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Asian Cup – Australia vs Bahrain….The Golden “Mile”, but I’d love a Kilkenny to calm the nerves

January 21, 2011 markfiorenti Leave a comment

On Wednesday morning the Socceroos progressed to the quarter finals of the Asian Cup after beating Bahrain 1-0. Mile Jedinak was once again the hero with his second goal in as many games with a stunning long range effort in the 37th minute. But on the performance shown against Bahrain, the Socceroos’ next opponent, Iraq, the current holders of the Asian Cup, no less, will not be suffering from insomnia….

I’ll start with the lowlights, because they “overshadowed” the highlights….

1. A sloppy and disorganised midfield. I lost count of the number of times our players, particularly our midfielders, either gave the ball away, misplaced a pass and/or failed to assist our defenders by absorbing pressure when the Bahrainis launched wave after wave of attack. It is clear our midfield is unimaginative and that the emphasis is on graft rather than craft. For what Jedinak brings to the team in goal scoring ability and “screening” the defence, his inferior distribution skills makes him a liability when the team wants to dictate matches. Socceroos’ coach, Holger Osieck may have a dilemma on his hands….

2. Lack of squad depth – Osieck was forced to make three changes to the team that drew against Korea Republic, with the injured trio of Jason Culina, Luke Wilkshire and David Carney all replaced by Carl Valeri, Jade North and Matt McKay, respectively. The former trio were all sorely missed. Valeri, whilst high on energy does not have the passing ability of Culina. North, a capable defender, lacks Wilkshire’s energy and running ability. Finally, McKay, playing out of position at left back, was exposed, particularly early on against the Bahrainis. To add salt to the wound, Brett Emerton was needlessly booked and as such, is suspended for Sunday morning’s clash against Iraq. Being without Wilkshire already hurts, but the prospect of being without both he and Emerton means the Socceroos have a very weakened right flank….one hopes our physios are working overtime to get the aforementioned trio back into the starting line up.

3. Missed opportunities by strikers, Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill. Kewell wasted a golden opportunity in the 32nd minute, firing a shot into the body of Bahrain goalkeeper Mahmood Mansoor from close range, whilst Cahill put a header well wide in the second half. Strikers can get very few opportunities. The Bahrain game was no exception. Hence the need to convert the good opportunities! Goals win games – that’s why strikers get paid the most and “pull” all the good looking girls. Against Bahrain however, I wasn’t convinced Kewell and Cahill could even “pull” a beer.

The highlights:

1. Neil Kilkenny. Kilkenny’s 20 minute cameo towards the end of the match was inspiring. It was refreshing to see someone assist our attack. The boy’s hunger for the ball, ability to hold possession and accurate passing ability could be a solution to our lack of combination play in midfield.

2. For the second game in a row….Mark Schwarzer. But for Schwarzer’s three remarkable saves in the second half, the Socceroos would have been sent packing.

3. The Socceroos did not concede a goal. Moreover, they only conceded one goal in all three group games. Put simply, the team is hard to break down and as foreshadowed in my previous blog, the team’s mental fortitude and never say die attitude is an asset no other team in Asia, arguably possesses. Whilst I, along with many Socceroos’ supporters would love our team to emulate Spain’s World Cup winning team of 2010 and “pass and move” their way to ultimate success, sexy football does not always win football tournaments (read: The “Cryuff inspired” Netherlands’ World Cup teams of 1974 and 1978). On the other hand, discipline, unity and self belief can (read: Italy and Germany’s World Cup winning teams of 1982 and 1990, respectively). In short, it is not inconceivable that the Aussies could simply grind their way to their first Asian Cup championship.

The Aussies will face a stern test against Group D, runners up, Iraq on Sunday morning. Osieck certainly has some work to do, but so too do the players. At the back of their minds will be a chance to seek redemption – the Iraqis played the Socceroos off the park in the group stages of the 2007 Asian Cup, comprehensively beating them 3-1.

But so too did Uruguay in 2001, ultimately qualifying for the 2002 World Cup.

One need not be reminded of what happened four years later….

I’m more excited than the last time I attended an all you can eat buffet.

