Adelaide vs. Qld - focus on Reddy

Hamish asked about what I thought about the Reddy incident in my goalkeeper round up of the weekend, and I have to admit I didn't see the incident wher he stepped on Rech for reasons outlined in the comments of the original post.

In today's online edition of the Courier Mail, there's a cute little sequence of shots from the match covering the incident. And it looks nasty. It looks snazzier on the Courier Mail website, but I wanted all 4 pictures at once, and here they are:
My comments were:
It looks like Reddy could have done more to not step on Rech. I think he could have stepped forward to pass Rech over his head and then to wherever Reddy wanted to go. Look at it this way, if Reddy saw a white shirt on the ground I doubt he would've stepped on the grounded player.

Looking at this sequence, I feel a little more strongly about my comment. Especially since passing Rech over his head would've made Reddy go into his goals a bit, which I don't think would have been detrimental. Unfortunately I still haven't seen a entire play, where the ball was, etc.

Shot #1: Reddy prepares to go over the grounded player. I can't see him clearing the player in one move from here, something which fits with what Reddy has said. But it does look like there's space to take a small step before Rech and then jumping over him.
Shot #2: This just looks nasty. Looks.
Shot #3: He's now landed on Rech...
Shot #4: And he's off.

If I was in Reddy's position I would've taken a small step beforehand to move a little inside of goal (so you stay goal-side*) and jumped over Rech near his head. However, the women's game is slower (considerably slower if I think about the leagues I've played in), and so I would have the luxury of taking the extra step.

I really want Queensland to make it to the final four, so I am hoping that Reddy is not suspended. However, should this be the case, it would be interesting to find out what kind of contract McMaster has. Farina has mentioned Danny Milosevic, but I think he could also consider Necevski.

Edit 10.17pm, 9th Jan:
I completely forgot to describe what I meant by goal-side. I had a plan to say the following, "If you don't know what goal-side is you should be shot." Simply because of the number of times I've told my defenders to get goal-side and they just stare at me blankly. Imagine trying to prepare to face a corner, and then having to try and move everyone to be goal-side, without them knowing what it means! Let alone understanding why one should be goal-side! It makes me very very angry when people don't know basics...

A post solely dedicated to swooning.

I've been trying to write a complete nonsense post which was essentially just swooning. However, I've been getting caught up in the more critical aspects of the game. So I'm going to cheat and take the November 29 2006 entry from my old MSN space. With some edits...

Here or Girl's guide? Here!

I'm very sorry, but this entry contains football - it didn't quite belong on my A-League blog.

For those who don't know, I've been planning to move interstate once I finish uni. Just to get a break from Melbourne and forces me to move out, become independent, etc., etc.. Where will I go? Wherever it is, it MUST have an A-League team. Ideally, that team would be Queensland, considering that I am currently swooning over three of their players. Yes, three now. The two keepers that I have devoted previous entries to, and a midfielder. Which is, incidentally, my favourite position to play - that's right, I'd rather be a midfielder than a 'keeper... but I don't have the fitness for it. And until my knee's back in action, I can't get fit... can't play in the engine room.

So, where was I? Oh yes, the interstate plan. The fun of having an A-League team to semi-support (after Melbourne of course) is that I would join up as a member, sit in the members' section (if it's like Melbourne's set-up), and then when Melbourne comes around, dress up in the Melbourne kit and NOT be kicked out of the section! Coz I'm a member and all! Hehehe... it'd be fun.

I've mentioned my silly little plan to my lab - and my preference for Queensland... and when I told my lab my honours results, Catherine pointed out there were PhDs on offer in Brisbane. Not sure if she remember my Qld plans. Insert curses against the incomplete engineering degree I want to complete here.

For the record, Chad Gibson, that Qld player I dislike has moved into midfield. He is NOT the player that I've started swooning over - that player is Spase Dilevski. I haven't figured out what's made me change my mind over Dilevski - I used to poke fun at him because he nearly has no neck and it's weird. Feet - legs - torso - shoulders - head. There are arms too, but not important here. I'm still trying to figure out why I've decided to add him to my swoon list. But I didn't really watch him when Qld played Melbourne, and I missed Sydney's match against them on Friday night.

Oh, well, when I go to the Qld Roar site, SD's listed as a defender... but he's more of an anywhere kind of player. And he can kick with both feet!


