Australia strolled to a 3-0 victory of Qatar in an Asian Zone World Cup qualifier tonight and it could easily have been more. Qatar only had one good chance.

And this highlighted the difference a good coach can make.

Under Guus Hiddink Australia played very well at the World Cup 2006, going out to a last minute penalty winner to eventual champions Italy

Graham Arnold took over and it was all down-hill from there. The standard of football fell away dramatically and Australia flopped (as one of the favourites) at the Asian Nations Cup.

Pim Verbeek (another Dutchman) took over recently and while it is early days yet, with limited preparation time, coached Australia to an easy victory in the aforementioned game tonight. The verve and the passing game and the quality football were back.

Yep good post. He had such a presence on the bench...He didnt just sit there like a stunned mullet hoping for the best like GA, he commanded the field and kept the players on there toes...Also made timely substitutions.

Really liking this bloke.

no surprises.. can't believe the crap pim was copping after the scratch match against mvfc and his (accurate) comments about the a-league. i only watched the first half, from what i saw he has them playing far better than arnold who is really no better than a thief and an imposter, should hand back all the cash he took for his work as 'manager'

Pim's a coach, and he has no conflicts of interest. He is there for the sole purpose of getting Australia to the WC.

Arnold has been around for too long with the lads, and much like the issue we had with Farina, he didn't get much respect from the players as a coach/manager.

They're all friends in there under Arnold/Farina, and so the difference is mainly that it's a complete outsider looking after the national squad. An outsider doesn't have to maintain friendships... or other links...

Was it Venables that we had pre-Farina? Stretching my mind back... Iran... *shiver* Anyway, I think he had all sorts of conflicts with being Portsmouth manager at the time and he was getting Aussies in his club team and what not...

Was a very good performance. 1st half was excellent.

Was a decent night although next time, think I'll just stand at my seats. Was too hard to see and standing on the poles was shite!

Highlight of the night was definitely Eddie Mitros' special apperance. I gave him a card with info about our supporter group so hopefully he finds our forum.

LOL!

I never get tired of watching players like Cahill, McDonald, Neill etc.. in the flesh. just great to watch.

Even Carney was class as, when you think back to the quality of A-League we see, the one touch stuff that is basic for Eurpean players still blows me away.
Disappointed Archie didn't come home for the home fans

pretty good day/night
went to cricket b4 hand...made some noise
probably had more to drink than i thought
hence kissing the leeds emblem on someones shirt!!!

turned away for every goal
made me very angry
and watched the second half very closely.....for nothing
next time i won't bother going to my row 4 seats
coz you cant see the other side very well

oh well we won