In all honesty, I expected the Socceroos team we were fielding to get beaten by Uruguay...but I had thought it would be by more. So in a way, a 2-1 defeat is almost a win. However, was it really the moment to be playing the team we did? There’s two ways of looking at it – it was Arnold’s last chance to experiment with new faces and new tactics before the Asian Cup. Or it was a waste of a warm-up when most of the team we’ll actually be fielding watched the match from the stands or on TV.
In the end, the Second Socceroos did not bad – I’ll run through them one by one in a moment – but the biggest weakness was Arnold’s single striker tactic. McDonald has promise as a talented forward, but he’s a bit of a shortarse. He doesn't have Viduka’s presence to hold off four defenders and he doesn't have Viduka’s height to get the high balls. He’s creative and quick and needed someone alongside to work with on the ground. Arnold denied him that, and Uruguay denied him any space to do anything in the game. And while our defence was generally good, we needed to be sharper with our marking and the midfield needed to be quicker getting back to support them.
BRAD JONES
An absolute shocker. The second goal was obviously his fault, but the first was too. He should never have allowed the ball to be passed in front of his six yard box. But you can't expect much from a ‘keeper who has been warming the bench all season. Our second string ‘keeper should be someone who is match-sharp from regular first team games. Kalac suffered the same problem. Jones is young – we should let him go back to his club and only bring him back to the Socceroos when he’s getting regular first team games – and in the meantime, if Schwarzer’s unavailable, use A-League ‘keepers who are at least match ready. 1/10
LUCAS NEILL
Had a fantastic game with one exception - he was caught flat-footed and missed the six yard box interception that could have prevented the first goal. But apart from that, he was a standout in defence and superb as captain, encouraging the troops, marshalling the defence and playing the ball forward calmly and with control. Still would have liked to see him being more imposing at set pieces at the far end of the field, giving McDonald some support in the air. 8/10
BRETT EMERTON
A great game for Emerton. He hooked up well with Wilkshire and doubled as a wingback, making some great runs up the right flank and crossing well. The only criticism was when he peeled off Recoba as the cross for the second goal came in. He thought Jones had it under control and ran off to receive the breakaway throw...but instead left Recoba unmarked and able to get his header in. It’s easy to criticise, but Emo should have kept his eye on the ball and not left Recoba’s side until he saw for sure the danger had passed. 8/10
MICHAEL THWAITE
A very poor game. Didn't close down the opposition well enough, didn't have any impact on the left wing. The left-back position is always a tricky one to fill in any team. Thwaite isn’t the answer for us. 3/10
PADDY KISNORBO
Had a good game and showed promise. He wasn't afraid to push forward, got mixed up in the action and always seemed to around and about. Definitely earned a spot on the bench and could be a future regular in the first team. 7/10
LUKE WILKSHIRE
Had a very good game, linking up well with Emo and dominating the right wing. Some neat passes but was sometimes too ambitious, occasionally forgetting McDonald wasn't Viduka and playing a high ball instead of an accurate ball into space or to feet. 8/10
CARL VALERI
Seemed out of his depth. His crunching tackles will still be hurting Uruguay today but there wasn't enough skill on the ball and he lacked the incisive passes that were needed to set McDonald free. 5/10
JASON CULINA
Not his best game by any manner of means. Simon Hill gave him a good rap when he was substituted but for me he was anonymous for most of the match. Didn't link up with McDonald well at all and sent up the occasional Viduka-style ball when a more precise pass to feet was required. 5/10
MILE STERJOWSKI
Winners are grinners and Sterj’s goal put a smile on 20 million faces. He kept his head in the frantic goalmouth scramble and although it was an ugly situation, when the chance of a strike finally came, he took it well and placed it perfectly. But he was in the thick of the action for most of the game and was Australia’s standout for the match. 9/10
SCOTT McDONALD
He was let down by Arnold’s tactics that gave him little chance to shine. He doesn't have the build or the height to be a lone striker and needs support to take some of the defence’s attention away from him. That said though, he also needs to be braver in some of the challenges than he showed against Uruguay. 6/10
BRETT HOLMAN
Apparently he was the man to support McDonald, according to Arnold after the game. And in that case he failed miserably. He didn't hook up well with McDonald and didn't create any space for him by dragging Uruguay defenders away with him. He didn't too badly as a general attacking midfielder, but in his designated role, he didn't do the Socceroos any favours. 4/10
NICKY CARLE
What the f*** were you thinking Nicky??? Seconds to go in the match and on a great run in the box is NOT the time to try a reverse crossover cross. Nicky, if you read this, you are BANNED from watching our "Greatest Goal Ever?" video on 442Tube ever again. Practise crossing with your right before attempting the fancy stuff, eh? Other than that, he did quite well but appeared a little overeager to impress (and in the case of that failed cross, WAY too eager to impress). It would have been good to see him get more time on the pitch to overcome his nerves and settle into the match better. 5/10
RYAN GRIFFITHS
