Skipper Mile Jedinak insists the word ‘complacency’ is taboo in the Socceroos camp, but they’ll be forgiven for taking plenty of confidence into tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier against Tajikistan.
With just the one blemish in Jordan, it’s been a largely flawless campaign thus far; results reflecting the gulf in class against the three lower-placed countries in the group.
The reverse fixture in Tajikistan produced a dominant performance from the Socceroos. Some in camp this week have alluded to the fact that they were held out until the 57th minute when Mark Milligan found the breakthrough, but from that point they were in control.
The midfield in that game comprised Aaron Mooy, Mark Milligan and Matt McKay, with Mass Luongo and Mat Leckie flanking Tim Cahill up top.
It was the wide areas where all the action happened for much of the match, the statisticians earned their coin by tallying the number of crosses to Cahill’s head (including 14 corners).
Perhaps that was a result of the Tajiks’ resilient defence. A majority of their squad that night all play together at the country’s biggest club, Istiqlol, and the unity made a difference.
In the end, it was the relentless pressing and energy that made the difference for the Socceroos. Tajikistan put up plenty of fight, but were soon worn down.
At the Adelaide Oval, Ange Postecoglou will be hoping he doesn’t have to wait so long for the reassuring first goal. He’ll want to see his side establish control immediately.
There are plenty of fresh faces in the squad, including the uncapped trio of Jason Geria, Alex Gersbach and Apostolos Giannou.
With the group not yet won, Postecoglou may take a more conservative approach than he might’ve if not for next Tuesday’s clash with Jordan. A draw in Adelaide would make that the decider for top spot.
While the thought of thrusting the new boys straight into action, it would be nice to see some stability within the team.
The midfield won’t be shaken up – Mooy, Milligan, McKay, Jedinak, Luongo and Tom Rogic all have plenty of international experience and should be able to command the match, the only question mark remains over the combination the boss decides on. Whichever three or four he selects will be able to do a job; the introduction of McKay for the injured Terry Antonis certainly doesn’t diminish the quality on offer.
Luongo may be deployed on the right again, his ability to run at defenders and brilliant delivery likely to trouble the Tajikistan defence as in Dushanbe. But a diamond midfield held by Jedinak, led by Rogic and with Luongo and Mooy either side is a tasty prospect. The creativity among those players is exceptional, and the latter three all have an eye for goal.
There won’t be any revelations there, but Postecoglou also can’t be criticised if he opts for a safe option up front. Mat Leckie has been in fine form for Ingolstadt and Tim Cahill remains the Socceroos’ greatest striking threat.
It’s not a sign of a lack of progress on Postecoglou’s part; there are a valuable three points on the line.
The fullback positions remain open to interpretation and are where we will see some variation. James Meredith was unfortunate not to earn an encore after his first call-up late last year, meaning the combination of fullbacks will change yet again.
Brad Smith and Josh Risdon surely deserve to take those spots. Risdon has been brilliant for Perth and was solid on debut against Bangladesh, while Smith has stepped up for Liverpool at every time of asking in 2016 and won’t be seen as a risk.
The competition within this squad is becoming more and more impressive, and it may become tougher to break in as next year’s Confederations Cup approaches. The depth is something to be admired, and Postecoglou will have plenty of exciting options of the bench.
The friendlies against England and Greece will offer a chance to test that depth out, though. For now, a clinical side will do, and hopefully the job is done early enough against Tajikistan so some new blood can be tested.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
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.
Nestory Irankunda has sensationally rejected the chance to play at the Paris Olympics this June after a late bid from the Olyroos to include…
Mathew Ryan's tenure at AZ Alkmaar appears to be over, as the Eredivisie side are seemingly moving on from the 93-time Socceroo. The decision…
One down 49 to go. Socceroos striker Kusini Yengi raised some eyebrows this week when he declared himself to be the talisman striker the…
