Matthew Hall
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Pim Verbeek: Radical Conservative
I had a dream. Unfortunately, it was not very Martin Luther King-ish.
I awoke the day of last week's Australia-Japan World Cup qualifier in a confused state (that's not the unusual part) having dreamed of Pim Verbeek (that's not the most disturbing part).
What was slightly more alarming was that I had also dreamed of Zeljko Kalac, the gangling former occasional Socceroo goalkeeper who is now the occasional AC Milan goalkeeper.
Verbeek, in my dream, had selected Kalac to play against Japan. But not in goal. He had recalled the now internationally-retired Kalac to play alone up front as a striker.
In my dream, Verbeek's reasoning was sound. Kalac stands at over two metres tall. He knows what a ball is. He knows where a goal is (most of the time).
The selection and presence of a giant semi-retired goalkeeper running around as a makeshift sole striker would shock, baffle, and confuse the opposition.
Australia would not lose, South Africa here we come.
Thankfully, I quickly realised this was just a dream. But, as it turned out, this was a dream that was part prophecy.
Forget Total Football as a tactic, Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek may have invented Radical Conservatism.
Total Football was invented and best executed by Dutch teams in the early 1970s. The idea is that versatility is the key, every player must play every nominal position, and the machine comes before the man.
The basic idea was, and is, used by Guus Hiddink and we saw Australia employ an adaptation of it at the 2006 World Cup where athleticism and adaptability was favoured in team selection (see Brett Emerton used at times a central defender and Luke Wilkshire played at any position that required filling).
Verbeek has grabbed Total Football by the neck and squeeezed it tight to take Australia another step.
His priority during the current World Cup campaign is that Australia does not lose a match. It's simple: within a traditional mini-league system, if Australia does not lose then it will qualify (this is unlike 1997 when Australia did not lose a qualifying match but still did not qualify because of play-offs and away goals).
Caution comes first. Extreme caution. Absolute extreme caution.
Radical absolute extreme caution demonstrated by not playing a recognised striker last year against China (it worked, even if that required a last-minute penalty save) and against Japan where Cahill, traditionally a box-to-box midfielder, is used as a lone striker.
Every player is a defender, first and foremost.
Verbeek ignores traditional football thinking to avoid defeat.
Radical? Absolutely.
Conservative? Definitely.
Successful? Australia is in a position to be the first team to qualify for 2010.
Who can argue?
Hello?
Hello?
COMMENTS
We're at a very funny stage at the moment. We're faced with the very real dream of participating in a second world cup. Something that we have faced only one other time before and we know what happened then...
I guess conservatism at this point is the sensible solution. We're at the top of the table aren't we? Technically, there should be no complaints. However, we watch some of the closer played matches and worry what would happen had a defender missed a tackle or a penalty save not be made.
I'm not saying that we don't deserve to be where we are. I love the socceroos to pieces and any man (me inclusive) could be forgiven for being driven nearly to tears after seeing the biggest rip-off in the history of football (nay sport!) being played out in 2006 against Italy.
I just hope that when we're at the World Cup (there's no if, I think we've got the stones to get that far) that the boys take the game to the next level like they did last time. We really, really stuck it to the Italians and had that penalty not been given I would bet my bottom dollar that the outcome would have been VERY different.
Pim, stick with your guns for now, but come the World Cup we're playing against the big boys and we need to pick it up several notches.
Good luck!
- by Chris C on February 15, 2009 at 08:38 AM
i agree with esol. we have done well so far in difficult conditions, but in the upcoming games at home we need to "flick the switch".
our code is still trying to win over a fickle australian market, and if the socceroos play the same style of football in the upcoming matches that was played in both japan and bahrain, it will reflect poorly on our sport.
it is for this reason that scott mcdonald must be given more a chance to shine on the international stage. he knows how to score goals, he just needs time to find his niche in the socceroos system.
and lets all pray that harry kewell is fit for the home games. at his best, kewell is a class above anyone else eligible for selection. its such a shame that he picks up more injuries than a sick dog.
- by wisey_9 on February 15, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Who are we to question Pim with the Socceroos sitting on top of the table. In modern football results do the talking. Look a the Dutch team, they play great football but have not won anything while Italy are criticised for their defensive minded game but are current world champions.
