By Eamonn Flanagan
June 12th 2009 @ 1:58am
Loading ...Who’ll make the cut for the World Cup squad?
The Australian Socceroos during a training session at Ballymore. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Well, we’re booked for the 2010 World Cup. But who will go? Twenty three players, including three goalies, and maybe only three or four places still to be decided, injuries aside.
Last night, Pim Verbeek revealed a further eight possibilities to the eleven that started in Qatar.
Having watched the thirteen qualifiers so far, and a couple of Asian Cup games, it’s not hard to see who will be grabbing their bags – assuming Pim is at the helm.
With Brett Emerton another definite, and a team desperate for a striker, Mark Viduka could yet grab a spot.
So in reality, are there any spots left? Who has a chance?
Keepers:
1. Mark Schwarzer
2. Michael Petkovic
3. Brad Jones/Adam Federici
The keepers are fighting for a reserve spot, it seems, with Adam Federici an outside possibility of removing the shaky Brad Jones. Injury to the aging Schwarzer might be their best chance.
Defenders:
4. Lucas Neill
5. Craig Moore
6. Chris Coyne
7. Mark Milligan
8. Luke Wilkshire
9. Jade North
10. Scott Chipperfield
11. David Carney
Craig Moore concerns me. Asia is one thing, but watching him kicking lumps out of Messi, Rooney or Drogba would be very embarrassing, particularly as they would probably have already scored by the time Craig landed his mark.
I’d prefer he didn’t go. The pace has gone.
Scott Chipperfield is slowing and David Carney can’t defend at the highest level. We have problems in defence, with only Matthew Spiranovic likely to break into the above group.
Michael Beauchamp to be overlooked.
Midfield:
12. Brett Emerton
13. Jason Culina
14. Vince Grella
15. Carl Valeri
16. Mile Sterjovski
17. Brett Holman
18. Tim Cahill
19. Mark Bresciano
Midfield is a strength, particularly our defensive midfield pack. Mile Jedinak showed his flaws again last night and can contemplate a holiday next June.
Australia keep the ball so much better with Grella and Valeri. We might not always use it well in the final third, but we shut down other teams with ball composure at times.
This will be crucial to our success in South Africa.
Nicky Carle might break through if the media holler loud enough, but he’d need to replace the Dutch Eredivision Brett Holman. Not likely. A case of any league being better than the English Championship Nicky.
But again, I’m not expecting any changes from the above. Mile Sterjovski may quietly disappear, but another goal last night could see him remain in the pack.
Any bolters out there?
The Olympics showed our midfield depth, or lack of it. Ben Kantarovski could be an outside chance, but at the expense of who? And is he really that good at just 17?
Which leaves our strike force.
Mark Viduka will go if he’s fit and plays the season, mainly because he is the greatest strategic game plan we’ve had in years.
Tim Cahill and Marco Bresciano look much more dynamic working off the Duke, even if he can’t move anymore. Or could Bruce Djite push his way in? He needs to hurry up.
Anyone else coming through? Anyone fast?
Well, Nikita Rukavystya is the standout for me. His pace caused Argentina problems at the Olympics and that is good enough for me.
Off the bench, Nikita could frustrate us all, but you just never know. He can score.
The Aussie team is crying out for pace with or without Viduka. Nikita might just force his way in, as Pim searches for a secret weapon, albeit a rusty one, in many areas of his game.
Attackers:
20. Bruce Djite
21. Josh Kennedy
22. Harry Kewell
23. Scott McDonald
Next most likely:
24. Mark Viduka
25. Nicky Carle
26. Nikita Rukavystya
27. Matthew Spiranovic
28. Mile Jedanik
29. Pippinu and other hopefuls.
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sheek said | June 12th 2009 @ 8:56am | Report comment
Eamonn,
Good stuff & well written, I really can’t add much. Your list demonstrates our lack of depth after the top 17-18 players. Will anyone new stand up in the next 9 months?
A mate of mine said we lacked a top class striker & attacking midfielder. On the basis of your lists, this seems true. Our first choice goalkeeper is our strongest suite, followed by our midfield overall, our defence, & with our attackers lagging badly.
Is it any wonder Pim has chosen a conservative playing style???
