Wednesday, May 09, 2007
The Fake Break - yet another brief update
In the wake of the antics of Bahrain and Jordan, the Chinese club side Shanghai Shenhua took the play-acting and time-wasting we’ve come to expect from Asian teams to the logical extreme tonight at Aussie Stadium.
By the end of the game, it had become quite farcical.
The Singaporean referee had clearly emboldened the Chinese side by booking Mark Milligan and Robbie Middleby for relatively innocuous challenges in the first half (although, ironically, Milligan was not given a second yellow for a professional foul on Sergio Blanco near the close). These yellow cards seemed to have been produced not as the result of the actual challenges, but of the reaction to them.
Once again, the stretcher made regular appearances. Once again, there were miraculous recoveries by the touchline. Once again, the referee allowed it all to happen without sanction.
But the fake breaks were as nothing to the extraordinary time-wasting the Chinese side indulged in during the second half. By the hour mark, every Shanghai goalkick, free kick, and corner took an eternity to set up and execute.
Understandable, perhaps, if they were sitting on a result they desperately needed in the competition. But they are out of contention anyway...which makes their chicanery seem strangely futile as well.
Having said all this, Sydney could have done much better with some of their chances (it was unfortunate that both David Zdrilic and Steve Corica chose to have their worst game in months in such a crucial encounter). But had Sydney FC been permitted to maintain their momentum in the second half, they would surely have broken through at some point.
By the end of the game, it had become quite farcical.
The Singaporean referee had clearly emboldened the Chinese side by booking Mark Milligan and Robbie Middleby for relatively innocuous challenges in the first half (although, ironically, Milligan was not given a second yellow for a professional foul on Sergio Blanco near the close). These yellow cards seemed to have been produced not as the result of the actual challenges, but of the reaction to them.
Once again, the stretcher made regular appearances. Once again, there were miraculous recoveries by the touchline. Once again, the referee allowed it all to happen without sanction.
But the fake breaks were as nothing to the extraordinary time-wasting the Chinese side indulged in during the second half. By the hour mark, every Shanghai goalkick, free kick, and corner took an eternity to set up and execute.
Understandable, perhaps, if they were sitting on a result they desperately needed in the competition. But they are out of contention anyway...which makes their chicanery seem strangely futile as well.
Having said all this, Sydney could have done much better with some of their chances (it was unfortunate that both David Zdrilic and Steve Corica chose to have their worst game in months in such a crucial encounter). But had Sydney FC been permitted to maintain their momentum in the second half, they would surely have broken through at some point.
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I think that apart from the Indonesian game, we've been playing above ourselves in the ACL. Tonight, sadly, we played to our pedigree. Mediocrity didn't rise above itself, it remained, well, mediocre. Not bad, not great, not good enough to beat a poor team and their 'tactics'. I hope Branko and the boys can gee up for the Urawa match and lift above this performance.
# posted by 
: May 9, 2007 at 11:01 PM
: May 9, 2007 at 11:01 PM
Well it was frustrating and I must say nil all draws leave me sort of fruitlessly spent, like a night out on the town failing to get laid.
But I don't entirely agree with tt. The first 10 minutes of the game was terribly amateurish, from both sides, but as things wore on Sydney showed some real flair at times keeping posession and creatively breaking through Shanghai's defence.
Was the long-ball overused? I'm conscious it's become a bit of a cliche, but perhaps. It's hard to fault a long ball though when it lands on a team-mates chest and is brought immediately under control. That happened a couple times and frankly it looks pretty cool.
Despite the antics of the visitors - and I agree Mike that the ref should be doing something about this - we have to credit the quality of their defence and goalkeeper. They certainly didn't deserve to win, but they sort of deserved not to be beaten.
Anyway, I remember a few months ago I couldn't stand Sydney FC, being a patriotic Queenslander and all. It's funny how now I love them and desperately want them to do well. If Sydney does well in the Champions League it will be all the more of a pleasure watching the Roar trash them in A-League III.
Cheers Mike.
But I don't entirely agree with tt. The first 10 minutes of the game was terribly amateurish, from both sides, but as things wore on Sydney showed some real flair at times keeping posession and creatively breaking through Shanghai's defence.
Was the long-ball overused? I'm conscious it's become a bit of a cliche, but perhaps. It's hard to fault a long ball though when it lands on a team-mates chest and is brought immediately under control. That happened a couple times and frankly it looks pretty cool.
