The controversy surrounding the exclusion of Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite from the Olyroos squad for the Beijing Olympics is slowly simmering. So now we can finally concentrate on the football.
For the last few weeks, Olyroo’s coach Graham Arnold has been battered from pillar to post over his decision to exclude the exciting youngsters. Despite the backlash, Arnold has stood firm. He needs to. The Australian media are quick to jump on those most vulnerable.
Though history shows they tend to back off on those who stand tall.
The decision to omit the former Adelaide duo was a good one.
Burns and Djite are this country’s future stars. Should their current development continue, they could, one-day, lead the frontline for the Socceroos.
However, despite the players having an abundance of potential, they both lack the consistency to perform in a massive, global tournament such as the Olympic Games.
In Burns’ case, his move to AEK Athens should see his potential develop into a consistent, far superior player, than the inconsistent forward we see today.
His form at U-23 level does not warrant selection, and the statistics show it: one goal in eleven appearances does not constitute selection in a knockout Olympic tournament.
Former coach Aurelio Vidmar, who saw Burn’s development first-hand, agrees he needs to get more consistent. There have been occasions where Burns has been in brilliant form in some games, but in other games he has gone missing for long periods.
Is this what the Olyroos need at the Olympics? It’s debatable.
Following Adelaide’s AFC Champions League match versus Binh Duong, Vidmar said of Burns’ performance, “the three assists he made are the sort of things he is capable of. That (ten minute) show he gave that unlocked the game for us was brilliant. But he needs to do that at a more consistent level.”
At such a young age, he is going to find this an issue.
“That’s the problem you can have with young kids. And he’ll only get that (consistency) when he’s 23, 24 or 25.” Vidmar explained.
Burn’s move to a European club should accelerate this maturing.
At this point of his career, he is not developed enough to produce at Olympic level and the constant harassment and attention on his age will affect him and his mindset.
Olyroo counterparts, Argentina, have followed a similar path to the Olyroos.
Coach Sergio Batista’s decision to leave Mauro Zárate out of the National squad raised debate. His goals for Birmingham City in the EPL last season demonstrated the potential at his feet.
However, goals in the EPL did not warrant selection.
Indeed it was the exclusion of Anderlect and Argentinean rising star, Lucas Biglia, that caused most anxiety amongst fans and local media.
Biglia’s omission came at the inclusion of Juan Román Riquelme, whose selection was brought on by a number of factors including how tournament football is regarded in Argentina.
They want to win at all costs. Even at the expense of young prodigies.
The Australian media have failed to understand the decision by Arnold to exclude Burns and Djite.
However, there are circles within the football community who believe that in order for Australia progress, proven goalscorers should be selected amongst front forwards with potential
Arnold made a tough decision, but a good one.
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Roger Smith
Guest
Egg on face Nic. Exit Bejing without a win and looked terrible. Another dismal performance from a team led by Coach Floperoo. Thompson has been a disaster. Should have taken Burns and Djite.
Nic Deluca
Guest
This on-going Djite-Burns debate has been going on for far too long. Les Murray and his SBS-colleagues have been at the forefront of this discussion for reasons unbeknown to the public. In Les’ case, the debate is now personal. He has written over 5 different articles on this very subject alone -not counting the additional hours on TV and Radio. When will he let it go? In my view, the issue behind this drawn out discussion goes far deeper than just expressing an opinion, far deeper. The SBS-driven agenda is far more than about two blokes from Adelaide Utd who didn't get selected for the u23 team. The SBS Sport Department has gone through a massive transformation in the past 3-4 years. It’s unclear why Les still signs off on who walks in and out of the SBS sports studio. Reporters of this website may not like this, but unfortunately the evidence is clear. If you don’t share Les’ view, the door is that way. His colleagues have little choice but to echo his views, and the loser is the public because they do not obtain diverse opinion on Football matters, they once received from SBS. The sorry fact is that Les is held since in such high esteem in the football community and people do breathe his every word. Unfortunately, his editorial career has taken a strange turn over the past 2 years. He’ll need to sort those issues out himself – but as a football supporter, it’s time he start to drive how our Olympic team is going to win a medal, rather than lose it. Les, for your own sake, it’s time to move on.
jimbo
Guest
dasilva no, you are the genius. I will expand on your theory by suggesting the FFA will drop Arnold once he fails in Beijing just to lift his coaching game so that one day he will be an international football manager.
