Asian Nations Cup group stages: Oman 1-1 Australia + AlHabsi
Moderator: Zulus Thousand of em
Asian Nations Cup group stages: Oman 1-1 Australia + AlHabsi
Now this is interesting. The game was played in Thailand and Australia brought their absolute full squad. They really want to win this sothey came intending to play their best. Oman dominated the game and a score of 3-0 in favor of Oman would have been much more reasonable than the 1-1 draw. But the Omanis resorted to grassrolling and anti-football after scoring in the first half and Tim Cahil was able to score off a rebound in stoppage time at the end.
Both sides were unused to the humidity in Thailand but I think the Australians didn't know what to expect and were taken by surprise by the Omani histrionics. Japan and Iran and Korea know how to deal with this stuff and keep their cool but it was new for the Socceroos. They had also been complaining of blisters on their feet in practice. Sounds funny, but I guess it could cause a big problem.
Good stuff from Al Habsi on the very few occasions he was challenged but I hope Australia gets back into it. Oman is the Portugal of Asia and the competition will be healthier without them.
Australia may need to think their game plans better. They were sending long balls forward all game hoping Viduka could put them away but it wasn't working. Kewell was in bad form, too.
Australia's next match is against Iraq and after that they play against Thailand to complete group A. Thailand drew Iraq 1-1 in rainy conditions.
I'll look around for highlights so we can see Al Habsi in action. Schwarzer was really the impressive keeper in this match but Al Habsi is a great young keeper and actually deflected (Emerton?)'s shot but was helpless when Cahill showed up to slot home.
It's an interesting cup so far. Vietnam (at home as well, there are four host countries-Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, so each group is located in a different country) defeated UAE 2-0, who hosted and won the Persian Gulf Cup (please note Iran did not participate in that lol) after defeating Oman in the final.
Andranik Teymourian played for Iran in a 4-2 victory over a diminished Ghana side in Tehran but did not play in the 8-1 victory over Jamaica before the Iranian National Team headed off to Malaysia. He was mediocre to poor in the game against Ghana which was odd because he is usually a very consistent player. He will be starting for Iran in the Cup, however. There will doubtless be clips of him in action available, if anybody is interested.
The favorites to win the cup are: Australia, Iran, South Korea, and Japan. Saudi Arabia is an historical powerhouse but not strong right now, while Oman isn't quite there.
Both sides were unused to the humidity in Thailand but I think the Australians didn't know what to expect and were taken by surprise by the Omani histrionics. Japan and Iran and Korea know how to deal with this stuff and keep their cool but it was new for the Socceroos. They had also been complaining of blisters on their feet in practice. Sounds funny, but I guess it could cause a big problem.
Good stuff from Al Habsi on the very few occasions he was challenged but I hope Australia gets back into it. Oman is the Portugal of Asia and the competition will be healthier without them.
Australia may need to think their game plans better. They were sending long balls forward all game hoping Viduka could put them away but it wasn't working. Kewell was in bad form, too.
Australia's next match is against Iraq and after that they play against Thailand to complete group A. Thailand drew Iraq 1-1 in rainy conditions.
I'll look around for highlights so we can see Al Habsi in action. Schwarzer was really the impressive keeper in this match but Al Habsi is a great young keeper and actually deflected (Emerton?)'s shot but was helpless when Cahill showed up to slot home.
It's an interesting cup so far. Vietnam (at home as well, there are four host countries-Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, so each group is located in a different country) defeated UAE 2-0, who hosted and won the Persian Gulf Cup (please note Iran did not participate in that lol) after defeating Oman in the final.
Andranik Teymourian played for Iran in a 4-2 victory over a diminished Ghana side in Tehran but did not play in the 8-1 victory over Jamaica before the Iranian National Team headed off to Malaysia. He was mediocre to poor in the game against Ghana which was odd because he is usually a very consistent player. He will be starting for Iran in the Cup, however. There will doubtless be clips of him in action available, if anybody is interested.
The favorites to win the cup are: Australia, Iran, South Korea, and Japan. Saudi Arabia is an historical powerhouse but not strong right now, while Oman isn't quite there.
Last edited by Faran on Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:49 am, edited 3 times in total.
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Dujon
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Thanks, Faran, I hadn't got around to checking on the results. Most disappointing for the Australians, it must have been a dreadful performance. I can imagine the sub-editors getting stuck in now. "Oh, man, oh, man!" springs to mind.
I do hope they get their backsides into gear. If that's the best they can do they'll finish up as also-rans.
