David EdwardsSocceroos Into The Quarter Finals, But Might Be Getting Ahead Too Soon
July 17th 2007 14:54
The Socceroos have finally put their first game jitters behind them last night as they were able to beat Thailand and scrape into the quarter finals of the Asian Cup. Australia, who went into the match having to win to advance in the tournament, finally set a standard of quality team play as they systematically destroyed the opposition in the final half to take the match 4-0, and with it the second place in the group rounds to scrape into the final sixteen.
With the win, the Socceroos have draw up against the winner of Group B in the quarter finals, and have draw once again against the fast growing nemesis, Japan. The match up on Saturday night has quickly become one of the biggest matches this tournament, as not only will it be the pre-cup favourites versus the two-time tournament champions, but it will also see Japan have the opportunity to grab revenge from a side that defeated them in the World Cup group stage.
Graham Arnold, coach of the Socceroos, has been able to inject more action into the upcoming match against Japan, claiming today that the pressure is completely on Japan to win the upcoming knockout match.
Arnold said today “The boys will be going into the game confident... we know they (Japan) will be looking for revenge but the motivation level for our players will be enormous.”
Whilst it is always refreshing to see a side earn an impressive win going into a knockout matches, we might be getting to a stage once again where the Socceroos are getting a little bit too hard ahead of themselves in the tournament. We saw this occur pre-tournament, where they were considered as sure favourites to win the tournament and many critics (of course home based) stating that Australia would face little or no pressure before holding the trophy.
However we are aware that this has not been the case, with the Socceroos fighting blindly in the first two matches to no avail. Their first game against Oman (which they drew 1-1) was quite pitiful compared to previous attempts by the Socceroos in recent history, and their 3-1 loss to Iraq gave them the wake up call they needed in the contest.
Whilst the Socceroos were able to scrape by after finally pulling together a strong contest against Thailand, they cannot fall back into the same trap and think that the match against Japan will be a walkover.
First of all, Japan have look a lot stronger in the tournament than Australia have by far. They will have momentum going into the final stages, and after the 3-1 loss they suffered to the Socceroos spelt the end of their involved in Germany last year, there is no doubt they will be looking for payback.
Secondly, Japan will have the advantage of settling in Hanoi, whilst Australia will not only have to relocated to Vietnam from Thailand, but will also have to acclimatise a brand new environment and time to play.
And thirdly, the concept of destiny might comeback and seriously hit the Socceroos hard. The last time we met up with Japan, it was the first World Cup finals match that Australia had played in 32 years, and was in desperate need for a win after fighting so hard to earn the qualification. What happened from there is of course now Australian sporting history, and it was simply the time of destiny for the Socceroos to be able to make their mark on the global sporting world.
This time around, we are coming in known as ‘the opposition’. This is the first time that Australia has competed in the Asian Cup, and we are facing up against the side that has taken away the last two championships, with a strong desire for the third. In 2006 there was no doubt that we were set to achieve some victory in the World Cup, but in 2007 we might be in the wrong side of the destiny coin.
Of course with that said, when it comes to contest nothing is ever written in stone. The Socceroos do have the talent, ability, and after the Thailand match the momentum to take away the tournament. But with Japan already making space for their third straight trophy, it will definitely be a hard fought contest, coming down to simply who wants the victory more.
Until next time, sports minds.
With the win, the Socceroos have draw up against the winner of Group B in the quarter finals, and have draw once again against the fast growing nemesis, Japan. The match up on Saturday night has quickly become one of the biggest matches this tournament, as not only will it be the pre-cup favourites versus the two-time tournament champions, but it will also see Japan have the opportunity to grab revenge from a side that defeated them in the World Cup group stage.
Arnold said today “The boys will be going into the game confident... we know they (Japan) will be looking for revenge but the motivation level for our players will be enormous.”
Whilst it is always refreshing to see a side earn an impressive win going into a knockout matches, we might be getting to a stage once again where the Socceroos are getting a little bit too hard ahead of themselves in the tournament. We saw this occur pre-tournament, where they were considered as sure favourites to win the tournament and many critics (of course home based) stating that Australia would face little or no pressure before holding the trophy.
Whilst the Socceroos were able to scrape by after finally pulling together a strong contest against Thailand, they cannot fall back into the same trap and think that the match against Japan will be a walkover.
First of all, Japan have look a lot stronger in the tournament than Australia have by far. They will have momentum going into the final stages, and after the 3-1 loss they suffered to the Socceroos spelt the end of their involved in Germany last year, there is no doubt they will be looking for payback.
Secondly, Japan will have the advantage of settling in Hanoi, whilst Australia will not only have to relocated to Vietnam from Thailand, but will also have to acclimatise a brand new environment and time to play.
And thirdly, the concept of destiny might comeback and seriously hit the Socceroos hard. The last time we met up with Japan, it was the first World Cup finals match that Australia had played in 32 years, and was in desperate need for a win after fighting so hard to earn the qualification. What happened from there is of course now Australian sporting history, and it was simply the time of destiny for the Socceroos to be able to make their mark on the global sporting world.
This time around, we are coming in known as ‘the opposition’. This is the first time that Australia has competed in the Asian Cup, and we are facing up against the side that has taken away the last two championships, with a strong desire for the third. In 2006 there was no doubt that we were set to achieve some victory in the World Cup, but in 2007 we might be in the wrong side of the destiny coin.
Of course with that said, when it comes to contest nothing is ever written in stone. The Socceroos do have the talent, ability, and after the Thailand match the momentum to take away the tournament. But with Japan already making space for their third straight trophy, it will definitely be a hard fought contest, coming down to simply who wants the victory more.
Until next time, sports minds.
| 55 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
