Canberra FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers 25//08/2015 7:00PM

1-0 Fathead,

Edge of the box

*fixed

2-0. Piovaccari.

Appropriate for the weather the floodgates might have opened.

Jamieson and the lines ref exchanging a few words...

Changes at HT.

OFF: Redmayne, Hamill, Neville, Alberto, Piovaccari, Dimas.

ON: Bouzanis, Baccus, Aspro, Alessi, Youlley, Sotirio.

3-0 Santalab.

.

For the people that are there, how did the foreigners play?

Am i the only one excited our big target man scored in 40 minutes of play?

 

 

3-0 win

Sounds like there was a load of difference between this friendly & the game played against the same oppo last go round. That game saw a lot of trialists and very few main team players (from memory something like 8 regulars from season 2/3 were missing). This time Popa went in with who he wanted with the fewest omissions from those he wants to run with this coming season

CapitalFootballâ€@CapitalFootball

FT @ Deakin. Good crowd for a skilflul, entertaining friendly. A-League visitors too strong. WSWanderers 3 Canberra FC 0. #cbrfcwsw

Forget about unimportant questions concerning how we played and how the foreigners went. Let's focus on the most important question.

Did Fred do his Pied Piper goal celebration?

Was there any Pyro?

i would say that canberra started the strongest, should have scored early on but missed a sitter.

we then worked our way into the game.

There is a definite change of philosophy, with the players looking at playing the ball through the middle, rather than using the width.

First half goals were well taken.

Second half, i thought, was much better than the first despite only scoring one goal. Controlled the game much better and quicker movement. Sotrio set up a very nice goal for santalab. If sotirio plays like that, he will actually push castelen for a spot (not sure why sotirio would play on the right, when the left is the area needed for improvement).

I think that trialist from poppondetta game that stood out, played again, but this time as right back. Did very well.

Despite the win, could see popa telling the players off a couple of times.

Always have to remember that this game for the local teams is a massive occasion. To play against professionals and a club as globally known as the Wanderers (yes, globally!). Once you weather the storm then they're usually cannon fodder.

Was there any Pyro?

Can someone please answer this important question

How did Dimas and Alberto go? What did people think of Piovaccari?

Sounds like there was a load of difference between this friendly & the game played against the same oppo last go round. That game saw a lot of trialists and very few main team players (from memory something like 8 regulars from season 2/3 were missing). This time Popa went in with who he wanted with the fewest omissions from those he wants to run with this coming season

 

 

What we learned in Canberra

image: http://www.wswanderersfc.com.au/di/library/Western_Sydney_Wanderers/99/96/piovaccari-dimas-alberto_1dg80ogtpti8l1hrjq6qn6xqt8.png?t=1728478175

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Piovaccari, Dimas and Alberto all turned out in Wanderers colours for the first time

Wednesday, 26 August 2015  - 

@dom_trimboli

 Comments

It was a cold, wet and miserable night at Deakin Stadium, but there was plenty to warm the heart after Tuesday night’s 3-0 win over NPL ACT league winners Canberra FC.

Here’s what we saw. 

 

New boys fit like a glove 

 

The match marked the unofficial debuts of marquee man Federico Piovaccari and Spanish duo Dimas and Alberto – and boy do they look good in a Wanderers kit. 

 

In his 45 minutes on the pitch, Piovaccari showed why he’ll be a handful for A-League defenders this season, throwing around his bullish frame to good effect and looking to goal at every half opportunity. 

 

He threatened early when he cannoned a shot off the post, before cutting back to Mark Bridge to set up the opener. Soon after, the Italian displayed his in-the-box instincts, reacting first to the keeper’s parry of a Bridge shot to slot home and open his account for the Wanderers.

Meanwhile in midfield, Dimas gave us a glimpse of how he might compliment compatriot and fellow holding mid Andreu, once the latter overcomes injury. 

 

Part orchestrator-part destroyer, Dimas is seemingly as comfortable dropping between the centre-backs to collect possession and jumpstart the attack, as he is hounding the ball carrier and pinching possession. And he sure doesn’t shy away from a physical challenge. 

 

In the heart of defence, Alberto was largely untroubled by the Canberra FC frontline during his first half display. He showed a solid understanding with centre-back partner Brendan Hamill, and was calm and measured when playing out of trouble. Encouraging signs from a man who’s only been in the country for a coupe of weeks. 

 

Our style is evolving – slowly 

 

Much has been said about the arrival of new Spanish assistant coach Andrés Carrasco and what type of impact he might have on the Wanderers’ style of play. 

