Time for some fringe Socceroos to step up
Columnist
By Mike Tuckerman, 1 Sep 2009 Mike Tuckerman is a Roar Expert
- Tagged:
- 2010 World Cup, Australian Football, Brett Holman, Dario Vidosic, football, Harry Kewell, Jade North, Jason Culina, Josh Kennedy, Lucas Neill, Manchester United, Michael Beauchamp, Mile Jedinak, Nicky Carle, North Queensland Fury, Pim Verbeek, Scott McDonald, Shane Stefanutto, Socceroos, Socceroos coach, Tim Cahil, World Cup finals, World Cup qualifying, World Cup qualifying match
Socceroo's coach Pim Verbeek chats with Harry Kewell during a training session at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Thursday, June 19, 2008. The Socceroo's take on China in a World Cup qualifying match this Sunday, June 22. AAP Image/Dean Lewins
After a comprehensive 3-0 rout of Ireland in their recent friendly in Limerick, the Socceroos will be out to extend their winning streak when they take on Korea Republic in Seoul.
But without the talismanic Tim Cahill in their midst, Australia may need to find a new match-winner when they run out at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Saturday night.
Time is slowly ticking down for several players to confirm their place in Pim Verbeek’s 2010 World Cup plans.
North Queensland Fury defender Shane Stefanutto gets his chance in the absence of the reliable Scott Chipperfield.
Chipperfield picked up his second Man-of-the-Match award in ten days in FC Basel’s recent 2-1 home defeat to Young Boys Bern, but recent knocks means the versatile veteran won’t be risked in the South Korean capital.
Another possibly playing for his international future is Michael Beauchamp.
The tall defender appears to be on the outer at Danish club Aalborg, with Beauchamp – like so many of his Socceroos team-mates – currently struggling for game time.
Ironically, it’s the much-maligned Brett Holman who is playing regularly and seemingly in form.
Not only will he run out for his club side AZ Alkmaar in the UEFA Champions League group stage this season, but Holman also scored the opener in the Dutch champion’s most recent 2-1 win over Willem II.
Whether he can demonstrate some more composure in a Socceroos jersey remains to be seen, but the Pim Verbeek-favourite is one Socceroo who appears in no danger of missing the World Cup squad.
The same can’t be said of Nicky Carle – recently denied a loan move to FC Seoul by Crystal Palace coach Neil Warnock, despite the fact that Warnock has shown little propensity to actually play the creative midfielder this season.
Mile Jedinak just switched clubs to gain more first team football, while a frustrated Jade North no doubt wishes he’d done the same, with several of the Socceroos far from first choice players for their respective sides.
So it will come as a relief that youngster Dario Vidosic turned in a bright performance for German outfit 1. FC Nürnberg last weekend, while Nikita Rukavytsya is another youngster looking to make his mark with the World Cup finals inching ever closer.
Both are likely to start on the bench, with Celtic striker Scott McDonald getting his wish as he looks set to be paired alongside the towering Josh Kennedy in a classic “little-man, big-man” combination up front.
Meanwhile the Korean Football Association pulled a swift one with the naming of their squad, with several overseas-based players named in a preliminary squad subsequently dropping out.
There were always going to be changes with no goalkeepers named in the original squad.
But with the KFA and the K-League routinely at loggerheads over scheduling, a full round of K-League action next Sunday makes the inclusion of thirteen local-based players somewhat surprising.
Lee Young-Pyo – once briefly a team-mate of Jason Culina’s at PSV Eindhoven – slammed the K-League for its reluctance to release domestic players for national team duty.
The Al-Hilal defender was named in the final squad, however 2002 World Cup star Ahn Jung-Hwan was ultimately overlooked.
Bundesliga club Freiburg refused to release Cha Du-Ri – whose father Cha Bum-Kun is arguably the most famous Asian player of all time.
Not an ideal situation for coach Huh Jung-Moo, although he can at least call upon Manchester United star Park Ji-Sung for the clash, while exciting Monaco youngster Park Chu-Young is another to watch out for.
And after topping a tough-looking World Cup qualifying group, the South Koreans will be no pushovers in the capital.
If it’s squad depth the Socceroos are looking to test, they’ve got the perfect opportunity to do in Seoul.
The result is relatively unimportant, but with no Lucas Neill or Tim Cahill in the line-up, now is an ideal time for some fringe Socceroos to step up and leave their mark on the national team.
Follow Mike on twitter @Mike_Tuckerman
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Midfielder said | September 1st 2009 @ 8:06am | Report comment
Where to start Mike … Troisi is another pushing for his place… Your comment about Holman getting regular first team experience and in the Champions League and Nicky can not get on the park in a first Div side … YAAaaaa interesting question on this basic you pick Holman but most in Australia would pick Nicky … can all the coaches overseas be wrong..
