9 October 2011 222.1 – The Panel put the heat on Mark Fiorenti to start with regarding him jumping off the Melbourne Victory bandwagon to support Melbourne Heart. Sportzfan Stan talks about the continuing negotiations between the AFL and the AFLPA. Daniel can’t understand why both parties go to a Mediator to sort it out. The Professor talks about the John Travolta safety video taken out of circulation by Qantas although we don’t know what that has got to do with sport! The Panel also discuss whether hot tubbing is a sport or how it could become one and the great winning run of Black Caviar. The Gelding comes on to discuss yesterday’s racing and awards a number of S-hit rides. He is followed by the Sydney Colt who also has an S-hit ride to talk about.
Tag Archives: socceroos
2014 FIFA World Cup – “The ‘Slow’ and the Restless” to “The Bold and the Beautiful”…a soap box opera week for the Socceroos
“A week is a long time in football” – author unknown.
The Socceroos are in pole position to advance to the next and final phase of Asian qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
But not without making a meal of beating lowly ranked Thailand 2-1 in their first qualifying match!
Australia’s performance against Thailand was plain awful and the cause of great distress.
During the Asian Cup, “The ‘F’ Word” lamented the Socceroos’ use of the “long ball” route to goal which led to nothing at times and the players’ apparent arrogance against inferior opposition. Those lessons had clearly not been learned…
Down 1-0 at half time the Socceroos appeared unimaginative and one dimensional in their path to goal. Midfielders Carl Valeri and Neil Kilkenny appeared slow and static and the hopeful strategy of having strikers Josh Kennedy and Tim Cahill getting their heads on the end of a cross or long ball (which were generally woeful) was predictable and constituted anti-football. The Thais, missing a number of their first choice players, were threatening a major upset that was only averted by a second half equaliser from Kennedy and a late, lucky winner from Alex Brosque who found the net after being served by Kennedy, who suspiciously used his arm to deliver the assist.
In short, the performance provided more questions than answers. Socceroos coach, Holger Osieck himself conceded that one of the few good things to come out of game was the result. A much sterner test awaited the team in the shape of Saudi Arabia in the city of Dammam on Wednesday morning…
Saudi Arabia 1 Australia 3
Al-Shamrani (65’) Kennedy (40’), Kennedy (56’) and Wilkshire (77’)
Now that was a better performance from the team!
The Socceroos appeared more cohesive against Saudi Arabia than the team that played against Thailand and played with more purpose and less arrogance amid the desert heat. Gone were the futile long balls and slow transition from defence to attack and in came a composed, passing game whereby the players were able to dictate the tempo of the match from start to finish.
Nowhere was the difference more evident than on the right flank. Against the Thais, Luke Wilkshere and Brett Emerton looked more out of place than the writer at an anti-donut rally. Against Frank Rijkaard’s men however, the duo had more chemistry than “The Curiosity Show”. Their movement stretched the Saudis, forcing them to take a reactive approach.
Osieck too, bravely rung the changes and ought to be commended for doing so. He dropped Cahill and Kilkenny, who were ineffective against Thailand and replaced the inexperienced Matthew Spiranovic with the more assured Sasa Ognenovski. The tinkering meant Mile Jedinak won back his defensive midfielder’s spot, Matt McKay slotted back into his preferred playmaking role in midfield making way for the fresh and exciting Michael Zullo at left back and Brett Holman played in “the hole” (ie between midfield and defence).
With six points in the bag, yesterday’s B grade actors beginning to look more accustomed to the big stage and a producer who is able to guide them there, the Socceroos are now in an almost impregnable position to march into the final round of qualification.
I only hope they show us more beauty and less beast on their way there.
The “F” word
Sportzfan Radio show #216.1
28 August 2011 216.1 – The Professor is back behind the microphone with Daniel Eade and Brett. Dan Butterly comes on to talk US sport with the College football season about to start next week. He is keen to see how the Mountain West Conference teams go. He also talks NBA, NFL and MLB. The Gelding is away on holidays in Hawaii so the Gambler calls in to talk horse racing and defend his selections for yesterday’s race meeting at Caulfield. Mark Fiorenti talks soccer and previews the Socceroos World Cup tie against Thailand on Friday.