So there you are, finally got around to a swooning post. A friend emailed me saying she didn't agree with me on Dilevski, but I think my eyesight's affected when he plays well. I don't know why I put this on the MSN spaces, as I was trying not to talk about football there because people would semi-jokingly-complain when I bumped into them... and my original intention for this blog was to swoon... oh well. I'm getting there.

My wishlist, the Goalkeeping Gods, and some definitions

Where to start?

If we recall my post last week, I was hoping for a few things to happen in Round 19. Although Queensland and the Kiwis both won, there was no draw between Newcastle and the Mariners, and Perth managed to get a point.

Since I think van Egmond's done a great job as Newcastle coach, and would like to see him there next year, my wish-list will now includes Newcastle coming into the top 4. I've figured that regardless of the result against Melbourne, if New Zealand win their last two matches, Adelaide continue to lose, and Newcastle and Queensland win their non-Melbourne matches, then I get everything I want:

• Kiwis don't come last,
  
• Adelaide out of the top 4,
  
• Queensland and Newcastle in top 4, and
• Sydney might end up 3rd.

This means the Mariners miss out, sorry Wayne... even if Danny had smothered the ball (not that I solely blame the 'keeper, but I tend to watch 'keepers more than anyone else) I couldn't fit you into my top 4. Maybe if you beat the Knights, but I don't want them to come last...

As I said, I tend to watch 'keepers...

Both Paston and Covic had great matches this weekend. Nice to see Covic either settle in to the A-League, or simply have a good game. His first match was awful and his second only marginally better, so some crucial great saves were definitely good signs. I was feeling sorry for Ben Kennedy during the first two matches, but Covic's display against the Mariners probably showed why he's Newcastle's man between the sticks.

Paston was consistently good as per usual. However, with New Zealand having to hold on to the match, I think he could have employed some timewasting techniques. It was good to see Ricki Herbert employed some good subsitutions, Gao and Hickey taking their time on the floor, Bazeley getting distracted organising the team before AND after retrieving the ball before taking the throw-in, Milligan and Ceccoli taking the ball with them for a little bit once the ref confirmed a Kiwi throw - huh? Silly, silly Sydney players. Losing and wasting time on behalf of the opposition - how curteous! Back to Paston - everytime he saved the ball and went to ground, he should have stayed there for a bit before getting up and taking up his six seconds of holding the ball. Sure, Sydney would've beaten Paston had the two post-hitting shots not hit the post, or hit the post and gone in. But I'm a firm believer of goalkeeping faith. If it hits the post and it doesn't go in, it's not meant to be. If it happens again, the Goalkeeping Gods are making a mockery of you.

I've already made my Vukovic comments on Wayne's Fisherman's Friend blog.

Now let's move onto my favourite team with my least favourite goalkeepers - Melbourne. Theo's been given a break for the moment, so Galekovic is in between the sticks for the moment. Galekovic needs to soften* his hands. Too often, a shot comes his way and he parries it. Far too often. Sure, sometimes shots are hot, and it's best to parry rather than attempt to catch and the ball slips through. But please don't tell me every single Perth shot was hot! Just like last week, Galekovic can't do much with the high balls, often missing or mis-punching them. Perhaps he's too heavy? However, I was amazed he managed to catch a high one in the end, and a waist height one too. Must've been the Goalkeeping Gods making a mockery of me...

Tommich didn't have a bad game, he conceded two goals where he didn't have a chance. First, Brebner's shot was just-off-spot-on**. So fair enough Tommich didn't get to it. And once Sarkies got to the rebound Tommich had no chance. Second goal was well placed by Sarkies into the gap in the wall that I think Robinson was creating (the only thing he did all day - if it was Robinson). The way I see walls in front of goals is, you arrange the wall to cover the half of the goal where the front post is, and the 'keeper covers the back half, with the opportunity to move forward and cover what he can of the other half if necessary. Sarkies' shot went through the wall and to the front post. Hence, I can't blame Tommich can I?

I watched the Queensland match after I knew the result, which meant I couldn't sustain my concentration - no matter how hard I tried! So Reddy and Beltrame won't be commented on this week. Good to see that Beltrame looks to have replaced Bajic - he was awesome for Adelaide last season and in my opinion a far superior custodian than Bajic.

