Relaxing might be the wrong word, but senior Socceroos such as Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill can at least be safe in the knowledge World Cup qualification has been achieved. But a battle still looms for many of their national mannschaften as they bid to shore up a spot in the 23-man squad for South Africa.
One of the more intriguing battles is likely to be the race to partner captain Neill in defence for the finals.
Like a swaying pendulum, the struggle has been a interesting side-story to the ‘Roos qualification campaign.
Verbeek has been like a Roman emperor, content in letting his gladiators slug it out for his affection.
Michael Beauchamp, Craig Moore, Jade North, Chris Coyne, Mark Milligan, Matthew Spiranovic and Rody Vargas have all spent time in the centre of defence since Australia’s first qualifier against Qatar on February 6, 2008.
Vargas can in all likelihood be discounted here. Despite his good form for A-League champion Melbourne Victory, his only two caps in that time have come as part of domestic-based squads.
But that still leaves six candidates to fill one spot next to Neill.
Guus Hiddink took five players capable of playing in central defence to the World Cup finals in 2006, but at least both Milligan and Neill were capable of slotting into other positions.
How many Verbeek will take could also depend on the versatility some of his players offer.
Many believe Moore would be the standout choice, but his lack of match practice since club side Queensland’s last match of the A-League season has opened the doors for others to stake their claim.
Still, it is hard to envisage Australia going to South Africa without Moore. So, with Neill, that is two spots down.
The battle can possibly be separated at this point. Hypothetically, it would be hard to imagine Verbeek taking both the inexperienced Milligan and Spiranovic to the finals, but he does rate both highly enough to potentially take one.
The other fight may be for one spot from Coyne, Beauchamp and North.
After starting and performing solidly in Australia’s past two qualifiers, Coyne has the upper hand. A latecomer on the national scene, Coyne has made a living out of marshalling defences in England’s Championship and League 1.
But having already dropped behind Beauchamp earlier in the campaign only to regain favour, Coyne knows he has to shore up his club future after a inconsistent time of it with Colchester United.
He has been heavily linked with a move to the A-League with Sydney FC and Perth Glory, but has already signalled a desire to discuss his options with Verbeek before making a decision.
The man he ousted in the pecking order, Beauchamp, is fighting his own club battles but may find it hard to find a new home due to a persistent knee injury.
Verbeek has given the Aab defender plenty of chances at national level, though Beauchamp’s heartening performances have been tempered by the occasional brain fade.
North has not been afforded many chances in the latter stages of the qualification campaign, but has been a squad member without fail. His big-money move to Korean club Incheon United has not worked out quite as he would have planned, but Verbeek appears to still have faith in him.
All of the aforementioned have 363 days in which to further their claims.
It will be an intriguing battle as the Socceroos build on their preparations for South Africa.
In a race this close, it might come down to very little at all.
whiskeymac
Guest
i know its a right back but ..well... lets hope his career at boro and the roos is cemented soon.... http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/aussies-abroad/williams-boro-spot-a-priority-193047
Paddy Higgs
Roar Guru
True, we have been lucky at times, but I still believe we have far more depth than in 2006, which is promising. I actually think that we are as good defensively as we have been for some time, particularly with Spiranovic and Williams coming through. We are not overly blessed with pace in our senior defenders, which is why I believe that our younger guys should be afforded plenty of game time in our games over the next 4-6 months in order to stake their own claims. In terms of club game time, the decision of the likes of Chris Coyne and Craig Moore on how to maximise their playing opportunities over the next season will be crucial to their selection. It's going to be a intriguing run-in to the finals!!
whiskeymac
Guest
ah yes, my oversight Paddy. Sorry, i should not have started moving out of the current CB positions. although the whole backline is an area i am curious about selectionwise, i will refocus my limited attention span and, returning to the fold, what's your take on the lack of depth in the CB position? does it concern you that we are talking about guys who dont have clubs or are getting game time or are well into their 30's? If mid level Asian reams have exposed us, and in all honesty despite the wins and draws we have been lucky not to have conceded at times, what chance would we have defensively against a team that could actually finish a front third move?
Paddy Higgs
Roar Guru
Whiskey - my article only deals with the central defence position (eliminating left-back Stefanutto) and with those candidates who have tasted action since the qualification campaign began (eliminating Madaschi, although that's not to say that he or the likes of Kisnorbo won't get their chance in the next nine months).
whiskeymac
Guest
yeah this is the second time you dropped his name - viral marketing attempts aside - what's the go? if he has been overlooked by Pim then is his claim truly stronger than someone like, say, Madaschi or Stefanatu (who Paddy you seemed to have both ignored)?