Tom said | June 12th 2009 @ 9:11am | Report comment
Agree with your squad. Sterjovski probably most likely to be ommitted of the 23 above.
If Vidosic gets a regular game for Nurnberg next season I doubt Pim will overlook him for Sterj at Perth Glory.
whiskeymac said | June 12th 2009 @ 9:15am | Report comment
IMO troisi and rhys williams might need consideration. troisi is doing well in turkey and although he plays in the most contested positions in the park roo-wise he could be a bolter in the next few months. Williams also – plays for Burnley now (was Boro) which means EPL defender – plus wih plenty of euro u21 international action via his flirtations with Wales he isnt as green as some. Possibly a better consideration at the back than most of the others on the list. If Spiranovic can throw of the flu, he should be a good bet as a player too and “up” the pecking order.
Re Craig Moore kicking – well Neill for me is a worse offender at this type of play and moore brings somuch experience it would be foolish to ignore his claims. Has Coyne or Milliagn played the likes of Messi, Kaka or Ronaldo yet?
unfrtunately for us arm chair managers i cant see the team or squad having too many bolters played in between now and 2010. Maybe 2011 will be the time when most of these promising youngsters are given a go.
Eamonn said | June 12th 2009 @ 9:20am | Report comment
Agreed Sheek many are talking about the attacking nature of the team, or lack of it, but the quality of our players in the final third…only Scott McDonald plays Champions League football which suggests to me that the rest are good, but only the second tier in terms of World football even if they are playing in England, Italy or Turkey etc.
This does restrict your ability to play wonderful attacking football even against the so-called inferior teams from Asia.
Mark Bosnich emphasised this point the other night. Many Aussie sports fans including the Fozzie seems to be missing the point on this.
Even our saviour Nicky Carle is only playing for Crystal Palace…is he really at the level to lift the team a la Ronaldinho, Kaka or Messi. Nicky’s good but clearly not quite good enough to automatically push into the team….maybe he still can.
Eamonn said | June 12th 2009 @ 9:21am | Report comment
Whiskeymac
Carney kept Messi in his pocket at the G:), something Man United couldn’t do.
sam.gilbert said | September 8th 2009 @ 4:30pm | Report comment
oh, i wouldnt necessarily agree with that.. he was all over him.
Mick of Newie said | June 12th 2009 @ 9:49am | Report comment
No surprises there.
I think you have one to many central defenders which reflects the problem to be solved in the next year. Maybe Williams or Spiranovic will have a break out year. Otherwise your team picks itself.
Mattay said | June 12th 2009 @ 9:52am | Report comment
The squad will more or less pick itself. I think you have to take Craig Moore. Chances are, he won’t line up on your Messis or Rooneys. We’ll need him when the mid-tier nations play their big lump forwards.
whiskeymac said | June 12th 2009 @ 9:55am | Report comment
Eamon -i actually like Carney I cant remeber the game that clearlybut truly re:Messi? if true then Man Utd should buy him then. am sure they could afford the aussie Roberto Carlos now they have sold Ronaldo and since he can’t get game time for the blades or canaries he might be open to a new challenge…=)
Eamonn said | June 12th 2009 @ 11:13am | Report comment
whiskeymac
United are set to replace Ronaldo with Nicky…surely!
whiskeymac said | June 12th 2009 @ 11:31am | Report comment
If only Eamonn =)
I wonder which player, if any, from Oz will sign and play regularly for a “big” foreign club again. Each season there’s a player or two who is labelled the next Harry Kewell etc. although none have quite gone onto emulating the dazzinlgy exploits of our confusingly accented icon (espec ially in his Leeds pomp) If Niky, Holland, Djite, Burns and the others who shone in HAL v1-4 play regularly in the next European season then i will be happy.
in your article you mention Kantarovski. maybe him? or are those rumours linking him to Bayern no more valid than the previous ones linking Carney to the club….
getting back to your article and selection. do you think there’s any room in aWC squad for a developmental player? ie as per Walcott in England 06? maybe a Niky or Kanatrovski would fit here – or is Pims predictible selections and conservative approach allowing no room for fututre development?
DAC said | June 12th 2009 @ 12:36pm | Report comment
Do we need to take 3 keepers, I thought we only took 2 to Germany?