Dario & Nikita could actually force themselves into the squad .. then there is Matty Sperio … HMMmmmmm Lucas’s future mid partner …
Work calls but good article … will add more latter…
sledgeross said | September 1st 2009 @ 8:41am | Report comment
Mike, recently was over in England and managed to drag the missus down to Elland Rd to see Leeds V Tranmere. Never been a big fan of Kisnorbo, I think he is too small and slow, but he impressed me greatly. Showed plenty of toe, won every header, positionally was great and really showed great leadership in organising the defence. He is a big reason why Leeds are undefeated this season. If he keeps it up, I dont see why he shouldnt be included over the likes of Beechy etc.
David said | September 1st 2009 @ 8:51am | Report comment
Holman is a good player im over ppl talking him down his the only Australian playing CL this season, he gets a start in AZ starting 11. Anyone who thinks Nicky is better obviously doesnt know football, Nicky had his chance to become a great his to lazy to stand up and leave his hopeless club that wont give him a game, untill Nicky actually can play regularly for a decent team at club level i wont be convicing his anything more then a man who likes to sit on the bench and get paid.
Were going to the WC players that can’t get a game in the championship arn’t going to cut it – we will be playing teams that have there whole team made of 1st division players that start for clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester United…etc, dont get ignorant.
Its our players job to stand up to there managers or leave there clubs likes David Carney did, your better off in the A-league then sitting in the bench in division 2 leagues.
Australias past the point were we lack players to play poisitions we have a much larger squad then 06, Nicky is 27 and not getting game time Australia has to learn his ether to lazy to leave or just isnt as good as we all hoped he would be, he should of left for japan when he had the chance.
We have more then 11 players who get game time and play well for there clubs like it or not Holman is one of them, his fast and strong his not techincally gifted but has his improved alot this season.
md said | September 1st 2009 @ 12:10pm | Report comment
Cue Jesse Fink to argue that despite all indications to the contrary from just about every coach he has played with, that Nick Carle is not a luxury item. We are all obviously significantly poorer as a result of his exclusion from the first team of what ever club it is that has chosen to leave him on the bench now.
Ben of Phnom Penh said | September 1st 2009 @ 5:15pm | Report comment
I’m one of the few that think Holman has a lot to offer and provides the team with some variety off the bench.
Luke W said | September 1st 2009 @ 6:06pm | Report comment
Agreed. If we were to somehow grab a goal against a top team at the WC and leading 1-0, Holman becomes invaluable for his defensive work in the front third. The ESPN commentators of the La Liga mentioned in the Barcelona match this morning that last season the front three of Henry, Eto’o and Messi conceded more fouls over the season than the back four. Just goes to show how well a high pressing game can be when it is applied correctly.
Art Sapphire said | September 1st 2009 @ 9:20am | Report comment
Dario had a great game on the weekend for Nurnberg away to champion’s league outfit Stuttgart.
He could have scored one or two and then set up the best chance right at the death as seen on the highlights show last night. It was his first start for the season and hopefully, this will be the start of something big for Dario.
All we need now is for Spira to get into the first XI at Nurnberg.
Vicentin said | September 1st 2009 @ 9:56am | Report comment
Yes Art, the commentator was certainly talking him up wasn’t he – “don’t forget this name”, “that is why Nurnberg payed so much for him” etc. It was fantastic to hear one of our young players being talked of in such glowing terms! I’d also like to see Troisi get a decent run, and Carle’s got to get himself another team …but I guess the transfer window just closed.
albe said | September 1st 2009 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
great to hear, haven’t watched the show yet but don’t even mind my team stuttgart drawing at home if Dario started. And played well by the sounds. I think it could be he or Rukavytsya vying for one of the last spots in the ’10 squad. One of them will be starting and scoring by years end i’m hoping.
Mackey said | September 1st 2009 @ 9:42am | Report comment
David, accusing people of knowing nothing about the game merely because they disagree with you is a tad condescending mate. He may look good on the training paddock and put in some good performances at club level, this does not hide the fact that he has been a major disapointment at National Team level.
For every time he stands on the ball, lets the ball hit the back of his head, undercooks a pass or has a lame shot on goal players like Carle, Vidosic, Troisi and Burns could be getting their shot instead.
I’m keen to see who Verbeek goes with, hopefulyl Macca can grab an early goal and Ruka can replace him sometime in the second half, Ruka and Kennedy up front is a delightful proposition.
