Kalac: No Viduka, no chance success in South Africa

[TOPGUNJIMMYAUFC]

Kalac: No Viduka, no chance of success in South Africa David Lewis

From: News Limited newspapers June 11, 2010 12:00AM
THAT'S the brutal verdict of outspoken former Socceroos keeper Zeljko Kalac, who has branded Pim Verbeek's side as World Cup lightweights and a far weaker team than the one that reached the last 16 in Germany four years ago.

With Viduka in his metaphorical post-Socceroos rocking chair, Kalac, who quit the international stage in October 2006 with 54 caps, is convinced Australia won't be rocking anybody's world in his wake.

"Even Stevie Wonder can see that without Mark we are not anywhere near the team we were four years ago," insisted the man they call Spider, whose one game in Germany in 2006 was marked by a howler that gifted Croatia the goal and almost knocked Australia out at the group stage.

"We simply havent replaced [Viduka] and with Harry Kewell struggling once again for fitness we are really going to be digging deep for inspiration.

"Josh Kennedy is no Mark Viduka, not to be disrespectful to him.


"Anybody who really thinks we are anywhere near as strong as 2006 is kidding themselves, because Viduka was in a league of his own and in a different class, especially playing in tandem with Harry Kewell.

"When Mark was there it gave Harry the room to express himself and then we had Timmy Cahill and Mark Bresciano coming from deeper positions.

"We just dont have the depth of four years ago, when you have to remember that Tim Cahill came off the bench to score twice against Japan in our opening game.

"Fours years on, he's the player everybody is banking on to get the goals which will get us through to the knockout stages.

"As a footballing philosopher I'm full of hope that they boys will get through the group but realistically I have to say it isn't going to happen.

"I just dont think we're going to be strong enough to get anything out of our first game against Germany. That will leave us needing to beat Ghana next up and hope that by the time we play Serbia they have somehow self-destructed, which isn't out of the question.

"Another difference between now and four years ago is that we really knew how good we were back then. We new we could beat Japan and could get something from our last group last game against Croatia."

Kalac, 37, back in Australia after a decorated overseas career which reached its pinnacle at AC Milan and included spells with fellow Itaian outfit Perugia and in Holland with JC Roda, claims only fantasists believe Australia will take anything from Monday morning (AEST) duel with Germany in Durban.

"Realistically, who really believes we can even take a point from Germany? Only an Australian could possibly think we could [get] anything from the game. Nobody else in the world would even contemplate the possibility.

"Realistically, though, we could take points from Ghana and maybe even Serbia if they lose the plot, but it's going to be a long shot to get out of what's a horribly tough group."

Kalac, though, supports Verbeek's cautious approach, claiming that if Australia were to play a more expansive and expressive game they would be torn apart.

"We have to sick with the system that got us to the World Cup and try and repeat the sort performance which brought us a 1-0 win in the warm up against Denmark," he added.

"If we try an open up we'll be exposed like we were in losing 3-1 to the USA last weekend. Well leak goals everywhere. I thought our left-back Scott Chipperfield was our best player in that game and that's a worry.

"Our best, and only viable strategy, is to play it tight and try and pinch results."

[homer]

get fucked kalac, you screwed up in germany and we saved your ass

why does everyone write us off, god just support your own country or if not fuck off somewhere else.

[Mad_Max]

Kalac = has been

[Wraith]

While he is probably right, no need to air those thoughts on the eve of a WC.

[Red-4-Life]

No Kalac = Better chance than if he were in the squad.

[Wraith]

No Kalac = Better chance than if he were in the squad.

How?

Does Kalac's replacement create & score goals, or defend?

[Red-4-Life]

No Kalac = Better chance than if he were in the squad.

How?

Does Kalac's replacement create & score goals, or defend?

they dont fumble the ball into the back of the net

[Blotto]

While he is probably right, no need to air those thoughts on the eve of a WC.

but god Kalac is such a complete f**ktard....

[Mato]

how is he a complete fucktard? if you look at what he said with your head and not your heart he is pretty much spot on. won't stop me supporting the boys like a madman though!

[# 9]

get shiraz kalac, you screwed up in germany and we saved your ass

why does everyone write us off, god just support your own country or if not shiraz off somewhere else.

[Wraith]

how is he a complete fucktard? if you look at what he said with your head and not your heart he is pretty much spot on. won't stop me supporting the boys like a madman though!

Well said.

[Blotto]

huh? I know what he is saying is spot on. but even without saying this, Kalac is still a complete fucktard..