DAC said | June 12th 2009 @ 12:40pm | Report comment
With so much quality already in the midfield one option could be to slot Emerton back into the Left Back postion and move Wiltshire to the Right Back position.
jimbo said | June 12th 2009 @ 1:08pm | Report comment
DAC,
3 keepers is the norm – leaves only 20 outfield positions.
Jameswm said | June 12th 2009 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
Thanks Eamonn for this article. I’ve been hoping someone could help the occasional football fan (like me) summarise who our players will most likely be for the WC tilt.
Slippery Jim said | June 12th 2009 @ 1:56pm | Report comment
I’d like to throw the name Patrick Kisnorbo into the mix. He was a fans favourite at Leicester City FC, played over 120 games for them, (although he has been between clubs since May). Although a defender, he also has a better goal scoring record in Europe than Nicky Carle (about one every 12 as opposed to 1 every 15).
Greg said | June 12th 2009 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
I agree that Craig Moore probably will not be touring. He had fitness/injury issues at the end of the A League season and for the Asian Cup qualifiers. He was disappointing v Kuwait in Canberra. In decline, but a great player in days past.
whiskeymac said | June 12th 2009 @ 2:13pm | Report comment
Sj – would tend to agree except isnt kisnorbo between clubs at the moment? didnt liecester let him go recently (despit ebeing their best player pre injury) so i think his biggest problem (minus the Asian Cup) is that he has been injured for so long and hasnt had a lot of game time? but just like some others who get a chance,hopefully he will be looked at again.
whiskeymac said | June 12th 2009 @ 2:16pm | Report comment
what about a bolter coming form therecently touring u20s squad? De Mooy (er i think thats his name) seemed to get some plaudits. plays for bolton. i think he is probably going to be overlooked due to age and fierce competition for midfield/attack positions but if there was a walcott style work experience possie, he might be a worth a punt.
Kazama said | June 12th 2009 @ 2:17pm | Report comment
Yes, Kisnorbo was let go by Leicester at the end of the season. Adelaide United are in the hunt for him according to a report last week in the local rag, but he has stated that he wants to stay in Europe if possible.
whiskeymac said | June 12th 2009 @ 2:25pm | Report comment
Pity for the Reds. as an aside how is their recruitment going considering so many were let go?
I notice no one has spruiked Richard Porta’s name. Jesse not reading this thread? =)
Pippinu said | June 12th 2009 @ 2:47pm | Report comment
Good summary Eammonn.
The analysis is complicated a bit by the fact that all of Carney, Emerton and Wilkshere can play from full back to winger (more or less – and that’s good for us), so that should be kept in mind when allocating spots.
I think Chippers is pretty much the same chance as Dukes of making the squad (i.e. around 50/50).
I’ll be honest – I’m not filled with a great deal of confidence when I look across the names of Milligan, North, Coyne and Moore – we simply can’t contemplate a squad without Spira being there – and one of these will have to make way (most probably the older two, not only because of their age, but because they can only fill the one role). In formulating a 23 man WC squad, you need half your team being able to fill more than one role at a pinch.
Finding a spot for Dukes is looking hard – but I do believe Pim will punt on Dukes for the insurance he provides in his favoured 4231 (which all WC managers will be using) – if he has an injury free season (big if).
Looking at the list of attackers – geez, I can’t help thinking that Ruka would round it off nicely (but who to miss out????)
Who’s this Pippinu bloke??? Never heard of him.
Kazama said | June 12th 2009 @ 2:48pm | Report comment
Pretty slowly. We’re still hunting a final visa player, probably a midfielder, to join Cristiano, Cassio, Alemao and new boy Lloyd Owusu, as well as another centre back. Hopefully we get lucky and Kisnorbo decides to come home, he’d be a great pick-up.
So far we’ve signed Iain Fyfe, Owusu, Adam Hughes and two local boys, Joe Costa and Francesco Monterosso – Monterosso was last season’s Golden Boot winner in the National Youth League.
Brian said | June 12th 2009 @ 2:57pm | Report comment
I agree with most of the above. If Richard Garcia got himself in the first XI at Hull playing regular EPL I would add him. Otherwise I would just add that this is going to be the first WC for a long time played in winter. Temperatures are going to be a lot cooler than 2006. Not a big factor but it could help the cause of the likes of Moore, Sterjovski & Viduka.