Mark “The F Word” Fiorenti

Podcast

Sportzfan Radio @ Melbourne Aces v Perth Heat #1.3

January 18, 2011 @packers4 Leave a comment

15 January 2011 1.3 The first ever broadcast of a Melbourne Aces match when they took on the Perth Heat from the Showgrounds trying to cement a place in the final four and possibly a top two finish. Hear the Professor, Sean Callanan and Daniel Eade call the middle innings of the match including the Perth Heat catcher Allan De San Miguel getting tossed by the home plate umpire.

Podcast

Sportzfan Radio @ Melbourne Aces v Perth Heat #1.2

January 18, 2011 @packers4 Leave a comment

15 January 2011 1.2 The first ever broadcast of a Melbourne Aces match when they took on the Perth Heat from the Showgrounds trying to cement a place in the final four and possibly a top two finish. Hear the Professor, Sean Callanan and Daniel Eade call the game. The boys also interview Melbourne Aces pitcher Jeff Jamnik and the CEO of the ABL Peter Wermuth.

Podcast

Sportzfan Radio @ Melbourne Aces v Perth Heat #1.1

January 18, 2011 @packers4 Leave a comment

15 January 2011 1.1 The first ever broadcast of a Melbourne Aces match when they took on the Perth Heat from the Showgrounds trying to cement a place in the final four and possibly a top two finish. Hear the Professor, Sean Callanan and Daniel Eade call the final innings of Game 1, the pre-game discussion between the guys and the first inning of Game 2.

News, Sports

Asian Cup – Australia vs Korea Republic…..All square, but oh, how it hurt!

January 18, 2011 markfiorenti Leave a comment

Mile Jedinak’s first international goal for Australia could not have come at a better time when the Socceroos got a valuable and deserving 1-1 with fellow Asian Cup heavyweight, Korea Republic in their Group C clash on Saturday morning. But Socceroos’ coach, Holger Osieck could have some selection nightmares ahead of the Bahrain clash and beyond…..

The good:

1. A unique and “un-Asian” style. Whilst the Socceroos lack the pace, fluency and technique of many of the other teams at the Asian Cup, the team’s never say die attitude, discipline and physical strengths may well give opposing teams headaches when attempting to break down this Australian side. Jedinak’s equalising goal epitomised the Australian style – Lucas Neill was quick to float a ball across the face of goal from a Luke Wilkshire cross and Jedinak had no right to challenge Korean goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong for a high ball but did and impressively beat him to it.

2. Mark Schwarzer. Australia possesses the tournament’s best goalkeeper and Schwarzer played a fitting part in the match, saving superbly late on.

The bad:

1. Too predictable, too slow and an inept passing game. Like the India game, the Socceroos, unlike the Koreans, played a long ball game in preference to a short and quick passing one. The Aussie tactic of crossing towards Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell at every opportunity was clear once again and one wonders whether such a tactic will reap rewards against a more organised and disciplined defence. Further, the Koreans’ pass and move groove clearly rattled the Aussies, as evidenced by the number of fouls, particularly Jedinak and Ognenovski, committed. Finally, the Aussies’ passing and cheap turnovers left a lot to be desired at times.

2. Poor defending. Football is one of those rare games where one defensive lapse can be the difference between success and failure. Whilst the Socceroos’ defending was excellent for a majority of the game, just how five Socceroos’ defenders let Ji Dong-Wong gain possession and cut back to an unmarked Koo Ja-Cheol for Korea’s goal still baffles and frustrates me. This was the second defensive lapse in two games. Whilst the Indians failed to capitalise last week, the Koreans didn’t. Nor will the likes of Iran and/or Uzbekistan (future potential opponents for the Aussies in the Asian Cup).

The ugly:

1. Injuries to three first team regulars – Jason Culina, David Carney and Luke Wilksire. I have regularly been vocal about the Aussies’ lack of squad depth….the three aforementioned players will be hard to replace if the diagnosis isn’t favourable. Whilst Valeri is a straight swap for Culina, he lacks his experience. Of greater concern are the full back positions – Carney (a left winger by trade) has become custodian of the left back position by virtue of a lack of competition and options for that berth, whilst Wilkshire, is in my opinion, Australia’s second best and most consistent outfield player. Second only to Tim Cahill…..Osieck may be forced to re-shuffle and moreover, test the mettle of his pack.

