Inside Sport

Changes likely for Aussies, says Chipperfield


https://forum.insidesport.com.au/Topic754857.aspx

By Joffa - 17 Jun 2010 6:21 PM

Quote:

Changes likely for Aussies, says Chipperfield

17 June 2010


JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - Experienced defender Scott Chipperfield expects Australia to make changes, even at his own expense, for their make-or-break World Cup game against Ghana on Saturday.

Left-back Chipperfield was part of an Australian back four left badly exposed in last Sunday's 4-0 rout by Germany that has left their World Cup campaign teetering.

The Australians are looking to bounce back and beat the Ghanaians, who have three points and a five-goal difference on the Socceroos after their 1-0 win over Serbia last weekend.

There has been a stinging backlash back home against coach Pim Verbeek and the squad over the ragged showing against the rampant Germans, with the Dutchman particularly under fire for his team selection and tactics.

Swiss-based Chipperfield, who at 34 is likely to be playing in his second and final World Cup, knows his place is on the line, but he expects the Socceroos to bounce back against Ghana.

"I expect there will be changes because it was a disappointing performance," Chipperfield said.

"All spots are under pressure and I don't think anyone can put their hand up and say they were happy with their game, so I think everyone in the starting team is under pressure.

"For me, sometimes I had two or three players coming at me and it made me look bad, but there are times when there is not much you can do and you can only do your best."

Chipperfield said he expected senior Socceroo Harry Kewell will play against Ghana as Australia look to turn around their damaged campaign.

Kewell, who has only played a few minutes of club football this year with Turkish giants Galatasaray because of groin trouble, was left on the bench and did not come on against Germany.

"I expect Harry to feature in some part of the game, whether he starts or is off the bench, I'm sure he will be involved," Chipperfield said.

Chipperfield, a veteran of 66 internationals since 1998, said it would be a test of character against Ghana, with Australia having won four and drawn one of their six internationals against them.

"Ghana are an unpredictable, strong team, fast all over the park and they are confident after their 1-0 win against Serbia. That may play into our hands as they have nothing to lose," he said.

"When you have bad days then it depends on how you bounce back to determine how good we are. I know we're a good team, we did well to qualify and hopefully we can bounce back.

"We know that if we win against Ghana the press will turn around and get behind us."
http://au.soccerway.com/news/2010/June/17/changes-likely-for-aussies-says-chipperfield/
By GloryPerth - 18 Jun 2010 11:03 AM

Hmm my perspective on Culina was coloured by his being played out of position on the left against Germany, that's probably partly why his performance looked soo bad, aswell as the fact that Lahm and co were soo good. Have Culina back where he belongs, that is DM alongside Valeri or Jedinak, and yeah, hopefully he's the goods.

BUT

Then again, since he's come back to the A-League Culina hasn't quite been the same Culina of old - Hasn't impressed as much as the past. But that difference is miniscule compared to the drop in form etc... of guys like Grella. Going from the A-League to Germany IS quite a reach, but again he kept assuring us that he would not drop off his training etc... despite joining the A-League and he DID train with PSV in recent times for WC prep.

And with Chippers, yeah again, Germany did make him aswell as the rest of the team look bad, but one wonders against Ayew, Boateng and co how he'd cope - He'd need the support of the left winger and one of the DMs inside ofcourse. TBH I wasn't as serious on the Carney for Chippers move, as it's certainly unlikely Pim would do that - That would be a more drastic move in the more 'risk taking/caution to the wind' range. But hey, when it comes to that approach, THEN I wouldn't be surprised to see a Carney come on for Chippers there, for fresh legs and possible a more attacking option pushing forward. BTW People keep saying they aren't confident in Carney as a LB, and while, sure, his background is that of an attacking winger, in recent times for club aswell as country, he's been utilised as a LB, and when I saw recent times that has been the past few seasons now. And he's featured as our NT's LB in our qualification as much as Chippers has, if not more. Sure, in a number of ways he's no Chippers, but he may be quicker on the ground and that can be valuable against certain opposing wingers. As anonanimal suggested, these physical aspects can still be quite important as we saw against Germany.

BTW I'm no Chippers hater - He's been a great servant to our NT and I'll never forget his commitment to the NT, especially when it wasn't soo fashionable in the days of Oceania - including once paying his own way from Europe for qualifying fixtures against the Island nations when no other Euroroo would etc.. And indeed he's NEVER let us down. Infact that Germany match was the first time in a long time (even ever?) that I've seen Chippers have a sub-par game for Australia and ofcourse part of that was squarely down to Germany's ability and ofcourse Chippers was far from alone when it came to disappointing that game and the NT as a whole was a collective disappointment when it came to it's lack of defensive organisation as a wider team and general combative resilience (And I know tangent, but our tactical organisation, as set out by Pim, played some part in that, clearly).

Edited by GloryPerth: 18/6/2010 11:20:51 AM