As a veteran of two World Cup tournaments, Scott Chipperfield knows how important it is to employ the right tactics in Russia.
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Wollongong’s former Socceroo reckons Guus Hiddink got it exactly right in 2006 when Australia were knocked out in controversial circumstances in the round of 16 by eventual champions Italy.
But Chipperfield said the approach in 2010 put Australia on the back-foot from the get go.
The Socceroos failed to progress to the knockout stages after losing their opening game 4-0 to Germany.
That’s why Chipperfield, who nowadays spends his time in Wollongong and Switzerland running his Chippers Finishing School coaching clinics, likes the ‘Athletico Madrid’ approach favoured by Bert van Marwijk.
Speaking to the Mercury ahead of Australia’s opening game against France on Saturday night (8pm), Chipperfield said the Socceroos’ manager had shown with Holland in 2010, when the Dutch made the final, that he knew how to get the best out of his teams at a World Cup.
“I expect Australia to be more defensive and compact against the French team. Hopefully they can steal a goal on the counter attack or something,” the 68-cap Socceroo great said.
I expect Australia to be more defensive and compact against the French team. Hopefully they can steal a goal on the counter attack or something.
- Scott Chipperfield
“It is not an easy group but France are obviously the stand out to top the group. The other three teams are pretty even I reckon so obviously it will come down to the head to head with Denmark and Peru.
“But the first game is crucial, you don’t want to be losing too heavily, like we did in 2010.”
The 42-year-old felt Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann, who just knocked back a Barcelona offer to resign with Athletico Madrid, were French danger players.
“But really they have some good players all over the park. So the France game will not be easy. If we can get a draw, narrow defeat or perhaps somehow snatch a win, that would be great.”
Chipperfield is of the opinion that Australia should and will play a more offensive-style game in their second outing against Denmark.
“This is a game we can win so you can be a little bit more offensive but obviously they will be keeping a close eye on [Christian] Eriksen,” he said.
“He is their main player. Everything goes through him, especially the set pieces around the box. He is very dangerous.
“We can’t give away any silly fouls around the box because they will punish us with their set pieces.
“In saying that it is also a game we can win.”
The former FC Basel star wasn’t sure of what to make of Australia’s other group opponents Peru, but said he wasn’t impressed with their two-legged win over New Zealand which secured them the World Cup berth.
Chipperfield though believes Peru has some good players, including captain Paolo Guerrero, who is free to play after having his drug ban recently overturned.
Jefferson Farfán, who plays his club football in Russia with Lokomotiv Moscow, is another danger player.
“But Australia also has some really good, creative players,” he said.
“I think Tom Rogic is our main man. He can create and score goals. If he has a good World Cup then I think Australia can go at least to the knockout stages.”
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
