akd545
NormHave The Olyroos Destroyed The A-League Finals?
February 1st 2007 12:56
Whilst quite a number of issue have arisen over the past two days, I believe that there is only one that is worth discussing.
It’s not about the New Zealand ‘batsman’ who claimed that Australia are ‘arrogant’ and ‘like hunting dogs’ (which is of course true, and like any team playing the best in the world), nor is it about Johns and the saga or ‘will he, won’t he’ drama unfolding over the State of Origin (simply put, it was a one sentence slip that the media spun out of control).
Rather I think the topic at hand is the state of the A-League finals, and how two clubs might have been seriously disadvantaged due to training mishaps that occurred during the under 23 ‘Olyroos’ training session this week.
As the final four sides gear of for their ‘do or die’ matches this weekend, both Melbourne and Sydney have experienced a slight set back, potentially losing key players to fatigue and injury from a training session and practice match the representative squad went through this week.
Adrian Leijer and Kristian Sarkies, two key midfielders for the Victory and Sydney defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley have returned from the session under injury clouds, and all experience fatigue after a heavy-set session for the Olyroos.
Both sides are understandably upset that key figures are in such a condition so close to vital matches, but it seriously hits Sydney FC hard, as they have endured serious injury problems all season, and even had to poach players from already eliminated teams to make up their squad list.
What I am trying to understand is why the new Olyroos coach, Dutchman Rob Baan, would allow such important figures go through such a rigorous training regime right in the middle of the finals series. It would be understandable if there was an important match during their time away, but for what was essentially a practice session? It sounds ludicrous.
Both sides did well in releasing the players, as they completely understand allowing their playing to compete at a national level, but I think they have a right to complain. Both Melbourne and Sydney are on the cusp of their finals campaign, and it is such a vital time in the competition that if even one of their regular starters does not fully fire it could place their entire season in jeopardy.
Throughout the regular season, I believe it is fine for a player to be released due to representative duties, it is also fine during this time if a match is being played. But so the new coach can see how hard he can push these players? It just does not sit well with me.
For the A-League, there are 11 months of the year where this would not be an issue, but this is the time where they need the players they have coached, trained and strategise for the entire year to be playing at their best. Placing them in an situation where they could, potentially, let their club be eliminated from the competition in borderline irresponsible. Let the representative squads organise their time around the finals, even so they can show a little bit of faith in the domestic competition, and allow the players who have battled all year to be at their best when their clubs need it the most.
Until next time, sports minds.
It’s not about the New Zealand ‘batsman’ who claimed that Australia are ‘arrogant’ and ‘like hunting dogs’ (which is of course true, and like any team playing the best in the world), nor is it about Johns and the saga or ‘will he, won’t he’ drama unfolding over the State of Origin (simply put, it was a one sentence slip that the media spun out of control).
Rather I think the topic at hand is the state of the A-League finals, and how two clubs might have been seriously disadvantaged due to training mishaps that occurred during the under 23 ‘Olyroos’ training session this week.
As the final four sides gear of for their ‘do or die’ matches this weekend, both Melbourne and Sydney have experienced a slight set back, potentially losing key players to fatigue and injury from a training session and practice match the representative squad went through this week.
Adrian Leijer and Kristian Sarkies, two key midfielders for the Victory and Sydney defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley have returned from the session under injury clouds, and all experience fatigue after a heavy-set session for the Olyroos.
Both sides are understandably upset that key figures are in such a condition so close to vital matches, but it seriously hits Sydney FC hard, as they have endured serious injury problems all season, and even had to poach players from already eliminated teams to make up their squad list.
What I am trying to understand is why the new Olyroos coach, Dutchman Rob Baan, would allow such important figures go through such a rigorous training regime right in the middle of the finals series. It would be understandable if there was an important match during their time away, but for what was essentially a practice session? It sounds ludicrous.
Both sides did well in releasing the players, as they completely understand allowing their playing to compete at a national level, but I think they have a right to complain. Both Melbourne and Sydney are on the cusp of their finals campaign, and it is such a vital time in the competition that if even one of their regular starters does not fully fire it could place their entire season in jeopardy.
Throughout the regular season, I believe it is fine for a player to be released due to representative duties, it is also fine during this time if a match is being played. But so the new coach can see how hard he can push these players? It just does not sit well with me.
For the A-League, there are 11 months of the year where this would not be an issue, but this is the time where they need the players they have coached, trained and strategise for the entire year to be playing at their best. Placing them in an situation where they could, potentially, let their club be eliminated from the competition in borderline irresponsible. Let the representative squads organise their time around the finals, even so they can show a little bit of faith in the domestic competition, and allow the players who have battled all year to be at their best when their clubs need it the most.
Until next time, sports minds.
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