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Hiddink Sees Yellow

June 14th, 2006 | By: Matt | 30 Comments »

With the Brazil game looming only a few days away, Hiddink and the Australian squad are faced with a tough dilemma. Having amassed 4 yellow cards against Japan, to 4 crucial players, a question remains over who to start and who to rest. The four players in question, are Cahill, Aloisi, Moore, and Grella. If any of those players takes the pitch against Brazil and cops another yellow, they will be suspended for the crucial game against Croatia. Having said that, leaving crucial players on the bench (particularly defensive players Moore and Grella) leaves us open to copping a hiding from Brazil, and therefore knocking around our goal difference. With goal difference having the potential to put us through, there are some tough decisions to be made.

The main problem is defense. Replacing Moore with Popovic, really makes us that much more vulnerable. Getting done 3-0 by Brazil will in no way help us against the Croatians. Having said that though, are we better to take the risk, and have a complete side to choose from in our final and more important game?

One thing is certain, Hiddink and crew have a bit to think about over the next few days.

Tags: Australia, Brazil, Croatia

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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 30 comments.

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By Matt | June 15th, 2006 at 4:38 am

Vidmars experience would have been welcomed if we lost one of our defenders. I used to have faith in Popovic especially after his Uruguay performances but having seen him lately he is a different sort since November. He seems lethargic and isnt as mobile. I think he also lacks a little confidence aswell. Also having a tough season at Palace probably didnt help.

Posted from Australia

By Amanda | June 15th, 2006 at 4:43 am

Beauchamp and Milligan in the mix now then?

Posted from Australia

By Matt | June 15th, 2006 at 4:45 am

I wouldn’t like to think so. If we rely on them to defend our goal the nation will be sh1tting itself.

Posted from Australia

By Bigone | June 15th, 2006 at 4:47 am

Australia doesn’t have the luxury of resting players, because they don’t have the depth to do it. If we rest players against Brazil they will slaughter us, and our goal difference will go down the toilet. If we get slaughtered and Croatia beat Japan, then the Croat’s will only need a draw against us to progress. Lets hope Guus plays our strongest team V Brazil, otherwise it could prove fatal!

Posted from Australia

By Bigone | June 15th, 2006 at 4:49 am

Oh, and by the way Amanda, Beauchamp and Milligan have about as much chance of playing against Brazil as you or I have.

Posted from Australia

By Amanda | June 15th, 2006 at 4:56 am

This is Guus we’re talking about. He’ll give every scenario consideration.

I agree we should play our strongest team regardless and I think that’s what he’ll do but stranger things have happened.

Posted from Australia

By alicia | June 15th, 2006 at 5:01 am

My advise to the Australian team is : please just focus on Croatia, because whatever you try to do, You are going to be slaughtered by Brazil anyway.

Posted from New Zealand

By matilda | June 15th, 2006 at 5:11 am

Unless there’s a mass outbreak of food poisoning, Beauchamp and Milligan will be permanently warming the bench.

The one bright spot in our defence is that Neill played really well and was a model of discipline - which isn’t always the case! If he had a yellow card too, I’d really be nervous.

And you’re right about Popovic - he’s just not firing.

Oh well, we always knew depth was a problem so this was bound to happen.

Posted from Australia

By James | June 15th, 2006 at 7:25 am

Good call regarding Neill — he wasn’t so good versus Holland and Liechtenstein, so it’s great to seem him back in outstanding form and clear of a yellow.

Popovic actually matches up quite well with either Ronaldo or Adriano. Neither exhibited tremendous pace or form against Croatia and each will surely be annoyed with Popovic’s burly presence (which could work for or against us). Frankly, it seems even Beauchamp could do the job on Ronaldo, given that Ronaldo walked around, didn’t chase anything, and had just one decent shot when given a bit too much time and space.

The big problem in terms of yellow cards is Grella. If we don’t have him, we fall back on Emerton, and that means we have to use Wilkshire again on the right … or Milligan, which is not likely. The other options would be Culina or Skoko, but Jason is needed on the left if Chippers plays in the back three and Josip might be required as cover for Cahill. Unfortunately, the middle of the park is also the area where Brazil could really smash us, so I think we ought to play Grella and think instead about holding player options for Croatia in case Vinnie gets carded again.

I would rest Moore, and use Cahill and Aloisi as super-subs once more.

