McDonald’s World Cup place is looking shaky
Roar Guru By Paddy Higgs, 13 May 2010 Paddy Higgs is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- football, Pim Verbeek, Scott McDonald, Socceroos, World Cup football
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Australia's Scott McDonald and Iraq's Haidar Hussain during the Australian Socceroos v Iraq World Cup qualifier. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Pim Verbeek may have trimmed his list, but the battle for a place among the final 23 to represent Australia at the World Cup is still fierce. Just ask Scott McDonald. The diminutive forward needs little introduction, but to cast light on his situation one will be given nonetheless.
The 26-year-old’s career looked in danger of winking out just five years ago, until a successful move to Scottish Premier League club Motherwell.
Celtic came calling next, and McDonald plundered 51 goals in 88 appearances before shifting to Middlesborough in January.
After some early difficulties, McDonald settled at the Championship club and began to find the back of the net again.
But while the goals have not eluded the plucky striker at club level, the same cannot be said when representing Australia.
He has not scored in 15 appearances for the Socceroos; a fact that weighs heavily on his mind. It has not all been his own doing.
A fundamental difference between Verbeek and predecessor Guus Hiddink has not helped McDonald.
Hiddink’s formation was dictated by the players he had at his disposal. He recognised depth was a luxury the Socceroos did not have, so formulated his playing style around the nation’s best players.
Verbeek has taken a different approach. He has stuck with his chosen formation which – although sometimes talked up as otherwise – tends to be a fluid 4-5-1.
Players are then selected on their ability to play the roles within the formation.
It’s meant the likes of McDonald – and Nick Carle – have had trouble slotting in and making an impact.
McDonald has been a somewhat peripheral figure in Australia’s World Cup qualification campaign, becoming increasingly isolated from Verbeek’s formation.
He was even passed over for selection for the Socceroos’ game against Oman late last year.
Anyone with a pedigree such as his would seem a shoo-in for a World Cup spot, but speculation surfaced yesterday that McDonald would only gain a place if injuries to Harry Kewell and Mark Bresciano worsen.
And where there is smoke, there is fire.
While he has ploughed a lone furrow for Boro on occasion, McDonald seems uncomfortable up front alone.
It means Kewell and Josh Kennedy are well ahead in the pecking order for Verbeek’s lone striker’s role.
If taken to South Africa, he would most likely have to settle for a spot on the bench. But Nikita Rukavytsya’s goals for Belgium outfit KSV Roeselare have placed further pressure on McDonald.
McDonald is a classic poacher: crafty, slippery and always in the right spot.
But Rukavytsya has pace and a desire to take on defenders, lending him an X-factor McDonald simply can’t match.
Who is more likely to provide spark of the bench if Australia finds itself a goal down against Serbia?
The answer is not one in McDonald’s favour. Attacker Dario Vidosic’s versatility – a quality Verbeek cherishes – is another poor omen for McDonald.
McDonald may well get his ticket to the World Cup. But even then it may be fair to say that he – and a handful of other Verbeek ‘outsiders’ – will be looking forward to the Dutchman’s exit after the finals.
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- football, Pim Verbeek, Scott McDonald, Socceroos, World Cup football
May 13th 2010 @ 2:56pm
Ben of Phnom Penh said | May 13th 2010 @ 2:56pm | Report comment
To be fair I think that McDonald played quite well in the last couple of games where he featured and created many chances for other players. The problem is who misses out if he is in. Assuming only three genuine strikers it would be a tussle between Rukavytsa and McDonald. Kennedy is in irresistible form and Kewell is, well, Kewell. My feeling is that Rukavysta will have the edge due to his pace, particularly if we are looking to hit teams on the counter.
May 13th 2010 @ 4:08pm
Realfootball said | May 13th 2010 @ 4:08pm | Report comment
It has to Rukavytsia, no contest. That kind of pace can change a game on the drop of a hat. He is so much faster than any of our other strikers that the change of gear when he comes off the bench should doubly discomfort opposing defenses.
May 13th 2010 @ 4:46pm
Ben of Phnom Penh said | May 13th 2010 @ 4:46pm | Report comment
Exactly, explosive pace against tiring defenses will be required at one stage or another (or possibly every stage).
May 13th 2010 @ 4:48pm
The Bear said | May 13th 2010 @ 4:48pm | Report comment
Rukka as lone striker?? Didn’t they try that at the Olympics??
May 13th 2010 @ 7:53pm
Realfootball said | May 13th 2010 @ 7:53pm | Report comment
I think it is far more likely he will come on in an Alex Brosque (for Sydney) role, not as a lone hand.
May 14th 2010 @ 7:34am
The Bear said | May 14th 2010 @ 7:34am | Report comment
Pim will never play a second striker at World Cup. Especially not at the expense of the second screening/holding midfielder. No Rukka, No MacDonald, and definitely no Joel Griffiths lol.
May 13th 2010 @ 5:03pm
Coach said | May 13th 2010 @ 5:03pm | Report comment
I think there is room for Ruka, Kewell, Kennedy AND McDonald in the final squad. I don’t think Pim does though. As Paddy points out, Pim loves his versatility.
May 13th 2010 @ 5:58pm
gazz said | May 13th 2010 @ 5:58pm | Report comment
It seems a shame not to take all out of McDonald, Ruka, Vidosic…..especially when you think we’ll have ample cover in DM, with Culina, Grella, Wilkshire, R.Williams, along with Valeri and Jedinak. I’d prefer more attacking options than options elsewhere.
May 13th 2010 @ 9:53pm
chris mackinnon said | May 13th 2010 @ 9:53pm | Report comment
mcdonald is ok player, you have to rate what league he has played in, and who against. played in scotland and the league has gone down hill alot, plus when he plays for australia does he play out of position? maybe their is a role for him in the team but where i dont know, australian coaches in the past played viduka out of position but what can u do
May 14th 2010 @ 2:27pm
wug said | May 14th 2010 @ 2:27pm | Report comment
It is a pity the choosing of the final squad is left so late – makes it hard for everyone to start thinking of actually playing instead of whether or not they are going to make the final squad
May 15th 2010 @ 10:13am
Luke10 said | May 15th 2010 @ 10:13am | Report comment
Wug I would have to agree with you there. I was puzzled when on May 9 when the Japanese national 23 man squad was announced, followed by their reserve players on May 12. It had me thinking why would they do so when all the other nations are holding off until June 1. Japanese are well known for their team work on and of the field. Maybe there is merit to announce the final 23 early so the player have more time to settle knowing that they are in the final squad.