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International Friendly Preview: Switzerland - Australia
It's much the same for Hitzfeld's Switzerland but the start of a new era for Osieck's Australia.
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Sep 3, 2010 10:28:00 AM
By Chris Paraskevas
Preparing For The Big One
Looming for the Swiss on their football calendar is what will be a huge opening qualifying match for Euro 2012 against none other than Fabio Capello's England, whom Schweizer Nati will play host to in less than a week.
What seems to define Ottmar Hitzfeld's Switzerland is a supreme level of organization, making them incredibly difficult to beat when combined with the healthy blend of experience and energy within their squad. They don't play spectacular football by any means but they boast a number of seasoned European footballers who play at the top level, who usually execute their German manager's effective plans to perfection.
They'll need to step it up a gear against an England outfit that will be keen to bounce back from a disappointing World Cup, where the Swiss somehow contrived to fail to get out of the group stages despite a hard-fought 1-0 win over eventual world champions Spain in their opening match.
Australia are hardly of the quality of their upcoming opponents but in some ways they mirror the strengths of the English, particularly in terms of physique. Add to that the fact that a number of the Socceroos have made their names on the English domestic scene and this is a perfect warm-up match for the Swiss.
The Osieck Era
Pim Verbeek's reign as Australia manager ended at the group stages in South Africa and was characterized by a conservative approach both in the way of tactics and personnel selection.
Those fans though who are hoping for a rather more cavalier style could be disappointed by Holger Osieck, the Asian Champions League-winning coach who will take charge of the Socceroos for the first time ever against Switzerland.
With a reputation before him for tending towards a defensive outlook, all eyes will be on the German and the way he sets out his first ever Australia starting XI, with groaning expected if thedreaded 4-2-3-1 makes another appearance.
It's quite an incredible transformation in the mindset of Australian fans and media within the space of four years; before that impressive showing at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, qualification for major tournaments was demanded above all else, including aesthetics. Now it seems as though the manner in which qualification is achieved is just as important as achieving qualification itself.
Can Osieck handle the pressure?
Looming for the Swiss on their football calendar is what will be a huge opening qualifying match for Euro 2012 against none other than Fabio Capello's England, whom Schweizer Nati will play host to in less than a week.
What seems to define Ottmar Hitzfeld's Switzerland is a supreme level of organization, making them incredibly difficult to beat when combined with the healthy blend of experience and energy within their squad. They don't play spectacular football by any means but they boast a number of seasoned European footballers who play at the top level, who usually execute their German manager's effective plans to perfection.
They'll need to step it up a gear against an England outfit that will be keen to bounce back from a disappointing World Cup, where the Swiss somehow contrived to fail to get out of the group stages despite a hard-fought 1-0 win over eventual world champions Spain in their opening match.
Australia are hardly of the quality of their upcoming opponents but in some ways they mirror the strengths of the English, particularly in terms of physique. Add to that the fact that a number of the Socceroos have made their names on the English domestic scene and this is a perfect warm-up match for the Swiss.
The Osieck Era
Pim Verbeek's reign as Australia manager ended at the group stages in South Africa and was characterized by a conservative approach both in the way of tactics and personnel selection.
Those fans though who are hoping for a rather more cavalier style could be disappointed by Holger Osieck, the Asian Champions League-winning coach who will take charge of the Socceroos for the first time ever against Switzerland.
With a reputation before him for tending towards a defensive outlook, all eyes will be on the German and the way he sets out his first ever Australia starting XI, with groaning expected if thedreaded 4-2-3-1 makes another appearance.
It's quite an incredible transformation in the mindset of Australian fans and media within the space of four years; before that impressive showing at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, qualification for major tournaments was demanded above all else, including aesthetics. Now it seems as though the manner in which qualification is achieved is just as important as achieving qualification itself.
Can Osieck handle the pressure?
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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