Oly Whites vs Romania | Wednesday 28th July | 8.30pm | Hokkaido, Japan

I notice that the players seem to be covering for Dingham. Woud coming out of his box again because he'd watched Ding get done a couple of times one on one with Romanian attacking players, Lewis sprinting to cover a header Ding had gone up for in case he didn't make it, commentary noting "he had no idea" where the player he was supposed to be marking was (just like the first Honduras goal), and he always seems to go for a first touch pass, check back and then pass backwards. 

Callan Elliot may have copped a yellow, but he was by far a better player at right-back than his replacement. His partnership with Champness looked really promising too. It's interesting to watch a coach sub on players that actively unbalance a team, and result in worse play - but Hay did it.

We played a dull but effective game against S. Korea, brightened by Wood's winner which seemd to galvanise our side, an error strewn game against Honduras, where we just seemed to lose the ability to cut through them after our second goal, and one good half where we seemed to test Romania and then one really horrible half of not trying to score at all and hanging on at the end.

Yeah, we've qualified, but this style of play isn't winning us any new supporters - and seems to involve our players playing below their individual level of ability to suit the gameplan. 

Not a fan, won't be watching Saturday. 

I notice that the players seem to be covering for Dingham. Woud coming out of his box again because he'd watched Ding get done a couple of times one on one with Romanian attacking players, Lewis sprinting to cover a header Ding had gone up for in case he didn't make it, commentary noting "he had no idea" where the player he was supposed to be marking was (just like the first Honduras goal), and he always seems to go for a first touch pass, check back and then pass backwards. 

Callan Elliot may have copped a yellow, but he was by far a better player at right-back than his replacement. His partnership with Champness looked really promising too. It's interesting to watch a coach sub on players that actively unbalance a team, and result in worse play - but Hay did it.

We played a dull but effective game against S. Korea, brightened by Wood's winner which seemd to galvanise our side, an error strewn game against Honduras, where we just seemed to lose the ability to cut through them after our second goal, and one good half where we seemed to test Romania and then one really horrible half of not trying to score at all and hanging on at the end.

Yeah, we've qualified, but this style of play isn't winning us any new supporters - and seems to involve our players playing below their individual level of ability to suit the gameplan. 

Not a fan, won't be watching Saturday. 

Yeah nah, Hay's gonna go back to a 5 - 4 - 1 because Japan are levels above anything we've played this tournament and we're going to concede about 35 shots and having watched enough Hudsonball of good players playing bad formations, I choose not to watch 'the lads' be told to play beneath themselves and spend 90 minutes having my enjoyment of football hollowed out.

yeah, regardless of whether you like Hay or not, you have to watch the game. There has been some improvements through these games, ball control in particular. Hay is working through things and to be fair to him has had limited time and exposure to the players. It's not ideal to be using the Olympics as skill/fact finding games but it is all he's really had. I'm not sure who we will face on saturday but if we try to hold the ball like we did against Romania we will frustrate any team, and if we manage to release Champness or Just out wide and get one or two more decent through balls/crosses to Wood we may surprise the opposition. A solid defense is most important, we dont need to score 6 to win games, one quality goal is all it takes.

It's to bad that the German's think shark of the Olympics and did not release Singh. He is the missing creative force in that team who could unlock any defense.
Nobody expect us to play exciting football, quarter final is great achievement, well done boys!

number8

It's to bad that the German's think shark of the Olympics and did not release Singh. He is the missing creative force in that team who could unlock any defense.
Nobody expect us to play exciting football, quarter final is great achievement, well done boys!

Thought it was Singh's decision rather than anyone German?

On the face of it you'd say he made the right call for his career given he made the 2. Bundesliga Team of the week first game up, but only time will tell. I don't think this time around was his final chance to go to an Olympics - he'll be in the conversation as an overage player for 2024 & 2028, barring major injury.

Nelfoos

number8

It's to bad that the German's think shark of the Olympics and did not release Singh. He is the missing creative force in that team who could unlock any defense.
Nobody expect us to play exciting football, quarter final is great achievement, well done boys!

Thought it was Singh's decision rather than anyone German?

On the face of it you'd say he made the right call for his career given he made the 2. Bundesliga Team of the week first game up, but only time will tell. I don't think this time around was his final chance to go to an Olympics - he'll be in the conversation as an overage player for 2024 & 2028, barring major injury.

Double checked...Singh said the loan only would happen if he skipped Olympics.

I notice that the players seem to be covering for Dingham. Woud coming out of his box again because he'd watched Ding get done a couple of times one on one with Romanian attacking players, Lewis sprinting to cover a header Ding had gone up for in case he didn't make it, commentary noting "he had no idea" where the player he was supposed to be marking was (just like the first Honduras goal), and he always seems to go for a first touch pass, check back and then pass backwards. 

Callan Elliot may have copped a yellow, but he was by far a better player at right-back than his replacement. His partnership with Champness looked really promising too. It's interesting to watch a coach sub on players that actively unbalance a team, and result in worse play - but Hay did it.

We played a dull but effective game against S. Korea, brightened by Wood's winner which seemd to galvanise our side, an error strewn game against Honduras, where we just seemed to lose the ability to cut through them after our second goal, and one good half where we seemed to test Romania and then one really horrible half of not trying to score at all and hanging on at the end.

Yeah, we've qualified, but this style of play isn't winning us any new supporters - and seems to involve our players playing below their individual level of ability to suit the gameplan. 

Not a fan, won't be watching Saturday. 

kwlap

Japan. 9pm Saturday.  Bring it in. 