Which would you rather be? I think the answer is simple.
- by Brad on February 15, 2009 at 11:06 AM
This discussion has been ongoing since Pims first match, and always the unspoken belief (or maybe just hope)seems to be that come the world cup we will be transformed into fluid attacking dynamos. Im sorry folks, but if Pim is scared of Qatar in a pool game then what do you expect him to do at the finals against Brazil?
- by Rob on February 15, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Pim Verbeek hasn't put a foot wrong so far.
His goal, the team's goal and the supporter's goal is to get to the World Cup Finals. That's all that matters full stop. Our team hasn't lost a match so far. They have won where they shouldn't, they have defended valiantly, they have done everything to ensure we qualify. The match against Japan wasn't pretty, but it was the job the team had to do. Japan just can't score a goal against us, they must be so frustrated and again our mental edge over them was demonstrated for all to see.
Verbeek has an incredibly difficult job, managing players from all over the globe, players who train together 2 days before their most important match, injuries to our best players at crucial stages. Whatever the circumstances, Verbeek finds a way to get the job done. Sure it would be nice to see stylish, attacking football. But who do we do it with? Our top line players Kewell, Viduka and Emerton are injured.
If comments from Lucas Neil are any indication, the team is right behind Verbeek, his tactics and his strategy. And why wouldn't they be, he has demonstrated game after game he has the right approach to each circumstance.
Pim Verbeek has earnt every penny and more of his salary. He is continuing the Hiddink legacy and deserves nothing but praise and admiration. He has given us a team to be proud of, a team of players completely dedicated to being at the World Cup finals.
We know our team can play stylish attacking football, they did it at the last World Cup. When the circumstances are right, I have no doubt they will do it again under Verbeek.
- by Peter on February 15, 2009 at 03:40 PM
Matthew, your dream means you are doing some heavy duty thinking and it is like the worries of the world are on your shoulders. Your dreams does point to total football but you are worried about tactics, the players and how the game or future games will be played against other teams and countries. As a Socceroo fan, I can understand where you are coming from!
My advice to you Matthew, have faith in Pim Verbeek, in the Socceroos, the fans and in yourself. Maybe even have a word to the man upstairs.
To the Socceroos and Pim Verbeek, I wish you all the best for your next qualifying games. May God bless you all and give you the strength, ability, faith, determination and cohesiveness to work, communicate and progress as a team.
- by Travelling_Max on February 15, 2009 at 07:42 PM
There is no point in playing attractive football yet failing to qualify.
Pim is doing what he is paid to do - get us to the World Cup. That, in the end, is all that matters.
- by Craig Burden on February 15, 2009 at 08:23 PM
Chris C: Third World Cup! Second consecutive. Very disappointing there.
A draw is a good result in Japan, but a draw with absolutely nothing creative going on isn't. Emerton's injury is a loss, and hopefully he is back when/if Australia qualifies for SA.
I hope that Verbeek isn't as conservative when/if Australia qualifies for the WC.
Who will be surprised that suddenly Viduka is available and Kewell is fit if Australia is successful for selection for a WC qualifying squad? Not I. History speaks loudly on these fronts.
- by Sonic on February 15, 2009 at 09:06 PM
what can you say? Pim is bringing home the points. BUT, and its a really large, concerning BUT, we have been seriously outplayed, in most the qualifiers. Great defending by us, and poor finishing from the other guys has seen us largely unpunished. OK that's great, but we aren't winning well. We are not convincing and we seem unable to keep possession. Japan really opened us up at will through the midfield. If we play this way in SAF we will be crushed! Like Chris C ( previous post) I love the Socceroos to pieces but we really do give up possession WAY too easily, and we don't create nearly enough chances to win games against better teams than are in this qualifying group. I don't know what the solution is, it just seems we cant hold the ball and put any passes together. Mark Bresciano looks really poor on the ball lately, which is odd and very unlike him. Brett Holman for all his running just seems to be out of his depth..always has. All heart and bleeds green and gold to be sure, but I don't think he influences a game, and we aren't using Tim Cahill how we should be. Still, points talk so Pim is to be applauded. I just wonder whether it's time to move to second gear and start playing some much more attacking football because this style will see us get eaten up in South Africa. Does Pim, or this team, have that kind of football in them? I am worried we are leaving it too late to start playing the way we need to be playing to WIN games, rather than just accrue points.