Certainly added extra energy to the attack when he came on late in the game and although it didn't result in any goals, he showed promise for the future. I’m not convinced he’s better than his brother Joel though. 6/10
DANNY ALLSOPP
Yeah, well. He came on and then the final whistle blew. I was hoping for some fireworks with him teaming up with Thompson but there wasn't much time for him and he did little in the few minutes he got. 4/10
ARCHIE THOMPSON
Against a big team, could Archie fire up and earn a regular Socceroos start in their bigger matches? The jury’s still out. He certainly didn't choke and made some great runs upfield. He put himself about and there was always a hint of danger from him but the bottom line is that he didn’t threaten the Uruguay goal. However in his defence, and that of all the subs, they only entered the game long after Uruguay had settled into the match, were up a goal and had found their confidence. 7/10
GRAHAM ARNOLD
The first half he got spot on. We played some nice footy and had Uruguay on the back foot for the first 35 minutes. The midfield had the game under control, even if our attack was squeezed out for most of the game. We did far better than I was expecting, given the lack of first team regulars in the side. Then we lost the first goal and Uruguay had their tails up. We needed something different in the second half – and Arnold failed to deliver. Given the ineffective attack, it was time to switch to a 442 but we carried on with the same old, same old – and of course, Uruguay had the chance at the break to identify our weaknesses and exploit them...which they did. They kept our attack strangled and targeted our weak left flank and weak ‘keeper. After the second goal, Arnold tried changing things around with the subs but it was too late. Leaving Carney off the bench in a clearly experimental side was an odd choice – he could have provided an option for something different. Overall, for the team we fielded, we did well. We didn't win though and that’s what ultimately matters. And more importantly, when we went behind, there was nothing new Arnold created that gave us a chance of winning. That’s what separates the good managers from the great...and it’s why, nice guy and competent manager though Arnold is, he’s not the man to take the Socceroos to the World Cup again. 5/10
++++
It was all a bit quiet in Telstra Stadium again last night, wasn't it? The Green and Gold Army’s Home End efforts are all very commendable...but it just seems a little, well, forced. I’d rather see and hear raw spontaneous passion from fans than carefully choreographed routines. Personally, I think all the choreography is self-defeating – it alienates those people not directly involved and inhibits them. Just sing whatever comes into your head. Chant. Cheer. And shout, even if it’s just abuse at our keeper or the left-back or the Uruguay forward with the girly headband. Just make some noise. Please?
++++
I loved FoxSports’ lingering shots on the field at the end of play as the players swapped shirts and exchanged pleasantries (and not-so-pleasantries) instead of cutting back to the talking heads in the studio. SBS – were you watching? That’s how to do it...
In the end, the Second Socceroos did not bad – I’ll run through them one by one in a moment – but the biggest weakness was Arnold’s single striker tactic. McDonald has promise as a talented forward, but he’s a bit of a shortarse. He doesn't have Viduka’s presence to hold off four defenders and he doesn't have Viduka’s height to get the high balls. He’s creative and quick and needed someone alongside to work with on the ground. Arnold denied him that, and Uruguay denied him any space to do anything in the game. And while our defence was generally good, we needed to be sharper with our marking and the midfield needed to be quicker getting back to support them.
BRAD JONES
An absolute shocker. The second goal was obviously his fault, but the first was too. He should never have allowed the ball to be passed in front of his six yard box. But you can't expect much from a ‘keeper who has been warming the bench all season. Our second string ‘keeper should be someone who is match-sharp from regular first team games. Kalac suffered the same problem. Jones is young – we should let him go back to his club and only bring him back to the Socceroos when he’s getting regular first team games – and in the meantime, if Schwarzer’s unavailable, use A-League ‘keepers who are at least match ready. 1/10
LUCAS NEILL
Had a fantastic game with one exception - he was caught flat-footed and missed the six yard box interception that could have prevented the first goal. But apart from that, he was a standout in defence and superb as captain, encouraging the troops, marshalling the defence and playing the ball forward calmly and with control. Still would have liked to see him being more imposing at set pieces at the far end of the field, giving McDonald some support in the air. 8/10
BRETT EMERTON
A great game for Emerton. He hooked up well with Wilkshire and doubled as a wingback, making some great runs up the right flank and crossing well. The only criticism was when he peeled off Recoba as the cross for the second goal came in. He thought Jones had it under control and ran off to receive the breakaway throw...but instead left Recoba unmarked and able to get his header in. It’s easy to criticise, but Emo should have kept his eye on the ball and not left Recoba’s side until he saw for sure the danger had passed. 8/10
MICHAEL THWAITE
A very poor game. Didn't close down the opposition well enough, didn't have any impact on the left wing. The left-back position is always a tricky one to fill in any team. Thwaite isn’t the answer for us. 3/10
PADDY KISNORBO
