Olyroos 0-0 Uzbekistan: HT Match Impressions

The Olyroos played out a goal-less draw against a 'familar' Uzbekistan. This is not a full match analysis, and is intended only to convey how the Olyroos were set out.

Central Coast 3-1 Heart: Match Analysis

A genuinely exhilarating tactical encounter was decided, undeservedly perhaps, by a foul on a keeper resulting in a stunning overhead kick and a mis-judged handball. Melbourne and the Central Coast have shaped up this season as genuine title contenders; the Red and Whites and the Mariners will be tussling for the silver and bronze medals come the business end of the season. John van't Schip and Graham Arnold renewed their reputations as among the finest tacticians in Australia.

6 points on Adelaide 0-0 Newcastle

Here is a 6 point tactical analysis on Adelaide's underwhelming nil-all draw with Newcastle. Don't forget to help spread the word about Pass and Move. 

Sydney 2-3 Central Coast: Match Analysis

Bling FC against the Little Club That Could; that would be the expected narrative in any derby involving the Harbour City and their more modest cousins. Except in recent times, it's the Sky Blues who have been in the doldrums and the Mariners in the ascendant. Central Coast triumphed at the SFS for the first time in four years, but it was Lavicka's confusing tactics and overly aggressive substitutions that largely decided the contest. 

Gold Coast 1-2 Heart: Match Analysis

This match was an intriguing tactical proposition and a prime example of why pure 4-4-2's, in its attacking incarnation, have become obsolete, and why striker-less 4-6-0's are the future. Gold Coast were completely overwhelmed in midfield, the classy Dutch pair of Beekmans and Jungschlager were overrun by Heart, who were able to deploy four players in central midfield, yet still field two wingers, by ditching a central striker. 

The pattern of play was established early, after Thompson pilfered an early goal. Heart dominated the rest of the first period, monopolising possession and chances. Gold Coast retained a threat through the predatory Rigters, whose direct and aggressive running very nearly undid Madaschi on the counter-attack, as well as dangerous deliveries by Jungschlager at set pieces. Bleiburg's tactical changes after the break allowed Gold Coast to get back into the contest, but their equaliser was then cancelled out by Germano's late goal. 

4 points on Brisbane 1-1 Wellington

Here are 4+ tactical points on Brisbane's one-all draw with Wellington.

12 points on Heart 3-0 Newcastle

Here are 12 tactical points on Heart's three-nil victory against Newcastle. 

Thailand 0-1 Australia: Match Analysis

In an encounter Australia was largely expected to dominate, the Socceroos were insipid and vulnerable to a dangerous Thailand. Winfried Schafer deserves great credit for Thailand's stubborn and animated performances against Australia. Mr Schafer, be honest now - have you been reading Pass and Move? His tactical plan to neutralise Australia's left flank was remarkably similar to PM's feature on 'How to dismantle Australia'. The scoreboard may have read one-nil to the visitors, but it was the Thais who escaped with greater credit. 

Given that Osieck restored the system that had recently been successful, with Holman reverting to the withdrawn striker role, McKay back at left midfield, and Zullo resuming his role as the left fullback, PM readers are justified in asking why Australia was so ineffective. Simply put, those failings that Australia suffered from against Oman and Thailand before, resurfaced despite the switch in personnel. Specifically, Australia were prone to a lack of width on the left flank, a lack of mobility up-front and a failure to retain possession. Ultimately this was probably a match that was tactically significant for the players that weren't present more than for the players that were. 

Match Day: Brisbane

A couple of months back PM asked any readers if they were keen to write 'match day experience' pieces, as a way to give a window into the life of a dedicated Australian football fan and the various subcultures of the disparate A-League clubs. No one replied. Until Hamish of Football Down Under and Beyond, a hardcore Brisbanite, put his hand up. 

Now I wouldn't want to take away any of his audience by posting his article in its entirety, so instead I've linked back to his original site, which any true Roar fans should have bookmarked already.  

If there are any other fans of the other A-League clubs eager to write something similar, do get in touch, and PM will look to accommodate you. Nice work Hamish. 

Oman 1-0 Australia: Match Analysis

Well this was unexpected. The Socceroos, unbeaten since that heart breaking extra time loss to Japan in January, have bent the knee to a defiant Oman. So besides falling back on tired old clichés like the hosts 'raging against the dying of the light', how can we explain this result? Oman definitely improved, with their defensive organisation becoming faster, which is a credit to Le Guen. Unfortunately however, it was Holger Osieck's team selection to which the majority of blame can be apportioned. 