2. Harry Kewell’s (constant) whingeing. Once again, it was refreshing to see a fully fit Kewell get the better of his opposing defenders. His whingeing with fellow teammates, opposing players and officials was however, disappointing. This was not the first time Kewell has brought this ugly side into his game (read: harassing and “touching up” the match officials after Australia’s group game against Brazil at the 2006 World Cup and his verbal tirade against the referee after being controversially, but correctly sent off against Ghana at last year’s World Cup). Kewell is a professional footballer first, an underwear model second. He should start acting more like the former and stop dicking around.

All in all, Australia will now fancy its chances to progress to the knockout rounds of the Asian Cup, knowing all but a loss against Bahrain tomorrow morning will be enough to see them through.

But the Asian Cup is to Australia, what the World Cup is to heavyweights Brazil, Germany and Italy. Qualifying for the knockout rounds should be viewed as a mere formality. Not reaching the semi finals would be deemed a failure.

This is when the real tournament starts.

Mark “The F word” Fiorenti

Punting

Gelding’s tips for 15 January 2011

January 15, 2011 @thegelding Leave a comment

The Gelding’s attention is on Flemington this fine Saturday and isn’t it wonderful to see the sun shining!

As always the bets are on an each way and all up basis.

Flemington

Race 3 Horse 1 – Warm Love (for the ladies at the Tennis club)
Race 4 Horse 4 – Fashion Black
Race 5 Horse 2 – Verdasco (also for the ladies at the Tennis club)
Race 8 Horse 6 – Lord Pindari

You can hear me discuss all today’s racing results with the Professor from 12.30pm tomorrow on Sportzfan Radio broadcast on 88.3 Southern FM.

Good luck and good punting!

The Gelding

News, Sports

Asian Cup – Australia vs India….An upsize without the Big “Mac”

January 12, 2011 markfiorenti Leave a comment

Australia commenced its Asian Cup campaign with a 4-0 romp against a technically inept India in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Nevertheless, the Socceroos’ passing game and strike rate needs to improve if we are to progress to the semi finals and beyond of this tournament.

Socceroos’ coach, Holger Osieck employed an expansive 4-4-2 formation opting for Cahill and Kewell up front (the latter surprisingly in favour of Scott McDonald) and Brett Emerton and Holman pushing high down the flanks and Mile Jedinak partnering Jason Culina in the centre of the park in front of a defensive back four.

The positives included:

Two goals from Mr Consistency, Tim Cahill, who is surely Australia’s most important player and is now on par to becoming Australia’s highest goal scorer. The ‘F Word’s man of the match.

2. A lively performance from Brett Emerton in both defence and attack on the right hand side of the park. Cahill’s first goal came from an Emerton delivery, as did Holman’s headed goal.

3. A fully fit and firing Harry Kewell who scored with a beautifully struck shot.

There were, as alluded to earlier, some concerns though….:

A sloppy and wasteful second half. Yes, the game was arguably in the bag by then, but the passing left a lot to be desired at times and the crosses did not always find their intended target. Further, Australia may rue the goalscoring chances it missed if Group C comes down to goal difference.
An inept passing game. For much of the 90 minutes the Socceroos preferred a long ball game to take advantage of the small Indian players, rather than employ an intimidating, short and quick passing game. This tactic will not be successful against the pacy and technically sound South Koreans.
Scott McDonald. “The Mac” lacks bite in attack and yet again, failed to open his goalscoring account for the Socceroos after 22 games. Against a country ranked 142^nd in the world, no less. Scotty appears incapable of scoring even in the “House of the Rising Sun”. One must now wonder if he will be given another chance. Burns, and even Kruse must surely be given a look in….

In short, Australia’s performance was sound and solid but it is hard to imagine the Asian Cup’s other heavyweights “quaking in their boots” after this performance.

But at least there were clear signs from the players and coaching staff that this team is determined on making up for the disappointing failure of 2007.

Tougher tests await in the shape of the South Koreans who put in an excellent performance against Bahrain, comprehensively beating them 2-1 and playing the last part of the game with ten men.

I wait with bated breath….