Pippinu said | June 12th 2009 @ 2:59pm | Report comment
Brian
that’s an interesting point about the seasons – definitely something we should be planning for (training camp in Southern Australian?)
danny said | June 12th 2009 @ 4:13pm | Report comment
good article. i agree that most of the squad picks itself.
i think that a couple of the backs listed might miss out though. while they’ve been handy in he qualification, i wouldn’t be surprised is north and coyne don’t make it to south africa. i sincerely hope that spiranovic makes the cut, and i think one more season will work in his favour (whereas it will probably work against the likes of moore, coyne +/- north).
someone else that another season may help would be scott jamieson. he was fantastic for the reds this season gone, but i’ll admit he was caught out in the acl. but with another, longer season, another run at the champions league, and (hopefully) a few hit-outs with the a-league incarnation of the socceroos, i reckon he could become a realistic proposition for left back.
not related to who’s in the squad, but i’d love to see neill shift back out to the right. i think he plays his best there, and it would allow him to push forward more. although the wilhshire/emerton combination has been working pretty well down the right.
it’s stating the obvious i know, but another full season could change a lot of things. rhys williams could be playing well in a premiership defence, ruka could break into the first team at twente and get some solid champions league football into him. tim cahill could get a debilitating injury, god forbid.
there’s bound to be a few changes to the list you’ve got, but i reckon it’s not too far from the mark.
Eamonn said | June 12th 2009 @ 4:14pm | Report comment
whiskymac…Bruce Djite or Nikita Rukavystya could make it to a big club..Cahill didn’t get to Everton until he was 24..so they still have time. James Holland is highly rated and could make the step in two or three year if he keeps improving, Matt Spiranovic, Dario Vidosic, Rhys Williams, progressing nicely, Adam Federici , Mark Milligan, (sshh not to loud) James Troisi are all on that next tier down and could come through. My money is on Ben Kantarovski. He seems to me to be “the one,” real standout and he’s just 17.
And of course Kofi Danning. Any young player that has pace and an eye for goal is worth a shot. How far can Kofi go?
And as for bolters from the Under 20’s well most unlikely but if we do have anyone…surely it would be a forward like Kofi Danning…something fast and different but in reality the Under 20’s are just way too young. No Kewell, Rooney or Ronaldo in that mob I don’t think.
Brian you’re right temperatures will be awesome and should make for a wonderful fast world cup…but still not cold enough for Moory:)
And Culina, Sterjovski, Burns, Moore etc are all going to need to get loaned out if they are to make the squad. not to mention all the other A-League players who may think /hope they have an outside chance like Colisimo, Thompson, Aloisi and co. Maybe they can all head to Melbourne/Adelaidefor the Asian Champions League…but even that is more travel than games.
Pippinu..every team needs a 12th man, Archie ain’t going this time….you up for it?
Pippinu said | June 12th 2009 @ 4:39pm | Report comment
Eamonn
I can assure you, I’d be happy to be the 112th man!!
Lmacca said | June 12th 2009 @ 4:41pm | Report comment
Good article – have been thinking about this a fair bit after seeing our B team go round Wednesday.
I think with the possible exception of Culina no one from the A League will go. So that rules out Moore and Sterjovski. I’d say put Spiranovic and Garcia in there to replace them.
You’d think there might be a bolter just based on the fact that a strong season as mentioned above for Williams, Vidosic etc could put them on the plane. My only question with that is that Verbeek isn’t all that consistent with his selection thinking. For example, Kennedy hadn’t been playing for Karlsruhe but was picked ahead of McDonald this season. North hasn’t really been playing in Korea. Holman has played only a small role for AZ. Troisi played more games than Djite did for Gencler. Coyne can’t get a run in park football in England (possibly the most glaring of all the cases). Same deal for Carney, though the lack of players at Left Back is probably his saving grace.
Verbeek hasn’t really shown much interest in playing the young team, the only time he did was v China before the Olympics last year. So the likelihood of Kantarovski or Aaron Mooyor even James Holland getting picked may be remote. I’d also agree with Pip and say Verbeek goes with experience and picks Viduka and Chippers.
