Lulled into a post-prandial torpor by wine and too much school-holidays sun, I asked my five-year-old daughter Billie last night if she had any ideas for a Wednesday football column and she said, “Tell them my dad saw all the goals.” Will that suffice this week, folks?
Never fear.
There’s plenty going on, notably Indonesia’s very good draw with Oman in Muscat, days after the Omanis beat Saudi Arabia, no easybeats, to win the Gulf Cup.
A result that won’t give the harried, always travelling Pim Verbeek any respite from adding a few more creases to his already corrugated brow.
His all A-League squad for the January 28 Asian Cup qualifier against the Indonesians in Jakarta is solid and conspicuous for the recall of the underrated Matt McKay – a player I’ve always felt suits the hardworking Rotterdammer style of our national team – and the omission of Sasa Ognenovski, who had been expected to get a call-up for this match after his transfer to Seongnam in Korea and interest from the Macedonian national team.
Adelaide’s big bearded unit is apparently disappointed, but Verbeek, in typical fashion, explained Ognenovski had no part to play in his World Cup plans – thus doing Sasa a big favour in letting him having some sort of international career that lasts beyond 90 minutes, with Macedonia.
To say the 29-year-old is “not that young anymore”, though, seems a bit odd, with the inclusion of Golden Girls Craig Moore, Tom Pondeljak and Archie Thompson in the same squad. Also the punt Verbeek took (or is taking) on 30-year-old Chris Coyne with the European-based Socceroos and whose club, Colchester United, would probably get wiped off the park by Ognenovski’s Adelaide.
Even if Verbeek was put off by Ognenovski’s public courting of a Macedonia call-up, as seems to have been inferred in media reports, it’s a bit of a loss for Australian football. A big what if. Other players called up from nowhere have gone on to pretty useful representative careers, and Ognenovski’s certainly no worse than Jade North, who seems to have dibs on a Socceroos training jersey.
There seems also to be crossed wires in various quarters in establishing what Ognenovski’s career ambitions really are.
Some have him “craving national duty” for Australia; while Verbeek insists “his preference is to play for Macedonia… [I’ve] read that Macedonia is top of his list so I think it is good for him to focus on that country.”
So a slight letdown from an Australian perspective for the Indonesia game, but it will be exciting to see Scott Jamieson get a run in a Socceroos strip – he’s going places fast, mark my words – and Verbeek should get plaudits for picking Matthew Thompson, who’s flown under the radar, undeservedly, for too long.
There’s also going to be some novelty value in seeing Graham Arnold emerge from his self-imposed post-Olympics exile and given some real coaching responsibility with Henk Duut while Verbeek, serving a sideline ban from his time with Korea Republic at the Asian Cup, cools his heels somewhere in the bowels of the Gelora Bung Karno.
On to a pet hate.
I’ve been copping a bit of stick on SBS’s The World Game for getting stuck into Sydney FC in recent weeks, but really, the club deserves repeated and sustained bollocking for its hypocrisy – and I’m happy to do it.
Another extraordinary quote this week from John Kosmina, who says: “We would like a left-sided player but what Sydney need most is a creative player. We need somebody like Charlie Miller who has made a big difference for Queensland this season.”
I’m sure the now-retired Juninho will spray his breakfast cereal across the room when he reads that, not least having Charlie Miller nominated as preferential to the diminutive and dynamic Brazilian playmaker and World Cup winner who was offered to Sydney at a cut-down price and still knocked back.
The comedy never ceases.
StiflersMom
Roar Rookie
In response Kossie's comments...GOLD...
Ryan Steele
Roar Pro
Personally, I can see the clear reasoning behind Pim's decision. If Og can only "um" and "ah" when asked his decision if he were offered positions on both national teams, Pim would see that as saying, "If I were to play for just the one team, I don't think my whole heart would be in each game." Or perhaps that is only my interpretation of the situation. You kind of have to think of playing for a national team as being married. If you're not sure about getting married when you're asked to go that next step in the relationship, you're never going to be able to give the marriage your 100%. The only difference is that you can't divorce your chosen national team and find a new partner. I like seeing Og in defence as much as the next person, but I definitely wouldn't want to see someone in my national team, who will not give each game their all.
Phutbol
Guest
I'm at a loss as to how Pim can say Og wont/can't feature in his plans for the WC. I'd say he's across the board a better option than Coyne, and probably North too. And he scores goals! I've been pretty impressed with Pim to date, but I think he's got this one all wrong.
Koala Bear
Guest
five year olds can be very amusing (and blunt) Jimbo, very true and they're the most magical years of parenting-hood; enjoy them .. But wait 'til they turn 25 and tell you it's time for your pill and time for you to go to bed... :lol: ~~~~~~~~ KB
Parrot Hunter
Guest
Remember that Johnnie K has relationships with agents ? That's why Bobby Petta got a gig at Sydney FC. Now Diego Walsh ? For the sake of football in Sydney, Australia, and the A-League ... let's hope that the new owners punt Kosmina immediately.
jimbo
Guest
dasilva, thanks, I know Spiranovic is already qualified for the Socceroos, I was just talking about if another Spiranovic came along, would Pim still apply the rule he used to help justify not selecting Ogenovski?
