Verbeek v Hiddink

Aussie Pim has had five games now. He's had as much luck, if no more than Guus. But are we as good a team. Have we got a pattern, a shape?

Remember Hiddink at his best, Australia at their best in the World Cup, in 38 degrees of heat against Japan, Croatia, Brazil and Italy.


We pressed high up the field, created opportunities against all of the sides mentioned. And were rarely threatened, certainly not in an Iraq way in Brisbane.

Pim has seen his Roo's outclass a very poor Qatar in a first half in Melbourne, then torn a part but spared a goal in the second half.

We used Josh Kennedy's height for aerial bombardment. It wasn't pretty.

In China we played as if we were playing Brazil. And we snuck a draw when Verbeek had the opportunity to change tactics and push forward. Scared, he settled for a point against the weakest team to play Australia in their homleand for some years.

Then we played Ghana. Woeful. We won but the performance was woeful. Iraq at home the same, and away we played well, and lost.

But we never attacked in the first half and the tactics in the second half involved, again, the height of Kennedy. Tedious.

Could Carney and or Emerton not have been allowed to break free of the back FIVE. Carl Valeri and Vinny Grella. They don't attack, including the keeper that is one defensive line-up.

Add in Luke Wilkshire and Jason Culina. When was the last time either created or scored a goal for the Socceroos.

And that left Harry Kewell. And wasn't he left....alone!

So Pim has shown he can produce a team to defend, but at the expense of any attack, ever.

We have no Viduka. But the rest of the type of players is not that much different. Sure the defence a little less sound, but where is the mobility. Any attacking thrust.

Hidink would have found one, by now.

No heat in China, little in Melbourne, or Brisbane.

Where is the tactics. The pace, the pattern. The team can hold the ball. But can it move it forward at pace? Can it steal a chance from the opposition?

Not if it's never in the opposition half.

Bruce Djite. Energy. Marco Bresciano. Brett Holman, Scott MacDonald and Harry Kewell must have something to offer.

Verbeek needs a rethink. A more aggressive strategy is required.

So far, this defensive mire, has gained a fortuitous draw against the timid Chinese and a defeat against Iraq.

Could we have played more attacking and got a worse return?

We may have lost to Iraq, but we would surely have beaten China.

And what of the future? If we do qualify do you have any hope in our shape, our attacking strategies, a key player in the front six which is now a certain starter by virtue of their performances in the last five games.

We seem further away from a united team, a strategy to hearten the support, than before Pim came.

Pim is beginning to seem more related to Arnie than Guus. We shall see how the Qatar game pans out.

Let's hope Pim has another way or he could find himself a little on the outer when he returns from his mirage.

Come on Pim, let's not die wondering. Guus never did!