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Exclusive: A-League Clubs Can Match Japanese - Matt Simon
The Socceroo believes clubs from Down Under can match their cashed-up J-League counterparts.
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Apr 29, 2009 5:35:21 AM
Central Coast Mariners striker Matt Simon believes Australian sides can compete with their Japanese rivals on the Asian club scene, despite the financial power of J-League.
The Mariners recently were beaten by Kawasaki Frontale twice in the space of two weeks during the Asian Champions League group stages, mauled 5-0 in Gosford before being edged out 2-1 in Japan.
In last season’s Champions League, Adelaide United were comprehensively beaten 5-0 over two legs of their final against Gamba Osaka, before losing out to the same side in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Since Australia’s move into the Asian Football Confederation in 2006, an A-League team has never beaten a Japanese one in the Champions League.
Sydney FC’s 2-2 draw with the Urawa Red Diamonds in the 2007 ACL - the Reds would go on to be crowned champions of Asia - has since only been matched by the Newcastle Jets, who drew away against Nagoya Grampus before being beaten at home in the current competition.
Simon was forced to watch his own team’s humiliating home defeat against Frontale from the stands because of suspension and says the result was more a reflection of individual errors than a difference in ability.
“Sitting at the top of the grandstand watching the game, I believe five mistakes from ourselves gave them five goals,” Simon told Goal.com. “I don’t think they were a five-goal better team than us; I was confident that with a game plan in Kawasaki we could match them.”
For the most part of the following match, the Mariners held out their opponents and equalised through the 23-year-old striker after conceding a goal courtesy of a goalkeeping error by Danny Vukovic.
With a new-found confidence, Lawrie McKinna’s side pinned the Japanese back in their own half and perhaps should have won the game after wasting a number of half-chances.
Kawasaki though stole victory with barely ten minutes remaining, a result that has been difficult to take for Simon and his team-mates.
He continued, “It’s pretty devastating to not get anything from the game, considering the 5-0 defeat a couple of weeks before.
“I thought we stuck to our game plan quite well and coming back from that 5-0 defeat and to not get anything from a game we deserved was pretty devastating in the end.”
Within the context of his team’s impressive showing away from home, Simon refuted suggestions that there is a discernible gulf in class between Japanese and Australian sides.
“No, I don’t think [there is a gulf in class],” he said. “They obviously have big budgets at their clubs and we’re nowhere near that but I think we showed going into the second match that we can match it these teams.
“They train every day and so do we as well; we get paid a salary and that’s just the way football is in Australia.”
Having forged a reputation for his aerial ability and strength in front of goal, Simon’s presence noticeably unsettled the Kawasaki defence in Japan.
However, the striker says Australian sides have no particular physical advantage over their Asian counterparts and spoke of the technical and tactical sophistication within the region – with the latter crucial to the hopes of A-League teams in Asia.
“I certainly don’t think they’re less physical,” Simon continued. “They are quite fast and are technically very good on the ball.
“They have very good game plans.
“But if we play well and use the right game plans, we can definitely match these teams.”
Currently competing in his first ever ACL campaign, the Australian international has spoken about the positive effects of the club’s participation in Asian football’s premier domestic competition.
He said, “This is definitely huge for the club; it’s good for the fans and good for the South Coast.
“Hopefully we perform in the A-League so that we can keep qualifying for Asia and when the league gets bigger over here, they’ll allow a couple of more teams into Asia.”
The financial and football lure of the Asian region has begun to entice a number of Australian players in recent times, with the likes of Mark Milligan, Joel Griffiths, Mark Bridge and Matthew McKay all opting for a regional move.
“I think it’s obviously a very good opportunity to play there but personally I’m not particularly interested in Asia," Simon said.
“Asia suits some players and doesn’t suit others.”
Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com
The Mariners recently were beaten by Kawasaki Frontale twice in the space of two weeks during the Asian Champions League group stages, mauled 5-0 in Gosford before being edged out 2-1 in Japan.
In last season’s Champions League, Adelaide United were comprehensively beaten 5-0 over two legs of their final against Gamba Osaka, before losing out to the same side in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Since Australia’s move into the Asian Football Confederation in 2006, an A-League team has never beaten a Japanese one in the Champions League.
Sydney FC’s 2-2 draw with the Urawa Red Diamonds in the 2007 ACL - the Reds would go on to be crowned champions of Asia - has since only been matched by the Newcastle Jets, who drew away against Nagoya Grampus before being beaten at home in the current competition.
Simon was forced to watch his own team’s humiliating home defeat against Frontale from the stands because of suspension and says the result was more a reflection of individual errors than a difference in ability.
“Sitting at the top of the grandstand watching the game, I believe five mistakes from ourselves gave them five goals,” Simon told Goal.com. “I don’t think they were a five-goal better team than us; I was confident that with a game plan in Kawasaki we could match them.”
For the most part of the following match, the Mariners held out their opponents and equalised through the 23-year-old striker after conceding a goal courtesy of a goalkeeping error by Danny Vukovic.
With a new-found confidence, Lawrie McKinna’s side pinned the Japanese back in their own half and perhaps should have won the game after wasting a number of half-chances.
Kawasaki though stole victory with barely ten minutes remaining, a result that has been difficult to take for Simon and his team-mates.
He continued, “It’s pretty devastating to not get anything from the game, considering the 5-0 defeat a couple of weeks before.
“I thought we stuck to our game plan quite well and coming back from that 5-0 defeat and to not get anything from a game we deserved was pretty devastating in the end.”
Within the context of his team’s impressive showing away from home, Simon refuted suggestions that there is a discernible gulf in class between Japanese and Australian sides.
“No, I don’t think [there is a gulf in class],” he said. “They obviously have big budgets at their clubs and we’re nowhere near that but I think we showed going into the second match that we can match it these teams.
“They train every day and so do we as well; we get paid a salary and that’s just the way football is in Australia.”
Having forged a reputation for his aerial ability and strength in front of goal, Simon’s presence noticeably unsettled the Kawasaki defence in Japan.
However, the striker says Australian sides have no particular physical advantage over their Asian counterparts and spoke of the technical and tactical sophistication within the region – with the latter crucial to the hopes of A-League teams in Asia.
“I certainly don’t think they’re less physical,” Simon continued. “They are quite fast and are technically very good on the ball.
“They have very good game plans.
“But if we play well and use the right game plans, we can definitely match these teams.”
Currently competing in his first ever ACL campaign, the Australian international has spoken about the positive effects of the club’s participation in Asian football’s premier domestic competition.
He said, “This is definitely huge for the club; it’s good for the fans and good for the South Coast.
“Hopefully we perform in the A-League so that we can keep qualifying for Asia and when the league gets bigger over here, they’ll allow a couple of more teams into Asia.”
The financial and football lure of the Asian region has begun to entice a number of Australian players in recent times, with the likes of Mark Milligan, Joel Griffiths, Mark Bridge and Matthew McKay all opting for a regional move.
“I think it’s obviously a very good opportunity to play there but personally I’m not particularly interested in Asia," Simon said.
“Asia suits some players and doesn’t suit others.”
Chris Paraskevas, Goal.com
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|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
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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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