RND 6 AUFC Vs Sydney

[Red-4-Life]

Girls should be proud of their performance. I was speaking to a Sydney FC player post game and she said that the lady reds are a much more competitive team now. 3 goals were keeping errors, but hey thats football. The bye should do the team some good before they head to brisbane.

I thought Di Bartolo added a bit of spark on the wing when she came on, she's not the biggest player but definitely puts up a fight and has pace.

Fantastic, if the competition thinks we are improving then its positive momentum (esp. coming from Sydney). Players and coach should be commended for the display. Kyah Simon to come back into SFC team, which adds yet another dimension to their game. Theyll be purring like a Rolls Royce soon.

Di Bartolo does show promise, but she got handled by Uzunlar easily. Needs to operate between the lines a la David Silva. Like the look of her but has a lot of work to do, and needs to improve to make her mark on the competition.

Yeah given its her first season I think she'll improve over time. Keep this squad fairly similar and work with it for a few seasons and they will be an exciting team to watch and they will be serious finals contenders one day in the near future. I think the rest of the league has definitely seen that AU have improved even if they do get a 3-4 goal win against us. Earning respect from opponents is a big step forward, no one takes the girls lightly anymore coz as shown in the 1st half today, they can be a dangerous team.

[TRUTH]

Facts are still another loss
How many games now without a win!!!!

[paul merson]

Thats a fair but simple way of looking at it Truth.

Watching yesterday the thing that stood out to me was how comfortable Sydney looked on the ball but as soon as AU picked the ball up its all becomes 100mph to try and get it forward as quick as possible, gets turned over and back to chasing the ball, very similar situation that the mens team found them selves in against the Roar.

Quiggs may as well have not been out there and to no fault of her own, we seemed to just want to get forward too quick by passing her, especially being her qualities are when she's on the ball not her work rate and closing down which is all she seemed to be doing.

Although Sydney did look class on the ball (and was nearly sick listening to the over the top pro sydney comentary), how loose did they look at the back? To be fair AU should have gone 2-1 up when the young girl found herself completely unmarked in the box in the first half, then again Sydney blew an equally easy chance straight after.

Did anyone notice the girl from Sydney go to follow up her own penalty after hitting the post? She got pretty close to actually getting to it first.

Clear pen for AU missed as well.

Entertaining game at the end of the day though, 2 very nice goals.

[batumgoesthedynamite]

at a loss to understand how mclaren is starting infront of harvey

3 goals through her hands??

harvey needs to start, if she cant get another opportunity she should seriously consider looking at another w-league team for next season and beyond.

[argus tuft]

at a loss to understand how mclaren is starting infront of harvey

3 goals through her hands??

harvey needs to start, if she cant get another opportunity she should seriously consider looking at another w-league team for next season and beyond.

Agree

[Super_Trooper]

Put Leppa back in goals - She did nothing wrong to have her place taken away from her.... I rate Macca as a GK for sure but after how long off after she done her knee with no 'real' competative games and then put straight back into goals is beyond me. Errors which never have happened - We dont need to harp on how simple and basic her errors were... I'm sure she knows.

Most shocking reffing i've ever seen in a womens game. I'm sorry but if they want to take womens football seriously then give the refs job to someone who knows and understands the rules and is COMPETENT and CONFIDENT enough to make the RIGHT decisions when it counts. I dont care that they want to make it fair for the womens ref's to let them take womens games but FFS!!!! I hope that with the broadcasting of this game that which ever office warrior who appoints these clowns sees that wow the ref on sunday was errr woeful to be polite and they actually select someone with a bit of knowledge and balls to stand up to the bully players and make some real friggin decisions!!!!!! Even the 4th official tried to get their second of power trying to tell Dave on how many occasions to sit down - he had every right to protest the calls and stand out of his chair.. boohoo the coach stood up - lets get Weslo fluffin!!