Sportzfan Radio #206.2
12 June 2011 206.2 – The Professor queries when Daniel is going to attend a production meeting at the Great Western Hotel. Mark Fiorenti comes on the show to talk soccer & the Socceroos. He is bullish on Holger Osieck’s coaching and also the young players he tried in last week’s friendly matches. There is also a discussion of the problems confronting FIFA with corruption claims and the rumors that Cesc Fabregas will leave Arsenal for Barcelona. Mark thinks time might be running out for Arsene Wenger. Daniel and the Professor discuss NBL and the plight of the Sydney Kings who are thought to be in debt again. They also look at cricket with Simon Katich’s axing, the review into Cricket Australia and the selectors. Stan sacks the lot. Paul Dalligan talks rugby league and the coming State of Origin match. He thinks NSW will win 16-12. He also reviews the current NRL round. The Panel look at the dangers of spectators running on to the field at AFL games. Sean Callanan talks about his coming trip as Sports Geek to the US. He will meet with the NBA, see some Mets and Yankees baseball and then assist the Minnesota Timberwolves during the NBA draft in engaging the fans on line.
Sportzfan Radio #205.2
5 June 2011 205.2 – The Professor talks soccer and the Socceroos with Mark Fiorenti and the upcoming friendlies against New Zealand & Serbia. He says it will give Holger Osieck a chance to look at the young players and what they can do. Paul Dalligan comes on to talk NRL and also the recent production meeting at the Great Western Hotel. Showing he is an all rounder when it comes to sport, he also gives an opinion on tennis and the French Open. Sean Callanan discusses the sale of the Detroit Pistons and NRL players getting themselves into strife using Twitter. He believes that the Tout app may be the next big thing as far as sports people are concerned in making short 15 second videos.
Sportzfan Radio #198.2
17 April 2011 198.2 – The Gelding sends a cheerio to two new listeners who do the gardening whilst listening to Sportzfan Radio. Mark Fiorenti comes on to talk soccer and confesses to not having sent a second tweet as yet. He also discusses further departures at the Melbourne Victory, Asian Champions League and the mouth watering Champions League tie between Real Madrid and Barcelona. With six games to go, Mark doesn’t believe Arsenal can catch Manchester United in the Premier League. The Socceroos are back in the top twenty after their win against Germany. Paul Dalligan talks NRL and thanks channel 9 for broadcasting the Melbourne Storm game at Penrith this afternoon. The Panel discuss the NRL teams solidarity and foundations go out the window at this time of year when players and coaches announce their intentions on where they will be playing mid season. Paul doesn’t like the whole process. He believes it has got to affect the onfield performance. The Gelding disagrees that is affects performance. Daniel is confused as to how Damian Martin from the Perth Wildcats was awarded the Player of the Month in the NBL. This leads to a discussion of what MVP actually means. Sean Callanan talks social media and coverage of sport on mobile phones. The NBA spike in numbers is coming from people following the league by mobile phone. It is one area that the AFL could lift in. One issue in Australia is the lack of or poor coverage on 3G network in stadiums.
Sportzfan Radio #196.1
3 April 2011 196.1 – The Panel discuss Daniel’s football injury and Sportzfan Stan has another shot at Andrew Demetriou, this time over head high injuries and calling for players to be prevented from launching themselves into packs and from jumping in the air to make contact. The question is posed ‘Will Melbourne Rebels or Gold Coast Suns have the better season?’…the Panel unanimously vote Rebels and have a discussion on the Super 15 competition. Paul Dalligan says the Suns were a disgrace against Carlton. The Gelding discusses his and the Sydney Colt’s selections for yesterday’s races at Moonee Valley and Rosehill. Whilst not as effective as in recent weeks, 
the two experts managed to pick a couple of winners and places. He awards an S-Hit ride for Craig Williams ride on Brazilian Pulse. There is some discussion about Daniel Eade’s failure to
attend production meetings at the Great Western Hotel. Daniel is clearly struggling on pain killers with his references to people wearing short sleeved shirts and ties, Sipowicz & Homer Simpson.
Germany vs Australia – A cause for concern to a cause célèbre
“…..the blame no doubt lies with Pim Verbeek and the fearful, naive and nonsensical tactics he employed in that match. Further, Verbeek’s tactics against Germany disarmed the players of their unique and natural cultural qualities, that being their attacking, fighting spirit. Put simply, he did not believe in the players…..(we need) to recruit a new custodian who, unlike Verbeek, understands and is able to harness the cultural qualities of Australia’s players and moreover, believes in them” – The F Word’s musings in a previous blog.
