By Guy Hand
March 5th 2010 @ 3:25am
Who will make the Socceroos squad?
Pencil these 13 names in as certainties for the Socceroos‘ World Cup squad. Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, Craig Moore, Scott Chipperfield, David Carney, Luke Wilkshire, Tim Cahill, Mark Bresciano, Vince Grella, Brett Emerton, Jason Culina, Josh Kennedy and Harry Kewell.
Among them is Pim Verbeek‘s preferred starting 11 for every match Australia will play in South Africa – no question.
Fully fit, this group will play all but a handful of minutes at the World Cup.
That leaves 10 spots up for grabs in the squad Verbeek will name in June – and among those fringe-dwellers is where the most conjecture lies.
Schwarzer’s two back-up goalkeepers should come from a group of four – Adam Federici, Brad Jones, Michael Petkovic and Eugene Galekovic.
Much of the rest depends on how Verbeek structures his squad.
The preferred 4-2-3-1 formation and players who are interchangeable in a variety of positions – notably Wilkshire, Emerton, Cahill and Kewell – means a blurring of the lines in how many defenders, midfielders and strikers will make the final cut.
At least one true centre-back and probably two must be included should calamity strike Neill or Moore.
English-based youngsters Shane Lowry and Rhys Williams are regulars in Verbeek’s Euro-roos squads so must be good chances, and offer versatility along the backline.
So do Simon Colosimo and Mark Milligan, who have pressed their claims in the Asian Cup qualifiers, while Patrick Kisnorbo has had a good season with English club Leeds and the Socceroos.
In midfield, Brett Holman polarises fans but will probably go.
One or both of Carl Valeri and Mile Jedinak will, perhaps Jacob Burns, but Mile Sterjovski is less certain after forgettable performances in his past two appearances.
Up front, Alex Brosque, Scott McDonald, Nikita Rukavytsya and Bruce Djite are the best chances of backing up Kennedy and Kewell.
Archie Thompson’s untimely injury means he’ll have to impress big-time in Melbourne’s Asian Champions League campaign to have any chance.
But no doubt the most eagerly watched selections will be potential X-factors.
Nick Carle is the obvious, but Verbeek would appear jury-out.
Now teenage winger Tommy Oar’s sparkling debut against Indonesia has played him right into World Cup contention.
Verbeek has rarely been as warm and publicly open about his admiration for a fringe Socceroo as he has for Oar in the past few days.
That would suggest while World Cup selections 14 to 22 are far from certain, Oar can surely be pencilled in as No.23 – a nod to the future with genuine upside now.
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David said | March 5th 2010 @ 7:55am | Report comment
Carle overated pim would take Ora before he took Carle he’s been average at both club and national level Pims mentioned that, dont think anyone wants him to go after how he went in Kuwait.
Scott Mc Donald will go Pim told him he will be on the bench as an impact player. Ruka will go as well but he wont play he’s made a few cameos and done alright (IMO i think pim should give him a start at the front man see how he goes).
Holman for sure he’s been injured but he has play a lot and played in CL were i might add he had a good game against Arsenal. Plz note football isnt a popularity contest (the most liked team doesn’t win the world cup)
Ryh and Kissa have the back line Milligan playing in the J2 league cemeted him not going to the the WC. Ryh is young and versitile and Kissa is good in the air (something pim loves) and has played well, Lowry hasnt played and is out of time but will probably be make the Asian cup.
Federici and Galekovic have the keeper spots for me Covic isnt far off but i think Galekovic experience for the socceroos will take the 3rd spot were as Federici is probably the best keeper in the CCC (liverpool wanted him).
Well thats my two cents you heard it 1st
TheMagnificent11 said | March 5th 2010 @ 10:36am | Report comment
IMO the squad will be
Goalkeepers: Schwarzer, Federici, Covic/Galekovic
Right-back: Wilkshire, Willliams
Left-back: Chipperfield, Carney
Centre-backs: Neil, Moore, Kisnorbo, Spiranovic/Milligan
Defensive/holding midfield: Grella, Cullina, Valeri, Jedinak
Attacking/wide midfield: Cahill, Bresciano, Emerton, Vidosic, Holman/Carle
Strikers: Kennedy, Kewell, McDonald
george said | March 5th 2010 @ 4:44pm | Report comment
lowry is playing every game on loan at leeds united for the rest of the season , and has already had a couple of man of the match performances
James said | April 14th 2010 @ 2:22pm | Report comment
Boys,
I think there are 11 definites (the only 2 I don’t think are walk up starts are Moore (given recent form/ game time) and Carney. They will also be the preferred starting 11 for each match I woudl expect.
I think there is a real possibility Moore won’t make it. He is too slow and couldn’t keep up at A League level this year let alone World Cup. As mucy as i hate to say it I think Colosimo will get the nod before him.
As for Holman, you’re right – he polarises people. Personally I think he is useless and a waste of a spot. But for some reason the coaches don’t seem to agree.
For what it’s worth, here’s my picks:
Squad:
Definites:
Mark Schwarzer
Lucas Neil
Tim Cahill
Marco Bresciano
Vince Grella
Brett Emerton
Harry Kewell
Josh Kennedy
Jason Culina
Scott Chipperfield
Luke Wilkshire
Likely inclusions:
David Carney
Scott McDonald
Carl Valeri
Mile Jedinak
Craig Moore
Rhys Williams
Brett Holman
Simon Colosimo
Dario Vidosic
Tommy Oar
Eugene Galekovic
Brad Jones
Nikita Rukavytsya/ Shane Lowry
I will be there so look forward to seeing if i am right!
Go Aussies!