Apologies if previously posted.I think its great recognition for that team

[size=8]Teams of the Decade, #18: Australia, 2006[/size]
January 19, 2010

It’s fair to say that Guus Hiddink could have had three sides in this list – his 2002 venture to the World Cup semi-finals with South Korea was probably his best achievement of the decade; his 2008 Russia side was probably his best team of the decade.

The team that gets a place in the list, however, is his 2006 Australia team – the first to qualify for the World Cup since 1974. This was, of course, in the days where they had to negotiate a tricky two-legged tie against Uruguay, rather than the easy route to the finals they enjoy today.

Their place here is largely down to the highly unusual formation Australia played throughout the tournament, which seemed to vary from game to game, but always featured two constants – a three-man defence and a lone striker, meaning it was generally noted as a 3-6-1. In reality, it was probably generally closer to a 3-3-3-1 – with two wing-backs and a very deep holding player, and three relatively offensive midfielders looking to support Mark Viduka. But six men in the middle meant Hiddink was able to switch between a defensive shape and an attacking shape fairly easily – which was vital considering the topsy-turvy games against Japan and Croatia in the group stages. Dropping a midfield player into a more defensive role meant a 3-4-2-1, pushing the wide players forward resulted in an adventurous 3-3-1-3.

Hiddink also felt relatively free to move players between positions – aided by the fact that the likes of Brett Emerton, Harry Kewell, Mark Bresciano and Mile Sterjovski were all highly versatile. Only the Schwarzer – Neill/Moore – Cahill – Viduka spine remained consistent.

The main benefit of the 3-6-1 formation was that Australia saw the majority of possession in the games against Japan (55%), Croatia (56%) and Italy (58%). Even against a vastly superior Brazil side famed for their ability to pass all day, Australia saw a decent 47% of the ball.

The shape worked better defensively than it did going forward – they took 85 minutes to break down a poor Japanese side – and the goals against Croatia were hardly well-crafted. Ultimately, they paid the price for not managing to score against an Italy side who were down to ten men and lacking any real width. With ten minutes to go, Hiddink replaced his right-winger with a second striker, and it is perhaps not a coincidence that Italy’s last-minute goal came from a rare foray forward from left-back Fabio Grosso, who suddenly had no opponent forcing him back.

That said, it was an extremely controversial penalty which sent the Australians out, and Hiddink had at least demonstrated that for underdogs looking to frustrate the opposition and yet see a decent amount of the ball themselves, the 3-6-1 (and its many subtle variations) can be an effective system.

Their finest moment was probably Harry Kewell’s goal against Croatia to put them into the knockout stages, which was a scrappy goal but it demonstrated what Australia did well – using their numerical advantage to work the ball into a wide area, and get crosses in for the attacking four.



http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/01/19/teams-of-the-decade-18-australia-2006/

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/03/28/zonal-markings-20-teams-of-the-decade-in-full/
20-Sevilla-2005-7.For winning the UEFA Cup twice in succession, showing that a traditional 4-4-2 can still work at the highest level when adapted to suit the players at hand.
19-France-2004.For trying an innovative shape, but ultimately demonstrating that football isn’t about trying to cram your best players into the same team.
18-Australia,WC 2006.For outlining the value of packing the midfield by playing a 3-6-1 shape, and dominating possession against better sides.
17-Bologna-2001-2.For showing how successful a ‘big man holding the ball up’ can be, and for varying their formation but keeping the same tactics.
16-Senegal-WC 2002.For shocking the world with their victory over France, and for playing physical but technically excellent counter-attacking football.
15-Brazil,2007-9.For playing a fascinating 4-2-3-1 / 4-4-2 diamond / 4-2-2-2 shape, and providing one of the most interesting tactical debates of modern times.
14-Milan,2002-7.For their two Champions League victories, and for playing up to four talented playmakers in the same midfield by reintroducing the deep-lying playmaker.
13-Chelsea,2004-6.For taking the Premiership by storm and showing how successful the 4-3-3 shape can be by occupying opposition full-backs.
12-Brazil,WC 2002.For winning the World Cup by playing adventurous football despite fielding seven relatively defensive players in an unusual 3-4-3 shape.
11-Valencia,2001-4.For winning La Liga twice and the UEFA Cup, and establishing the 4-2-3-1 as a creditable formation.
10-Roma ,2000-1.For demonstrating how successful a three-man defence can be, and for providing a great debate between two players upfront.
9-Arsenal,2001-4.For two incredible title victories by playing wonderful football in a loose 4-4-2 that became a 4-2-3-1.
8-Czech Republic,2001-4.For having more attacking options within the first XI than any other side in the decade.
7-Spain,Euro 2008.For playing their way to success through tiki-taka.
6-Bayer Leverkusen,2001-2.For coming so close to three trophies and setting the agenda for how European football tactics would evolve throughout the decade.
5-Roma ,2005-7.For hinting at the future of football – strikerless formations.
4-Porto,2002-4.For achieving the most remarkable club feat of the decade – coming from nowhere to win the Champions League.
3-Manchester United,2006-9.For an astonishing run of trophies, and for playing different systems and utilising their players so well
2-Barcelona-2008-9.For winning every tournament they entered, for playing incredible football, and for being flexible at both ends of the pitch.
1-Greece,Euro 2004.For the biggest shock in the history of football.

LOL. Notice how Culina isn't being played at defensive midfield?

I did.

That said, he performed enough backwards and sideways passes to be playing DM in spirit.

I have watched the '06 game against Croatia many, many times. It looks to me like Kewell's goal should have been called offside. Then again, there were so many things that should/shoulnt have been called in that game its not funny.

Australia were rated ahead of virtually hundreds of great teams over that decade

will point out the obvious, that it's a list of the 20 best teams tactically. more recognition of guus hiddink than the australians per se. but it's still a great recognition.

love that website. was brilliant during the cup.

I think merrick is gonna try to use roma's strikerless formation! haha great memories.