Punting

Gelding’s tips for 11 December 2010

December 10, 2010 @thegelding Leave a comment

The Gelding’s attention is firmly focussed on VRC headquarters at Flemington today featuring the Western Health Cup. Hopefully the rain will stay away long enough to make it an enjoyable day at the track.

As always the bets are on an each way and all up basis.

Flemington

Race 4 Horse 4 – Aloha (for the ladies at the Tennis club)
Race 5 Horse 4 – Right Fong
Race 6 Horse 15 – War Ends (also for the ladies at the Tennis club)
Race 7 Horse 4 – Gold in Dubai

You can hear the Gelding discuss today’s winners and losers with the Professor on Sportzfan Radio every Sunday at 12.30pm on 88.3 Southern FM.

Good luck and good punting!

The Gelding

News, Sports

From the colony to the colonised….Football’s not coming home but to new frontiers….and without a dose of “Fair Play” (Part 2)

December 6, 2010 markfiorenti 1 Comment

So, too 2022….

Millions of football fans around the world are still wondering how Qatar ultimately won the rights to host the 2022 World Cup. Yet in the end FIFA was seduced and “sold” by Qatar’s promise of a high-tech tournament.

I always maintained Australia was arguably punching above its weight in trying to secure the hosting rights to 2022, yet I also consistently argued we had a solid bid and our real and only rival, and favourite, was the United Sates of America. Exactly how the tiny Emirate state which has a climate conducive to hell on earth and its capital, Doha, is according to Lonely Planet, “the dullest place in the world” secured the rights over the mighty United States is about as impressive and moreover, believable as me getting lucky with Megan Gale.

And Jennifer Hawkins.

On the same night…..

Not only did the win leave me breathless, but more so, the gravity of same – 11 votes in the first round to the United States’ 3….14 votes in the fourth round to the United States’ 8!

Some of the reasons why I was, and will continue to be shocked by the Qatar win include:

-Heat – the average temperatures in June and July are a whopping 41 and 46 degrees celsius, respectively;

-Potential terrorist attacks/threats;

-The fact there will be ten stadiums within a 25 kilometre radius of Doha which was deemed incapable of hosting the (2016) Olympic Games only last year; and

-Restrictions on the consumption of alcohol.

To counter these problems Qatar has promised, amongst other things:

-Airconditioned stadiums which will be solar powered and therefore, carbon neutral. What effect will airconditioning have on the “ball”? It may make the Jabulani (which was used at this year’s last World Cup and branded by many as like playing with a beach ball), appear “normal”?!; and

-Fans will be able to drink alcohol in specially designed areas called “fan zones”. Will Doha, I mean Qatar, have room to fit these fan zones? Will they be air conditioned too?!

I’ll believe it when I see it.

For now, it is a fictional tale.

Just like Qatar’s bid video which was largely set in the future and the country shown as it “might” be in 2022.

The abovementioned concerns are shared by many, including FIFA. In fact, Qatar received the worst technical report of all the bidding nations from FIFA (for instance, FIFA labelled the punishing heat “a potential health risk”) and was the lowest ranked by FIFA’s own independent inspectors.

Yet FIFA still awarded Qatar the World Cup!

In the words of Paul Dalligan, “I have now seen it all”.

So, too the conspiracy theories…..I’m no investigative journalist but the following just doesn’t wash with me:

-How secretive was the voting when Qatari state owned broadcaster, al-Jazeera reported the result before Sepp Blatter opened his envelope and informed the world? And what of Qatari officials who were reportedly seen embracing one another and appeared relaxed in the lead up to same whilst Frank Lowy looked like he needed a year’s supply of Gastro Stop to curb his anxiety?

-What did Mohamed Bin Hamman say to Reyanld Temarii (the Oceania member who was suspended from voting for his part in an undercover newspaper sting) when he met him in Kuala Lumpur last week and shortly thereafter, Temarii stated he would proceed with his appeal, thereby allowing Oceania not to be represented in the ballot? Lest we forget that Temarii was quoted as saying he would have voted for Australia. To add salt to the wound, Hamman supported Temarii’s decision (to proceed with his appeal).

