Yeah they play all these regional tournaments too, what do they call them? Arab Nations Cup or West Asian Games - those kinds of tournaments.

If anyone caught some of the UAE v Jordan game, it was an interesting, end-to-end, battle. Sadly 0-0, but good technique playing through from both sets of players, some decent composure in the transition and ever potential threat when they do break through final third. Though often both sets of defences were able to adjust or break down some of those transitions in that final third, to spark a counter for their team. Some good structure for both teams, but technical capability. The UAE were the slightly stronger team, with more physicality and capability upfront, but Jordan really held their own at times and had their periods. Atleast for the half of football or so I saw.

He has been improving every game, he was a bit average last year, but he has become a bit of a stall wart,

Maclaren: It's win or bust!

Ahead of their must win game against Jordan tomorrow night, Brisbane Roar striker Jamie Maclaren says that the Olyroos are not ready to give up their dream of playing at the Rio Olympics.
In Australia’s second group game at the AFC U23 Championship, Maclaren scored the second goal in Australia’s 2-0 win against Vietnam.
The Asian Championships also double up as qualification tournament for the Olympics that will be hosted in Rio next year.
Tomorrow night’s game against Jordan has been more than just a four year cycle with many of the Olyroos squad together since their time playing for the Joeys U17 side.
Mclaren admitted that heading into the do-or-die clash there is a sense of urgency that this could be the last chance for many in the squad to go to an Olympics.

“Some of us been together for six years, there have been a core group who have together since 2010 and we don’t want it to end. There have also been new boys that have come in who have been given chances in the A-League and have come from overseas and have come into the squad and have done well.
"We’ve got such a good group here that we don’t want it to end now. We want to qualify and hopefully see us in Rio and so far we don’t feel like it’s our time to leave now.”
After failing to get on the scoresheet against the UAE in their opening match, the Olyroos put two past Vietnam in their second group game but the goals haven’t come through open play.
Maclaren, who’s been in scoring form for the Brisbane Roar this season with seven goals in 12 games, said that it hasn’t been a concern as the team have still been generating shots at goal.
“You’d be worried if you weren’t creating chances,” he said.
“I would have liked to have scored more. At the end of the day we have walked away with two goals against Vietnam. From set pieces we were probably a bit lucky.
“We controlled the game for the majority of the whole 90 minutes and it probably could have been more than 2-0 but we’ll take the three points and clean sheet.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s night game, McLaren said that the Olyroos expect to deal with a situation where Jordan may use the tactic of parking the bus, as they only need a draw to qualify for the next round.
“We know that Jordan will play for the draw, he said.
“If they are going to want to sit back we’ve just got to heap pressure on them. We need to keep the ball as much as we can but also be very attacking. Against the UAE we didn’t penetrate enough. Vietnam came at us a bit and gave us a bit of freedom going forward but it will definitely be a similar game to when we faced the UAE.
“We are going into the game knowing that we have to win, we are not going to stand for a draw. We know that it’s a possibility that if we were to draw that we would go through, but we’re not even thinking of playing for a draw.”












The highlighted parts of McLaren's quote in a 442 article are part of the problem. The team has been together for a long time. Sadly, some of those team units have had slow recent development compared to new players on the block who have developed faster in recent times.


I have no doubt that Viddy wants to keep the same team going for issues of cohesion from under 17s to under 23s. Unfortunately, some of those individuals are not the same players relative to others outside the squad, compared to what they were when they were younger.

You're welcome.

330am get around it.

Sure thing sir! =d> :d

If these players can pull of the kind of performance that their potential suggests, then this could be the makings of the side, this tournament and potentially, entering into the Olympics - IF we make it! Need to blitz this lot, show the Socceroos what's possible, come their own match hosting Jordan in March! No more pretenders or pretence, this is the stage to shine!

Ange is watching, aswell as their club coaches. Alot of fringe players at club level here, a chance to prove they deserve to be more than that, here on this stage!

They say they are also playing in memory of Dylan Tombides, just added motivation:

[youtube]YMvsCPRbRrs[/youtube]

Team is
Lennox
Geria - Burgess - Donachie - Gersbach
O'Neill
Amini - Brillante
Borrello - Maclaren - Mauk

Damn no Antonis or Deng.
Mauk finally gets to play, wasnt played at all vs UAE or Viet...strange

Atleast O'Neill remains in there. Interesting to see Burgess promoted too, let's see what he can offer - big shoes to fill in-place of the injured Deng. Geria there is a boost too. Amini fit and firing is a plus.

An ever fitter Antonis no doubt an option off the bench, probably sooner than last game. With our need to be pro-active, expect it.

Mauk has A-League form and one of his assets is his off-the-ball movement? He's not a bad finisher too it seems and that's an added attacking asset to have with an attacking midfielder.

Borello in there too yay! Borrello-McLaren combo!

Is Lennox 'rotated' for Duncan?! Unless there are fitness concerns, the tight schedule, I'm not sure why the change when this is a do-or-die game? If it IS a rotation, then it reminds me of 2006 WC Hiddink-esque, Kalac starting last game against Croatia over Schwarzer!

Is there a stream up for this game?

Duncan was shite and deserved to be dropped but I have no idea about who Lennox is or how good he is.

Lennox is a goalkeeper who has been in England youth system and now is without a club. Has played a bit in the Aussie youth teams. I have no idea if he is better than Duncan or Hall but seems to be rated by the Aussie youth team coaches.

Didn't even know Lennox was playing, big game for him

Picked out all the negatives and somehow brill ante shows up again..
Maybe he'll look good for longer than 10-15

Definitely glad to see; Geira, Gersbach, O'Neil, Amini, Mclaren, Borello and Mauk
So lots of positives

youtube.com/watch?v=7MR1KgEd-ho&ebc=ANyPxKoxkU-2CCs8ZAL6GKVUdiyQHxL6diFrLsbUv0klYy4UJvJVRXC56vr8dTxGfqy0nr65-h8Zb08QubgIiJrS4QdDnmhKUQ

Loving your work, thank you

Edited by Drunken_Fish: 21/1/2016 03:27:58 AM

Amini captain with no Edwards

is this stream working in Australia?

It is for me

Sorry, copied link from my phone's browser..
If that doesn't work, just go through:
socceroos.com.au

Damn!!
That crowd is mic'd up more than the cove on derby days

Looks like the South Korean squad in the stand watching.

This is amusing to watch because every time they foul they assume we will dive like they would and stop playing.

Oh no, that poor Jordanian, will he ever walk agai - oh wait he's fine.

Mauk. :(

It's a miracle! :o

Vietnam v use is en 0-0 being played at same time. C'mon the viets

Nice nutmeg Gersbach, pity it was on yourself.

Goal for Vietnam! 1-0 at 24 minutes.

Cuong Phong saving our arses!

Edited by paladisious: 21/1/2016 03:58:43 AM

Lennox looks so much more composed compared to Duncan