ball nicely past two defenders with first touch, a bit of an acute angle but still drives it low and hard across the keeper:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=-TV4bXyl4uM

G

For those from outside of Australia, you may not know too much about this game. Melbourne vs Sydney, 27 December: Shannon Cole opens the scoring after 27 seconds with a ripper, followed barely two minutes later by Brendan Gan with a strike every bit as good. Sydney up 0-2 within 3 minutes, Melbourne ends up winning 3-2 - perhaps the best A-League encounter ever.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=0gd1AWMxjho


H

Can't go past El Zorro's cracker against Juve:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=OYpVZhUT1kI

I

A nice double from Ibrahimovic against Palermo, not too long ago, check out the first goal in particular:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=bQMjlQYkhuc

J

Nice debut and winning goal by Jesic, good touch, unfortunately over MV (again):

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=wA4Yvlx4WzU

K

No list is ever complete without Kaka - bread and butter vs Napoli, good lead up play on the left:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=s0E7VRptmiM

L

Lahm is the 2nd one on this Euro 2008 clip (after Torres who features under T). This is the sort of attacking full back play one rarely sees, once again, he initiates play just inside the opposition half, and keeps going.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=_qsPvHUmXog

M

Charlie Miller has scored stacks of good goals so far this season, but this one deserves a mention because it's against SFC:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=zbGgWhqpzwo

N

Nihat, from Euro 2008, caresses it over the keeper into the top corner:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=UAtxMmIw5AA

O

Nice scissor kick by Ney Fabiano against the Nix, as he's being pulled down by the defender:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=rIuJu5pEjUw

P

Just what we've been missing, some intricate interplay - how about this Pepe goal, from Euro 2008, the 2nd one on this particular clip:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ3yiUjrERo

Q

What, another goal against a Sicilian club? This one from Quaresma took a bit of a deflection, and got Inter out of jail at home to Catania

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=KIKYvn7A6EU

R

A nice curling shot from Robinho in a UEFA cup tie against Twente, it's the 2nd Ciddy goal, Wright-Phillips features below:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=te_LgKuw4Z8

S

Check this goal out - you could swear that Sneijder's shot is going to clear the cross bar - an optical illusion:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=TEKExX5U2bE

T

Torres is the first one on this Euro 2008 clip, watch carefully, you'll miss it, typical Torres finish:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=_qsPvHUmXog

U

Long range effort from the Turkish left back Ugur Boral in a club game.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=5lANWW3R8YM

V

This Van Dijk touch gave the Roar a late winner over the Jets a few weeks ago. The goal is towards the end of the clip, where you'll also see the Roar hit the left upright twice in the space of three seconds. Very good move by the Roar, as they stretched the Jets' 10 men, switching from right to left where they find Tiatto in an acre of space.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xc1jn62Yrk

W

This is from the same Melbourne vs Sydney game shown under G. Nick Ward ties it up within 30 seconds of coming onto the ground midway through the 2nd half. Look for the goal about a 3rd of the way through the clip. Fabiano winner at the 80th minute isn't too bad either.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=agIQnHqbeCU

X

Barca keep it alive as they feed Xavi at the top of the D who places it just past the keeper:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=pcoFrbDF4tU

Y



Z

Who else but Zaki, from the Egyptian Cup Final, comes back in to open up the angle, nice work:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=E9XwD1iz_cw

Letter from Ben Buckley

A reminder that MV fans can find additional news and blogs on MV on 442 online at: http://au.fourfourtwo.com/aleague2008_club.aspx?team=melbourne

This is a copy of the letter from Ben Buckley that was sent out yesterday to all A-League members as a response to the Rebecca Wilson article:

Dear Pippu
You may have noticed an article in some of Saturday’s papers which
said that the Hyundai A-League and football in general is “in crisis”.
The
writer (Rebecca Wilson) said the alleged “crisis” was the reason for the result
between Adelaide United and Gamba Osaka in the Asian Football Confederation
(AFC) Champions League and that Adelaide was “humiliated”.
I thought it might
be helpful to write to let you know just how wrong this view is.
For a start,
I've always thought that a team which makes it to a final of a competition has
actually performed very well.
Whether it be the NRL or AFL Grand Finals, the
finals of the cricket One Day Internationals or finals of the Super 14s, it is
generally accepted that the two teams competing have excelled to get that far.
Let's put Adelaide United's achievement in making it to the final of the
Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Champions League against Gamba Osaka into
perspective.
To get to the final, Adelaide had to:
(a) finish
as either minor premiers or champions of the Hyundai A-League to earn the right
to represent Australia in the first place
(b) come through a group
stage playing six home and away matches against teams from Korea, China and
Vietnam
(c) navigate through the quarter finals and semi finals,
playing a further four home and away matches, against one of the most successful
teams in J-League history, Kashima Antlers, and Bunyodkor from Uzbekistan, and
(d) meet another top team from the Japanese league which is widely
considered the top national league in the Asian confederation.
Since 2006, we
have been actively addressing the shortcomings of the sport with a long term
plan for Australia to improve its technical skills and to achieve sustained
success internationally.
Last year, Football Federation Australia (FFA)
released the first ever national strategic framework for the development of the
sport in this country.
It is a long term plan for Australia to achieve
sustained success at international level within the historical context of a lack
of investment in the critical area of football development over many
decades.
The national football development plan sets out a
comprehensive program for improving and upgrading the game at every level and
for all participants, whether they be players, coaches, referees, volunteers or
other administrators. The plan addresses development at two distinct
levels:
'game development' which focuses on the grassroots that underpins the
sport's popular base as well as the development of talented players who may well
become the next Brett Emerton, Heather Garriock or Lucas Neill, and
'talented player development' which is focussed on a nationally coordinated
talent identification system involving the Australian Institute of Sport, the
State Institutes, the member federations and the Hyundai A-League clubs.
Since then, we have delivered a number of the initiatives outlined in the
national football development plan all of which have the aim of improving the
skill levels and technical proficiency of players. These
include:
introduction of Small Sided Football which aims to improve the skill
levels and technical proficiency of young players
establishment of a
National Youth League
establishment of the Westfield W-League
improved
integration of pathways for talented players, and
a customised development
program for the top 50 talented players.
Small sided football is critical to
our strategy as it gives children more touches of the ball, leading to improved
skill levels. After just one year, 70,000 children are playing small sided
football and this number will increase further over the next two years.
It's
one thing to produce good players, but we also need to produce good
coaches.
While it's terrific to see the 'mums and dads' at weekend games
helping out their children’s teams, we also want to ensure those mums and dads
have the skills they need also to help children appropriately as they guide them
in the early years.
To date, we have:
introduced a national coach
accreditation scheme from grassroots upwards
held our first ever national
coaching conference with leading experts from around the world, for coaches from
grassroots to elite
set out minimum coaching qualifications for elite level
coaches, and
awarded the first four scholarships under our new Elite Coach
Development Program – to two former Socceroo captains, Alex Tobin and Paul Okon;
to another former Socceroo, Alistair Edwards; and to Nicola Williams.
In
time for the 2009 winter football season, we will have a new online course
available for accredited coaches to supplement and complement certificate
courses.
The article also suggested that the best players go
overseas.
This is a reality which has been ever-present in football for 25
years and reflects the fact that football is the truly global game.
It is
almost a rite of passage for talented young Australian players to try their luck
in the bigger and richer leagues around the world, just as it is for young
footballers from elsewhere such as South America.
It is a reality which other
sports are only now just starting to experience as the epicentre of some of the
other sports shifts.
But with our large participant base, our nine
national teams for men and women, and regular competitive opportunities through
the Asian Football Confederation, the Hyundai A-League (along with the National
Youth League and the Westfield W-League) will grow into a more and more
significant competition and source of playing talent for national teams as the
competition matures and evolves.
At the end of season 3 of the Hyundai
A-League, average crowds were 15,350, club memberships increased by almost 100%
on season 1 and FOX Sports continued to report increasing viewer
numbers.
Even though there has been a small reduction in crowds to date in
this season, we are light years ahead of the old national soccer
league.
Expansion will not only give us the best geographical footprint of
any national sporting competition in the country, but more teams will help make
the competition even more vibrant and attractive.
We are expanding to
ten teams next season, with the addition of the Gold Coast and North Queensland
Fury, and to twelve the season after.
Even further growth of the
Hyundai A-League will come from creating local heroes that young players can
touch and see week-in, week-out and we are taking positive steps to ensure that
we have enough quality players available.
Importantly, an expanded Hyundai
A-League will also give clubs an extended season with more games which – as
every coach and armchair expert knows – leads to improved skill levels,
technical proficiency and match preparedness.
So, far from being "in
crisis" we are rebuilding from the grassroots up.
We are expanding the
Hyundai A-League
We are involved in regular quality competition in Asia
1 million Australians enjoy playing the sport
We have launched a
national plan to address technical failings
The sport is back in the ‘black’
financially (which we will be announcing later this month), and
We are
bidding for the right to host the 2015 AFC Asian Cup and the 2018 FIFA World
Cup.
Thank you for your commitment to football.
We hope to see you at a
Hyundai A-League, National Youth League, Westfield W-League and Qantas Socceroos
match in the very near future.

