Second Round - Italy vs Australia

[aussie1st]

Thats the good thing about football, man to man teams maybe better but on the day the result goes the other way. Just look at France, man to man they would be one of the top 3 teams but they only managed to win 1 game in their group.

 

[IloveGilly]

You what? Kewells been in amazing form for the past 6 months!

Well, if you take into account his injury and the friendly games he has missed then it might have been a different story for Australia.

Italy are clear favourites though. Man to man, the Aussies are no match.

Sometimes being favorites can cost you. Teams may get over confident and let there guard down.

IMO it's a great situation for Australia to be in. They have nothing to worry about if they lose and can just play normally as with some other teams too.

 

[sachin]

u guys are just too confident in the socceroos now.... Croatia isnt a great team. They haven't performed in a long time. Italy will knock out the socceroos like the way Brazil won against them.

Yeah,and we matched and at times outplayed Brasil for good periods of time,we just couldn't finish off.:

Well as long as the Aussies put in 110 percent i'll be fairly happy. Now as long as we don't make to many mistakes at the back i think we can reallly push Italy.They are of course deserved favourites.

 

[IloveGilly]

That's another upside with Australia's attack. Plenty of confidence and experience with Kewell, Viduka and Cahill. They will have to try and break through along with Bresciano and Aloisi (if he plays).

 

[Cricket_60]

I hope The Spider (Goal keeper V Croatia) either doesn't keep or is a lot better then what he was against Croatia. Australia can't afford mistakes like that in a knockout round.

Is it me or does Josh Kennedy look like a mix between Jason Gillespie and Jesus?

 

[sportzchick]

lmao yep



I do believe we can win - USA kept them to a draw when they were down to 9 men

get a goal early and your in with a chance

 

[Iron-Haggis]

Well Guus admitted that he seemed to have made a mistake in choosing Kalac ahead of Schwarzer. Hopefully Kewell can overcome the groin injury again. If he is fit to play I think Kewell will be coming off the bench.

 

[Short Leg]

You'd think there was a problem is Guus didn't admit Kalac was a mistake. I reckon losing Emerton is a blessing in disguise because the guy has barely touched the ball all tournament. Hopefully Jesus Gillespie gets a run with Harry Cool (according to Steve Bracks) coming off the bench in the second half.

 

[Left_Hander]

Archie Thompson should get a go. He is quick and should make the Italians worry.
I just got one thing to say:

C'mon Aussies! Let's get pasta Italy! (Sorry for the bad joke).

 

[aussie1st]

Cahill probably should go to the bench hopefully Harry can start again. Cahill hasn't been as good as his opening ripper.
They need to get Bresciano in as his corners and free kicks were much better when he came on. Just needs to get his shots better.

 

[IloveGilly]

Cahill probably should go to the bench hopefully Harry can start again. Cahill hasn't been as good as his opening ripper.
They need to get Bresciano in as his corners and free kicks were much better when he came on. Just needs to get his shots better.

I have no idea why you would say that. Kewell has been suffering with a minor groin injury throughout this World Cup so far and can't see him playing but with the circumstance he is in right now, he's better off coming off the bench as an impact player.

The team doesn't look too bad, especially with Emerton leaving a little gap but using Culina, Wilkshire, Grella, Breciano and Sterjovski all as midfielders is a good plan. Especially if Italy constantly try to break gaps and if they make a wrong move Australia could easily come back with a counter-attack.

Moore, Kewell, Neill, Cahill and Aloisi look like they will be the first pack "if" there were a penalty shootout. I'd think Culina/Bresciano/Sterjovski or Viduka would be next in line.

 

[Brett_Lee]

Cahill probably should go to the bench hopefully Harry can start again. Cahill hasn't been as good as his opening ripper.
They need to get Bresciano in as his corners and free kicks were much better when he came on. Just needs to get his shots better.

I even reckon that they should give Skoko a go cause he played well against Greece.

 

[aussie1st]

I have no idea why you would say that. Kewell has been suffering with a minor groin injury throughout this World Cup so far and can't see him playing but with the circumstance he is in right now, he's better off coming off the bench as an impact player.

The team doesn't look too bad, especially with Emerton leaving a little gap but using Culina, Wilkshire, Grella, Breciano and Sterjovski all as midfielders is a good plan. Especially if Italy constantly try to break gaps and if they make a wrong move Australia could easily come back with a counter-attack.

Moore, Kewell, Neill, Cahill and Aloisi look like they will be the first pack "if" there were a penalty shootout. I'd think Culina/Bresciano/Sterjovski or Viduka would be next in line.

He came off the bench for the 2nd game didn't make much impact. Started in the last game and was the best player. If hes fit enough to play start him, if he isn't then don't use him at all. No point in bringing a half injuried player on.

 

[sportzchick]

im so excited i can hardly think straight

i wont be able to sleep if we win

I will be at home sadly so hopefully there is someone in chat

 

[Hamish]

Gooooooo the Socceroooooooooos!!!