Where are the Socceroos heading?

 
bennyp Roar Rookie

By , 20 Jun 2012 bennyp is a Roar Rookie

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    Now I’m a big fan of the Socceroos. I love watching them play and will no matter what. Their most recent result, to draw against Japan, was a very solid performance.

    But, in all honesty, it seems that Holger Osieck is still relying too much on the players that are swinging closer to the older side, rather than young. For example, the match against Oman was the oldest team the Socceroos have ever put on the pitch.

    Also, there was no Timmy Cahill or Josh Kennedy. Instead Archie Thompson and Alex Brosque started up front. Now, Brosque has won me over with his efforts against Japan, and I can now see why he is playing. But Archie Thompson is a has been. No offence to you Victory supporters, he plays very well in the A-League, but I don’t believe he is national team material anymore.

    Also it frustrates me that Kennedy was not played at all, especially when he has been a key striker in the J-League now for the past few seasons, being joint top scorer, and was last year’s golden boot winner.

    I like Osieck’s theory of no matter where you play, as long as you’re in form you have every chance of playing for your country. In fact I believe this has strongly impacted on the A-League, drawing big names like Emerton and Kewell, as well as possibly delaying the move overseas of a few youngsters.

    My problem lies overseas in Europe. We have players over there, working their trade, trying very hard to make it big. Players such as Scott McDonald playing for Middlesborough, Richard Garcia (currently a free agent but was playing in the Championship last season) and Neil Kilkenny playing for Bristol City. These guys, along with a long list of young players, are training at a higher intensity, playing harder opponents, and most likely having a better perception of the game than those playing in Asia.

    I’m not trying to put down Asian football, or the players that play there at all. But unfortunately, due to Olsieck’s view, it seems that not enough players are stepping up outside of Asia.

    This means that he is relying heavily on the more experienced Socceroos, instead of giving others a chance.

    Maybe I’m blind and clearly we are selecting the best Socceroos outfit for every match. But due to the last few squads that have been selected, I don’t see a strong future for the Socceroos as half the squad will not be playing come the 2014 World Cup.

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