World Cup Qualifiers - Page 2

Feathers · 16-11-2005, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ef_classic

Fair point, but in the middle of a european season a) the player and b) the club don't want the player to be travelling halfway around the world for a meaningless friendly against the solomon islands etc

hence why Australia's friendlies are now being played in London.

But it all adds to being a team that works well together.
I know that the Euro clubs are paying their salaries, but I feel that country > club, and they should probably show the fans here the respect they deserve.
If the players don't give a rats about the "meaningless" games then maybe they shouldn't be in the national team at all.
Give the place to some of the talented up and coming players in the National league that would give anything to play for their country, but will probably never get the chance because they aren't making a name for themselves overseas.
It all just feels like the "stars" are too big for their boots now.

I'll take Rugby League anyday over soccer though.

niko · 16-11-2005, 10:57 PM

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE oi oi OI!

romaniac · 16-11-2005, 11:00 PM

cant believe viduka missed, their best player and he misses

GTP 320 · 16-11-2005, 11:02 PM

What a GREAT win by the Aussie,we deserved it and played the better football.
World Cup 2006 in Germany,here we come.
Cheers John

vztrt · 16-11-2005, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romaniac

cant believe viduka missed, their best player and he misses

That was absolutly pathetic. Thank god we got a great keeper.

MrSparkle · 16-11-2005, 11:05 PM

Sen-f-arken-sational!!!

AdzT3-146 · 16-11-2005, 11:07 PM

A lot of people agree with you feathers, and i to a certain extent due.
If the "stars" don't always play in the friendlies, that also gives the opportunity for the younger up and coming players to get the chance to impress the coach on the national scene.
Archie Thompson for instance, was picked for Australia in the last 2 matches and he plays for Melbourne Victory, so the players here do get noticed, but when it comes to the World Cup Qualifiers, you have to play your best players, and the best players will play

johnydep · 16-11-2005, 11:10 PM

Yahoooooooo

That's the best Australian Soccer (Football) team ever.

...................................... Go Aussie

Well done lads.

XRated · 16-11-2005, 11:21 PM

I'm a band-wagoner but watched most of the game!! Kick Viduka out!!!!!!

vztrt · 16-11-2005, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRated

Kick Viduka out!!!!!!

I wouldn't go that far...Let him carry the oranges!!

RSgerry · 16-11-2005, 11:40 PM

SENSATIONAL. Brilliant. Australia deserved to win that game. felt sorry for Viduka as he was outstanding over both games. I am not a Kewell fan, but he played with 100% passion tonight, and i respect that (horrible haircut though). This result is great for the game in Australia. Johnny Warren would be proud.

crannersEL · 16-11-2005, 11:43 PM

Great work Aussies, first time we have made the World Cup in 32 Years

GO, AUSSIE, GO!!!!

Valknutr · 17-11-2005, 12:30 AM

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Schwarzer is a god!!!!!! Tickets would be sold out already maybe!!!!! Yes some people are sports codes nazis but get over it support AUSTRALIA <---------------- AUSTRALIA is the imperitave word not SOCCER, thats all that should matter, you dont have to like the sport to support your country. Anywho
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! !!!!!!

sarge · 17-11-2005, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Feathers

But it all adds to being a team that works well together.
I know that the Euro clubs are paying their salaries, but I feel that country > club, and they should probably show the fans here the respect they deserve.
If the players don't give a rats about the "meaningless" games then maybe they shouldn't be in the national team at all.
Give the place to some of the talented up and coming players in the National league that would give anything to play for their country, but will probably never get the chance because they aren't making a name for themselves overseas.
It all just feels like the "stars" are too big for their boots now.

I'll take Rugby League anyday over soccer though.