Paston was far busier than Bolton during his match - and I was quite actively cheering the Kiwis. Although Bolton was the 'keeper who conceded, I can't see how he could've helped stop the goal. It was from point blank, and well placed. Most players would've had difficulty is keeping the ball down and, unlike Bunce, would've skied the ball.

*Soften:

• Just cushion the ball! When you make contact with the ball drop your hands back a little at the wrist. Practice by throwing a ball into a small elasticised net so it comes back at you hard.

**Just-off-spot-on: Perhaps I should explain 'spot-on' first!

• When shooting to goal, one should aim for the far post. This is because the goalkeeper should be covering the near post. If the 'keeper is stupid and has not covered the near post, by all means, shoot there. Otherwise aim for the far post, and do this at training nights. Anyone can place a ball into an empty net, but the task isn't as easy when there's a capable goalkeeper. When you aim for the far post, the ball should hit the inside of the post. If it goes in because you have placed the ball perfectly and truly inside the post. If it comes back in play, it's because you've hit the point where the post is still 'inside' the goal in one axis/plane, but not the other.

So, Brebner hit the far post - which is 'spot-on', but the ball came back into play, so it was 'just-off'. That's how I would term it anyway.

About last night...

Dear the customer who passed by register 2 last night at about 10pm,

I am sorry that my actions last night may not have impressed you, but the news that my brother brought me was wonderful and well worth celebrating. For Adelaide to lose, it meant that Queensland had won! These are two great things!

When I arrived home, I discovered that a third great thing had happened - that Mori didn't score! Unfortunately he still played 90 minutes.

I hope that you enjoy your three tops, and that other item. Should you not be satisified, hold onto your receipt and make use of our hassle-free returns policy.

On behalf of management and staff, thank you for shopping at Kmart Burwood.

At the start of round 19 we have...

...quite an interesting little situation at Queensland Roar. Looks like some of the players are sick with a stomach virus. Again. I'm wondering what the mode of transmission is... drink bottles at training?

Last time: Reccia, Milicic (both too sick to play), Ognenovski (played while sick and looked sluggish) and, a little later, Reddy (but he recovered in time to play that week.)

This time: Lynch, Milicic, and Ognenovski.

Hmmm.... Milicic and Ognenovski are both ill again...

Sorry, but the morbid side of me is quite fascinated by this.

At the end of round 18 we have...

...Newcastle, Central Coast and my semi-beloved Queensland all still with a chance.

Unfortunately, it looks like Queensland have the toughest run home, with matches against Adelaide and Melbourne away, and the final match at home against Sydney. I don't like losing at Telstra Dome because the train ride home is completely quiet with disappointed supporters... so that night may be a toughie for me, as we really don't need the points. However, should Franky continue to put his mate Mori in for the full 90 minutes (reminds me of Okon in the national team...), perhaps I shall not be too disappointed if Queensland lose. And of course it'd make the train ride bearable.

Mathematically, should Adelaide lose their remaining matches, Newcastle-CC draw their match and lose the rest, and Queensland win all matches bar Melbourne, they're in with a chance. I've taken into account that Newcastle will probably beat Perth, and am going for the Kiwis to win their last three matches. If Perth don't win another game, then the Kiwis won't come last!

However, knowing my luck, this won't all work out. Here's hoping!

Melbourne and the slow start

The length of time that it's taken Melbourne to click into gear the past three matches is beginning to slightly worry me. Against Sydney nothing ended up happening at all, but against the Kiwis and the Mariners, the other team has started the better, until about 15-20min when we finally wake up, and being to play our game.

It may have just been that the other teams came out all guns ablazing because they need the points or have something to prove - although all teams do, especially against Melbourne.

The most frustrating thing about this, is that while the other teams would play at a frenetic pace (as they would be in a rush to assert themselves and put a goal on the scoresheet for themselves), Melbourne would try to play at the same speed. I suppose this ties in with my time-wasting techniques, but aside from what to do when the ball is of the park, it's important to take your time when the ball is on the park too.

i.e. Win the ball, control it, and slow the play down. Look up, take your time deciding how to play the ball. Play high-percentage football so the other team cannot win the ball back. Play with the ball in the defence. Don't play the ball until you have been pressured to do so - make the other team come and get the ball. After all, they're in a rush, not you. They need the ball, not you.

Hope you all have a great 2007 - except for Adelaide and Sydney. :oP Well, at least when it comes to football. Happy New Year all!