I do hope they get their backsides into gear. If that's the best they can do they'll finish up as also-rans.
hehe, unfortunately for the Aussies it was both a very bad day for them and a very good day for Oman. But I'm confident they'll get into gear. Are you Australian or just living in Australia?
I want Australia to play the game they are capable of in this cup because their presence in it really raises the excitement of the competition. Now there are 5 powerhouses in the Asian cup which means for the first time there will be an inevitability of very high-quality matches before the semifinals. It should also make the cup more popular and attract scouts from Europe, increasing the level of football in Asia.
So far it's been interesting though as all three matches played so far have resulted in three HUGE upsets.
I want Australia to play the game they are capable of in this cup because their presence in it really raises the excitement of the competition. Now there are 5 powerhouses in the Asian cup which means for the first time there will be an inevitability of very high-quality matches before the semifinals. It should also make the cup more popular and attract scouts from Europe, increasing the level of football in Asia.
So far it's been interesting though as all three matches played so far have resulted in three HUGE upsets.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=92wJsiiKSNU
I found this clip of highlights from the game. It doesn't have much from Al Habsi so I'll just post it here. He didn't have to do so much in the first place but it doesn't focus on him and you cant really evaluate his performance from this clip (for example, it doesn't show him taking kicks and during the game I was too surprised by how things were going to take special note of it). However, you can see him looking pretty confident during some important moments and he also does what's expected of a 6 foot 5 inch tall keeper quite well on crosses.
Australia looked either careless (overconfident) or perhaps tired. Take nothing away from the superb technical game and teamwork of Al Habsi's side, but you'd expect the Aussies to create chances of their own as well.
By the way, it was unfortunate that the stadium was so empty. You wouldn't expect too many Omanis but it's unfortunate that Australia's group ended up in Thailand instead of Malaysia or Indonesia, where they probably would have had more supporters. Anyway, that group seems to be having very few supporters compared to the others, where stadiums are being sold out!
Good luck to everyone
I found this clip of highlights from the game. It doesn't have much from Al Habsi so I'll just post it here. He didn't have to do so much in the first place but it doesn't focus on him and you cant really evaluate his performance from this clip (for example, it doesn't show him taking kicks and during the game I was too surprised by how things were going to take special note of it). However, you can see him looking pretty confident during some important moments and he also does what's expected of a 6 foot 5 inch tall keeper quite well on crosses.
Australia looked either careless (overconfident) or perhaps tired. Take nothing away from the superb technical game and teamwork of Al Habsi's side, but you'd expect the Aussies to create chances of their own as well.
By the way, it was unfortunate that the stadium was so empty. You wouldn't expect too many Omanis but it's unfortunate that Australia's group ended up in Thailand instead of Malaysia or Indonesia, where they probably would have had more supporters. Anyway, that group seems to be having very few supporters compared to the others, where stadiums are being sold out!
Good luck to everyone
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Zulus Thousand of em
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Dujon
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Hi again, Faran. I've lived here since 1955 but am not an Australian citizen (it's too expensive for me) so I'm what is termed a 'permanent resident'. The term 'permanent' is relative in this context; should I commit some sort of felony then I'd be in line for deportation. I was raised in Leigh and Harwood both of which are fairly close to Bolton.
It'll be interesting to see how the Asian Cup pans out. After their performance the other day though (even though I'm not a betting man at the best of times) I will not be putting any money on the Aussies making the quarter finals. There is a big difference between confidence and arrogance and I believe that the Australian team was full of the latter. Twits!
It'll be interesting to see how the Asian Cup pans out. After their performance the other day though (even though I'm not a betting man at the best of times) I will not be putting any money on the Aussies making the quarter finals. There is a big difference between confidence and arrogance and I believe that the Australian team was full of the latter. Twits!
Ah I see. Be sure you don't commit a felony 
I agree that the Australians were overconfident. I don't know about the team but the press and fans were largely arrogant. It's understandable. They did really well in the WC and friendlies after that.
In this cup the quarterfinals are the first knockout stage, there is no round of 16 so i think they should be able to beat Thailand and Iraq and goal difference would determine whether they came in first or second in group A. Of course, I am assuming Oman is stronger than Thailand and Iraq.
I agree that the Australians were overconfident. I don't know about the team but the press and fans were largely arrogant. It's understandable. They did really well in the WC and friendlies after that.
In this cup the quarterfinals are the first knockout stage, there is no round of 16
so i think they should be able to beat Thailand and Iraq and goal difference would determine whether they came in first or second in group A. Of course, I am assuming Oman is stronger than Thailand and Iraq.
