tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3290088887405022587.post4878019621524097843..comments2024-03-29T06:48:00.592+11:00Comments on Walter Pless on Association Football: Melbourne Victory 0-1 Gold Coast United: Return of Archie Thompson welcomed by home fansWalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11493237569003662448noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3290088887405022587.post-59875063573859695072010-11-07T22:57:36.475+11:002010-11-07T22:57:36.475+11:00I was impressed by the standard in this game. It ...I was impressed by the standard in this game. It was pleasing to see GCU play a half press, manifesting in a compact shape when Victory had the ball. This is the way Asian teams often play in away fixtures in the ACL. A League teams have frequently struggled to break down compact defences and then been caught in the defensive transitions.<br /><br />Victory had a lot of possession. They looked good on the ball, particularly in the first half. GCU conceded them a little space in the middle of the pitch. GCU played mainly on the counter and kept a more compact shape with a lone forward. <br /><br /> Pim Verbeek would have liked what was in show in this match. Too often Australian teams play away from home with a full press, or squeeze, hence, too much distance between the lines. <br /><br />Another pleasing phenomenon were the rhythm changes both teams displayed. In the past we have too frequently had two teams going flat out in open end to end games with too much distance between the lines. This is poor practice for international football.<br /><br />DecentricAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com