[themagnet]

Kalac = has been

I still haven't heard the guy say anything positive

[PhilDunphy]

what's he going on about - he was shit in goals during the croatia game (almost cost us a result)

does anyone else recall Viduka actually scoring during the 2006 finals??? I can't

I thought he wanted no part of the qualifying campaign anyway

[budmustang]

What a great attitude he has. How does saying that help get the nation get behind them or promote football in general? Why did the Socceroos even bother going to South Africa? Upsets don't happen in football. Oh no...

[CSC001]

Kalac: No Viduka, no chance of success in South Africa David Lewis

From: News Limited newspapers June 11, 2010 12:00AM
THAT'S the brutal verdict of outspoken former Socceroos keeper Zeljko Kalac, who has branded Pim Verbeek's side as World Cup lightweights and a far weaker team than the one that reached the last 16 in Germany four years ago.

With Viduka in his metaphorical post-Socceroos rocking chair, Kalac, who quit the international stage in October 2006 with 54 caps, is convinced Australia won't be rocking anybody's world in his wake.

"Even Stevie Wonder can see that without Mark we are not anywhere near the team we were four years ago," insisted the man they call Spider, whose one game in Germany in 2006 was marked by a howler that gifted Croatia the goal and almost knocked Australia out at the group stage.

"We simply havent replaced [Viduka] and with Harry Kewell struggling once again for fitness we are really going to be digging deep for inspiration.

"Josh Kennedy is no Mark Viduka, not to be disrespectful to him.


"Anybody who really thinks we are anywhere near as strong as 2006 is kidding themselves, because Viduka was in a league of his own and in a different class, especially playing in tandem with Harry Kewell.

"When Mark was there it gave Harry the room to express himself and then we had Timmy Cahill and Mark Bresciano coming from deeper positions.

"We just dont have the depth of four years ago, when you have to remember that Tim Cahill came off the bench to score twice against Japan in our opening game.

"Fours years on, he's the player everybody is banking on to get the goals which will get us through to the knockout stages.

"As a footballing philosopher I'm full of hope that they boys will get through the group but realistically I have to say it isn't going to happen.

"I just dont think we're going to be strong enough to get anything out of our first game against Germany. That will leave us needing to beat Ghana next up and hope that by the time we play Serbia they have somehow self-destructed, which isn't out of the question.

"Another difference between now and four years ago is that we really knew how good we were back then. We new we could beat Japan and could get something from our last group last game against Croatia."

Kalac, 37, back in Australia after a decorated overseas career which reached its pinnacle at AC Milan and included spells with fellow Itaian outfit Perugia and in Holland with JC Roda, claims only fantasists believe Australia will take anything from Monday morning (AEST) duel with Germany in Durban.

"Realistically, who really believes we can even take a point from Germany? Only an Australian could possibly think we could [get] anything from the game. Nobody else in the world would even contemplate the possibility.

"Realistically, though, we could take points from Ghana and maybe even Serbia if they lose the plot, but it's going to be a long shot to get out of what's a horribly tough group."

Kalac, though, supports Verbeek's cautious approach, claiming that if Australia were to play a more expansive and expressive game they would be torn apart.

"We have to sick with the system that got us to the World Cup and try and repeat the sort performance which brought us a 1-0 win in the warm up against Denmark," he added.

"If we try an open up we'll be exposed like we were in losing 3-1 to the USA last weekend. Well leak goals everywhere. I thought our left-back Scott Chipperfield was our best player in that game and that's a worry.

"Our best, and only viable strategy, is to play it tight and try and pinch results."

Nail...head.

To all those who are too delussional to realise this......wake up!

On ya Spider for stating the obvious!

You guys have no idea....no really.

[Wraith]

what's he going on about - he was cabernet in goals during the croatia game (almost cost us a result)

does anyone else recall Viduka actually scoring during the 2006 finals??? I can't

I thought he wanted no part of the qualifying campaign anyway

Simple fact is Viduka would walk into the starting 11 right now.

And Kalac was bang on the money.

[Heaven Up Here]

even without saying this, Kalac is still a complete fucktard..

[CSC001]

even without saying this, Kalac is still a complete fucktard..

Lol A realistic tard!

[Bresciano]

Don't think his x-team mates would be too happy with the comments even if they are on the money. The comments are disrespectful to the current players and offer nothing +ve.

Therefore whats the point.

[Rob Lozza]

what's he going on about - he was cabernet in goals during the croatia game (almost cost us a result)

does anyone else recall Viduka actually scoring during the 2006 finals??? I can't

I thought he wanted no part of the qualifying campaign anyway

Simple fact is Viduka would walk into the starting 11 right now.

And Kalac was bang on the money.

+1