Had a good game and showed promise. He wasn't afraid to push forward, got mixed up in the action and always seemed to around and about. Definitely earned a spot on the bench and could be a future regular in the first team. 7/10
LUKE WILKSHIRE
Had a very good game, linking up well with Emo and dominating the right wing. Some neat passes but was sometimes too ambitious, occasionally forgetting McDonald wasn't Viduka and playing a high ball instead of an accurate ball into space or to feet. 8/10
CARL VALERI
Seemed out of his depth. His crunching tackles will still be hurting Uruguay today but there wasn't enough skill on the ball and he lacked the incisive passes that were needed to set McDonald free. 5/10
JASON CULINA
Not his best game by any manner of means. Simon Hill gave him a good rap when he was substituted but for me he was anonymous for most of the match. Didn't link up with McDonald well at all and sent up the occasional Viduka-style ball when a more precise pass to feet was required. 5/10
MILE STERJOWSKI
Winners are grinners and Sterj’s goal put a smile on 20 million faces. He kept his head in the frantic goalmouth scramble and although it was an ugly situation, when the chance of a strike finally came, he took it well and placed it perfectly. But he was in the thick of the action for most of the game and was Australia’s standout for the match. 9/10
SCOTT McDONALD
He was let down by Arnold’s tactics that gave him little chance to shine. He doesn't have the build or the height to be a lone striker and needs support to take some of the defence’s attention away from him. That said though, he also needs to be braver in some of the challenges than he showed against Uruguay. 6/10
BRETT HOLMAN
Apparently he was the man to support McDonald, according to Arnold after the game. And in that case he failed miserably. He didn't hook up well with McDonald and didn't create any space for him by dragging Uruguay defenders away with him. He didn't too badly as a general attacking midfielder, but in his designated role, he didn't do the Socceroos any favours. 4/10
NICKY CARLE
What the f*** were you thinking Nicky??? Seconds to go in the match and on a great run in the box is NOT the time to try a reverse crossover cross. Nicky, if you read this, you are BANNED from watching our "Greatest Goal Ever?" video on 442Tube ever again. Practise crossing with your right before attempting the fancy stuff, eh? Other than that, he did quite well but appeared a little overeager to impress (and in the case of that failed cross, WAY too eager to impress). It would have been good to see him get more time on the pitch to overcome his nerves and settle into the match better. 5/10
RYAN GRIFFITHS
Certainly added extra energy to the attack when he came on late in the game and although it didn't result in any goals, he showed promise for the future. I’m not convinced he’s better than his brother Joel though. 6/10
DANNY ALLSOPP
Yeah, well. He came on and then the final whistle blew. I was hoping for some fireworks with him teaming up with Thompson but there wasn't much time for him and he did little in the few minutes he got. 4/10
ARCHIE THOMPSON
Against a big team, could Archie fire up and earn a regular Socceroos start in their bigger matches? The jury’s still out. He certainly didn't choke and made some great runs upfield. He put himself about and there was always a hint of danger from him but the bottom line is that he didn’t threaten the Uruguay goal. However in his defence, and that of all the subs, they only entered the game long after Uruguay had settled into the match, were up a goal and had found their confidence. 7/10
GRAHAM ARNOLD
The first half he got spot on. We played some nice footy and had Uruguay on the back foot for the first 35 minutes. The midfield had the game under control, even if our attack was squeezed out for most of the game. We did far better than I was expecting, given the lack of first team regulars in the side. Then we lost the first goal and Uruguay had their tails up. We needed something different in the second half – and Arnold failed to deliver. Given the ineffective attack, it was time to switch to a 442 but we carried on with the same old, same old – and of course, Uruguay had the chance at the break to identify our weaknesses and exploit them...which they did. They kept our attack strangled and targeted our weak left flank and weak ‘keeper. After the second goal, Arnold tried changing things around with the subs but it was too late. Leaving Carney off the bench in a clearly experimental side was an odd choice – he could have provided an option for something different. Overall, for the team we fielded, we did well. We didn't win though and that’s what ultimately matters. And more importantly, when we went behind, there was nothing new Arnold created that gave us a chance of winning. That’s what separates the good managers from the great...and it’s why, nice guy and competent manager though Arnold is, he’s not the man to take the Socceroos to the World Cup again. 5/10
++++
It was all a bit quiet in Telstra Stadium again last night, wasn't it? The Green and Gold Army’s Home End efforts are all very commendable...but it just seems a little, well, forced. I’d rather see and hear raw spontaneous passion from fans than carefully choreographed routines. Personally, I think all the choreography is self-defeating – it alienates those people not directly involved and inhibits them. Just sing whatever comes into your head. Chant. Cheer. And shout, even if it’s just abuse at our keeper or the left-back or the Uruguay forward with the girly headband. Just make some noise. Please?
++++
I loved FoxSports’ lingering shots on the field at the end of play as the players swapped shirts and exchanged pleasantries (and not-so-pleasantries) instead of cutting back to the talking heads in the studio. SBS – were you watching? That’s how to do it...
