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Schwarzer Cements His Spot, Or Does He?

June 5th, 2006 | By: Matt | 12 Comments »

There is no doubt that based on last nights performance in goal, Mark Schwarzer has proven he is worthy of the goalkeeping spot within the Australia side. Personally, I would have picked him over Kalac regardless of his performance last night, as having watched him for Middlesbrough in the EPL for years now, I am aware of his capabilities. Based on last night, many could doubt or deny the fact that Schwarzer should be in goals for us. However, today I was doing the rounds on the internet and came across an article by Branko Culina which expressed his view that having trained Kalac at Sydney United, he felt Zeljko would better serve us in goal. Among other things, the article discusses Kalac’s height obviously being something that Schwarzer lacks in comparison. With a lot of focus in training these days focusing on free-kicks and corners, Branko contends that Kalac would be a greater hassle for opposition teams to contain in the goal square, as he is better equipped to come out and make those types of saves. Culina also believes Kalac possesses leadership qualities as well as being a solid reader of the game and play. With the article having been written before the Holland game overnight, it would be interesting to see if he still thinks Kalac should be number one, after Schwarzer came away from the game with one of his best performances in goal for Australia.

Tags: Australia, Goalkeepers, Kalac, Schwarzer

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Comments

By Troy | June 5th, 2006 at 7:00 am

great effort guys. i think either players would be as good as each other. but schwarzer proved he is a world clas keeper. you have to play your best in form player. and if form doesnt split it, reputation and recent performances on an international scale would. i think schwarzer deserves first crack. what he did in qualifying was amazing for australia.

Posted from Australia

By Vlado | June 5th, 2006 at 7:26 am

Schwarzer’s efforts yesterday disproved most of Branko’s concerns about him.

Before the Greece match I was sure Schwarzer would get the nod as #1 keeper, purely based on recent club form. That said, I thought it fair to jive Kalac a chance to prove himself against Greece. He didn’t impress, and now with Schwarzer stepping-up against Holland… I’d reckon it’d take a major stuff-up or injury for Schwarzer to lose his spot.

Posted from Australia

By Matt | June 5th, 2006 at 7:49 am

I have heard some people say that Schwarzer can’t handle himself when the opposition shoot at him up close, and used last nights goal as an example. I think those people failed to realise that it was a lapse in the defence which led to the goal rather than purely Schwarzers fault. The only fault on Schwarzers behalf was that he parried the ball into a Dutch player which led to the goal. I don’t think he could have done alot with it anyway other than block the initial shot which he did.

Posted from Australia

By Martin | June 5th, 2006 at 8:28 am

Without a doubt, Schwarzer proved again that he is the number one keeper in Oz. He was in great form against the Dutch. We shouldn’t need to worry about our keeper(s). Whoever we put in will do the job but it’s Schwarzer’s now.

Posted from United States

By Sunny | June 5th, 2006 at 8:56 am

I think Schwarzer has proven that he is a world class keeper. Yesterday’s performance should cement his place. Even the goal was on a rebound from a save. Netherlands had every right to be up by 5 goals, except Schwarzer pulled out some top draw saves. Kalac on the other, looks so shaky that he could leak a goal any minute.

Posted from Australia

By matilda | June 5th, 2006 at 9:46 am

I have a real soft spot for Spider. Schwarzer went AWOL from international duty for a couple of years (during the Bosnich era) but Kalac always stuck with us even though it must have been a world of frustration for him. Perennial gk bridesmaid.

BUT… Sydney Olympic was a looooong time ago, Greece certainly didn’t help his cause and the WC is no time to be sentimental.

Schwarzer should start as our #1. He was SHARP against Holland. The rivalry Hiddink has cultivated between the two seems to have had the desired effect. It pushed Schwarzer to really fight for that top spot and not take anything for granted.

Posted from Australia

By Matt | June 5th, 2006 at 10:02 am

Matilda, as long as the goalkeeping rivalry doesn’t turn out to be the next Barthez v Coupet or Kahn v Lehmann

Posted from Australia

By DT | June 5th, 2006 at 10:32 am

Schwarzer for captain! Viduka is useless anyway, strip his captaincy so he won’t be an automatic choice anymore.

Posted from Australia

By Matt | June 5th, 2006 at 11:27 am

Just don’t let Viduka take a penalty again. 0 from 2.

Posted from Australia

By Martin | June 5th, 2006 at 12:02 pm

@Matt. Even if there is no keeper?

Posted from United States

By Matt | June 5th, 2006 at 1:14 pm

I’m sure he would still hit the post.

Posted from Australia

By marco | June 6th, 2006 at 6:47 am

man kalac is not that good .. and how can you play any one who has not played in almost 18 months … dont get me wrong Schwarzer will make errors and be asured adriano could easly get 3 or 4 past him but he should start

Posted from Australia

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