8pm?

I notice that the players seem to be covering for Dingham. Woud coming out of his box again because he'd watched Ding get done a couple of times one on one with Romanian attacking players, Lewis sprinting to cover a header Ding had gone up for in case he didn't make it, commentary noting "he had no idea" where the player he was supposed to be marking was (just like the first Honduras goal), and he always seems to go for a first touch pass, check back and then pass backwards. 

Callan Elliot may have copped a yellow, but he was by far a better player at right-back than his replacement. His partnership with Champness looked really promising too. It's interesting to watch a coach sub on players that actively unbalance a team, and result in worse play - but Hay did it.

We played a dull but effective game against S. Korea, brightened by Wood's winner which seemd to galvanise our side, an error strewn game against Honduras, where we just seemed to lose the ability to cut through them after our second goal, and one good half where we seemed to test Romania and then one really horrible half of not trying to score at all and hanging on at the end.

Yeah, we've qualified, but this style of play isn't winning us any new supporters - and seems to involve our players playing below their individual level of ability to suit the gameplan. 

Not a fan, won't be watching Saturday. 

Bell is class. Reads the game so well, is ahead of the game and best player on the park.

Elliot on a yellow and was a mismatch for pace, Ingham was a good choice in that regard but Ingham is like a hammer - no finesse.

The football is the only Olympic event I've watched. I believe today they had "Half Court" Basketball on. WTF. Next up, Conkers & or Twister.

Bullion

Bell is class. Reads the game so well, is ahead of the game and best player on the park.

Elliot on a yellow and was a mismatch for pace, Ingham was a good choice in that regard but Ingham is like a hammer - no finesse.

One of the only players there who has clearly progressed from a few years ago. He's got it all.

I'm still not quite sure why Lewis has been so bad. Did Devlin cover his flaws that much?

The football is the only Olympic event I've watched. I believe today they had "Half Court" Basketball on. WTF. Next up, Conkers & or Twister.

valeo

Bullion

Bell is class. Reads the game so well, is ahead of the game and best player on the park.

Elliot on a yellow and was a mismatch for pace, Ingham was a good choice in that regard but Ingham is like a hammer - no finesse.

One of the only players there who has clearly progressed from a few years ago. He's got it all.

I'm still not quite sure why Lewis has been so bad. Did Devlin cover his flaws that much?

My guess is 1) he hasn’t been quite as bad as the pile on 2) he is playing with a bunch of players he doesn’t know so well 3) he’s not a player in the mould of Singh- he needs a 10 or wide attacking playmaker ahead of him 4) it’s horribly hot and humid and he hasn’t settled 5) he works best in combo with a player like Devlin who covers a lot 6) Korea and Honduras were better than most A league sides. 

martinb

valeo

Bullion

Bell is class. Reads the game so well, is ahead of the game and best player on the park.

Elliot on a yellow and was a mismatch for pace, Ingham was a good choice in that regard but Ingham is like a hammer - no finesse.

One of the only players there who has clearly progressed from a few years ago. He's got it all.

I'm still not quite sure why Lewis has been so bad. Did Devlin cover his flaws that much?

My guess is 1) he hasn’t been quite as bad as the pile on 2) he is playing with a bunch of players he doesn’t know so well 3) he’s not a player in the mould of Singh- he needs a 10 or wide attacking playmaker ahead of him 4) it’s horribly hot and humid and he hasn’t settled 5) he works best in combo with a player like Devlin who covers a lot 6) Korea and Honduras were better than most A league sides. 

 I was with you until you said Honduras were better than most A-League sides

valeo

martinb

valeo

Bullion

Bell is class. Reads the game so well, is ahead of the game and best player on the park.

Elliot on a yellow and was a mismatch for pace, Ingham was a good choice in that regard but Ingham is like a hammer - no finesse.

One of the only players there who has clearly progressed from a few years ago. He's got it all.

I'm still not quite sure why Lewis has been so bad. Did Devlin cover his flaws that much?

My guess is 1) he hasn’t been quite as bad as the pile on 2) he is playing with a bunch of players he doesn’t know so well 3) he’s not a player in the mould of Singh- he needs a 10 or wide attacking playmaker ahead of him 4) it’s horribly hot and humid and he hasn’t settled 5) he works best in combo with a player like Devlin who covers a lot 6) Korea and Honduras were better than most A league sides. 

 I was with you until you said Honduras were better than most A-League sides

I think they are.  They beat our team, who are supposed to be the cream of the crop - better than the A-league sides a few come from..

valeo

Bullion

Bell is class. Reads the game so well, is ahead of the game and best player on the park.

Elliot on a yellow and was a mismatch for pace, Ingham was a good choice in that regard but Ingham is like a hammer - no finesse.

One of the only players there who has clearly progressed from a few years ago. He's got it all.

I'm still not quite sure why Lewis has been so bad. Did Devlin cover his flaws that much?

My guess is 1) he hasn’t been quite as bad as the pile on 2) he is playing with a bunch of players he doesn’t know so well 3) he’s not a player in the mould of Singh- he needs a 10 or wide attacking playmaker ahead of him 4) it’s horribly hot and humid and he hasn’t settled 5) he works best in combo with a player like Devlin who covers a lot 6) Korea and Honduras were better than most A league sides. 

Lonegunmen

The football is the only Olympic event I've watched. I believe today they had "Half Court" Basketball on. WTF. Next up, Conkers & or Twister.

To be fair there are probably some basketball forums where they can't believe there is a football tournament made up of under 23 players, with a couple of older guys.