Mr said | September 1st 2009 @ 5:24pm | Report comment
Mackey I’d like to see Macca & Ruka up front in one of the friendlies – if even for 45. Ruka impressed me in Limerick, he had pace, ran good angles, and wasn’t afraid to run at the defence. It’ll also be good to watch Jesus after him finally getting match practice. He has scored 4 goals from 5 starts in Japan as I understand.
David said | September 1st 2009 @ 9:52am | Report comment
Mackey – There is a difference between Carle n (Vid, Ruka etc) his old! he will be 28yr old and his not getting a game that is why i accuss ppl of having no idea which is true. As for Holman his played well all season mad a start in the last 4 games set up and scored a goal which hs won his club two matchs. Burns isnt any good his been loned out to 2nd div in greece cuz his not even making the bench in AEK. So hence you got no idea you just see how players play every now afor the national team and you listen to australian criticts who in reality dont know whats going on besides what they hear from england. Carle had one good game against japan his the most overated player Australa has and im sick of ppl asking him for game time. Untill he proves him self at club level he shouldnt be giving a chance. He should come back to the HAL at least its better then sitting on a bench and going nowhere with his career.
Pim picks players on there club form not on how much ppl like them thats why Australia is doing quite well.
Mackey said | September 1st 2009 @ 10:12am | Report comment
David Carney and Jade North have been in pretty red hot club form, you’ve got a point there.
David said | September 1st 2009 @ 6:31pm | Report comment
weather it was or wasnt its true – there from has shown intertest from all over as D.Carney has moved to FCT North is going to move next transfer season apperently. But if it was i shall explain why they are being called up Australia lack a certer of defence to partner L.Niel – Peronsally im not a fan of J.North and think the K-league inst any better then our A-league. As for D.Carney the only reason he didnt get a game at leeds is becuz he called his coach a d**k h**d for not picking him to playlyk a yr ago. However his impressed at FCT, he is also able to play defensive mid which we need in our team considering or formation requiers to defensive midfielders who have the ability to play long balls forward.
The Bear said | September 1st 2009 @ 5:38pm | Report comment
Previous to that he was MOM in the friendly versus Nigeria. He has shown enough, imo, to warrant consideration.
DiCanio said | September 1st 2009 @ 10:09am | Report comment
Does Holman play the same role in his club side as he does in the NT?
Gibbo said | September 1st 2009 @ 1:57pm | Report comment
you mean the run around at a million miles an hour aimlessly role? I’m not sure if AZ use that role…
dasilva said | September 1st 2009 @ 5:27pm | Report comment
Actually I think they are playing Holman on the right wing
AndyRoo said | September 1st 2009 @ 10:13am | Report comment
Also of interest Ki Sung-Yong is in the squad. He came out to Australia (John Paul college in Springwood QLD…about 5mins drive from my work) for a few years to learn English and play football (JP College have a sports program).
He is on his way to Glasgow Celtic after the K league season finishes.
Another surprising fact is South korea have more players in their squad that have featured in the EPL this year (3) than we do.
David said | September 1st 2009 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
Mackey – you right bout D.Carney especially has been playing very well i reckon he will make the WC team J,North im not so sure about when he does play he plays well but he doesnt get much of a game in the K-league however several smaller european teams seem to have shown interest in his service.
As for Gibbo Australia has a similar formation to Barca so i like the way we play obviously there is one major difference Barca pay 3-2-3-2 we play 4-2-3-1 however the same triangle center tactics apply. Although i agree it at times hasnt been the most exciting to watch however, the Ireland match was very good to watch.
I think Pim is trying to creat a style of football that work to Australias strengths oter then the old british 4-4-2 which doesnt workwel anymore against defensive/technicall opposition.
I like the way we play and hope it stays the same tho i would like to see two strickers at the expence of a defender seen as we dont have anyone to partner L.Neil atm
The Bear said | September 1st 2009 @ 5:40pm | Report comment
I think Mackey was being sarcastic… not all current Socceroos are getting game time, especially at top tier leagues.
Mackey said | September 1st 2009 @ 10:36pm | Report comment
Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, I would never stoop to that level!
(yes I would)
Art Sapphire said | September 1st 2009 @ 3:11pm | Report comment
Here is Holman’s goal for AZ from the weekend. It looks like a great strike on face value, but closer scrutiny reveals it be a lucky Holmanesque shank
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PznUh2el2XA
You be the judge.
danny said | September 1st 2009 @ 4:23pm | Report comment
reckon that’s a bit harsh art, i’m willing to give holman the benefit of the doubt on that one. the ‘assist’ was a brilliant mis-kick though. eliciting memories of harry kewell v uruguay. best shank in australian sporting history!