Paddy Higgs
Roar Guru
I know the name Daniel; Turkish-based Aussie right? But tell me more, I'm intrigued... ... and hoping both Spiranovic and Williams get a start against Japan.
DP
Guest
Paddy mate, one name: Ersam Adem Gulum. Get back to me and I will explain everything I know of the player.
whiskeymac
Guest
according to the SMH re: Japan game - Probable team (4-2-3-1): Schwarzer; Williams, North, Neill, Stefanutto; Grella, Culina; Sterjovski, Cahill, Vidosic/Carle; Kennedy/McDonald. with Spira as a sub maybe? i find it strange that the article says North is to be "tried out" but also has 20 or so caps... and that he is boasting of moving to the Kleague because he still gets game time when others arent playing at the moment - how many games has he played? No disrespect to him but i thought he was a squad player there?
whiskeymac
Guest
The Australian says that Spiranovic is playing tomorrow night and SM Herald says Williams. Hopefully the line up choices will be clearer than the coverage suggests. Personally i hope both play.
whiskeymac
Guest
GeneralAshnak, absolutely right "season ending injuries could quite easily happen over the next 9 months resulting in a sudden and drastic change to the potential line up" but at the same time there are only so many players to choose from 12 months out. god forbid forexample if Shwarzer or Cahill pick up an injury (not inconceivable). It's from the current crop of 5 or so potential CB's that the party will most likely be made up from (Kisnorbo maybe?). Plus it would be a boring Tuesday thread if we didn't speculate =)
GeneralAshnak
Roar Pro
It is too far out to bed down the first team choices for the World Cup, season ending injuries could quite easily happen over the next 9 months resulting in a sudden and drastic change to the potential line up. I think that realistically we need to be choosing a group of players for each position (preferably with some utility players in the mix) and rotate them through the NT via friendlies until we get down to the final 23. I am sure Pim is a shrewd enough tactician to not choose any player as a rock solid certainty until the last minute. Of course this is pure speculation and anything could happen - Pim may decide on a squad of 30 almost definate players and then only consider them, unless someone enters a blinding patch of form and forces their way into the squad.
AndrewM
Guest
If i was picking the team I would drop moore for Milligan.. Milligan is much more confident on the ball, faster and a better defender.. Too many times have I seen craig moore pass out from the back to the other team.. Scary stuff. So by dropping moore we have another spot and that would have to go to Spira. Not too sure who would start out of Milligan or Spira, Spira needs more game time for Australia to see how he performs at this level.
whiskeymac
Guest
Although i think Spira, (Williams) offer more value given the choice of the remainders Coyne would be the pick from beauchamp and north. He hasnt put a foot wrong in the WCQ's, i just cant believe he cant get a game in the lower UK divisions. Moores lack of pace has been questioned by some but i would not discount him either. Sadly it doesnt appear we have alot of depth for these CB positions (outside of Neil and Spira).
Wug
Guest
Good healthy competition should lead to everyone trying that little bit harder.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Whiskeymac, Williams may make good cover for Wilkshire at right back and apparently can slip into left back if need be. I think he may be considered as a utility defender if he is given some game time and comes up trumps however Milligan can also play a similar role. My guess at this stage is Milligan as a utility defender may get the nod if his current form continues, however until we see Williams the question remains open. The question is Coyne as his major asset is his leadership role in marshaling the defence. Should Moore not be able to play then he will be needed in case Neill is injured however with Moore there is another capable of ordering the back four around and hence it will come down to form. My guess then would be Spiranovic if he gets game time with Nürenberg in the Bundesliga. Playing regularly in that level of competition would have to catapult him to the fore.
whiskeymac
Guest
"the inexperienced Milligan and Spiranovic to the finals, but he does rate both highly enough to potentially take one. The other fight may be for one spot from Coyne, Beauchamp and North" I don't see it this way re:experience. Spiranovic plays in a better league than the others, and even though is younger he is also argubaly used to playing in bigger/pressure environments too. His performance in the german cup was an eye opener to his talents. I cannot see how North is more experienced or credentialled than Milligan. and until Beauchamp, north and Coyne get clubs or regular games then the only games they seem to get will be international friendlies which is hardly ideal or sustainable. What about Rhys Williams? 10 caps for Wales u21 means some international experience, argubaly against better opposition than some of the others, plus potential EPL/Championship football this year and next with Burnley or Boro. We wont know until we see him play mind you but with a couple fo games coming up then why not.