Young excellence, promotion battles, and a happy farewell: The Australian team of the week from players around the globe
Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
That’s the end of the world. But what about Asia? Australian soccer will take a stronger squad into the Asian Cup on home soil in January, on a couple of provisos: Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano.
The pair are both 34-years-old and ageing, but remain keys to the fortunes of the Socceroos.
Cahill wants to play in the Asian Cup. And on his performances in the World Cup in Brazil, Australia still need him.
Bresciano is less certain. He’s still upper-class but his body is failing, evidenced by back and hip injuries which curtailed him in Brazil.
The Socceroos should be bolstered by a trio who missed the World Cup, yet appear likely first-choices: Robbie Kruse, Rhys Williams and Tom Rogic.
The livewire Kruse will be an automatic inclusion when recovered from a knee reconstruction, taking a midfield spot.
Williams, recuperating from an achilles tear, appears likely to take the central defensive post held in Brazil by Alex Wilkinson, who appeared a stop-gap measure at age 29.
And Rogic, a precocious talent whose calf injury cost him a World Cup, looms as the man most likely to replace Bresciano in the creative midfield role, should the veteran call it quits.
The talented trio will help Australia fancy their chances in a field of nations far weaker than those encountered in Brazil.
Only four Asian nations contested the World Cup. And by close of play on Monday (Tuesday AEST), none had won a game.
Australia exit without a win or a draw.
South Korea’s World Cup campaign is all but over, with a draw and a loss.
And the hopes of Japan and Iran, both also with a draw and a loss, hang precariously ahead of their must-win final group games in Brazil.
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Even though St.Pauli ultimately lost a high-scoring affair, Jackson Irvine was a standout, as well as scoring a late goal.
What if we celebrated all of the achievements big and small, and weeded out those hell-bent on bringing down a game that is doing a hell of a lot right?
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
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