Brazil vs. Croatia, what it means to the Socceroos
Many Australians may have been hoping that World Cup favourites Brazil would hit the back of the net at least twice in last night's game against Croatia, others may have been hoping for the exact result and uninspired display we saw from the masters of the beautiful game.
In their 1-0 victory Brazil never reached top gear. Ronaldo and Adriano were poor and Croatia was unlucky to lose. Only a stunning strike from Kaka and poor finishing from Croatia separated the two sides.
The performance of Brazil and Ronaldo was amusingly described by former striker Tostao, “Brazil were slow and bureaucratic and only improved when Robinho came on for Ronaldo, who was slow and weird.”
“It was a torture to see him like a wobbling heavyweight, staggering around the pitch as if what was going on around had nothing to do with him.”
(Less eloquent commentators like myself have described the Phenomenon as “fat” and his performance as “crap”).
Unfortunately for Australia, Brazil will find top gear in this tournament and with or without an in form Ronaldo, they are still clear favourites to finish top of Group F. Furthermore Ronaldo will now have something to prove, as will his strike partner Adriano.
Let's just hope that they rediscover their touch and form after the Australia game.
Brazil's performance indicated that a disciplined team performance by the Socceroos on Sunday could lead to an upset, or more probably, a draw. Australia have nothing to lose in the game against Brazil, as they are not expected to win, and will therefore play without fear. Nothing they saw last night will particularly frighten them, especially as the Brazilians' quick passing moves often came unstuck with a leaden touch. Brazil showed that they are indeed human.
Croatia on the other hand showed a great deal of promise. They matched their opponents in all departments except for where it mattered, on the scoreboard. They were organised, soaked up pressure and attacked with purpose. Croatia showed that Australia will have to perform at their best to take a point from the Croatians in what will mostly likely be the decisive group game.
On their display against Brazil, Croatia should be expected to defeat Japan, however the Japanese will want to atone for their late collapse against Australia and avoid the embarrassment of facing Brazil with 0 points to their name. A Japanese upset or a draw would provide Australia the greatest chance to go through to the second round.
The jubilation that has accompanied Australia's tremendous win will need to be calmed before the date with Brazil and focus restored in the squad. In my mind Guus would have done this within hours of the victory.
As Monday proved, we should never doubt the genius of Hiddink. “Crazy Guus” will have a completely different set of tactics to employ against Brazil. Australia will of course be more defensive but Harry Kewell should have a bigger role to play - similar to the role he played against Uruguay - receiving the ball deeper and running at the Brazilian defenders. Ninety minutes on Monday will have done him good and hopefully will have restored some confidence in his injury-plagued legs.
Four of Australia’s key players have a yellow card hanging over their heads going into the game against Brazil – defender Craig Moore, midfielders Vince Grella and Tim Cahill and striker John Aloisi. If any of them picks up a yellow card against Brazil they are automatically suspended from the Group F crunch match with Croatia. Some commentators would like to see Hiddink rest at least one of the foursome however this would be bowing down to the masters before a ball has been kicked. Also try telling Tim Cahill that he is being rested against the Brazilians, are you mad?
What was made abundantly clear in the Brazil-Croatia game was that Australia cannot afford to give the ball away cheaply in either of their remaining matches as they sometimes did against Japan (I'm looking at you Brett Emerton).
Come on Aussies!
In their 1-0 victory Brazil never reached top gear. Ronaldo and Adriano were poor and Croatia was unlucky to lose. Only a stunning strike from Kaka and poor finishing from Croatia separated the two sides.
The performance of Brazil and Ronaldo was amusingly described by former striker Tostao, “Brazil were slow and bureaucratic and only improved when Robinho came on for Ronaldo, who was slow and weird.”
“It was a torture to see him like a wobbling heavyweight, staggering around the pitch as if what was going on around had nothing to do with him.”
(Less eloquent commentators like myself have described the Phenomenon as “fat” and his performance as “crap”).
Unfortunately for Australia, Brazil will find top gear in this tournament and with or without an in form Ronaldo, they are still clear favourites to finish top of Group F. Furthermore Ronaldo will now have something to prove, as will his strike partner Adriano.
Let's just hope that they rediscover their touch and form after the Australia game.
Brazil's performance indicated that a disciplined team performance by the Socceroos on Sunday could lead to an upset, or more probably, a draw. Australia have nothing to lose in the game against Brazil, as they are not expected to win, and will therefore play without fear. Nothing they saw last night will particularly frighten them, especially as the Brazilians' quick passing moves often came unstuck with a leaden touch. Brazil showed that they are indeed human.
Croatia on the other hand showed a great deal of promise. They matched their opponents in all departments except for where it mattered, on the scoreboard. They were organised, soaked up pressure and attacked with purpose. Croatia showed that Australia will have to perform at their best to take a point from the Croatians in what will mostly likely be the decisive group game.
On their display against Brazil, Croatia should be expected to defeat Japan, however the Japanese will want to atone for their late collapse against Australia and avoid the embarrassment of facing Brazil with 0 points to their name. A Japanese upset or a draw would provide Australia the greatest chance to go through to the second round.
The jubilation that has accompanied Australia's tremendous win will need to be calmed before the date with Brazil and focus restored in the squad. In my mind Guus would have done this within hours of the victory.
As Monday proved, we should never doubt the genius of Hiddink. “Crazy Guus” will have a completely different set of tactics to employ against Brazil. Australia will of course be more defensive but Harry Kewell should have a bigger role to play - similar to the role he played against Uruguay - receiving the ball deeper and running at the Brazilian defenders. Ninety minutes on Monday will have done him good and hopefully will have restored some confidence in his injury-plagued legs.
Four of Australia’s key players have a yellow card hanging over their heads going into the game against Brazil – defender Craig Moore, midfielders Vince Grella and Tim Cahill and striker John Aloisi. If any of them picks up a yellow card against Brazil they are automatically suspended from the Group F crunch match with Croatia. Some commentators would like to see Hiddink rest at least one of the foursome however this would be bowing down to the masters before a ball has been kicked. Also try telling Tim Cahill that he is being rested against the Brazilians, are you mad?
What was made abundantly clear in the Brazil-Croatia game was that Australia cannot afford to give the ball away cheaply in either of their remaining matches as they sometimes did against Japan (I'm looking at you Brett Emerton).
Come on Aussies!
posted by Greg Horgan at 2:31 am
5 Comments:
Kewell is surely well overdue to breakthrough with a sizzling goal against Brazil - his strike on 27 min against Japan was an absolute PEACH, it dipped towards the back of the net and then unexplainably drifted a shade high. Have you ever seen a shot which was more MEANT to go in?
My prediction - Kewell will score the most important goal of the WC, it's just a matter of when...
The V-Bomber is desperately due for a goal...if he's retiring from international football after the world cup, surely there is no greater battlefield upon which he can stake his claim as Australia's fearless leader.
I agree young Johnny G. Kewell is well overdue and that very strike you speak of was probably the best "miss" of the tournament.
I'd like to also draw attention to moth Bresciano and Viduka who both worked hard in the Japan match and surely will have more luck in the next two games.
Bresciano's set piece ability is crucial against Brazil and Croatia. While Viduka's work rate and strength will create opportunities for team mates.
My prediction - Kewell will score the most important goal of the WC, it's just a matter of when...
On July 9th v England =)
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