I'd expect that comment from a league fan. Typical tall poppy gripe - can't you just be content that after a hard slog Australia is through after 31 years.
What's a euro club's salary got to do with showing the fans respect? seriously, these players wouldn't be where they are without going through the ranks and playing overseas - being exposed to top level football.
players do give a rats about all internationals that are relevant - friendlys are a chance for the locals / young talent to have a shot and get noticed at international level, their is no player out there who is fit and able that would knock back a callup in the national squad for a world cup relevant match - IN ANY COUNTRY!

(ps: just qualifying means $16.5million is put back into the local game.)

If the big names come back for every game, between the hectic overseas schedules, then people like you would have a go that they were taking the place of a 'local.' If they don't show up - then they are unpatriotic, elitist and not deserving of a position. Get real.
To play at that level you also need experience and conditioning - something the local league has had very little of given the upheavals of late - which I'm pleased to say have changed it for the better. Soccer now has direction at local level which will in time build a larger pool of available players but for now, the guys on the pitch tonight all deserved to be there. If we took your advice, players the likes of Kewell, although not currently at his best, (which is vastly better than most local players best,) would never have had the shot because no one knew who he was here. He never played a meaningful game at NSL level. If the selectors concentrated on what we only have here, what a loss that would be. As for the stars being too big for their boots, that's rubbish - I've met some of the guys in the team and have coached many young fellas currently in Europe, knocking on the door for selection, you need a certain level of arrogance to play with the worlds best but one thing they have in common with us all is they were raised here and that arrogance doesn't translate to a true part of the Aussie character - they know how big their boots are and that there is plenty of by-standers at home, like yourself, ready to pull down their achievments.
We'll see the state of league now that the player drain - dash for cash is taking them overseas. I don't see you passing that sort of judgement onto who should be selected based on where they currently play at club level in that code. True, most of them are has-beens but salary caps here and standards over there will change that.
So how about sitting back and supporting the guys who did it the hard way and most importantly, did it here - in front of their own people.

17-11-2005, 06:20 AM

Ive lost my voice...my head hurts...but frankly i could care less. Every single player was a legend last night, i cannot believe that harry kewell of all ppl tracked back to help out in defence. Best thing i liked about harrys game was, he was always looking for free kicks. No one likes to see grown men dive to the ground and roll around like they've been shot, but if thats what it takes to compete against an opposition with very little class and sportsmanship...so be it.

I was going to Germany for the WC no matter what, but now i get to wear the green and gold with pride.

C'mon Australia!!!

Bucknaked · 17-11-2005, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

That was absolutly pathetic. Thank god we got a great keeper.

Are you for real. The only blemish was Viduka's miss in the shootout. I don't care much for soccer, but these guys played their heart's out and the quality of the football showed through. They deserved that win. Best game of soccer I think I've ever seen. Look at the result and the victory, don't start analysing the game by saying how crap it was. A win is a win.

HOON69 · 17-11-2005, 07:46 AM

congrats socceroo's they def played their hearts out last night..

when the captain missed his kick i thought it was all over but our goalie was terrific
awesome game

we deserve to be in the world cup because we WON
plain n simple!

congrats again guys gr8 game(only game i've watched fully in years)

Racecraft · 17-11-2005, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Best game of soccer I think I've ever seen. Look at the result and the victory, don't start analysing the game by saying how crap it was. A win is a win.

The quality of football was poor from a spectator point of view.. The ref was whistle happy (not saying that under the circumstance of the occasion he had a bad game) but with the tension and what was on the line it was a thrilling game. Now onto the world cup

Don't forget that Uruguay only lost one group game in Korea in '02 after they took our spot. DEnmark, France and Senegal <-- when Diouf was on fire too and Uraguay were only one goal from progressing out of the groups into the 1/4 finals. I am sooo hoping the Aussies can get thru the group stage.. Imagine how BIG that would be for the lads and supporters..