 

Though whether it’s Carrasco’s influence or Tony Popovic tweaking the status quo, the times appear to be changing indeed. 

 

Arguably a traditionally counter-attacking team, it looks as though the Wanderers are adopting a more progressive style of play, one that is proactive rather than reactive, more front-foot than back-foot – where meaningful possession is valued above all else. 

 

Whenever the ball was lost, there was a burning endeavor to win it back immediately and an even greater focus on keeping hold of it thereafter. 

 

Our block of six at the back was typically compact and structured when tested, but there now seems to be an active focus on making the opposition do most of the defending instead. 

 

It’s certainly pleasing on the eye. 

 

Santa’s back and hungrier than ever 

 

One of the most pleasing stories to come out of the game was the long-awaited return of Brendon Santalab. 

 

You could’ve forgiven Santa for taking a bit of time to find his feet but the striker had other ideas, rocketing home a square ball across the box with his first touch of the game after a surging run from Jaushua Sotirio. 

“I’ve worked very hard and I’m very happy to be back,†Santalab said after the game. 

 

“You always want to score and when you score so quick it’s a little bit of a surprise, but I’ll take it and move forward from this and take a lot of confidence from tonight.†

He was only on the pitch for just over half an hour but Santalab showed enough of his trademark tenacity to suggest he’s well on the road to regaining his form and fitness.

 

Operation 8 October is on track 

 

Time and time again, Tony Popovic has stressed that the pre-season period is geared entirely towards having the team in the best possible shape come day one of the A-League season. 

 

In what is an exasperatingly long off-season, timing is everything – fail to meet targets and the competition will run away from you; peak too early and be prepared to run on empty sooner rather than later. 

 

Yet Popovic and the backroom staff are being meticulous and calculated in their player management. No one is being rushed into situations their bodies can’t handle, as every substitution, every minute spent on (or off) the park is pre-planned and rationalised. 

 

The next step in Operation 8 October comes on Tuesday as the Wanderers take on Palm Peach SC in the Round of 16 of the FFA Cup. 

 

It remains to be seen what kind of line-up Popa will send out on the pitch at Cbus Super Stadium, but you can bet there’ll be a reason behind every selection. 

Read more at http://www.wswanderersfc.com.au/article/what-we-learned-in-canberra/fy1l68m2slq817apgy88n4tfc#9KsYpD0vgkGR630F.99

Attendance?

what food was on offer? any spit again?

@andypk

thanks for the write up, much appreciated.

Piovaccari to get 4 with assists to Jamieson, Bridge, Castelan and Nichols.

Bit ambitious weren't you? Not too far away from the score line though!!

 

Piovaccari to get 4 with assists to Jamieson, Bridge, Castelan and Nichols.

Bit ambitious weren't you? Not too far away from the score line though!!

 

Was not a serious post but it is indicative of what I want to see.  i.e. strikers scoring goals and multiple others getting assists.  We have been a fairly low scoring club so far and we need to be seen as a club with multiple avenues of attack and therefore constant threats.

The Wanderers looked very good in Canberra. I'm really impressed with their short, high tempo passing game but you could argue that they should be superior to this level of opposition. The home side played their part and created several chances they could well have scored.  The large majority of the possession however was with the Wanderers and the movement from both ball and players looked sharp from first kick to last. Piovacarri, Dimas and Alberto are clearly fantastic additions to the squad and will improve as they have more minutes in their legs.  Romeo struggled to stay on his feet in the first half and a change of boots at the interval meant a better second half for him.

 

Sotirio was fantastic in the second half, playing as a right sided attacker. Gaspari played at right back in the second half and managed to push on and deliver some good crosses. He was also unlucky not to score when he was allowed to cut inside and curl a great left footed shot just wide of the keepers far post. Santalab scored with his first touch after some great work by Sotirio. Santalab was his busy self as usual and looked really sharp.  Baccas and Youlley ran the midfield in the second half and hardly gave the ball away. Youlley had a fantastic effort cannon off the crossbar in the closing minutes.

 

Before a ball was kicked this season there seemed to some criticism of the Neville and Pepper signings. So far I have been impressed with both and see them as good additions to the squad and I'd say both have a bright future under Popa. It's still early days though and against better opposition they may be found out but I'm confident they'll be fine.

 

Oh, and no pyro

they are the best team in the ACT - we weren't even the best team in our own stadium last season.

good write up too mate.