The Bear said | June 12th 2009 @ 5:32pm | Report comment
Surely it’s time to pick the backs. Will this be an area of player mismanagement, a la GK for Germany 2006? If it drags on, then less time and energy to address the other areas of the park. Attacking seems to be an issue… how about trialling Vidosic, Porta, Holman, Djite, Troisi, Invincible up front. Hmmm, that’s right, it doesn’t matter who he picks, they just have to be able to stomach playing up their on their lonesome. Who wants that job?…no wonder Dukes is umming and ahhing!
The Bear said | June 12th 2009 @ 5:34pm | Report comment
Actually on that last point, Mel McLaughlin (post Bahrain game in Sydney) said that Johnny Aloisi and Pim had words about filling that role in a chance run in at the SFS. Now i see the where he is going…Only one striker…that is our future folks!
Daniel Phan said | June 12th 2009 @ 7:06pm | Report comment
One name: Ersan Gulum.
Neasden Rovers said | June 12th 2009 @ 7:10pm | Report comment
Your selection is probably close to what Arnold and Pim will pick but it’s a terrible selection. Here’s who should go: Schwarzer, Petkovic, Jones, Neill, Chipperfield, Milligan, North, Beauchamp, Moore, Carney, Wilkshire, Valeri, Grella, Culina, Kewell, Emerton, Cahill, Bresciano, Sterjovski, Carle, Djite, Rukavytsya, Kennedy. If we’re going to have a choice of 3 solid DMs then we should at least include the dangerous Sterjovski and Kennedy, creative Carle and the pacy youngsters on top of the golden generation attacking mids to have some danger up front. But please NO HOLMAN waste of space, waste of the ball.
Possibles: Garcia, Stefanutto, Vidosic, Porter, Coyne. I’d have said Viduka 2 weeks ago but if he isn’t even going to play Japan then he obviously can’t be bothered. No parachutes in to Cape Town please.
Greg Russell said | June 12th 2009 @ 8:44pm | Report comment
Pim always springs a surprise or two with every squad. I mean, where did Adrian Madaschi come from recently – did Jesse Fink send Pim a DVD of the 1999 U17 WCs? I have no doubt that in our 2010 WC squad there will be a bolter or two. There is a bit of the Sven (Theo Walcott in 2006 – brilliant talent-spotting, as it turned out) in all coaches. One of the reasons why FIFA expanded WC squads to 23 was precisely so that coaches could make a pick or two like this.
The other thing is that Pim is a meticulous planner and swotter. He will spend months watching DVDs of our group opponents once the draw is made, and I have no doubt that there will be some choices in his squad who are purely dictated by who these opponents are.
Tom said | June 12th 2009 @ 8:49pm | Report comment
You’re pretty tough Neasden. You call it a terrible selection but you’d only make three changes to it!
And did you mean to leave out McDonald?
eh said | June 12th 2009 @ 8:55pm | Report comment
yeah but greg , madaschi hasnt arrived yet. squad maybe but unless he gets gametime really what was the point… i know it allows Pim to have a closer look at him but his name will be a footnote just below carles unless we see him play.
i am hoping that there’s a walcott type passenger.
and Kaz, thanks for repsonding re reds. hope there season goes well, i think the comp is better with them firing in it. helps me in my fantasy footy selections too… kisnorbo wld be good to see in the HAL (unlikely but then again who wld have thought Burns, Sterj wld e playing for Glory?)
whiskeymac said | June 12th 2009 @ 9:00pm | Report comment
oops. last post wrong log in….
ok dan i bit but not much on mr gulum. u23 turkish aussie player… mate of yours or whats the scoop?
sheek said | June 12th 2009 @ 10:51pm | Report comment
Greg,
When you mentioned your ‘dream team’ previously, can I pencil you in as chief reseacher?
sheek said | June 12th 2009 @ 10:54pm | Report comment
I think that should read researcher.
After 6 beers,////- & a bottle of shiraz;’;'//, I’m struggling to read the “qwerty”.