Last edited by Faran on Fri Jul 13, 2007 12:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Thailand defeated Oman 2-0, and I did not see this game except for the first 20 minutes, during which Al Habsi was untroubled by the Thais and didn't have to do much. His kicks are good though.
Half time Iraq-Australia, Iraq leading 1-0
EDIT: Full time, Iraq 3-1 Australia. It looks like the socceroos are going to be eliminated from the Asian Cup in the group stages. LUCKY 1-1 draw against Oman, 3-1 loss against Iraq (Iraq also missed two 1v1 chances! :O), and an upcoming game against the team that drew Iraq and defeated Oman by 2.
Thailand: 4 points
Iraq: 4 points
Oman: 1 point
Australia: 1 point
Australia must defeat Thailand by more goals than Oman defeats Iraq by (if they do defeat Iraq) to advance.
Australia's problem was terrible defending and lack of plan for attack, and it didn't help that they had no idea how these teams organize themselves.
Thailand will be a bigger enigma than Iraq or Oman...
Iraq played a SPECTACULAR game and their defense made Australia look, frankly, far from a side that had forwards in the English Premiership. Creative passing up front payed off as well.
good day and good luck to everyone..
Half time Iraq-Australia, Iraq leading 1-0
EDIT: Full time, Iraq 3-1 Australia. It looks like the socceroos are going to be eliminated from the Asian Cup in the group stages. LUCKY 1-1 draw against Oman, 3-1 loss against Iraq (Iraq also missed two 1v1 chances! :O), and an upcoming game against the team that drew Iraq and defeated Oman by 2.
Thailand: 4 points
Iraq: 4 points
Oman: 1 point
Australia: 1 point
Australia must defeat Thailand by more goals than Oman defeats Iraq by (if they do defeat Iraq) to advance.
Australia's problem was terrible defending and lack of plan for attack, and it didn't help that they had no idea how these teams organize themselves.
Thailand will be a bigger enigma than Iraq or Oman...
Iraq played a SPECTACULAR game and their defense made Australia look, frankly, far from a side that had forwards in the English Premiership. Creative passing up front payed off as well.
good day and good luck to everyone..
Last edited by Faran on Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:38 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Dujon
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And there was me thinking that Bolton's defence was questionable at times. I get the feeling that you players really, really don't want to be there. Sure it's hot and it's humid, but for crying out loud you're playing for your country you mob of lazy over paid and over fed petulant poppies!
I cannot think of another sport where (Australian) teams don't put in their all when they compete - win lose or draw. You lot should be ashamed of yourselves. At no point did I expect you to win this competition but I did expect you to at least try. To be honest I hope Thailand puts you to the sword and you crawl back to your rocks in disgrace. You, gentlemen, have done your country and, more importantly, the image of the sport within your country a significant disservice.
Yours in disgust,
Dujon
I cannot think of another sport where (Australian) teams don't put in their all when they compete - win lose or draw. You lot should be ashamed of yourselves. At no point did I expect you to win this competition but I did expect you to at least try. To be honest I hope Thailand puts you to the sword and you crawl back to your rocks in disgrace. You, gentlemen, have done your country and, more importantly, the image of the sport within your country a significant disservice.
Yours in disgust,
Dujon
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Dave Sutton's barnet
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Might not have been so bad if the despicable likes of Lucas Neill hadn't been gobbing off about "expecting" to win the tournament easily. You're not playing American Samoa now, sunshine.Dujon wrote:And there was me thinking that Bolton's defence was questionable at times. I get the feeling that you players really, really don't want to be there. Sure it's hot and it's humid, but for crying out loud you're playing for your country you mob of lazy over paid and over fed petulant poppies!
I cannot think of another sport where (Australian) teams don't put in their all when they compete - win lose or draw. You lot should be ashamed of yourselves. At no point did I expect you to win this competition but I did expect you to at least try. To be honest I hope Thailand puts you to the sword and you crawl back to your rocks in disgrace. You, gentlemen, have done your country and, more importantly, the image of the sport within your country a significant disservice.
Yours in disgust,
Dujon
Australia remembered that in football it's necessary to score goals and achieved a 4-0 win over Thailand in their last match at the group stage. I did not see the match but heard 4-0 was a very flattering score for such a match. Nonetheless, the Australians are refreshed and once again confident. Australia proceeds into the knockout stages as second in group A (behind Iraq) and will face Japan in the quarterfinals. Oman is eliminated. Iran tops group C and will face South Korea in the quarterfinals.
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