Despite the antics of the visitors - and I agree Mike that the ref should be doing something about this - we have to credit the quality of their defence and goalkeeper. They certainly didn't deserve to win, but they sort of deserved not to be beaten.
Anyway, I remember a few months ago I couldn't stand Sydney FC, being a patriotic Queenslander and all. It's funny how now I love them and desperately want them to do well. If Sydney does well in the Champions League it will be all the more of a pleasure watching the Roar trash them in A-League III.
Cheers Mike.
As I don't have Foxtel and there is no updates/commentary on ACL games here in Melbourne, I rely on the Melbourne's fan website to keep me up to date on the matches.
Even if most Melbourne fans would never admit that they want Sydney to do well they were also outraged by the refereeing and the antics of Shangai.
Some examples:
Well FFS!!
If there is a blight on our game, there is the evidence. The refs were appalling. The Shangai tactics were a f****g disgrace. I've rarely been more frustrated, angered and disappointed watching a football match - and it didn't even involve my team.
The diving, the pathetic standard of officiating, the timewasting throughout almost the ENTIRE 90 minutes - all just abysmal. FIFA, let's stamp this out. If a player is strechered off, they should stay off for a minimum of 5 minutes, or else be substituted.
Exactly right.
Shanghai were an absolute disgrace! Shit team, and showed no class, and not even an ounce of sportsmanship. Poor form.
The refs were woeful! I almost though the assistant was worse than the central ref - in fact, he probably was. The diving, the timewasting, the milking of slight knocks... all piss poor. I've just lost so much respect for Shanghai tonight. By the second half I found myself supporting Sydney.
This element really needs to be kicked out of football!
Even if most Melbourne fans would never admit that they want Sydney to do well they were also outraged by the refereeing and the antics of Shangai.
Some examples:
Well FFS!!
If there is a blight on our game, there is the evidence. The refs were appalling. The Shangai tactics were a f****g disgrace. I've rarely been more frustrated, angered and disappointed watching a football match - and it didn't even involve my team.
The diving, the pathetic standard of officiating, the timewasting throughout almost the ENTIRE 90 minutes - all just abysmal. FIFA, let's stamp this out. If a player is strechered off, they should stay off for a minimum of 5 minutes, or else be substituted.
Exactly right.
Shanghai were an absolute disgrace! Shit team, and showed no class, and not even an ounce of sportsmanship. Poor form.
The refs were woeful! I almost though the assistant was worse than the central ref - in fact, he probably was. The diving, the timewasting, the milking of slight knocks... all piss poor. I've just lost so much respect for Shanghai tonight. By the second half I found myself supporting Sydney.
This element really needs to be kicked out of football!
# posted by : May 10, 2007 at 11:48 AM
: May 10, 2007 at 11:48 AM
That racism comment from the last game was very very very true last night. Some pretty sad stuff going on at times (and post match on the forums as well)
Rudan said we should "take a look at" trying the same time-wasting tactics ourselves because "no-one remembers how you win a game, just the result". I hope someone pulls him up on this comment. Bloody stupid thing to say IMO and I'd be embarrassed if any Aussie team resorted to faking injuries.
# posted by : May 10, 2007 at 7:26 PM
: May 10, 2007 at 7:26 PM
...Rudan said we should "take a look at" trying the same time-wasting tactics ourselves because "no-one remembers how you win a game, just the result". I hope someone pulls him up on this comment. Bloody stupid thing to say IMO and I'd be embarrassed if any Aussie team resorted to faking injuries....
That just sounds like frustration TBH, although I agree it's an unwise comment. Rudan is a very decent bloke but he has a fair old temper on the pitch, and tends to react particularly badly when the opposition is indulging in play-acting (witness his kicking of Alessandro in the first Melbourne v. Sydney game last season).
That just sounds like frustration TBH, although I agree it's an unwise comment. Rudan is a very decent bloke but he has a fair old temper on the pitch, and tends to react particularly badly when the opposition is indulging in play-acting (witness his kicking of Alessandro in the first Melbourne v. Sydney game last season).
Hamish wrote:
...The first 10 minutes of the game was terribly amateurish, from both sides, but as things wore on Sydney showed some real flair at times keeping posession and creatively breaking through Shanghai's defence.
