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While Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos are testing themselves against Germany and Macedonia in two weeks’ time, an arguably more important tournament will be taking place on the other side of the world.
Aurelio Vidmar and the Olyroos fly to Taiwan towards the end of March as they strive for qualification to the 2016 Rio Olympics. It’s a huge test for Vidmar, who has had a rough start to his tenure in charge of Australia’s Under-23s since taking over in 2010.
The former Adelaide United manager will name his squad on Monday, and it will be interesting to see how he balances the need to blood youngsters with the importance of selecting experienced performers.
If the Olyroos fail to qualify for Rio, it would be a huge setback and could cost Vidmar his job. The last campaign was disastrous, with the team failing to score a goal on their way to four 0-0 draws and two losses in a group including the UAE, Iraq and Uzbekistan.
There has to be improvement, and there are many reasons to suggest that this Olyroos team will outperform their predecessors with aplomb. A draw against Brazil, loss against China and victory over South Korea in a friendly tournament last year provided a lot of positives.
Let’s take a look at who should be in the running for a place in the 23-man squad.
Goalkeepers
Vidmar has previously blooded Mathew Ryan, Dean Bouzanis and Mark Birighitti in the youth set-up, with Ryan the obvious standout and Birighitti on the fringes of the Socceroos.
His latest trio of selections has been Aaron Lennox (QPR), Jack Duncan (Perth Glory) and John Hall (Adelaide United), and it’s hard to see him straying from picking them again. None of them are currently playing first team football, but were used in the friendlies last year.
Possible selections: Aaron Lennox, Jack Duncan, John Hall
Defenders
At the back, Vidmar may rely heavily on two A-League clubs for a large portion of his defensive stocks.
James Donachie and Corey Brown have played a big role in Brisbane Roar’s recent resurgence and have been regular Olyroos under Vidmar, as have Melbourne Victory trio Nick Ansell, Jason Geria and Scott Galloway.
Connor Chapman could also be in line for a recall, with the 20-year-old turning in some impressive performances for Melbourne City this season after stagnating at the Newcastle Jets.
Sydney FC’s 17-year-old left back Alex Gersbach should be there, the youngster has been a standout in the A-League this season, and Perth’s Josh Risdon would be a solid option for fullback too.
From overseas, Giancarlo Gallifuoco will likely be one of the first names on Vidmar’s teamsheet. The ball-playing centre back is a crucial cog in Swansea Under-21s team and has a bright future ahead of him.
Scottish-born Cameron Burgess was in Vidmar’s last squad and could also make it to Taiwan, but the centre back hasn’t played too often this season. Curtis Good would also usually be a certainty, but it depends how the centre back’s recovery from injury is progressing.
Rafa Jimenez could be a bolter, currently playing for Villarreal’s youth in Spain.
Possible selections: Giancarlo Gallifuoco, Connor Chapman, Scott Galloway, James Donachie, Josh Risdon, Alex Gersbach, Jason Geria
Midfield
Vidmar has some solid foundations in midfield, and will largely stick with his tried and tested players from previous squads.
Terry Antonis will join the main group, and it is hard to believe the Sydney FC man is still just 21.
The Asian Cup squad member will likely form a midfield trio alongside Borussia Dortmund’s Mustafa Amini, who is playing regular football with the German club’s reserve team, and Ryan Edwards, who started the season in Reading’s first team but has lately played with the Under-21s.
Jackson Irvine will also be in contention, the 22-year-old has been getting regular time at Ross County, on loan from Celtic. Steven Ugarkovic should also feature, the central midfielder made his first Australian representative appearance last year with the Olyroos after turning out for Croatia Under-19s previously.
We could also see Josh Brillante included, the former Newcastle Jet and Socceroos-capped midfielder is on loan at Empoli from Fiorentina but still struggling for game time. Stefan Mauk is usually a regular under Vidmar, but has hardly played for Melbourne City this season.
Possible selections: Terry Antonis, Mustafa Amini, Ryan Edwards, Jackson Irvine, Steven Ugarkovic, Josh Brillante
Forwards
The loss of Corey Gameiro to injury in the last Olyroos matches was a huge blow for Sydney FC, but Vidmar will equally be ruing missing out on selecting the dangerous striker.
There are a number of options out there, but hopefully we see Vidmar bring in a few new faces.
The usual suspects of Jamie Maclaren, Connor Pain, Andrew Hoole and Ryan Williams will likely be selected, though it is time to get some of Australia’s brightest young talents regularly involved in the youth setups.
Step forward Danny de Silva and Awer Mabil. These two talents represent the future of Australia and Vidmar has to take both of them to Taiwan. While both players have had ups and downs this season, giving them exposure to international competition is only going to help their development.
Elsewhere, Adam Taggart could be called up to replace Gameiro, with the World Cup member starring recently for Fulham Under-21s after a lengthy injury comeback. He’s a lethal poacher in the box, and replacing Gameiro’s goals is key.
Kwame Yeboah could also make the squad, though he has found it tough to get game time in Germany with Borussia Mönchengladbach’s reserve side. Fortuna Düsseldorf’s Ben Halloran could also add some experience to squad. A bolter from the A-League could be Brandon Borrello.
Possible selections: Adam Taggart, Jamie Maclaren, Connor Pain, Andrew Hoole, Danny de Silva, Awer Mabil, Ryan Williams
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