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Socceroo's coach Pim Verbeek chats with Harry Kewell during a training session at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Thursday, June 19, 2008. The Socceroo's take on China in a World Cup qualifying match this Sunday, June 22. AAP Image/Dean Lewins
By the time many of you have read this, Pim Verbeek will have announced his squad for the upcoming internationals against the Netherlands and Oman at a press conference scheduled for 9am in Sydney.
It remains unclear just how many players Verbeek will pick, let alone how many A-Leaguers will get a gig, but here a few A-League bolters Verbeek should have in his sights, if not for this squad, then certainly in the near future;
Joel Porter
Looking less and less likely that we’re ever going to see Mark Viduka on the football field again, let alone in a Green and Gold jersey. Of all the strikers to emerge from the A-League over the past few years, and I refer to youngsters like Bruce Djite and Matt Simon, and more experienced guys like Joel Griffiths and Archie Thompson, few have offered the Socceroos as much as Porter potentially does.
Why? Because he is a wonderful link man, just the kind of player that might make the Socceroos front third connect, something Verbeek has been lacking throughout his reign.
With an excellent left foot, great presence, good movement and awareness and an ability to play inside and outside the box, he has demonstrated very few weaknesses so far this season.
Put simply, Porter enables a team to play.
Witness the difference in Gold Coast and Shane Smeltz’s performances when Porter hasn’t been available.
Josh Kennedy has been banging the goals in at Nagoya, and scored another crucial one last night. Right now he deserves first crack at the sole Socceroos striker role.
But with Scott McDonald struggling to adapt to Verbeek’s template, Porter, if he keeps performing, could come right into the mix, not only as a bolter for the squad.
To my mind and given how important he is to the functioning of the Gold Coast front third, he wouldn’t look out of place in any starting 11.
Simon Colosimo
Another player who hasn’t seen a Socceroos jersey for years, but on the evidence of what we’ve seen in the opening eight rounds and from all the Socceroos central defensive incumbents over the past couple of years, Colosimo wouldn’t look out of place if given a chance.
With Lucas Neill recently dormant and a bevy of other overseas–based options, including Patrick Kisnorbo, Matthew Spiranovic, Mark Milligan and Jade North all getting a shot in recent times, this squad might provide an opportunity for a local to stake a claim, and Colosimo should be right in the mix.
Of the local competition, Craig Moore has taken time to pick up the pace of season five and has been caught blocking attackers runs more times than any international referee would tolerate.
Meanwhile, Chris Coyne took a few weeks to get going but is now building a nice rapport with Andy Todd.
After a full pre-season, Colosimo looks in the best shape he has been for at least five years, and the performances have followed.
Aggressive in the challenge, first to the ball, quick on the ground, reading the play well and bringing the ball forward with pace, it would be interesting to see if he can still cut it at this level.
Michael Thwaite
Struggling in Melbourne, it’s been amazing seeing his transformation into such a dynamic and technically proficient holding midfielder under Miron Bleiberg.
While he will struggle to get anywhere near a holding midfield birth with the likes of Vince Grella, Jason Culina, Carl Valeri, Mile Jedinak and Jacob Burns ever-present, his best bet might be in central defence.
Enjoying his football at Gold Coast, this adaptability might be his best bet of being a squad man, but if he continues to use the ball well, who knows where it might end?
Adrian Leijer
Has been in excellent form since returning from Fulham, and one technical aspect that has really stood out has been his ability to find a forward target with a long early ball. Archie Thompson has enjoyed that.
While he didn’t get much game-time amongst the men in England, he looks a far more mature footballer, demonstrating excellent aerial work and good coverage on the ground.
Wayne Srhoj
Like Porter, Srhoj is another who has spent time on the periphery overseas and is now catching the eye back home.
While central midfield is as competitive as ever for the Socceroos and there looks to be no room on the plane to South Africa, Srhoj does offer something different to Tim Cahill, Brett Holman and Nick Carle in the central playmaker role.
Eugene Galekovic
Adelaide United has been struggling defensively, meaning Galekovic has been getting a fair working out every week, and he has been producing some first class saves.
On the back of an outstanding last season, that’s great news for the A-League’s current number one number one, proving he is developing consistency, the key ingredient for any international keeper.
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