Was the long-ball overused? I'm conscious it's become a bit of a cliche, but perhaps....
I think it was more a case of Sydney's tactics becoming a bit predictable in the second half - the ball was continually worked over to Middleby on the right to swing into the mixer (i.e. not so much long balls as deep crosses), but Zdrilic et al. got no real joy in the air. And we had absolutely nothing down the left.
Branko actually switched Middleby and Fyfe after about 70 minutes to try to remedy that, but Middleby was barely sighted on the left. Actually, even though Zdrilic hadn't had a great night, I thought Branko could have hooked Middleby rather than Zdrilic for Glavas at the end.
...The first 10 minutes of the game was terribly amateurish, from both sides, but as things wore on Sydney showed some real flair at times keeping posession and creatively breaking through Shanghai's defence.
Was the long-ball overused? I'm conscious it's become a bit of a cliche, but perhaps....
I think it was more a case of Sydney's tactics becoming a bit predictable in the second half - the ball was continually worked over to Middleby on the right to swing into the mixer (i.e. not so much long balls as deep crosses), but Zdrilic et al. got no real joy in the air. And we had absolutely nothing down the left.
Branko actually switched Middleby and Fyfe after about 70 minutes to try to remedy that, but Middleby was barely sighted on the left. Actually, even though Zdrilic hadn't had a great night, I thought Branko could have hooked Middleby rather than Zdrilic for Glavas at the end.
"...the ball was continually worked over to Middleby on the right to swing into the mixer (i.e. not so much long balls as deep crosses)..."
Mikey, the next time you come to Beedie Heights, that comment is going to cost you a bottle of red.
I laughed so hard, I went asthmatic.
Mikey, the next time you come to Beedie Heights, that comment is going to cost you a bottle of red.
I laughed so hard, I went asthmatic.
# posted by : May 11, 2007 at 3:25 AM
: May 11, 2007 at 3:25 AM
Did you like Branko's comments about why he didn't leave Zdrilla on and stick Glavas on as well...?
Apparently despite Urawa being held it was better to play them and having to win rather need just a draw in Japan.
I'm glad I didn't get to see this game...
Apparently despite Urawa being held it was better to play them and having to win rather need just a draw in Japan.
I'm glad I didn't get to see this game...
# posted by : May 11, 2007 at 6:49 PM
: May 11, 2007 at 6:49 PM
...Did you like Branko's comments about why he didn't leave Zdrilla on and stick Glavas on as well...?
Apparently despite Urawa being held it was better to play them and having to win rather need just a draw in Japan....
He did tie himself up in logical knots there a bit, didn't he.
Apparently despite Urawa being held it was better to play them and having to win rather need just a draw in Japan....
He did tie himself up in logical knots there a bit, didn't he.
The fake break poses the same problems as pretty much all of Fifa’s rule problems (shirt pulling, offside, etc.) The rules are fine on paper it just takes a brave ref to enforce them, most whistleblowers preferring to take the less controversial path. I don't think a rule change is necessary refs already have the power to book players for time wasting and should book players who spend 3-4mins rolling around in agony only to get straight up off the stretcher and back into the game. I think the best solution is for a system to be put into place to give refs accountability for their performances, perhaps a panel to review flagged decisions and clarify the proper course of action. That way you not only correct refs when they make bad decisions but you support them when they receive unfounded criticism from losing coaches. Also it should see refs who consistently perform badly (i.e. Graham Poll) given less important matches.
The thing is, although obviously I feel annoyed watching these weak Asian refs letting it go, you can't be that harsh on them when you consider what happens at the very top level. Towards the end of the knockout stages at the 2006 WC, some of the play-acting was despicable, and yet still no-one got booked for it.
I still don't understand why teams can't be forced to keep the stretchered player off for a set amount of time. They'd have the choice of either using up one of their substitutions to get a player back on the field or playing with 10 men for a couple of minutes.
# posted by : May 12, 2007 at 12:47 AM
: May 12, 2007 at 12:47 AM
...I still don't understand why teams can't be forced to keep the stretchered player off for a set amount of time. They'd have the choice of either using up one of their substitutions to get a player back on the field or playing with 10 men for a couple of minutes...
Great minds think alike...I've actually just canvassed that suggestion in my latest post.
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Great minds think alike...I've actually just canvassed that suggestion in my latest post.
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