Now mistakes, in and of themselves, are rarely something to worry over, as trial and error is often the best way to learn. Disappointingly however, the omissions Holger committed against Oman were of a strikingly similar nature, to the mistakes he made in his team selection against Thailand. Specifically, deploying Holman and McKay out of position at left wing and fullback, in a bid to squeeze in all of the 'on form' players into the same team. 

Oman v Australia: Preview

Next Tuesday, At 1am this Saturday, Australia is going to face Oman, needing only a draw to guarantee progression to the next stage of AFC Qualification for Brazil 2014.

Holger Osieck called up a 23-man squad for the two upcoming matches. The last match against Oman, about a month ago, was a resounding three-nil victory for the Aussies.

The fact that qualification is all but assured, and that the starting XI is the hardest it has been to predict for some years, are all excellent signs of the progress we have made under the affable German. 

The Big One-oh-oh-oh-oh.

A couple of days ago, Pass and Move reached the magic landmark of 10,000 hits. This would be an appropriate time for some introspection.

Adelaide 1-1 Heart: Match Analysis

There are multiple prisms through which to perceive this match; a 'relegation' scrap for one, a grudge match between former colleagues (on the pitch and in the dugouts) another, a Double Dutch affair, perhaps even a fight between the two highest paid and most 'underperforming' managers in the league. Thanks to the audacity of John van't Schip however, PM is going to treat this match as a fascinating tactical exhibition. Kind of obvious really, given the word 'tactics' is in the URL.

The first half was a see-sawing affair. Heart dominated play initially, thanks to their monopoly of possession. But Adelaide battled through, unsettling the Heart and conjuring threatening periods of play. What set this fixture alight however, was the late sending off of Colosimo, and Adelaide's equaliser from the resultant free kick. Both sides really battled in the closing minutes; Slory came close to twice creating open net situations, while Hoffman actually tapped in a shot from close range, only to be called off-side.

Blog Rule

Pass and Move recommend interesting/fascinating posts and articles, from abroad, to our audience Down Under.

Victory 2-2 Brisbane: Match Analysis

Melbourne Victory turned in a heroic defensive performance after going down to ten, and then nine men, within the space of half an hour. The manner of the goals tells the story of this match, with Brisbane scoring from two set pieces, and Archie Thompson displaying his clinical edge, bagging a brace.

This match might very well be the turning point for the seasons of both Brisbane and Victory. After that blunt performance, the reigning champions are now faced with the prospect of playing teams that sit all eleven men behind the ball, while Durakovic might finally realise that in the short term, the Navy Blues will be better served playing the way Merrick intended his squad to.

Round 5 Tips

Round 5 of A-League Season 7 is upon, and here are PM's tips for the weekend. After watching Brisbane absolutely tear apart a sorry Adelaide, what can we expect from the upcoming action?

A Tale of Victory: From London to Melbourne

It is the 22^nd of October. Mehmet Durakovic and his Melbourne Victory squad welcome derby rivals Melbourne Heart to Etihad Stadium. The home team are fortunate to escape with a draw against the rampant Red and Whites.

A week later and it’s now the 29^th of October. Arsene Wenger’s stuttering Arsenal visit Andre Villas Boas and his Chelsea squad at Stamford Bridge. A goal fest of epic proportions ensues, which results in a Van Persie hat-trick and a 5-3 loss to the Blues.

What could these two clubs, Melbourne Victory and Chelsea FC, nearly 17,000 km, hundreds of millions of pounds and a whole other English dialect apart, have in common?

Socceroos Squad List

Holger Osieck has called up a 23-man squad, adding five players from the 18 that contested against Malaysia and Oman at home, to face Oman away on Nov 11 and Thailand away on Nov 15, though that may change due to floods.

The big talking points pertain to the return of Aussie stalwarts Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton, as well as the call-ups of relative newcomers Chris Herd, Mitch Nichols and Adam Sarota.

Round 4 Team of the Week

Just to switch things up a bit, here is PM's Team of the Week for Round 4, in the fashionable universal default of 4-2-3-1. Do your heroes make an appearance? Add your own suggestions in the comments below.

Addendum to Besart Berisha

PM recently analysed the 7-1 thrashing Brisbane dolled out to Adelaide.

ADDITION:
That isn't to say Berisha is a 'simple poacher' - that dubious honour belongs to none other than Shane Smeltz, the A-League's own Michael Owen. To again use the Torres metaphor, Berisha's pace and aggression was used to push back the Adelaide centre backs to expand the space between the Red's midfield and defence, something Smeltz isn't capable of.