Cheers
Ben Buckley
Chief
Executive Officer

Victory Hour - 17 Nov 08

A reminder that MV fans can find additional news and blogs on MV on 442 online at: http://au.fourfourtwo.com/aleague2008_club.aspx?team=melbourne

Rebecca Wilson's Article

It was inevitable that this would come up as a discussion point. They replayed an earlier radio interview with her. She said that she does try and follow the A-League, but in her opinion, it's not up to speed. She said that Gamba should have won by half a dozen goals more. She talked about the drop in crowds, and the risk of diluting the talent with additional teams.

She was asked about her comments in relation to junior development. She said that the anecdotal evidence is that talented 16 year olds are going directly to Europe to try out with Holland and Germany.

She referred to the attractive "soccer" that Gamba produced with short, crisp passing, she felt that the A-League should be able to produce half of the Socceroos squad.

These responses did not satisfy the SEN team. She was taken to task for suggesting that the Roar only get 3 to 4,000 at their home games, which actually is way off the mark (they accused here of lieing). SEN made the point that the Roar get the equivalent of what a Sydney NRL team gets.

SEN had to admit that some of her points held a "skerrick of truth" (although the hosts still described themselves as being "incensed" with her).

A bit bizarrely, the attention was then focused on SBS, who, they suggest, held themselves up to be the only ones in a position to criticise the FFA. I'm not too sure what that was about.

They described Wilson of coming from Rugby League territory and being completely pro League, and as such, not being at all qualified to comment on the A-League.

One caller referred to the fact that Australia has been producing international quality players for two decades, and that was happening in the NSL days, and it is only better now with the A-League.

Wilson had suggested that we were only good at producing keepers and defenders and not more attacking players. SEN pointed out that if anything we have stacks of strikers and attacking midfielders and a dearth of keepers.

AU & the ACL

Getting that far in the ACL has taken its toll on AU, who have now lost 4 games on the trot, counting the A-League and the ACL.

MV vs CCM

Big game this Friday, 1st vs 2nd - both teams will go in with three strikers (at least!) - likely to be a very attacking game.

Some reminiscing back to two years ago when it was a 3-3 draw, and MV ended up with 9 men on the field.

W-League

Once upon a time, they used to say that the only good thing about Canberra is the road back to Melbourne, but on the weekend, Canberra women's team defeated Melbourne 1-0.

It was a well earned win, and Canberra played as if they were desperate for the three points from the word go.

Victory Hour - 10 Nov 08

A reminder that MV fans can find additional news and blogs on MV on 442 online at: http://au.fourfourtwo.com/aleague2008_club.aspx?team=melbourne

Depth of squad - Nick Ward

To illustrate the depth of the squad, reference was made to the fact that our youth marquee, Nick Ward, has had to come off the bench the last two weeks (and has done well both times).

Nick was interviewed tonight. Unusual role for him on Saturday. Had to help the team win the game while ensuring it wasn't lost. Once the goal was scored, he played as a more conventional LWB.

He was asked about the depth in midfield, and whether he had to lessen his expectations in terms of a starting spot.

Very interesting response - he still saw himself as grabbing a starting spot as soon as he regains full fitness. Competition for midfield spots is good for the team.

