Asian Cup
UAE, 1 v Australia, 0
South Korea, 0 v Qatar, 1
The two finalists from the 2015 Asian Cup are out of the competition, with both Australia and the Korea Republic (South Korea) defeated by a one goal margin in the UAE over night. Australia was undone by a second half goal from Ali Mabkhout who took advantage of an under-hit back pass midway in the 68th minute to steal in behind the Australian defence and round Mat Ryan to register the only strike of the game. The home side will meet Qatar in a semi-final on Tuesday, while the other semi-final will be played between Iran and Japan on Monday. The final is next Friday, February 1.
At the time of preparing this, the reports from the press in the UAE are still being published, but will be added here for posterity when available.
Fairfax is first cab off the rank with 'Degenek's howler sends Socceroos crashing out of Asian Cup', leaving absolutely no doubt where Vince Rugari points the finger of blame.
News Corp: Australia out of Asian Cup after defensive howler
News Corp: Graham Arnold says fans should be 'very proud' of Australian players
Earlier, Emma Kemp wrote about how Mat Ryan regroups ($) after he makes a mistake: he looks into the crowd for a rubbish bin, and chucks his mistake in it, a trick taught to him by one of his earliest goalkeeping coaches, John Crawley. The same report is here. ($)
Rugari wrote about the lack of 'vibe' and crowds at Asian Cup matches. Anyone who has been there before would not be surprised.
Alen Stajcic
No doubt FFA would have been praying for a Socceroos win for the win itself, but also to try to divert attention away from the unfolding stories around Alen Stajcic's sacking.
Ray Gatt spoke with Ellyse Perry, cricket international and former Matildas player, who said that Stajcic is “one of the best coaches of any sport” she has come across. She said she could not comment on the environment within the Matildas “but my 15 years of interaction with Alen as a coach was wholly positive”. She added:
“He hangs his hat on being a really hard taskmaster and someone that demands the best of a player, but in no way did I ever see that cross the line in anything other than expecting high standards of players, male or female. Without a doubt during my time with Alen, it was the hardest I have ever worked as an athlete. It helped put in place some very solid principles for me in terms of making the most of every training session. There were very high standards that he expected from everyone in his squad. I have taken that with me everywhere I go. One of the biggest things I remember from working under Staj is that no one in the group, whether player or staff member, was more dedicated to the cause of women’s football than him and when you have a coach like that who absolutely puts everything into it, morning, noon and night, it’s hard not to want to play for that person.”
Meanwhile, AAFC chairman Rabieh Krayem has written to FFA Congress members stating that AAFC were “dismayed” at the way the Stajcic sacking had played out, and urging for an independent inquiry as Gatt had also written about.
In this piece, Dominic Bossi says that he gets “inside the great divide” of the Matildas which he says was “an atmosphere poisoned by the actions and attitudes of a small handful of influential people – one key player and some staff members.” One player also said the coaching staff could be “skittish”, the “overall environment hostile” and Stajcic was one in a “long line of authoritarian bosses”. The same (or maybe another) player said he had a bit of an “old school” tone, but one player gets away with things that others can't, and the “stress … within the group stemmed from this one divisive figure”. Bossi also writes that there was “bad blood” between Stajcic and Gary van Egmond.
He also notes that goalkeeping coach Paul Jones has resigned, although he clearly didn't ask Jones why. Although the FFA media release didn't state it, he did so in protest at the sacking.
The question remains whether any of this is a reason to sack a coach, or merely go to work on team culture issues which is what the original purpose of the workshop on Monday and Tuesday, instigated by Stajcic, was all about.
And as if to answer that, South Australia's Graham Cornes weighs-in on the debate, concluding that 'culture' is not just an issue for the coach but the administration of FFA, and that Stajcic has been harshly dealt with.
Finally, Michael Lynch says “talk about trashing the brand”. Yep. Those who have brought this on, and who have contributed to it going so badly, have helped pull apart one of Australian football's brightest highlights of the past few years. Lynch talks of Hyundai expressing their displeasure at how the sacking has been handled, and the possibility of Westfield pulling out of major sponsorships of both the Matildas and W-League, now that there is not a familial tie to FFA and in light of the past week. He also raises the question of what impact this will have on the 2023 World Cup bid (that's a pretty easy one to answer actually). He wonders if the culture was so bad, how wasn't it picked up earlier and why are people such as David Gallop, Emma Highwood, Luke Casserly not also “ultimately responsible”. He also notes Heather Reid's “high profile in this case”.
A-League
Brisbane Roar, 2 v Western Sydney Wanderers, 2
What words are there?
Western Sydney Wanderers were 0-2 up at the break, held on to it for the next 45 minutes and then in extra time, Adam Taggart pounced to deliver Brisbane Roar a draw in a “stoppage time heist”, helped immeasurably by a Vedran Janjetovic brain snap. It was referred to here as the “late, late show”, with a point pulled “from the fire”. Earlier in the game there was controversy when the VAR was once again not called upon, when many saw Roly Bonevacia's 18th minute opener as offside.
Marco Monteverde refers to it as a “minor miracle” after the Janjetovic “brain explosion” which saw him tap a ball going out with his foot, and Taggart scoring from the resulting corner. While one point is better than no points, Brisbane Roar has now gone 11 games without a win.
Melbourne City
Melbourne City's visit to Wellington this weekend could be the last match they play without a recognised striker, with manager Warren Joyce admitting there will be someone coming into the group, and with all rumours pointing to Jamie Maclaren joining City once the Asian Cup is over.
Melbourne Victory
Lawrence Thomas went on a visit to Italy with his mum in the off-season, to hear her speak Italian for the first time since 1977. With an Italian passport – thanks to mum Linda – Thomas has ambitions to play overseas and to become a Socceroo.
Sydney FC
With injuries hitting Sydney FC, and back from injury himself, Danny De Silva is expected to have significant game tonight in the 'Big Blue' at AAMI Park.
Sydney FC are in talks with former Iranian international, Reza Ghoochannejhad, for a loan deal to help ease the workload through the remainder of the A-League and forthcoming Asian Champions League campaigns.
W-League
Adelaide United, 1 v Newcastle Jets, 2
It was all looking so good for Adelaide United to reach their first finals series, but it's come crashing down in recent weeks with three losses in as many games. The match was marred by a horrific injury to Larissa Crummer which saw her taken to hospital and very unlikely to be available for the World Cup in June.
Brisbane Roar, 4 v Canberra United, 1
Canberra United have suffered their “second worst consecutive season” after being thrashed by Brisbane Roar last night. The loss leaves them in eighth position on 12 points.