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Argentina's Ezequiel Lavezzi, left, scores the winning goal as Australia's Matthew Spiranovic (5) defends. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
In the wake of Saturday’s 2-1 win in Oman many Australian football fans have argued the Socceroos need a defensive re-think but the problem is there’s a dearth of options. But that’s why this week’s news that promising centre-back Matthew Spiranovic is keen on a January move is music to my ears.
The argument is an Australian backline of veterans Scott Chipperfield, Craig Moore and Lucas Neill will be exposed for a lack of pace by quality sides at the 2010 World Cup, after the Omanis got plenty of joy in that department last weekend.
So Spiranovic, a talented 21-year-old FC Nurnberg central defender, could just be Australia’s answer in waiting.
Spiranovic is tall, agile, cool on the ball and possesses football smarts beyond his years. His problem, though, is he needs regular football.
After a bad run of injuries, he’s fallen down the pecking order at Nurnberg and despite being fit for most of this season, he’s made just one Bundesliga appearance. In turn, a lack of game-time means Aussie boss Pim Verbeek isn’t too keen on offering him a call-up.
But the good news came when Nurnberg sport director Martin Bader revealed earlier this week the Geelong-born lad had spoken to him about his desire to go to the 2010 World Cup and how that means he needs to play.
And encouragingly Bader added, “We have much interest in seeing that the youngster gets to play, wherever that may be.”
Indeed, a loan deal in the January transfer window looks likely for Spiranovic, although the whereabouts of his next destination is unknown at this stage, but it will be crucial.
Spiranovic needs to make a wise decision and find the right club because making the wrong move could see him miss out on the personal glory of going to South Africa and deny the Socceroos a decent defensive solution.
And Spiranovic only needs to look as far as international teammates Michael Beauchamp, Jade North or Chris Coyne to realize a bad career move can cost you.
Less than six months ago all three of the above where part of the Verbeek’s plans, playing in crucial matches during Super June.
But how quickly things have changed, as all three missed selection for the Socceroos most recent get-together and seem to have fallen out of favour with the Dutchman.
Sure, it’s easy with the benefit of hindsight, but you could argue Beauchamp and Coyne would still be in the Socceroos squad had they stayed put in Aalborg and Colchester respectively. It wasn’t as if the pair weren’t playing, it was just they weren’t playing as much as they’d hoped.
Instead, desperately pining for a different set of circumstances, they opted for moves which have clearly hurt their World Cup hopes.
Beauchamp, who left Denmark for cashed-up UAE club Al-Jazira in late-September, tells a curious tale.
Not a lot has been heard of Beauchamp since his move to the Middle East, but interestingly last weekend while the Socceroos were off in nearby Oman claiming a crucial three points towards Asian Cup qualification, Beauchamp was not far away in the UAE making his starting debut for Al-Jazira.
That’s right, almost two months after signing with Al-Jazira, Beauchamp was getting only his first start. And it was in the Etisalat Cup, which is a tournament Al-Jazira boss Abel Braga has been criticized by the locals for not taking seriously.
The ex-Central Coast man has had his injury niggles since heading to the Middle East but he has been fit enough lately to play some reserves football. But UAE reserves footy is hardly Socceroos form.
Beauchamp is probably on some pretty nice money at Al-Jazira but his hopes of representing Australia in South Africa next year are quickly going down the drain. It’s been a bad move in that respect.
Indeed, for the first time the Socceroos have basically had a full 12 months to prepare for a World Cup. In the past we’d be part of these final midweek World Cup playoffs, but this experience has been different.
Plenty of players have made moves recently with the World Cup at the forefront of their thoughts.
There have been some success stories like Mile Jedinak, Patrick Kisnorbo and Shane Lowry, while others who haven’t made the decision to move have stagnated like Bruce Djite.
And Carl Valeri is another who may need to make a move in January, due to a contract row with Italian Serie B club Grosseto which has seen him dropped until a resolution is reached.
Indeed, returning to the news on Spiranovic, this is a big decision for the young lad.
If he gets it right (and god forbid, stays injury free!) he could be partnering Lucas Neill in the heart of the Socceroos defence in South Africa next year.
He’s just got to get the right advice, make the right decision, and then, of course, play some good footy. Clearly that’s easier said than done.
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