Cautions: CC: Dee (7), Kelly (8,85), Wilson (81) SU: Bennet (6), Kupresak (32), Plesa (61) Send Offs: CC: Kelly (85) SU: nil Officials: Referee: C. Diomis (NSW) Referee's Assistants: G. Dunster, B. Wilson 4th Official: B. Williams
Six months have gone and not much has changed since last season. "We just did not have the desire and hunger to want to win it" was Cosmos coach Branko Culina's summing up of the match. For the Cosmos, missing a number of their top players, the two main features of their game last season - lack of scoring and poor defence - were the highlights of Saturday's game against Sydney United.
A scoreline that matched the one from last season was being kind to Sydney as they also played as a shadow of last year's team, but were able to take advantage of their chances when Canberra were lacking.
The locals could and should have been a few ahead with less than seven full minutes on the clock. First Harry James muffed a one-on-one in the opening minute and then five minutes later he was taken out by Peter Bennet in the penalty area. Rodrigo stepped up and meekly sent the ball the same way Andrew Crews in goal was going. Was this a sign of things to come for the season?
A blow to the local side and punishment came in a double dose within only fifteen minutes. Ante Moric lost the ball near halfway allowing Abbas Saad and Dave Mitchell to break. Mitchell did all the hard work to setup Saad for what eventuated as an easy tap-in.
Not so long after this, Andy Ravanello, deputising for Ivan Zelic as sweeper, passed the ball back to Paul Jones in goal. Jones' clearance went 25m to a free Robert Hooker who accepted the favour and chipped the backpeddling keeper to double the Sydney score.
These were two of the rare times that Sydney threatened the Cosmos goal during the first half. One of the best on the ground Michael Musitano had two great chances. The first came from a free kick just outside the box which rebounded off the bar having easily beaten Crews, whilst the second was a screamer just before the break which was only palmed away at the last moment.
Velimir Kupresak was also lucky to stay on the field, when after 30 minutes he took down Tony Lemezina. If it wasn't for a pair of defenders being close by, he would have been considered as the last defender. This would have been a big turning point in the match as Kupresak was a monster in defence throught the time he was on the field.
The second half started dull with both teams settling in to the all-to-familiar long-ball game, something that became a feature of the game for long periods of time. David Mitchell had a chance to increase the score for the visitors but shot wide from close range.
Just under 30 minutes into the half, Cosmos' best player on the park, Dale Wingell worked very hard down the right wing and sent in a low hard cross. It rebounded to substitute Peter Buljan who had enough time to settle and pick his spot in a packed penalty area. The lead had been halved and there was still a chance.
A few minutes later Mitchell had a great chance to finish the game off when a Norman Kelly error allowed substitute Nick Bosevski to take the ball in to the penalty area and set it up for Mitchell. Unfortunately for the visitors, Dave skyed the ball, blaming it on a bad bounce (sure Dave!).
With ten minutes to go, another substitute for Canberra played his part in the result. Lindsay Wilson was out manouvered by Mitchell to be on his wrong side and eventually became involved in a tugging duel which ended up with Mitchell falling in the penalty area. This generated a penalty kick which Paul Bilokapic stepped up and planted into the bottom right corner.
To add misery to the night, Norman Kelly, who had been earlier cautioned for dissent, did a really stupid thing in purposfully handling the ball when there was no reason to. Hence came his second caution and he became the first Cosmos player to be sent off. [Side note: Kelly is captain of the team and Musitano is vice captain, but Musi won't play next week as well as he's not in Branko's plan of the midfield. So who will be captain next week?]
Sydney coach David Mitchell summed up his side's game by using one of his players as an example. "Robbie Hooker gave his heart out and that's the example of what this team's going to be about." For those who don't know Robert arrived back from Tunisia on Saturday morning.
The mood in the Cosmos dressing room was very somber, and after a while I was able to chat with Branko. [In fact I was the only one to talk with him as the others just didn't hang around.] He had a lot to say.
"We gave away three silly goals, and had enough chances in the firt half. It's immaturity. We had some of our so-called players out (Giannasca, Zelic, Perinovic and Popovich) and we need to reshuffle. The defence let us down badly. We gave away those two goals and that really killed us. A couple of key players in the midfield didn't perform. Mind you they showed in the first half that they could play a bit and create a few chances.
"It was just disappointing that they let their heads drop in the second half." Regards the will to win, "This has got to change; it will change, but we just need a little more time. We need some players who will work a bit harder, the touches will come later. We've got to be competitive and challenge for the ball. Today was going to be that sort of game."
So, the team started the season off where they left it, with another loss. Next week is up to Marconi to play the Stallions coming off a loss to Olympic in the last minute. Early comments about Marconi are that they aren't that good, and hopefully with the inclusion of three of the missing four in the backline, things will improve and the Canberra fans can get ready for Carlton with a 1-1 record.
Notes:
* Andy Roberts was taken to hospital after the game to be examined for
concussion. He received a knock just before half-time and it didn't affect him
until during the half-time break.
* Marko Perinovic still has not been released by his Singapore club, as there
is a problem with finances.
* A decision by SA's tribunal has stated that Canberra must pay Sydney Utd
$30,000 in 14 days and that any future deal regarding Moric sees 75% go to
Sydney Utd. Wow!
* Tony Giannasca was married at the Olim's Hotel on the Saturday afternoon and
will not be available for the Marconi game as well.
* Ivan Zelic recived a mild concussion on Thursday night and was ruled out by
Cosmos doctor Trevor Law for a full seven days.
* Toplica Popovich has a mild groin strain but should be back for Marconi.
* Ross Jones has been named the new CEO of the Canberra Cosmos. He comes from a
background of managing the ANU Sports Union. I have dealt with him for many
years and as an administrator he is superb. He doesn't have the ideals alike
the previous two, but is more of a common-sense type of person. Ross lives in
Canberra and is also a local referee.
* Bruce Campbell has increased the amount of soccer coverage in Canberra
enormously by obtaining a 6 hour slot on Friday's between 9am and 3pm. The
program starts on Friday Oct 17th and there's hope that the station will get
the licence to broadcast at night and hence we may see some live Cosmos
broadcasts.
* Speaking of live broadcasts, a Sydney Croation radio station was doing the
game last Saturday.