- by Thomas on February 15, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Do nilall draws get you through to the semi finals in the World Cup? No
In every other sporting code we pride ourselves on the fact we play an exciting brand of football - the current soceroos team is far too negative and is harming soccer's ability to take on NRL/AFL/rugby for the public's $$$ - we have become a defensive side who hacks guys down and then just boots long balls for our lone striker to chase...our whole approach to the game needs a rethink and success must be measured in beating a decent side rather than drawing with rubbish teams
- by Stingray Charles on February 16, 2009 at 08:22 AM
Let's all be honest, grafting an ugly path to the world cup is better than beautifully failing to qualify. Verbeek seems to break down his coaching career into manageable stages - game by game, stage by stage. At this, he has proved extremely effective and we'll be celebrating another World Cup appearance. The big judgment will come, however, in the games where he has no excuse but to show us all what he has beyond the ability to graft results. Timmy C promises the floodgates will open against the Uzbecks at home in Sydney - a devastated opposition, a big home crowd, qualification to play for and more than 12 hours preparation time. Let's withold our judgement of Verbeek until that game where I predict an open, entertaining, attacking Socceroos that will show us some attacking flair in the mold of Hiddink et al. If it doesn't happen, Verbeek deserves to be pilloried.
- by Terry on February 16, 2009 at 09:28 AM
In regards to the last few posts, I am sure if we had more a a couple of days training togather as a team, the passing game would increase dramatically. This sensing where the other players will be on the park only comes when the team has had some time playing and training as a unit.
When the passing game has improved, and the team has fluidity, thats when the goals come.
- by benb on February 16, 2009 at 10:38 AM
In the Japan game we had players turning up the day before the game to play a team that had largely been in camp for 4 weeks. That's tough, it makes it very difficult to come out and play good football together. In some of the coming qualifiers Australia will have more time together to gel and get the tactics right to play well. Hopefully that will then show through. Preparation does make a massive difference, and this is one of the biggest struggles Australia have faced in this campaign, and always will, having players scattered and rarely getting a chance to get them altogether for long periods of time.
- by Chris on February 16, 2009 at 12:43 PM
pim is like like a flaming moe without fire
- by simonkrattli on February 17, 2009 at 05:42 PM
Personally I think Verbeek's done a fantastic job. Getting the defence right quickly was the most important factor in qualifying for this World Cup. With that objective almost achieved he has over a year to tweak the attacking side of the game and with the likes of Cahill, Kewell, Bresciano and MacDonald all in the mix there's little doubt we have the firepower to make the Round of 16 again.
- by Spanish Fry on February 19, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Its interesting how pragmatic most of the posts are. It is a fascinating barometer of how people think about football in this country. The Socceroos WC campaign is shaping as a watershed moment. Perhaps the most important issues it will raise will extend from matters on the pitch to coaching and technical philosophies.
Oh, and yes, I would rather we grind out a point in Yokahama than get done on away goals in the last minute of extra time.
- by Simon on February 19, 2009 at 01:48 PM
Melbourne - November 1997......2-0 up in a game of Russian Roulette after despatching Tahiti, Samoa and the likes.
Attractive football kicks in....lets put these guys away.....
Yokahama February 2009...No Striker, 2 days preparation, well prepared opposition
2 different games, 2 different times, the same result...which one would you keep?
Lets allow ourselves a little bit of indulgence..whilst at the same time waking up to the reality of WC qualification
We are six points clear of third place (remember we only need to finish second) with four to play..three of them at home.
2 scrappy wins and a couple of scoreless draws will do me!!
- by Cav on February 23, 2009 at 01:53 PM
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Should we play attractive football? Yes.
Should we do everything possible to score a point in a country where the home team hasn't lost in 15 years? Yes.
Are the two mutually exclusive. No. But I also don't think there is too much to worry about here. We only had a very limited amount of time to prepare and in an away qualifier I am not surprised the vast majority of that time is spent with the defence.
I just hope they "flick the switch" when they come to Australia for the next two games. It is absolutely crucial we not only win these games, but make sure we strengthen football at home as well.