Harry and Mark need to lift, then once again for Croatia, if we’re to be a solid chance of progressing. Which is quite possible of course. A few of their combinations against Japan brought back fond memories of the Leeds era!

Posted from Australia

By Anthony | June 15th, 2006 at 8:51 am

All I can say is that we will struggle by the pace of Brazil. As we did against Japan when they found space. I think we need Kewell on the left and start Cahill. No idea who will play right wing but Wilkshire just doesn’t have the pace. Maybe move Cullina to right side. We have to leave the back 3 as is. They performed OK against Japan (although Japans last passes were poor) Viduka needs to improve but I imagine he will be marked strongly. As long as its not a blowout. I will be happy to lose 2 - 0 or 3 - 1. But you never know….c’mon socceroos.

Posted from Australia

By LiverpoolFC | June 15th, 2006 at 8:58 am

Hey Denis mate better start praying that you beat Japan cause otherwise there’s gonna be some srs EGG all OVA ur FACE and there might not be many croatian fans at the game against Australia to support

Posted from Australia

By troy | June 15th, 2006 at 1:02 pm

you must play your best 11 every week, there is no point in holding back. this game should be treated as the biggest game in socceroos history. i would rather have players suspended for the croatia match then we get carded and lose players for the finals. if we beat brazil we are in, thats what we should be aiming for. if we aim for a draw with brazil we will lose. its a mental game, australia should hit brazil with the full might of what the socceroos can offer. if we lose so be it, but we can go into the croatia game knowing where we stand.

Posted from Australia

By enzo | June 15th, 2006 at 1:43 pm

Couldn’t agree with you more, Troy. Australia has to field its strongest side. What is the point of having your best players on the bench because they have a yellow card against their name in the hope of saving them for Croatia, where a do or die game could easily end in death for Australia. As you say, if we lose the game against Brazil at least we have given our best shot with our best team.

Posted from Australia

By mark | June 16th, 2006 at 12:53 am

do you think the fact that the croatia v japan game is just before the socceroos game will affects Guus’ decision about who to play? Because if croatia doesnt win, its not gonna come down to goal difference… unless japan gets a result against brazil…

Posted from Australia

By matilda | June 16th, 2006 at 12:59 pm

Yes, I know I’m getting ahead of myself here but - do yellow cards carry over into the next round?

I thought they didn’t and everything started from scratch again… but now I’m not so sure.

Posted from Australia

By Martin | June 16th, 2006 at 3:46 pm

Matilda, yellows don’t carry over into the next round. After this round, the slate is clean again.

Posted from United States

By matilda | June 17th, 2006 at 8:58 am

Thanks. I read something strange about 2nd yellows picked up in the 3rd group stage game carrying over to the round of 16… but it didn’t sound right.

BTW: FIFA have given German ref Markus Merk the Oz vs Brazil game. I don’t think we’ll be complaining too much about the decisions - he’s high profile and very experienced.

Posted from Australia

By Martin | June 18th, 2006 at 12:30 am

I’m happy with a top ref, just hope he allows the game to flow and not stop start with blowing the whistle all the time. Then again, FIFA has given the refs license to card and now that we have this reputation as a dirty team……

From what I heard, Brazil are wearing the yellow for the game. Wonder how FIFA decides on these matters. Anyone know?

By matilda | June 18th, 2006 at 9:09 am

Completely random, according to SBS.

“ The Brazilians won the right to retain their famous gold shirt and blue shorts simply by being drawn out of a hat as Team A for the match. “

Posted from Australia

By Martin | June 18th, 2006 at 5:19 pm

Ok, hmmm, why is everything drawn out of a hat?

By LiverpoolFC | June 18th, 2006 at 10:10 pm

caus its cheap but i thought fifa actually did have a lotto system set up which decided this as well

Posted from Australia

By matilda | June 20th, 2006 at 3:59 am

Heidi Klum was busy??

No seriously, “drawn out of a hat” is just an expression.

Posted from Australia

By soccer fan | June 20th, 2006 at 4:23 am

the ref in the australia brazil game was really biassed…thats what i thought

Posted from Australia

By Peter | June 24th, 2006 at 4:39 am

Do the yellow cards in the preliminary round carry over to the next round?

By matilda | June 24th, 2006 at 5:45 am

Anyone who gets a second yellow in the third Group Stage game misses the next game (ie. Emerton). Everyone else has the slate wiped clean (Aloisi, Grella, Cahill etc.)

Posted from Australia

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