All Star review : Just how did our boys go?

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Article by e-Football's A-League Correspondent Stivie Krstanoski (Aus)

 

The return of Manchester United to our shores didn't exactly go to script when they played against our A-League All Stars team. The Premier League champions, who are currently in full pre-season training put on a clinic at ANZ stadium - running out 5-1 winners thanks to braces from Danny Welbeck and Jesse Lingard, Robin Van Persie came on to finish the game off, with a cool finish after some clumsy work. The champions were playing some tidy football, and you could see from early in the game that they did not want to be on the losing side back to back after coming off a loss to Thailand.

 

The game itself showed flashes of brilliance from both sides, Zaha showing his new fans just what they have in store for this season with some tantalising runs down both flanks. Although he didn't get on the score sheet, he was my stand out performer for United. He was always a threat, played with pace and flair that really pleased the Sydney crowd. Jesse Lingard was the one name on the team sheet that a lot of casual fans thought nothing of, there was a sense of disappointment when he was announced. However, the young Englishman wasted no time to make a name for himself in front of 83,000 screaming fans. Danny Welbeck proved a handful for the All-Stars defence with his direct play but we all know, he will have to do more than score two goals against the All Stars of the A-League to even be considered in David Moyes' plans for the upcoming Premier League.

 

As for the All Stars, in my opinion, there was only 3 players that put on the blue jersey that night that showed from kick-off that they were up for the game. Those 3 players - Bersat Berisha, Thomas Broich & Pedj Bojic. Berisha, our only goal scorer of the game, showed an instant desire to score against the champions of English football. He played tirelessly, covered every blade of grass he could and fought hard for the ball. You could see that it meant a lot for him to have that chance to score a goal against Manchester Utd and he took it in true Berisha style. Broich, a constant threat in the middle of the park was one of the only players who could put his foot on the ball and keep possession for the All Stars. Finally, Bojic showed his home town of Sydney exactly what he brings to the table. Bombing down the right flank, causing problems for world class defenders such as Patrice Evra. Pedj almost had a goal to show for it as well, twice unlucky to score.

 

The ultimate question I have been asked all week is "Was that really our All Stars team, or simply the best All Stars we could put in a squad at that time?"

 

I would have to say no, it wasn't our best. Far from the leagues best. No disrespect to the lads who went out there, but it seemed to me a lot of them were just waiting for half time and full time to swap shirts, instead of trying to prove a point to the world on how far our game has come.

 

I have no doubt that if Dario Vidosic, Archie Thompson, Alessandro Del Piero etc had played in that game - we would have seen a different outcome. It's this kind of game that those players dream of. A chance to show the world, just how good they are. For those of you that didn't know, the Socceroos played the same night against South Korea, which lead to a lot of true All Star A-League players missing the clash against United.

 

The one thing this game proved is that football in Australia is very much alive. It is hard to see that if you look at the scoreline alone, you have to look past the scoreline and look at the facts. The Premier League starts in less than a month, so naturally Manchester United are in full swing doing double sessions every day and playing hard. We have a long time to wait for the A-League to kick off, most of the players were still on holiday or doing light training before the All Stars game. So for the game, and our league to receive negative comments from people like Scott Chipperfield was very upsetting to see.

 

"Chippers" had this to say on his Twitter account after the game:
"I guess that will keep quiet the people that think the A League is on par with Europe. #dreamon"

 

A real harsh comment considering the nature of the game, I let Scott know how I felt, tweeting him back telling him it's not cool what he is saying about our league. That the game didn't paint a clear picture of the A-League, and he knows it. He replied:
" Why not? People compare A league to Europe all the time. Classes different"

 

He then continued on to tweet other fans who pulled him up over his unnecessary comments, claiming that Manchester had a 2nd string team with only 3 starters playing. Which, for anyone who watched the game knows is simply not true. So why these kinds of comments from the former Socceroo? The whole "All Stars" model game was designed to give back to the country by attracting big name teams from around to world to treat our fans. It's not there for former players like Chippers to disrespect in the public.

 

The game will improve, hopefully the scheduling is better next year with less clashes. One thing is for certain, we must keep the All Stars game going and continue to attract big name clubs to grace us with tours in the future.

 

Let me know what you think, I am always up for a chat. Comment below, or tweet me at @StivieKay
I got some massive treats for all my readers coming very soon, some exclusive interviews with A-League superstars.

 

Until next time,

 

Stivie Krstanoski

e Football A-League

 

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