They say time heals all wounds.
I agree.
But so too does self belief, a willingness to change and a desire to right the wrongs of the past.
When Australia took to the field against Germany at last year’s World Cup the team appeared bereft of ideas, spirit and passion. The 4-0 drubbing always meant the Socceroos would need to play catch up football in their remaining two games to secure qualification to the knockout stages of the World Cup. Despite restoring some pride against Ghana and Serbia, the mountain was insurmountable and early elimination confirmed.
In recent months, the team, and new coach Holger Osieck, have appeared determined to make a point that they were better than their first-round exit at the World Cup. First, an appearance at the final of the AFC Asian Cup in January and now an astonishing come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Germany in their own backyard.
The world’s number three ranked side looked on course to replicate its 4-0 win in Durban as they dominated the first half with their speed, passing and movement on and off the ball and duly went ahead after 26 minutes. But Osieck’s spirited half time team talk sparked the turnaround. He later told Fox Sports, “…I said (to the players) ‘you can do it’….I told them we are Australia, we are somebody and we don’t have to be afraid of them”. The Australian players’ actions mirrored those words as they came out of the dressing-room for the second half with a changed approach and a determination to get back into the contest. Playing the ball on the ground and moving it about with short, crisp passing the Socceroos stunned the hosts with two goals in the 61st and 65th minute, first through David Carney and then a Luke Wilkshire penalty, to claim a first ever win over the European side.
Much will be made of the fact the game was a meaningless friendly and that Germany coach, Joachim Low made a host of changes to the side that beat Kazakhstan 4-0 in its Euro 2012 qualifier last weekend. But given their stature, playing depth and superior head-to-head record, the Germans should have still comfortably beaten the Socceroos. This was still a side that had Lukas Podolski, Thomas Muller, Miroslav Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger, all of whom started on that fateful day in Durban. Finally, no country, regardless of the importance of the fixture would want to lose a game at home.
The surprising thing was that the overall performance of the Socceroos was not perfect. In truth, the Germans completely controlled the opening period and had the better of the contest until the Socceroos equalised. Further, Mile Jedinak was yet again inefficient and unimaginative in the engine room and gave the ball away too easily, whilst Lucas Neill consistently overlooked the midfield by persistently hoofing the ball forward.
But the fact Australia managed to beat the three-time World champions without playing at its best is a clear indication of how far the team has come as a football nation. The confidence sapped by Pim Verbeek’s complete lack of faith in the players has bounced back under Osieck and the players are beginning to rate themselves again. With the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign fast approaching, I have no doubt the national team is heading in the right direction.
Mark ‘The F Word’ Fiorenti
A Heart stopper for this fan
My visit to the heart mechanic this morning didn’t exactly go to plan….
I (unusually) arrived early so I decided to kill the time reading the headlines in one of our leading newspapers…..Whilst the 1.25 litre bottle of water I was drinking may have disguised my morning custard tart and flat white from the impending blood pressure reading, the headline on the front page certainly didn’t.
“Soccer fans the Worst”.
So a top cop says.
I’m not a police officer, but a fan of the A-League and moreover, the world game, and not here to dispute what the chief says. I repeat however, I am a football fan….something I’m unsure Victoria Police and large sections of our media fail to understand. But more on that later…
I am baffled though, why this newspaper felt so compelled to report this story on its front page….
This, on the same day the A-League finals commence. Coincidence or conspiracy?Where was the report previewing the A-League finals campaign? Half way through the sports section…..Or the report reviewing the football purists’ wet dream (that is, Arsenal vs Barcelona in the Champions’ League round of 16) and the former’s stirring comeback? It was a mere footnote…..
Or the right of reply to the refreshing and challenging remarks made by former Socceroo, Llubo Milicevic earlier this week in which he stated, amongst other things, many AFL and NRL players allegedly take drugs, yet get away with it because those codes’ stance on drugs being built on thin “ice”. No pun intended. I’m still looking for it…..
