Inside Sport

Australias performance versus Saudi Arabia


https://forum.insidesport.com.au/Topic1350820.aspx

By Arthur - 1 Mar 2012 11:02 AM

Thought I'd post it here and take in analytical observations of last nights game.

I was fortunate enough to have observe the Saudi's in training under Rijkard last week.

It was a session based on ball technique, small sided games, a tactical exercise in beating a flat back four with "killer Passes" "dummy runs" and Diagnal runs, finishing off with a restricted game.

The Saudi's early game was baed on 4-2-3-1 formation withe the Full backs pushing high and wide when in attack, the No. 12 being highly effective through out the game. The no. 14 acted as a screening or defensive midfielder.
You could see in the first half the Barcelona influence on playing style of the Saudi's.

The Australians lined up in a conventional 4-4-2 formation with North, Ogenovski, Neill, Spiranovic in defence.

I thought North struggled all night while Ogenovski and Neill in the first half looked shakey they stepped up in the second half having influential roles no doubt their experience is invaluble. But we can't afford to cop two goals at home in the next phase.
Spiranovic played Left Back he was up against the No. 12 who had speed and while Matt is solid centre back is for him.

Will post more soon have to get back to work.
By Arthur - 9 Mar 2012 12:03 PM

Decentric wrote:
Arthur wrote:
I don't know if you pick this up on TV, as I haven't seen a replay yet, was Bresciano's passing ability in terms of positioning and pace of the ball compared to his team mates.

Bresciano's passes where at a slower pace, and place to the players feet in such a way as the receiver could easily perform a lateral touch to either side of his body. While some of Bresciano's team mates would execute passes that came straight to the body with pace, like a shot at goal, sometimes 10 or 20 cm above the ground making it difficult for the receieving player to execute a good first touch.

I had to think is it Bresciano's years in Italy compared to the other players years in Australia and the UK and the differing demands of each respective game style?



I've had a good look at this.

In the first half Bresc played a lot of deft and well -weighted passes, but I don't think it was deliberate to make it easier for other players to make a good first touch.

I've just been looking at Barca and they often hammer the ball straight at each other on the ground, but they still have a very soft first touch, often turning slightly away from their opponent.


While Barca pass with force they are taught to keep the pass on the ground so the reciever can control it better, if the ball is just 10cm off the ground this makes controlling the ball more difficult and less likely that the reciever can perform a lateral touch into space or to avoid a defender.

I think that Bresc's passing style is more due to his development in Italy and their requirements of him.