Asian Cup 2007

[Dirko]

Very frustrating...that will be Arnies swan song...not a pleasant way to go out...
Asia is alot harder than the Aussies thought it'd be. What also happens now is Australia will
be one of the lesser teams in the World Cup qualifiers. They will need a full strength side
for ALL the qualifiers otherwise we'll be in strife...
Penalties is a harsh way to go BUT, once again defence played a part in allowing a soft
goal for Japan.
Japan will now be looking at winning the thing...

Other result from last night was...
Iraq def Vietnam 2 nil...

[Dogwatcher]

And apparently several people died in Iraq when supporters went outside and fired shots from their rifles in celebration.
way to celebrate!

[MightyEagles]

We also have to remember that the weather didn't help us either, which helped Japan more then us as they were used to it. The more we play there, the easier it would be in the future.

[Dirko]

Other results for the Quarters...
Iran and Korea 0 all...Korea wins on penalties 4 - 2.
Saudia Arabia def Uzbekistan 2 - 1.

The semis are as;
Iraq vs Korea Republic
Japan vs Saudia Arabia

[Dirko]

And apparently several people died in Iraq when supporters went outside and fired shots from their rifles in celebration.
way to celebrate!

LOL.. Not that people dying should be laughed at, but hey at least it was for a good cause and not for the evil axis stuff...
Iraq haven't played a home game in Iraq for the past FK how long, so a great effort...would be very hard to qualify on neutral territory, let alone
keep the game relevant in a war torn place...
Shows that FOOTBALL, is truely a beautiful game....
Would love for the Iraqi's to knock out the Koreans...could happen as the Koreans are struggling to find the back of the net.
Japan to beat the Saudi's...BUT would be a sensational finla if Iraq played Saudi Arabia ! Imagine the taunts across the gulf !!

[heater31]

BUT would be a sensational finla if Iraq played Saudi Arabia ! Imagine the taunts across the gulf !!

Id rather not think about it as it could start a war

[matt]

Referees, penalties, subsitutions etc aside I think it was a great tournament in regards to getting Australia mentally and organasationally prepared for the WC qualifiers.

There will be no piss-take preparation next time. There will be a better understanding of all the facets of playing football in Asia. We have seen Beauchamp, Milligan and Carney get significant game time and in the large showed they have the ability to be solid performers for the national side. Hopefully the next manager will be able to bring in a Guus style level of discipline.

I am confident we will be better prepared for the WC qualifiers.

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

Will be good to see Thompson get abit of run over the next 12 months, and also looking foward to seeing Nicky Carle in action some more on the international stage.
Leading in the WCQ's Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite will probably get abit of a go also.

[redden whites]

Will be good to see Thompson get abit of run over the next 12 months, and also looking foward to seeing Nicky Carle in action some more on the international stage.
Leading in the WCQ's Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite will probably get abit of a go also.

[Dirko]

Sam_goUUUdogs wrote:
Will be good to see Thompson get abit of run over the next 12 months, and also looking foward to seeing Nicky Carle in action some more on the international stage.
Leading in the WCQ's Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite will probably get abit of a go also.

[/quote]

Nicky, Bruce & Nathan yeah maybe...Archie....NFW!!!

[Blue Boy]

What a disaster for Soccer in Australia - big chance goooooooooone !!!

[brent]

disappointing way to go out but the biggest positive for me is the performance of the a-league players... bloody tremendous

in my opinion we should start introducing more, spot on about djite and burns, amongst others

to me nothing is better than seeing the players who perform in front of us week-in week-out get a gig in the national team, makes for a stronger comp and a stronger national team

[devilsadvocate]

Nicky, Bruce & Nathan yeah maybe...Archie....NFW!!!

Here, here!!!!!!!!!!!

Well said!

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

The fact that Milligan was very good and is an olyroos player might mean they start looking at some more from that side, Sarkies and Topor-Stanley, would also go well i think in a year or 2.

[Pidge]

Travis Dodd should be in the Australian squad soon. He is best on ground in his debut and doesnt even get a second chance.

[redden whites]

Archie is light years ahead of Bruce at the moment.Bruce could be anything in years to come if he develops a strikers instinct but that is a long way off at the moment.I saw we had a couple of "project players" involved in the squad which was great to see but I suspect they were there because they were easier to involve than the overseas lads .

[RoosterMarty]

Travis Dodd should be in the Australian squad soon. He is best on ground in his debut and doesnt even get a second chance.

Obviously you do not follow the A-League at all.
Yes, he was awesome on debut at home against a minnow.. but he was also in superb form for Adelaide. Since making his Socceroo debut he has gone downhill and struggled big time in the A-League. Plus how long ago did he play for Australia?? It was ages mate so just because he played well doesn't mean he should have got a gig at the Asian Cup and unless his form improves a lot he has no future in an Aussie kit!

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

he has been good in the 1st few pre-season matches and the last ACL game, so its looking like travs form is improving.

[redden whites]

Good news on Dodd .The lad can play no doubt.

[Sam_goUUUdogs]

has an extra spring in his step after being awarded the Vice Captains position for 07/08.