I feel for Schwarzer, what a huge ask from him, with the team Pim Put on the park, He should be holding his head high, no easy task for any goalie. I am a goalie for hockey and I must say it has to go through 10 other players to make it in the back of the net.yes we need to build a bridge and get over it. 2 games to go and 6 points to obtain

Grella should be sent home immediately with that kind of attitude. You don't want it infecting the other players.

His head and his heart aren't in it. They were humiliated on the field and we have been humiliated as supporters.

The man who is retiring from the Socceroos after the World Cup, has no respect for the A-League and plans never to return to live in Australia but move to Italy can get stuffed.

Hmm ironically I was not feeling well so missed/could not watch some of the match, but from what I did see and then what I saw in SBS's hour of highlights/lowlights from the match this arvo, I suppose I'm kind of glad I missed most of it.

Interesting, I'm just watching the Netherlands-Denmark match now and I suppose, whether its fair to or not, given our prep match against the Danes, one 'could' draw some comparison, given the strength of the Netherlands side they face.

For some inexplicable reason we DID NOT sit back and limit the German's space in the final third. time and time again it APPEARED as if we were organised to play for the off side trap, which the Germans, time and time again, broke.

The Danes against the Netherlands on the other hand, from the get go, had all/most of their men back behind the ball, with a good six men on the edge of the box, soaking up that space and packing the box, when it came to the crosses from deep, as you'd expect from such an approach. The Socceroos on the other hand, as I suggested (And as many of us saw), only had 3-4 players back there at most, attempt to hold that line and guys like Lahm, Ozil and Podolski were being far too much time and space in that area between the box and the half way line, we didn't have enough bodies, weren't tight enough, in that area. Ozil and co were just playing one-twos, interplaying with Podolski and Klose, at will. I really don't understand why we weren't soo much tighter, didn't have more bodies, in this space. We were constantly stretched in most areas of that final third, especialyl when Ozil and co were then feeding out to the overlapping Lahm - there's was just far too much space for all of them.

But as I said, I never saw the match in full, so can't properly analyse what happened, but apparently we had enough midfielders on the park, but people have suggested we were playing 4-4-2, which sounds ludicrous to me, given our history under Pim and that we were facing Germany - I don't know whether it's a case of tactical approach, the competency of our midfielders like Grella (Who has really been ordinary right through preparation and who's starting spot really should've been under threat), Valeri and Culina or both, but our defensive organisation, we just weren't set out to keep them out, as we should've been.

This was the kind of big match, our first up match, which sets out your tournament. It's the kind of match against the group favourites where you'd think our mentality would be to grind out a desperate point or 0-1 loss if possible. Ten behind the ball this game (two dozen plus fouls on Lahm and co far from the box) and go all out against Ghana and Serbia. Soak up the space and be as BORING as possible.

But for some reason, it just did not play out that way. Really baffling.

And in regards to the comments - one must bare in mind that comments like Grella's were in the heat of the moment, a reaction to the immediate circumstances - it hurts to lose like that and players in the immediate moment will not always respond soo sensibly, despite the years of refinement in communication with the media some of them may've received through their experience as professional footballers.

But yeah, Grella's form on the pitch has been dead ordinary and it's been too long now that he's started ahead of guys like Valeri (Who albeit DID start alongside him) and Jedinak who have outperformed him, performed solidly in most of the matches they've featured for us, past six months.

And in regards to Emerton, he certainly seemed IMPRESSIVE in those highlights and I suppose you could tell he had some 'fresh legs' about him, but also his performance seem to evoke what WAS possible of this Australian side, or certainly of Aussie sides in the past (Which he was apart of). He really seemed to RISE to the occasion (Especially in tight scenarios on the ball, he rarely gave the ball up and managed to complete a meaningful pass/cross from a number of times he was in possession, even in tight scenarios, he was just 'Cryff turning' two Germans), where others just fell desperately short.

And Cahill was certainly unlucky. And to be fair again, that red card certainly made the bad far worse. As many have said, we were struggling already, but it was perhaps that which made the scoreline that little worse. But again, that's not true to say either, as the score easily could've been 10-0 Germany with all the clear chances around the six yard box we gave Klose, Podolski, Ozil and co.

But fair point on the Cup Fever program by Santo, Ukraine ofcourse copped a the same 4-0 hiding from Spain first match up, but still 'surprisingly' progressed to the quarter finals of Germany 06. But unfortunately, we aren't facing a Tunisia next up, we're facing who I consider to be the strongest and perhaps most capable of the African nations at this WC, in Ghana, who will be even tougher on their high after defeating Serbia and a Serbia who will be keen to bounce back from their loss to the Ghanians. That result was a double blow to us, because now Ghana is in the box seat to be second qualifier, slimming our chances of that second place much further, especially if they can secure a better result against Germany, than we did.

Cahill being out is quite a bummer too, but may've as a positive that may force Pim's hand into some more positive selections, like bringing in both Kennedy AND Kewell!

Edited by GloryPerth: 14/6/2010 11:37:13 PM

Agree with Bill Murray
I reckon something is crook in Tullarook in the Socceroos camp!! Neill in particular as captain did NOT set a good example as Captain and was a complete whinger. I am sure all will be revealed after the WC exit. And as for Grella's statement F#$k something did die last nite mate!! The self belief ya all had under Huus that almost took us to the quarter finals in 2006 has gone out the door. Last nite was the day that music died!!

Except for the COMPLETE lack of passion.