He has come to enjoy living in Melbourne and is definitely enjoying it far more than his season in England.

Described Ernie as being straightforward in terms of his dealings with the players, let's them know precisely what is expected and how they are going.

The recent away wins have put the pressure on all the other clubs, especially Adelaide.

Nick is described as a physical player and he made it clear that the recent spate of red cards has not hampered his playing style.

The interview was finished off by the comment that if Nick was concerned, he could always shave his head and go in two footed!

This weekend - KFC road show to Shepparton.

Gold Coast and MV players

Mention was made of GC chasing Panta, and given how his season has gone, it's probably a good move from him. He's already featured on the GC wikipedia page.

Seb Ryall's future may depend on what happens to Michael Thwaite who is on a one year deal.

Defensive mids

Brebner playing well, but should we be planning for a future without him, giving more opportunity to Lopez and Broxham? Point made that with Lopez on call for the Costa Rican national team, we currently have a real need for Brebner in the squad, and he has been playing quite well last couple of weeks.

Votes for QR game

3. Thwaite
2. Vargas
1. Fabiano

Tiatto tackle

Agreement that should have been a red card. He's missing the next couple of weeks through injury anyway.

Victory Hour - 3 Nov 08

A reminder that MV fans can find additional news and blogs on MV on 442 online at: http://au.fourfourtwo.com/aleague2008_club.aspx?team=melbourne

MV vs AU

Top spot was up for grabs last weekend. So much to come back from, especially after AU's 2nd goal by Cassio.

Friday night was full of vigour. Can be viewed as one of the all time great wins in the history of the club - it was a six point game and had to come back from behind twice.

SEN sought comments from listeners, in particular, about that dive.

SEN accused Cornthwaite's defending as being the quality of park football. Berger beat him hands down on the night, and it's mystifying that Pim would invite him to train with the Socceroos ahead of other A-League players.

SEN encouraging those who have criticised the team in the recent past to put their hand up and admit that they may have got it wrong.

It will be a real test form the FFA this week as to how they deal with the Cristiano dive. One problem is that the ref actually dealt with it on the park.

The question of footballing culture was raised, vis-a-vis the difference between South America and Australia. Australian crowds despise diving and writhing around on the ground.

For MV fans, there is the inconsistency of the treatment on Carlos after he was clearly fouled, receiving a yellow for diving.

Most likely that Cristiano will get away with far, far less for the remainder of the season.

If FFA doesn't make a stand, the precedent will be set in a negative manner.

Mention was made of Sasho's yellow and AU's Cristiano was likened to the more famous Cristiano in the World game.

Comment was made on the culture at MV that is absolutely anti-diving from the Coach and Captain down.

Reference to Ross Aloisi describing the Cristiano incident as a disgrace.

It's a young league, and perception comes into it. Local potential fans will turn off AU if their team is perceived as cheats.

Back to MV, and Brebner received plaudits for his game and we were reminded that in MV's poor period last season, Brebner was mostly out of the team.

J Lo was described as being a bit disappointing the last couple of weeks, but it was admitted that he got forward regularly and had some very good opportunities to score on Friday night.

Muskie's penalties

One caller asked why keepers don't wise up to the fact that more often than not, Muskie goes straight down the middle when taking penalties. SEN corrected the caller that Muskie has the ability to change his mind last second if he notices the keeper moving.

Fox again

Back to the old bugbear about Fox being biased gainst MV, but kudos was given to Fox for the breadth of the coverage and the fact that we get every game live (perhaps a reference to FTA's coverage of aussie rules).

Ben Buckley

One caller expressed the opinion that Ben Buckley has gone under the radar of late, avoiding all criticism. For instance, compare his performance to the CEOs of the other codes, and the decline in crowds this season. SEN described Buckley as a good administrator, but not necessarily as someone capable of selling the game.

Comparison to aussie rules

A caller with a very long memory, reminded us of the day in the 1973 finals when Big Nick went down like a bag of spuds and got Neville Crowe reported , missing his chance at winning a premiership. The point was that this sort of thing can be found in our local game.

Other clubs

Perth now with a chance to push for a top 4 spot.

Bad news for the Jets: Zura returning home, and North signing with NQ for next season.