I am eagerly awating the draw for Germany now

17-11-2005, 07:59 AM

RaceCraft...depending on the groupings you never know...i mean imagine with a bit of luck if we got in a group with trinidad & tobago( they qualified a couple of hours ago) saudi arabia(they were beaten 8-0 in the last world cup) and a powerhouse...we might get through as the second team from the group. But personally im just happy for the guys, that will get a chance to play in the ultimate of national sports...200 countries play this game...rugby league, rubgy, cricket are internationally much smaller games. 200+ countries tried to qualify and now we can say proudly australia is one of the 32 best...

Racecraft · 17-11-2005, 08:03 AM

Yep .. it'll take luck when the draw is announced on the 9th but the boys would have aspirations of making it past the group stages.. I wasn't trying to belittle last nights efforts at all,, I am as proud as punch but could you imagine Australia in a World Cup 1/4 Final... ohhhh baby:king:

MITCHAY · 17-11-2005, 08:03 AM

Having played soccer I can say it is the softest game ever! That said good for them to qualify although I don't follow the game myself personally.

**Polyal** · 17-11-2005, 10:13 AM

well that was awesome! For a game I dont watch at all it was a great spectacle! I had about 3 heart attacks!

And boy did I cheer once our goalie stopped that second goal.

What a great match!

TheSneakiness · 17-11-2005, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racecraft

Yep .. it'll take luck when the draw is announced on the 9th but the boys would have aspirations of making it past the group stages.. I wasn't trying to belittle last nights efforts at all,, I am as proud as punch but could you imagine Australia in a World Cup 1/4 Final... ohhhh baby:king:

Need a travel mate to Germany Tibbo?

Congrats to the Socceroos. Even though I don't follow soccer, jumped on the bandwagon last night and had to cheer them on.

17-11-2005, 10:54 AM

this is like the best thing...so much money...sponsorships...exposure, and best of all after the world cup...australia join asia for the Asian cup. So very competitive matches, no more 17-0 against samoa...

good times...good times

TZENU · 17-11-2005, 11:02 AM

Federation Square down in Melbourne was awesome great to see soo many supporters.... and goooo the socceroos!!!

about bloody time

**Polyal** · 17-11-2005, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TZENU

Federation Square down in Melbourne was awesome great to see soo many supporters.... and goooo the socceroos!!!

about bloody time

that would have been a great atmosphere! two of my mates were at the game the buggers!

was there any trouble? were all the nationalities (even though we are all australian) getting to together?

lv619 · 17-11-2005, 11:23 AM

Well i was studying for an exam at uni so unfortunatly i didnt get to see the game... But from what i saw on the highlights it was a tight nailbighting match, especially for the game to go down to penalties. But bring on Germany 2006, GO AUSSIE GO!!! Oh yeah, i wonder how many people rocked up late/not at all for work today... :Up_to_som

**Polyal** · 17-11-2005, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lv619

Well i was studying for an exam at uni so unfortunatly i didnt get to see the game... But from what i saw on the highlights it was a tight nailbighting match, especially for the game to go down to penalties. But bring on Germany 2006, GO AUSSIE GO!!! Oh yeah, i wonder how many people rocked up late/not at all for work today... :Up_to_som

yes a can of V was needed...lol

:

TZENU · 17-11-2005, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

that would have been a great atmosphere! two of my mates were at the game the buggers!

was there any trouble? were all the nationalities (even though we are all australian) getting to together?

Awesome atmosphere!
Unbelievable how there was no trouble as every one was rooting for the same team... Every one there was your m8!!!
A mate of mine went to sydney too, just got off the phone to him and he is speechless and hangover

vztrt · 17-11-2005, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Are you for real. The only blemish was Viduka's miss in the shootout. I don't care much for soccer, but these guys played their heart's out and the quality of the football showed through. They deserved that win. Best game of soccer I think I've ever seen. Look at the result and the victory, don't start analysing the game by saying how crap it was. A win is a win.

You know if the Aussies lost there would have been a big picture of Viduka with the words choked under him. I was a crap kick, for a player of his ability.
He would be thanking the keeper, who was great.