I can't even be bothered commenting on the game itself because we played ugly football and yeah wow we are more competative but we hardly had any significant shots on goal to substantiate that we are anywhere close winning a game.. Great shot from MJ and she deserved a goal after the hard work that she has been putting in but doesnt mean that us scoring first scared Sydney.. I'm sure they were just shocked that Adelaide actually scored - as did the crowd and the AU team too lol!!

Gee I really want these girls to win a game and after such a good outing vs Perth things just haven't matched up since then... Time is running out - tik tok..!!!!

[paul merson]

To be fair just after they scored their first we had a young girl (forgotten name sorry) find herself on the edge of the box completely unmarked but put her shot wide, that should have been a goal.

Dare I say a lack of killer instinct?

[paul merson]

Oh and MJ lobbed the keeper she didnt chip the keeper like the commentator described.

Petty, but as a keeper there's a big dif.

[Bagman]

To be fair just after they scored their first we had a young girl (forgotten name sorry) find herself on the edge of the box completely unmarked but put her shot wide, that should have been a goal.

Dare I say a lack of killer instinct?

That was Ebony Philcox , one of the U/17s National girls ,
it was before any score had been registered and about 3 minutes before MJ put us 1-0 up.

Should have been a goal , but playing a defensive midfielder on the left wing wasn't an ideal situation for a young kid having her first game starting in the W-League.
Wouldn't have helped her confidence so lucky MJ's goal made her not have to think about it too long.

[Super_Trooper]

.....wasn't an ideal situation for a young kid having her first game starting in the W-League

This young kid has been selected as a U17 Young Matildas Rep who has recently returned from representing Australia at the U17 World Cup Qualifier.

1. She should have no problems with starting any game let alone her first w-league game

2. No excuse where she was played on the day as opposed to her 'preferred position'... every player at this level is supposed to have the confidence to attack and defend.... 'lack of versatility' was an excuse what was given to a very experienced player that was released from the w-league team so this shouldnt be used as an excuse for any current player

3. There is no number 3 but points should always be made in threes haha!!

Lobbing and Chipping is same thing just from different distance... It still went over her bloody head lol!!!

[bennylava]

what about the saves she made? or the countless 1 on 1's she prevented from being a goal?

if you're gonna criticise you should praise too.

[paul merson]

.....wasn't an ideal situation for a young kid having her first game starting in the W-League

This young kid has been selected as a U17 Young Matildas Rep who has recently returned from representing Australia at the U17 World Cup Qualifier.

1. She should have no problems with starting any game let alone her first w-league game

2. No excuse where she was played on the day as opposed to her 'preferred position'... every player at this level is supposed to have the confidence to attack and defend.... 'lack of versatility' was an excuse what was given to a very experienced player that was released from the w-league team so this shouldnt be used as an excuse for any current player

3. There is no number 3 but points should always be made in threes haha!!

Lobbing and Chipping is same thing just from different distance... It still went over her bloody head lol!!!

Chips are actually played off the ground, lobs out the air, distance is irrelivant.

And cheers bigman that was the one.

[Super_Trooper]

Yes there were some good saves she made - including the save that appeared to be a sure set goal and deflected from her knee..

Saving goals is the job role... Basic errors e.g. ball going straight thru hands should not happen at this "elite" level... it's just like roles of other players - you know the ones who shouldnt never miss open unattended goals and defenders that should never pull a player down in the box.. it just shouldnt happen!!!

Again what I dont understand and it seems to be the concensus is if a player who appears to have done nothing wrong in their role is dropped...

[paul merson]

what about the saves she made? or the countless 1 on 1's she prevented from being a goal?

if you're gonna criticise you should praise too.

Unfortunately the life of a keeper, I'd be more than happy for the world to adopt your view though!

[Bagman]

.....wasn't an ideal situation for a young kid having her first game starting in the W-League

This young kid has been selected as a U17 Young Matildas Rep who has recently returned from representing Australia at the U17 World Cup Qualifier.