Rob
Guest
Ben of Phnom Penh, You make a very good point about the Indonesians here. It will be very interesting to see how the A-League socceroos go against a team with their tails very much up and wagging. They look like they're a pretty good side. And yeah, mobility, not height, will be the key against the Indonesians, so again, good call. I agree with you about Jamieson too. However, if Carney gets a move and plays at least 1-2 full games for his new club before the Japan game, I would be very surprised if Pin doesn't pick him over Jamieson. We all know that Pim is a fan of Carney. And on Chipper, it seems like he's doing ok in his recovery, although we will know more when the medical check with Hertha Berlin is done, I guess. The Bundesliga is a smart move for him...
dasilva
Roar Guru
Jimbo I think Spiranovic is locked in already
jimbo
Guest
KB, thankfully I don't really have cancer - five year olds can be very amusing (and blunt) sometimes. I'm sure it helps me to understand some of the Socceroos team selections :).
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Two points of interest in this blog (at least the two I'm interested in): (i) Indonesia. The Indonesians have always been competitive at home however have usually taken a hammering on the road. The draw against the Gulf Cup champions in Muscat, which included a poster from Bambang, will do their confidence no end of good. They will have their tails up and will pose a real handful for the Socceroos. We will need pace in the back line and midfield if we are to limit their chances, not height. (ii) Jamieson. The kid has had a sensational season and is a great advert for those plugging away in obscurity in Europe (Leijer anyone?). What is more with Stefannuto our of season and Carney watching matches from the couch he is suddenly a very real chance for inclusion in the Socceroos squad for the Japan game as cover for Chipperfield, or even a starting spot depending on how Chipper's recovery progresses.
Koala Bear
Guest
Jimbo, best you go to the movie... :lol: ~~~~~~~~ KB
jimbo
Guest
Jesse, This morning, my five year old princess (who turns six tomorrow) wanted me to go to the movies with her mother to see the Hotel for Dogs movie. I told her I couldn’t because I had to go to work. She said; “Just ring up your boss and tell him you’ve got cancer and can’t come in today.”
Anthony Siokos
Guest
Re: Sydney FC "The comedy never ceases." It sure doesn't but when you're attending every match and paying over a hundred dollars, it's not funny anymore!
jimbo
Guest
Sometimes Pimbo’s bluntness is a good thing, sometimes not. He’s pretty blunt about his team selections and is very unlikely to ever change his mind – while he is manager, players like Nick Carle and Joel Griffiths will never again be given another chance to play for the Socceroos. But I support his stance with those players who have a higher than expected opinion of themselves and have a bit each way as to whether they will play for Australia or not or choose to play with the homeland of their parents or grandparents. Pimbo makes a stance - no more of this travelling half way round the world or all over Australia begging them to play for the Socceroos. No more of this 5 minute run on at the end of a meaningless game so that they can’t ever play for another country. Pimbo says you are either going to play for Australia or you are not – make up your mind. People also sometimes mistake someone being blunt with you as meaning that they are being honest with you. Pimbo doesn’t always tell the truth. I hope he’s serious about making players choose to be faithful to their country and if they say otherwise, he doesn’t select them. We don’t need a half hearted approach to playing for your country, no matter how good they are. Or is this another example of Pimbo fashioning a point of view to suit the argument of the day and in reality he will be begging the next Spiranovic to come along not to play for Croatia and to play for the Socceroos. I also agree that the age thing excuse is a bit of a blunt lie – he’s picked older players than the Big O before and half the team he will use in SA 2010 are older than the Bearded Ogre. To be fair to Pimbo though, there are a number of A-Leaguers and fringe Socceroos, who could genuinely be disappointed in not being selected and he needs to be able to fashion justifications to suit. Is that a sign of the strength of the A-League or are they all as equally hopeless as each other as professional football players - as Pimbo had said in his first few months in the job.
Kazama
Roar Guru
My apologies then, Slippery Jim.
Slippery Jim
Guest
Kazama, they quote Kosmina directly, so it isn't speculation. Doesn't mean he won't change his mind of course.
Koala Bear
Guest
Every good defence needs a type of Ognenovski player in there .. Someone who is strong in the air and has a strong presence in the back four .. He should have been chosen to stand along side Moore .. both know each others game well and this is just another puzzling exclusion by Pimbo.. We are now getting use to his team selections that don't make sense a lot of the time... ~~~~~~~~ KB
dasilva
Roar Guru
I'm big dissapointed that Ognenovski is not picked. I sometimes wonder what goes on behind the scenes. Did Ognenovski say anything like if you are not going to picked me then I'm going to play for Macedonia type threats? His "public courting" to macedonia does seems a bit innocuous for Pim to be annoyed with. He only just kept that as an option but made it clear he preferred Australia. Judging by the current attitude it seems likes this is the reason why players like Dean Bouzanis was equally ignored in recent years. We are saying we're not going to beg you to play for this country like other countries are trying to do to our players. You either with us or not. I can admire that type of thinking but I'm not too sure that is wise though.
Kazama
Roar Guru
Pippinu: "...a warning to all potential socceroos: play the ancestral homeland card at your own peril - it’s likely to be your loss." He said as much on Fox Sports News last week - if you are interested in playing for another country you won't be picked to play for Australia. SJ, the papers are just speculating, as am I. I just think that given Kossie's track record of signing players he's already worked with Diego could end up at Sydney FC next season.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
It's true that there isn't much logic in what Pim says about the Ogre, i.e. that because of his age he is unlikely to figure in his WC plans. Nevertheless, I think we all accept that virtually none of this squad will figure prominently in 2010, so in truth, it's neither here or there. That being the case, I wonder whether Pim's incredibly blunt and public handling of the Ogre's case serves as a bit of a warning to all potential socceroos: play the ancestral homeland card at your own peril - it's likely to be your loss. Looking at this case from that perspective, there is almost a discernible logic to Pim's babblings on the matter.