It was a poetic performance befitting the location. Limerick’s Thomond Park had never seen anything like it and one team certainly delivered. Unfortunately for the locals that team was the Socceroos.
It would seem Pim Verbeek’s side are becoming the masters of the European away friendly. The Dutchmen’s most convincing result so far is arguably last year’s 2-1 victory over the Netherlands. Now it would appear Verbeek has another one to go with it.
For a Socceroos side featuring, at best, only six regular starters the win was also surprising in its conviction.
Just like at the Philips Stadium in September last year, Pim Verbeek’s vision of his side playing a controlling game was realised. Their transitions out of defence and ability to counterattack were stunning.
Unlike their opposition, there were very few ordinary performers for the Socceroos.
Of course any celebrations will be tempered by the fact it was only a friendly. For Verbeek this game was a learning exercise. So, with that in mind, what can we draw from the 3-0 victory?
Firstly, Rhys Williams has arrived. He backed up a positive debut against Japan in Melbourne back in June with an even better 90 minutes. Some in the press box were suggesting he was the man of the match. Not for me though but we’ll get to that in a moment.
Nikita Rukavytsya and Mile Jedinak also impressed in their time on the park.
Other than the young players coming through the ranks all eyes were going to be on the surprise central defensive pairing of Jade North and Patrick Kisnorbo.
While both players have picked up some significant ‘facial decorations’ over the last few days, their performances differed.
Kisnorbo went some way to amending for his Asian Cup campaign with a solid game before being substituted at half time. The only blemish being how easily Ireland captain Robbie Keane turned Kisnorbo inside out midway through the first half. I suspect Kisnorbo can expect another Socceroos call up in the near future.
North meanwhile was less impressive. His lack of regular game time with his club in Korea showed and he needs to resolve that fast or risk missing out on a spot to South Africa.
Above all that, one thing stood out to me: Luke Wilkshire’s role in the centre of the park.
While Jedinak sat just in front of North and Kisnorbo and anchored the midfield, Wilkshire was given license to push forward and regularly joined the attack.
It gave the front four the support they’ve, at times, so desperately needed throughout Australia’s World Cup qualifying campaign. If it weren’t for a flawless 45 minutes from Cahill I think Wilkshire would have been Man of the Match.
It was a pivotal tactical decision form Verbeek and one we haven’t seen enough off.
One particular instance does come to mind though, the aforementioned win against the Netherlands.
Then it was Jason Culina who was paired with Carl Valeri in the middle of the park. The former PSV Eindhoven player was given a similar role to that which Wilkshire filled this morning and he do so with conviction. For me this tactical tweak is the key parallel between the Socceroos two best performances.
Verbeek has obviously had his critics when it comes to the style of football the Socceroos have dished up under him. At times I’ve been left feeling just as frustrated after watching a Socceroos game under Verbeek. Today was not one of those days and Wilkshire’s role is why.
If Verbeek takes this lesson away from Limerick our chances in South Africa next year will be greatly helped.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Thanks Johhny - makes Jedi's performance stand out even more!!
VootballKid
Guest
Yeah he put a couple of dinks in behind for Ruka to swing round to the by-line and press towards the box. That's a scary combination for a lot of teams. Carle's a good back-up for Cahill for in the 23-man squad.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Not that you're counting!
Pippinu
Roar Guru
One thing's for sure - looking at the replay again - the key is that he does it quickly and smoothly - drags it across a metre and bang - keeper absolutely nowhere.
Simmo
Guest
I think the first goal got through because Cahill shaped to shoot with his right, Given shifted his weight to deal with that shot but Cahill quickly changed for a left-footed shot which then caught Given un-prepared.
JOHNNYMAC
Guest
Pippinu It was Jedi who started the play for the first goal after bresciano layed it of to him and the second goal was also started by him once he won the ball and got it to Williams.
jimbo
Guest
Nicky Carle was the best player on the park when he came on. Surely his 21 minutes and 32 seconds of international football under Pimbo, has convinced him to include him in the South Africa World Cup squad!
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Mid On the left? yeh true - but has he really done enough to put his name forward? (he's still quite young) - but I admit I had forgotten about him.
MVDave
Guest
l'm humbled. Look forward to reading it tomorrow.
Midfielder
Guest
What about Troisi
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Dave You inspired me to submit an article (I now have two in the queue!). I did it before I saw your latest post. I looked at a 4231 formation and then chose 3 names for every position, except for 4 strikers and 4 keepers, giving a total of 35 players (incl 6 central defenders and 6 DMs). A very interesting exercise - hopefully it will come through tomorrow morning! I didn't include Jamo, but I said that he is a real chance to break into the three names because that particular position is really up in the air. You know else I discovered (doing it in that manner), we're a bit lean on the left side of mid - but of course both Bresh and Carney can play there, so Pim would take that into account in coming up with the squad. But I had trouble thinking of a 3rd name for that particular position. I slotted in Zullo in desperation - but to be honest - at this stage, Brosque is probably as good!!
MVDave
Guest
Agreed re Ljubo and if he can hold it together a possibility...but his temperament may be the final deciding factor. Would love to see a couple of HAL guys in the final squad but at this stage only Culina would be in. Possibly Jamieson but with Carney and Chippers, Jamo may have to wait until 2014.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Geez - I can't help thinking that Moore is sitting around no. 24 as an emergency, and Coyne is pretty much out of it (honestly, by the end of the A-League season, if he stays fits, Ljubo will be looking streaks ahead of Coyne). Culina - goes without saying. Sterjovski - at this stage I'd rate him 50/50 (which isn't bad considering the depth we have - but his problem is that there are a few up and coming wingers) Brosque - sorry, just can't see it - in fact, I doubt he'd be amongst the dozen who are unlucky to miss out, and if we're honest, Arch is sitting alongside Brosque outside of that group as well.
MVDave
Guest
Which HAL players will be in the squad; ok Culina...Moore?...Sterjovski?...l see Brosque wants in?...anyone else? You would think players like Chris Coyne's chances have just taken a hit.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
That squad of 23 is already looking solid, with still a year of friendlies to come - a good dozen players will be unlucky to miss out - but that's the way we want it to be to be honest - last time round - you could barely think of two or three who you could say were unlucky to miss out.
MVDave
Guest
Such a great result, albeit a friendly, with so many fringe players doing well. The FIFA ranking of 16 is looking a proper fit in many respects. At least it appears Pim will have some options available when he considers final selections for SA in 2010.
Towser
Guest
Ghost Maybe Brazil have got the right degree of swagger. Not too much backed up by truck loads of confidence.
DiCanio
Guest
Ghost maybe I have my timeline wrong but I was going for the confident rather then arrogant timeframe Crux of the statement is on the pitch the boys look assured and there seems to be a real sense of unity. Rhys Williams is case in point. Only his second game and he is playing with aggression and substance.
Ghost
Guest
DiCanio - don't say that, the Aussie cricket team became a bunch of pricks and have ended up VERY far from being the pride of the nation in terms of their attitudes and behaviour. I think the Socceroos need to aim for confident but not arrogant.
Ghost
Guest
Williams was already awesome in Melbourne and I think was even better last night. This kid is going to make some serious contributions to Australian Football in coming years. I also hope to god Carney sorts himself out at club level because I've rated him ever since he was at Sydney. Actually throw in Wilkshire, Emmo and veteran Chippers and at the moment we've got some good prospects at the wing-back positions.