1. She should have no problems with starting any game let alone her first w-league game

2. No excuse where she was played on the day as opposed to her 'preferred position'... every player at this level is supposed to have the confidence to attack and defend.... 'lack of versatility' was an excuse what was given to a very experienced player that was released from the w-league team so this shouldnt be used as an excuse for any current player

3. There is no number 3 but points should always be made in threes haha!!

Lobbing and Chipping is same thing just from different distance... It still went over her bloody head lol!!!

U/17s , though a high standard , is not like playing SFC with 11 Senior Matilda's in the team..

1. Didn't say she had a problem with starting , but never playing the position before means you take limited knowledge into the game regarding that spot , then learn alot fast !

2. She found more space on that one occasion than 2 of our 3 Attacking players did all day
and they were on all game and are FAR more experienced.

3. I think this is an important point , and I agree...

[Super_Trooper]

U/17s , though a high standard , is not like playing SFC with 11 Senior Matilda's in the team..

1. Didn't say she had a problem with starting , but never playing the position before means you take limited knowledge into the game regarding that spot , then learn alot fast !

2. She found more space on that one occasion than 2 of our 3 Attacking players did all day and they were on all game and are FAR more experienced.

3. I think this is an important point , and I agree...

1. Agreed that kids learn a lot fast these days.. Let's hope she keeps bringing it as does Di Bartolo etc

2. Agreed she did well but tired sooner than I thought she would - I still would like to see more work from the midfield as these players just seem to get constanly bypassed and virtually non-existent

3. I agree that you agree that there always needs to be 3 points

Really was always gonna be a tough round though with AU vs The Matildas lol!

[bennylava]

that's just how it works with keepers. i remember when chelsea's petr cech was out for months with a head injury, and his replacement played brilliantly but was replaced again when cech was recovered. i'm not sure the thinking behind but it seems to be the way it goes.

the radio commentator last week said of macca during the victory game, something along the lines of: "there's very few times you could give praise to a goalkeeper after a 4:0 loss, but you have to hand it to Adelaide's goalkeeper today for her efforts".

didn't see countless posts about this, sadly.

[bennylava]

in other news:
- i thought it was the most promising AU vs Sydney game i've seen in the w-league
- we need to improve our speed up front. MJ strikes me as a distributing second striker and a finisher, but seems to struggle to make the plays from midfield into scoring opportunities by herself - i think she needs a partner up front...someone who is quick and creative... the most effective MJ i can remember is playing for fulham in a forward partnership with courtz...tall forward with great finishing skills alongside the shorter, quicker and creative makes for a great duo...those are two forward roles that rarely work well when played by themselves.
- heads dropped big time, and fitness and speed was flawed when compared with sydney's, however, we looked quicker and fitter than previous years and look to be improving...i put this down to the new training ethos at the club (more than the two sessions barnett had the girls training each week)
- gunning is class.
- when we took the game to sydney we looked like a really decent team - not miles worse than the other teams in the league.
- ref was disgraceful. she had absolutely no clue. it's not an excuse for losing, but the ref really did ruin the game. so many rules forgotten, so many blatant fouls missed. how it wasn't a handball when the sydney defender had her arms in the air as part of the wall defending a free kick is beyond me. how the ref called the 3rd goal a goal when the linesman didn't is also beyond me. it would've been physically impossible for her to see.

[Randoman]

Im assuming she gave it a goal because it went in the goal.

[M@rvin]

Watched the game last night and it went over the line, so was a goal. However from where the ref was she could not have seen that it went over the line. Also Macca obscured the view of the ball with her body from the linesman probably the reason she didnt call it.

[Randoman]

It went miles over, ref probably used her intelligence and figured if a united player was in the goal when she cleared it and hooked it from behind her it must have gone in. Good decision.

[bennylava]

if the ref made an incredible call by getting that goal right, i'd still give the overall performance 1/10

[John Cena]

what about the saves she made? or the countless 1 on 1's she prevented from being a goal?

if you're gonna criticise you should praise too.

Unfortunately the life of a keeper, I'd be more than happy for the world to adopt your view though!

strikers can miss 10 goals a keeper stuffs up once and thats all everybody remembers !