Millions of Aussies were watching that game with hope and love for the sport, only to watch guys like Grella, Moore and Neill play with obscene negativity and no desire to win.

The number of times I saw Neill fuck up and instantly look for someone to blame was disgusting. First he looks to the linesman, then he looks to the ref, and then he looks to his own team. It was always you Neill, you just can't help fucking up and taking responsibility for shit you get wrong.

In fact, this is a major problem in the Australian team. After watching the Algerians play, always giving thumbs up to creative passes that failed, encouraging their teammates, and putting their hand up to apologise when they made a mistake, you realise just how poor the Socceroo mentality is. Only half of the guys on the pitch looked like they truly wanted to be there.

So much for picking experience over potential.

I'm hoping the next coach will decide to reconstruct the Aussie team with new, young players, rather than running the same old fucking circus that hasn't looked good since the Guus era.

Hindsight is a beautiful thing.

None of those comments are pathetic they are actually quite reasonable comments.

I died inside! DOES THAT FUCKING COUNT!!!!

In regards to Cahill's suspension, apparently there is a FIFA panel that will look at the incident and then decide if the ban is 1 or 2 matches.

And contrary to popular belief, the first goal came from a mistake by Chippers (giving away the ball) combined with Moore (being totally out of position.... for a change....).

Is Cahill out for two or one game

If we beat Ghana Serbia may still be able to go through by beating us and having a better goal difference with us all having one win each. Next two games will not be easy.

was it a Grella mistake that led to the first goal?

'its just a game'

bullshit....this has is the world cup....how many aussies got up/stayed up to watch this game...the Australian public deserve better....

i could see this result coming a mile away....
tbh...i havent seen Australia play well since the last world cup...'

we only qualified because other teams didnt finish their chances..

then we come up against Podolski and Klose...two top strikers who very rarely miss when playing for their country..

And the biggest fuck-up of all, was leaving Scotty Mac (our only proven goal scoring striker at home) and then to add insult starting Garcia in a position very much suited to Macca..

The sooner Pim and Graham Arnold are away from out national team the better of our football will be..

so many fucking errors....

We really needed to capatilise on this world cup..to sustain the A-league, to help our World Cup Bid and most of all...to keep the fence sitters in the Aussie public interested...

4-0 is unacceptable....

Grella is a liability, so is Moore, and how the fuck did Mile Jedinak ever get to play in a World Cup game is beyond me...

Pim you are one shitty coach...the Australian public hates you

If Germany beat Serbia then they will basically play a second string side against Ghana. We need to be Ghana and beat them good. Otherwise forget it. Goal difference is what is going to kill us.

too many of our players are there on reputation, rather then on merit.

i think we'll be fine in defence/midfield...however i don't see many strikers on the horizon which is a real problem area for us

hopefully our next manager doesn't hold grudges against players for being passionate. in Bosnar's case, it was probably due to the Arnold factor that he never got a go (another dud i'll be happy to see gone from the national set up)

hopefully at the Asian Cup with our new manager, he'll have us playing positive football and with an eye to the future giving some youngsters a go in the first team like Spiranovic, Lowry, hopefully Rhys Williams will be a regular, Davidson playing in Portugal, Kilkenny, Kantorovski, Burns etc

Grella is an arrogant wanker.
GTFO

ffs someone get grella out of the fucking team. such a very odd comment the result could have easily been a few goals worse. everyone was excited for the cup and first game we get out there and get raped in front of the whole world. we are meant to be a top 20 nation and we could be if it wasnt for players like you and moore that dont know when to retire. no shit we are gonna be fucked off.

I wonder how much of a difference it would have been with Spiranovic in the team and a bit of speed in certain areas.

Australian football died a little bit. :-({|=

Grella's comment shows how out of touch he is with how football has progressed in Australia. 'It is just a game' doesn't cut it any more. The Australian fans are now every bit as demanding as the Italians, Germans and English. This same public deserves more than such a flippant and disrespectfull response from a senior Socceroo. IT IS THE WORLD CUP! IF THIS GAME DIDN'T MATTER, WHICH ONE WOULD VINCE?

Its true nobody died.

But SomeTHING died.

RIP Vinnie Grella's international career. Vinnie was quality. But that quality ran out about 4 years ago.
LOL @ Galatasaray if they have already signed him.

Even though he's a bit of a cock he is right, it is a game of football, upsetting when your team loses but life goes on. His attitude about tomorrows another day is spot on, if the players dwell on it to much it will stuff them up for the next 2 games.

That's what I don't understand. Scott McDonald was left home because he did not suit Pims style... And yet they played a two striker combo for the first time which would have been very much up McDonalds alley... Serious question here. I know that people usually get bagged because they loose and most times it's just not called for... BUT PIM F$%^&D UP!!! His tactics read like a 6 yo's handbook on "How to loose a game of football for dummies"!!! Seriously, the tactics where the worst since Farina coached.

SCO3 - dead right. The reason for leaving Macdonald at home was we only ever play one up front, right?

ah well, lets enjoy the rest of the games and look to the days when Verbeek leaves. Have a go you mug, does Verbeek understand what that means.

It wasn't just another game. We had the whole nation focused on this game and on our sport Vince Grella and we were humiliated and embarrassed something unbelievable.

If you are going to play two upfront then why leave McDonald at home and put Garcia up there? Bizarre.

Boz was pretty spot on in that article. Pity the 6 midfielders weren't all Brett Emertons, then we might have had a hope.

Grella, Moore out for mine . . they've been disappointing for a while now, I thought they'd step up, but don't think they have the legs for it.