Midfielder said | June 13th 2009 @ 12:18am | Report comment
Eamonn
Some more for consideration
David Williams, Ruka, Dario Vidosic, Matthew Spiranovic, James Troisi ( A MUST BE IN), Rhys Williams, Bradden Inman (A MUST FOR A SQUAD PLACE), Brett Emerton (back in), Michael Beauchamp, Christian Vieri, Shane Lowry, Richard Porta,
Just some others to add Nathan Burns, Jamieson, Musialik, Danning, Minniecon, Holland, Bridge..
whiskeymac said | June 13th 2009 @ 7:59am | Report comment
what happened to David Williams? still at Brondby?
hopefully musialik & the others SFC boys will develop their game under the czech coach, but at this stage cant see them usurping anyone in the squad.
Eamonn said | June 13th 2009 @ 6:05pm | Report comment
Midfielder, I’d considered the lot of them but didn’t want to waste your time..it’s the World Cup not Xmas!
Thanks for the long list..but Ruka..maybe, Vidosic needs to have a great year as does Williams and Spiranovic athough Spiro must be a real chance, Troisi..haven’t seem much to impress but others rave..why is he not playing now for Oz if he is so good…this world cup is too early for him..
Inman is 17 if he’s as good as Harry was then okay otherwise not a chance in hell. I suspect not a chance in hell.
Richard Porta:) you a mate of Cockerills!..Burns, Jamison, Minniecon, Bridge..I’ve got more chance. Danning over Ruka v. unlikely.
whiskeymac said | June 13th 2009 @ 6:57pm | Report comment
spiro was tipped to play on wednesday but the flu got him. i suspect he is high on Pims list. outside of neill i think he is the only centre back playing at a high level (club wise). its a pity his injury slowed his ascension this year.
Midfielder said | June 13th 2009 @ 8:11pm | Report comment
Eamonn
Troisi & Spiro IMO are near impossible to leave out .. as for Inman a number have said he is another Harry .. he certainly should be in a train on squad…Christian Vieri playing in a Seria “B” side up front at 17 must have something…
I think the position we lack the most depth in is a defensive mid .. Jedi did not look comfortable on Wednesday night…
Eamonn said | June 13th 2009 @ 9:22pm | Report comment
Surely Grella, Valeri and even Culina are good enough in the dm position..and we could always play one:) Agreed Jedi does not impress.
Troisi how so? Hasn’t played yet at national level so surely he’s near impossible to put in isn’t he?
As for another Harry..well if we can produce another Harry and Viduka in the next five years we could be set for another golden generation…only this time we’ll actually have some games for them to play in.
George said | June 13th 2009 @ 9:43pm | Report comment
I think Sterjovski before Mcdonald at least he can score and Moore and Neil in defence have no competition.
Midfielder said | June 14th 2009 @ 3:52pm | Report comment
Youtube of the bid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezCpmSZN_9g&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.australia2018-2022.com.au%2Fpopup_home.aspx%3F&feature=player_embedded
whiskeymac said | June 17th 2009 @ 3:55pm | Report comment
this is interesting ( i know the thread is dead but where else to share?) N Burns might play in the upcoming Asian games/ friendlies. a bolter?
Neasden Rovers said | July 13th 2009 @ 2:15am | Report comment
Well I may be tough but I know that any squad with Holman in is a terrible squad. Absolutely pointless player who is only in the squad because Arnold thinks that the ’stats’ of Holman breaking up opposition attacks before they begin means that he is useful. But why the hell we want a DM who cannot control the ball in the strikers area is a complete mystery to me.
Also McDonald has also proven his redundancy. When we want an extra attacker Cahill is a better poacher adn I agree that Sterjovski is also more dangerous. McDonald is most effective as an attacking midfielder and poacher in Pim’s scheme of things (just like Cahill) but when even the magnificent Bresciano can’t get a start because of too many quality attackers then why the hell would you need McD. I like the guy but he doesn’t score and he doesn’t create, he’s close to dead weight considering the talent available whose space he takes. I’d rather see another midfielder or young striker like Carle, Ruka, Djite etc. to bring something different to the front third. And if Viduka goes then I really think Scott can watch at home with his girlfriend again and try to improve his usefulness before Brazil. Also I think Beauchamp is needed as understudy for Wilkshire, he is another good attacking option up the wing that the likes of Coyne, Moore and North cannot provide.