The Socceroos and the Asian Cup

Well, I have to say, the recent socceroos matches have been disappointing, to say the least (that is, if you were able to see them, seeing as you either had to go to Thailand or its nearby neighbours, or have CABLE!!)

To beat Singapore 3-0 is one thing (even that match was very "leave it till the last minute") but to draw 1-1 with Oman is totally another, and that doesn't match Australia's potential cup-winners billing. Now, you can go on about weather conditions and playing away, and I can sympathise with that to an extent. But some of the defending I saw in highlights against Oman was atrocious. The defenders were all over the place, and failed to mark the forward players, which is where the first goal came from. While Schwarzer could well have saved it, Oman's Badar Mubarak should never have gotten into that sort of position.

The sad thing is is that we know these guys can play good football, football that has earned them a spot amongst the favourites for the Asian Cup. I don't know whether its Arnold (who I don't think is as bad as everyone says he is) or the conditions, or the pressure, but I do know that we need to play a stack better if we want to win silverware. Maybe it was a freak accident, but in truth, we were at times OUTPLAYED by an Omani side much lower in the world rankings, and devoid of international talent the likes of which we had

The only concellation is that the rest of the group drew, as well as potential quarter final rivals Japan. Maybe something in the water...