[Unretired]

http://adelaideunitedladyreds.blogspot.com/

[Randoman]

what about the saves she made? or the countless 1 on 1's she prevented from being a goal?

if you're gonna criticise you should praise too.

Unfortunately the life of a keeper, I'd be more than happy for the world to adopt your view though!

strikers can miss 10 goals a keeper stuffs up once and thats all everybody remembers !

Was far more than once!

[Outlaw 2.0]

I agree that we showed some promise throughout the game. By scoring the first goal, I think that we really did scare them. Erceg was solid as a rock in defence.

I think that for next season, one of the main areas of improvement will need to be match fitness as well as speed/acceleration. Also some modifications to the squad, but keeping the core 11.

I think that we had a bit of bad luck today as well.

This is certainly not an issue, the ability to play a 10 yard ball to feet is. The constantly being pulled out of position al over the park is. Gunning and Green both put in alot of yards and would be an obvious choice down the left with Bartolo certainly providing a spark out wide. Quigley has been dissapointing the last couple of games and hasn't shown any sign of want for the ball (that is a big NO for a player in the middle of the park).

Certainly thought the Goalkeeper had a brain fade twice for the couple of goals in quick succession, but unfortunately if your a goalkeeper and you screw up you don't have anyone behind you to cover and EVERYONE can see it. But that's football.

Would be interested to see Cockayne used up front just off MJ, would provide an outlet for a striker that has ability but gets isolated. The girls do show promise but obvious areas of improvement must be addressed.

[Red-4-Life]

Watching the replay, very interesting comments from the commentators. Saying how AUFC are treating the Lady Reds like lepers and that it is a disgrace that the owners want nothing to do with the team and how there is no connection between the teams like there is with other W-League/A-League sides who support each other. It is a shame

[billy the kid]

Agree with all the points however, MJ is a lone soldier.

Some players.....I just scratch my head...why are they there? Because no one wants to or aspires to play in the W-League. Sad really. The Sensations were once the most sort after team to crack. Now we have a team that no one wants.

Some names haven't been in the National league since Ruissell E was involved. No guesses.

Quigs?? Hmmm

[Gazelle]

I agree that we showed some promise throughout the game. By scoring the first goal, I think that we really did scare them. Erceg was solid as a rock in defence.

I think that for next season, one of the main areas of improvement will need to be match fitness as well as speed/acceleration. Also some modifications to the squad, but keeping the core 11.

I think that we had a bit of bad luck today as well.

This is certainly not an issue, the ability to play a 10 yard ball to feet is. The constantly being pulled out of position al over the park is. Gunning and Green both put in alot of yards and would be an obvious choice down the left with Bartolo certainly providing a spark out wide. Quigley has been dissapointing the last couple of games and hasn't shown any sign of want for the ball (that is a big NO for a player in the middle of the park).

Certainly thought the Goalkeeper had a brain fade twice for the couple of goals in quick succession, but unfortunately if your a goalkeeper and you screw up you don't have anyone behind you to cover and EVERYONE can see it. But that's football.

Would be interested to see Cockayne used up front just off MJ, would provide an outlet for a striker that has ability but gets isolated. The girls do show promise but obvious areas of improvement must be addressed.

Agree with seeing Donna and MJ together up front.

[Butterfingers]

Watched this game from TV,

Ref wasnt that bad just didnt call some stuff that she should of...

Macca had some good saves that I dont think leps would of saved but then missed some easy shots as well...

Think gunning did better in that position than any other postition she has been put in so far...

I think it was one of MJs better games but still dont think she is the right choice of striker.

Quigs was quieter than normal but as was said previously when the back line is kicking it straight out of the back down the wings what chance has she got....would rather see her as striker....

Grace did well in the centre... Think Ebony could have done better and probs a bit nervous but what do you expect from a 15 year old....

Really think there needs to be more talking on the field.....It seems a couple of times the girls could of held the ball up more and had more time but they were always in a rush to get rid of it... Same old thing in SA no one seems to be able to hold the ball up... and a few of them have no idea how to kick a ball and look up at the same time...