I did however, read an article the other day in the same newspaper about a self confessed drug and alcohol user and former AFL star whose former partner would rather spend a night with the lions (no, not the AFL club) on their African holiday than him, being offered a lucrative contract to try and do his best Fred Astaire impersonation on Dancing with the Stars It’s ironic how sections of our media continually throw lifelines to AFL footballers who can’t, nor know, how to control their emotions, yet throws the boot in on passionate and emotional fans at football games!
This is not the first time my temples have been pounding at the sight of such news…..
The night after the first A-League and Melbourne football derby was played, sections of our media, rather than embrace the significance of the game, ran beat up stories about alleged violence between sections of supporters of both clubs and how those supporters allegedly vandalised our public transport system. Yet how many people did Victoria Police arrest that night? One. It must have been a slow news day….Oh, but the Caulfield Guineas was on that same weekend and 57 people were allegedly arrested for underage drinking. Well so I heard on the grapevine…..
With A-League crowd numbers already way down on those of the opening season, sections of our media seem intent on chasing more fans away from the world game. Even lower crowd numbers are surely to be the consequence of such stories and the heavy handed manner in which the more enthusiastic, active fans are being treated by security staff and police around the country.
And so to the point I alluded to earlier…..
Football fans are a rare and unique breed. Our authorities, media and the administrators of the game cannot expect a passive and sanitised form of support witnessed in other football codes. Football supporters are, above all, fans. They have too much pent-up passion to be able to sit there quietly and cheer when the odd goal goes in. Of course they will get passionate if and when the winning and only goal is scored in the 94th minute of a pulsating context or the referee makes a bad decision which affects the outcome of the game!
Football fans see themselves as members of the team and will do whatever they can to contribute to the defeat of the opposing team. Hence the songs they sing, the giant banners supporting a team or player, the horns, the drums and the hardcore fan groups. The passion extends beyond the field and into the stands and a connection is built that makes every fan more than a mere spectator.
It is why at many football clubs around the world, like Boca Juniors for example, there is no number 12 squad shirt – the number being reserved for the fans who are collectively seen as the 12th man. This is non existent in other football codes.
This does not of course mean that passion which is channelled into violence should be accepted or go uncontrolled. There is no doubt certain fans are tarnishing the A-League brand. I’m not that ignorant and/or one eyed. But as a regular attendant at many A-League games since its inception, I cannot help but observe and note a consistent misunderstanding between our authorities and the games’ fans. Passionate, positive support should not be confused with football hooliganism, an extremely different and ugly beast. It is this difference that I feel our authorities and media do not fully understand and moreover, embrace.
Further, I see no justification for an unnecessarily high police presence at A-League games such as the one witnessed at the Melbourne Victory vs Newcastle Jets game last month. As a friend later remarked, “There was not one hint of violence….That sort of police presence will only fire up fans even more!”
And let’s not let the flare throwing individual take the headlines away from a game which has given the world mouth watering local derbies steeped in history and many nations joy in times of despair.
Sportzfan Radio #186.2
23 January 2011 186.2 – Paul looks at Nathan Tinkler’s offer to buy the Newcastle Knights. He thinks that it will make the Knights stronger. There is also a discussion about Melbourne Storm again being in the news with a fan under threat of being sued over comments posted on social media. Shane Harmon, Communications Director for the Rugby Union World Cup in New Zealand comes on to talk about the World Cup beginning in September. The global TV reach will be greater than 4 billion people over the six weeks of the tournament with 1.5 million attendees at the matches. Mark Fiorenti with a big smile chats about the Socceroos making the semi finals of the Asian Cup with Harry Kewell hitting the winner against Iraq in extra time and now going on to play Uzbekistan in the semis. He also looks at A League and Premier League results. The Panel discusses the shrine to be built to remember Paul the oracle octopus. Mark says FIFA should consider decalring a calamari free Friday as a tribute. Bogus Powerbalance bracelets also come in for examination and Nick believes it says something about the intelligence of our athletes. Nick 
also comments on the selection of the Australian cricket one day side for the World Cup. He thinks the overlooking of Brad Hodge is astounding and defies logic and belief. Paul reviews the upcoming ABL finals and how the first season has developed. He says it is the best value for your sporting dollar that is going around at the moment. A tweet from a listener provokes a discussion regarding Channel 10 dropping Kelli Underwood from the commentary box to the AFL boundary line for season 2011. Nick says if she is good enough she should be in the commentary box. The Professor feelks she may have been rushed in without serving an apprenticeship calling football at a lower level.