dasilva
Guest
Maybe the dropping of Djite was a psychological game to tell him to lift his game even though he was still good enough for the olyroos so he can be a good player for Soccerroos. So maybe the goals Djite is scoring for the friendly should be credited to Arnold because his dropping inspired him to prove Arnold wrong. Man Arnolds a genious
Salvation
Guest
Djite scores at will in Turkey and has the club's confidence behind him. Ruka misses one sitter, and muffs a decent chance in the SKorea game. That's the fuss.
jimbo
Guest
Managers get judged on results. Only one win in seven matches since qualifying for the Olympics. http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/81609,arnies-olyroos-lose-again.aspx That's why the fuss about Arnold's Olyroos selections.
dasilva
Guest
Anyway the more controversial misselection would be nick ward and dario vidosic who played well in qualifiers.
dasilva
Guest
Djite and Burns are absolutely overated and are both very inconsistent. Hwever I pick both of them over Bridge anyday who is even more inconsistent.
Lippi
Guest
I agree with you on the form of Djite, but remember, we've always said that about Dukes, the greatest export this country has seen. Man can't score, but he's got presence. If Bruiser can do that (in no way am I hailing him the next Dukes) then we'll be set.
The Third Man
Guest
Only time will tell ?are the players selected the best that the system has to offer ? or is there something more ?
Oh Yeah
Guest
I shall fuss over Dean Bouzanis being left out! Made the u17 Australian team at the age of 15... the guy has talent. But no Olyroo place. At this rate we will lose him to Greece.
Salvation
Guest
With a little more thought.... If he just admitted he was going for a smash and grab side, that may also score goals from set pieces, then i'd expect the fuss would be quite considerably less. Players like Burns, Vidosic and Djite may be justified in their omission (though frankly most punters and coaches would take Dario over Celeski anyday of the week). Actually scratch that... Burns would be a great distributor in midfield for attacks arising against the run of play. Who could criticise Arnold for including these younger players? He has opted for more of a gamble with the players he has chosen. But he will live or die on his decisions, no matter how hard GA tries to say it's FFAs squad. Good luck, tho. I hope his game plan works against these group opponents, and our defence holds strong.
Salvation
Guest
Nikita Rukyaviska...how many goals has he scored for the olyroos, Nic? If it was about goals alone, Mat Simon would have got a place. Sorry Nic, too many holes for your argument to hold water. Graham has got something right, but neither you nor me will ever know. His decisions, and justifications are baffling...and you are stretching for answers that aren't there, imho.
jimbo
Guest
I wouldn't agree that players like Beauchamp or Ljubo Milicivic are any better or have established themselves as Socceroos since going overseas. Beauchamp hasn't played many first grade games, has lost confidence and lost out to North who has come to Pimbo's attention playing in the A-League. There's no doubting GA's courage passion and loyalty to the green and gold, but he is not a world class manager and the players don't respect him enough. I think Baan should have stayed on a Olyroos manager till after the Olmpics and picked the squad.
Midfielder
Guest
KB Raw meat for the Mariners to feast on.
Koala Bear
Guest
Midfielder, Ha Ha surly you jest... Our lads have been eating raw meat and he the "Special one MII" has said no prisoners will be taken tomorrow.. Norm has organised the CRSL LA cheer gals for the Wallabies tonight; should be a snort; a practice run for when we meet at the SFS ... Poor Dave, it looks like another fruitless season installed for him... again .. :) ~~~~~~~ KB
Midfielder
Guest
KB Ready for tomorrows flogging ......... you must catch the train down for the second round match.
Koala Bear
Guest
Nic, my two learned associates above are very astute judges of football and on future Footballroos.. However, on this occasion I will lean to your line of thought and add, GA was a very good servant for the Footballroos as a player and always whore his heart on his sleeve; but at times, his decision making has baffled me, but on this occasion, I hope you are 100% right.. ~~~~~~~| KB
Midfielder
Guest
But would their game be any better for having played in Europe.
jimbo
Guest
Nic, gonna have to disagree with you on this one and hypothesise a contra argument. Burns, Djite and Leijer have snuffed out any chance they had of playing for the Socceroos at the 2010 WC. They will sit on the bench or play in the reserves for the next season or two. The Socceroos forward line for the SA WC (if they make it) will comprise Mac, Jesus, Aloisi and Thompson and possibly Carle or Garcia. Burns and Djite will get a lot more money training in Europe but they will fade from the radar screen. They would have had more chance to continue their progress and team building with Pimbo and the Socceroos if they had stayed in Australia.