-The fact the Qataris were able to sponsor the Confederation of African Football Congress on 29 January 2010 and in doing so secured “exclusive” rights to make presentations to African delegates, including FIFA executive committee member, Issa Hayatou. Does that name sound familiar?! If not, read my last blog! In short, he has been accused of accepting bribes in the past! Australia, and the other 2022 bidding nations, could only attend the event as “observers” and could not organise press conferences.

Which brings me to my final point….

The integrity of the World Cup bidding process has been damaged and the system of bidding within FIFA ranks must change.

Transparency is needed.

In awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar (and the 2018 World Cup to Russia) does FIFA really care about the fans who have made the game what it is today? It would appear not. FIFA does not appear concerned if a supporter is subjected to a violent racist attack in Moscow or another dies of heat exhaustion whilst playing, “Let’s find the nearest watering hole” in Doha. I have no doubt that any of the other bidding nations would have delivered a better experience for the football fan than the eventual winners.

The “beautiful” game and its loyal fans, stands to lose.

Mark “The F Word” Fiorenti

News, Podcast, Sports

From the colony to the colonised….Football’s not coming home but to new frontiers….and without a dose of “Fair Play” (Part 1)

December 5, 2010 markfiorenti Leave a comment

“And the host of the 2018 World Cup is….Russia…

And the host of the 2022 World Cup is….Qatar”

When the abovementioned hosts were announced just after 2am last Friday morning, I no longer needed my shot of espresso to wake me up. Rather, I needed something to drown my sorrows.

If that wasn’t enough, I became nauseous when I learnt:

England was out in straight sets and finished dead last in the voting for 2018;
Australia was out in straight sets and finished dead last in the voting for 2022; and
The icing on the cake….the results was allegedly known approximately one hour before the tournament. So much for a secret ballot….

I can read the headlines already…. FIFA president Sepp, or should I say Gall, Blatter is remembered as the man who took the World Cup to Eastern Europe and the Middle East (along with Africa).

What won’t be widely reported is that Qatar’s victory gives him a reprieve, for had the World Cup not gone to Qatar, Asian Football Confederation chief Mohamed bin Hammam (Qatar’s bid chief, no less) would have allegedly challenged Blatter for the FIFA presidency. Blatter will now serve a fourth term as FIFA president.

So Hamman gets the glory of winning the World Cup for Qatar (a nice ego check) and Blatter gets to keep his job (and leave a “legacy” behind).

Nice wok guys – ego and political aspirations first, most logical choice and delivering fans a better footballing experience, a distant second.

To 2018….

Russia won the vote in a landslide victory in as early of the second round of voting, whilst England, a favourite, was miraculously sent packing after securing only two votes!

Nevertheless, in the weeks leading up to the vote, Blatter himself stated, “England can organize the World Cup tomorrow” boasting of its numerous world class stadia and the necessary infrastructure to deliver the world’s biggest sporting event.

And what of Russia…? FIFA’s own inspectors graded the bid as a “medium” operational risk and did not appear concerned by:

Travelling distances between host cities;
The need for extensive investment in infrastructure; and
The problem of racism amongst Russian fans (read – the banner erected by Lokomotiv Moscow supporters that abused Peter Odemwingie when he moved to West Bromwich Albion).

I can only guess FIFA didn’t appreciate England’s media recently uncovering new evidence about bribery claims regarding four of the men who voted last Friday morning. Three of those men, Cameroon’s Issa Hayatou, Brazil’s Ricardo Teixera and Paraguay’s Nicolas Leoz were accused of accepting bribes in the 1990’s and the fourth, CONCACAF President, Jack Warner was treated to a renewal of old allegations from earlier this year when he allegedly sold thousands of World Cup tickets on the black market for personal gain….but more on the issue of bribery and these shady characters, namely Hayatou, in Part 2….

It’s a travesty to think that the country which gave the world the beautiful game and continues to give so much to the world through its highly successful league – the most widely followed in the world, no less, scored so miserably in the voting last Friday.

England must now wait in excess of 60 years before football comes home.

I’m all in favour of FIFA’s legacy argument and desire to sail into unchartered waters, but in order to move forward one must also acknowledge and pay respect to our past. Further, a nation should be awarded the World Cup on its respective merits.

England would have been a logical, fair and timely choice.

It appears reputation means nothing in FIFA’s murky corridors of power.

Mark “The F Word” Fiorenti