Wow, I didn't see that coming. Congrats Heidelberg. I'm really looking forward to this game, it's going to be super tough. They look like a real good side and we'll need to be at our peak to progress. Tasty game coming up, can see it go either way or even to pens.
A League is in recess / preseason buildup. The non-ALM teams are in the active part of their season. Things get evened up.
As time goes on you'd expect the ALM teams to get better. Yes first or second game of pre-season they'd be rusty but by the quarter-finals they should have plenty of minutes under their belts and gelling nicely.
I know we travel TERRIBLY to Melbourne but it should be a good game and hoping for a win for the boys.
Still you would expect an A league team to always win these games. This will be the best chance that Chief ever has of winning silverware.
They just spanked another ALM cub in the Wanderers 3-0. They are joint leaders in the Victorian NPL 24 games into their season. Their game plan is well bedded in. They have a number of ex ALM players.
The Nix are about 30% of their way into pre season. 1st team starters Payne, Armieno, Rufer & Eze have either barely played or not at all yet.
How Auckland FC go at Sth Melbourne tonight will be a good barometer. AFC are basically already at full strength, barely changed from last season. If they struggle at Albert Park, there's your reality check.
If SM win tonight and Avondale FC beat APIA Leichhardt, will be 3 VIC NPL teams in the last 8. Of course there could just as easily be only Heidelberg.
I'll eat my hat if chiefy doesn't go over there set up a defensive game plan and try to nick a goal on the counter attack.
I'd say we have two chances of winning this.
- 'berg are confident and attacking and that allows our youngsters to catch them out and get a lead. Then maybe build on that. - Eze and Armiento manage a bit more time than last game and that gives them enough opportunity as subs to help us create a winner late. Plus maybe getting more out of Payne.
Both ways are going to require us also to defend well. And show a bit more fitness and game pace overall than the first two games.
Heidelberg looked the goods. It's going to be a real battle but let's face it, it would have been hard for us anyway. Hopefully with a couple of more weeks of training and a better pitch we can give a good account of ourselves
Much like South Melbourne, or Sydney United, Heidelberg is a very solid "old school" club. I still remember them in the old NSL - their strength comes from the social club and their baked-on following is from both the sporting side and the social club members. Very different concept from Dandenong FC (which strikes me as a predominantly football club rather than a social club). But all that aside - they had a good game against WSW. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydxUQ6X92v4
Actually, getting outplayed quite a bit these days
Google says this match will be played at Jerry Collins stadium. Is this a mistake?
Yep, very much a mistake. Only way for us to have a game in NZ, is to play AFC. With the draw for the Final Rounds, if we do face Auckland in the semis, it will be their home game.
Comms said their starting XI were missing 6 regular starters due to fixture congestion. Lots of Heidelberg players stood out, striker Bul, their keeper, L mid Fulton, CB (Collins?). I'd say all their players looked technically better than some of the current Nix squad. That all said, both sides missed chances, and Heidelberg benefitted from a stupid backpass and a handball penalty. Plus a late breakaway goal. WSW had like 60% of the possession and could have won. Generally Heidelberg looked about as good but not better. The score flattered them. My 2c.ballane
For those that know these things i read somewhere that they hadnt fielded their strongest team against WSW is that true.
IIRC Doka sidestepped an exhausted Kraev into a huge gap on the edge of the penalty area, which Conchie was closest to. Conchie had made the space by deciding to follow a runner whose run was already covered by the LB. Wrongfooted, Conchie turned but was too late to block the shot. Time to let it go I guess.imanixsupporter
funny that you remember it this way. My recollection is that it was Kraev who should have been the one closing him downFriar Tuck
AucklandPhoenix
Still you would expect an A league team to always win these games. This will be the best chance that Chief ever has of winning silverware.
I think Chief’s best chance of winning silverware was when Roa Conchie didn’t step forward to block Mikael Doka’s shot
To my mind, an A League team should be favourites to beat a lower league team - in or out of season. I would think that most in Aussie would have Nix as favourites.LT01
AucklandPhoenix
Still you would expect an A league team to always win these games. This will be the best chance that Chief ever has of winning silverware.
Old-fashioned mentality - a look at the context paints Heidelberg as clear favourites for this match. Hopefully we can cause a surprise.
Yep, professionals should always be favorites against amateurs. No matter what the result is I'd expect us to boss the game.
Are they all really amateurs though? The VIC NPL is called a semi pro league, and Heidelberg have a number of ex ALM players.
Are they just coaching kids around training? I mean I doubt they do two sessions a day like the Nix senior squad probably do. They won't have a high class NZCIS to wander around in all day.
But I don't think it's quite all plumbers and mortgage brokers rushing to twice weekly Tuesday & Thursday night sessions either.
But, even if the semi pro/amateur status of them is debatable we're still better resources by a mile.
Saying that, if we are struggling next season like we did this last i wouldn't mind giving John Anastasiadis a try as coach, his teams in the Australia Cup always seem to over perform.
Still you would expect an A league team to always win these games. This will be the best chance that Chief ever has of winning silverware.
I think Chief’s best chance of winning silverware was when Roa Conchie didn’t step forward to block Mikael Doka’s shot
Wow. Harsh, but hits a sore spot. Yep my memory too. Kraev was left behind, but Conchie who’d done so well was 5 metres too deep and inside the box not in front of it.
No need to jab wounds. We’ve plenty of soft spots from the last couple of years!
No need to let it go, but use it to remind us to get it done earlier and to move as a team. Cover the tired guys, and win early if we can! Don’t let anyone switch off. We were bloody good very recently and everyone was writing us off then too.
Heidelberg should be a very good challenge. We’re still alive in this one, so as always the best chance is now, not last week or whenever.
To my mind, an A League team should be favourites to beat a lower league team - in or out of season. I would think that most in Aussie would have Nix as favourites.LT01
AucklandPhoenix
Still you would expect an A league team to always win these games. This will be the best chance that Chief ever has of winning silverware.
Old-fashioned mentality - a look at the context paints Heidelberg as clear favourites for this match. Hopefully we can cause a surprise.
Yeah I dunno man, one team bossed WSW 3-0 and the other needed penalties to beat Perth Glory
But, even if the semi pro/amateur status of them is debatable we're still better resources by a mile.
Saying that, if we are struggling next season like we did this last i wouldn't mind giving John Anastasiadis a try as coach, his teams in the Australia Cup always seem to over perform.
It's more the lack of time to prepare than the gap between the games. Find out on Friday. Arrange international travel. Arrange overseas training and other arrangements. Be there to play on Tuesday. I think that's pretty rude actually.
