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.
Mackey
Guest
He was electric for the Roar and there was a genuine buzz in the stadium when he got the ball. He's got pace, quick feet, is a sharp passer and can score goals from anywhere. Very technically sound player and it's awesome that Nurnberg got promoted so he can now really challenge himself and hopefully go to the next level.
Lmacca
Guest
For what it's worth, here's how the squad picked breaks down. If we assume the World Cup 23 will come from this squad, at this stage it looks like the 1st and 2nd XI's below, plus another keeper - a battle between Petkovic/Federici/Galekovic I think. And yes, the First XI is made up of players from WC06. The most suspect out of all of them I think is Moore due to his age. First XI: ---------------Schwarzer------------- Wilkshire Neill Moore Chipperfield --------------Culina Grella --Emerton ----- Cahill ---- Kewell ----------------Kennedy----------- 2nd XI --------------Covic-------------------- Williams Milligan Kisnorbo Carney Jedinak Valeri Bresciano Holman Carle -------------McDonald The youngsters: Lowry; Vidosic Still think Spiranovic, Djite, Rukavystya have a chance if they get game time, but that will be the only way they force their way in.
Mr cheese
Guest
Are Australia still relying on the players they've had for the last 5 years or more ? Schwarzer and Cahill can both play, fair enough. I'm not sure about one or two of the others, however. I don't know much about football in Aus but I assumed that they would be bringing a few more players through. Don't tell me that Aussie is becoming a bit like Scotland i.e. a country in which they're struggling to bring at least a few players of quality through. Actually...................Aus isn't exactly like Scotland. They haven't been to the World Cup since 1998. You've qualified twice in that period. I take it all back.
Dickroo
Guest
Lowry's here for a late sub to lock him in with the Socceroos forever...
AndyRoo
Guest
I dont even remember him for the Roar. There was a thread not that long ago where someone was bagging the A league for not producing anyone good enough for the top league but he is probably the man.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
There is indeed something in that.
Realfootball
Guest
The fact that Vidosic is playing in the Bundesliga at 22 is high commendation. And he can score goals.
Realfootball
Guest
Yep, shame about the other stuff - you know, with the ball
AndyRoo
Guest
I really haven't seen much of Vidosic. I keep missing his Bundisliga games on OneHD (and there the only ones I want to see) so I am hoping he gets a run against Holland.
AndyRoo
Guest
Holmino is pretty good at running around .... just saying
Realfootball
Guest
Tony, agree that the age of the squad and the lack of pace is a real concern and has been for some time. I recall reading at during the last World Cup that finals teams that do well have an average age of 26 - which is exactly where our guys were last time. My feeling is that experience can compensate for lack of pace at the back, but not up front. Kewell's pace has completely gone and Bresciano has slowed down perceptibly. Emmerton is 30 and won't be getting quicker. That is why it is so important that Rukavytsia gets some points on the board this season. He is the one quick player we can put on the board at the moment. The only other player with that kind of pace is Tahj Minniecon, and Pim isn't one for gambling. Kennedy and MacDonald are a good age, but both lack the kind of pace to trouble a defence. With this squad we will be hard to beat but will also find it hard to win. Which means, unless we find some wild cards, we are likely to go out in the group stage. I hope I am wrong of course, but my view is backed by the performances during our qualifying campaign.
Gaz
Guest
It's a pity Porter didn't get a chance against Kuwait, when Pim was experimenting a bit. Maybe if we get qualification sorted for the Asian Cup, and Porter keeps playing well, he'll have a chance.
albe
Guest
"someone on an upward trend in terms of where their career progression" it'd be great if he could include two or three of these sort of players... Vidosic certainly comes to mind unless Ruka gets more games by mid-season. Whats the deal with the train-on squad? Will they take a few extras like they did leading up to Germany?
Tony Tannous
Expert
As you note Andy, if we get there!!....not looking too comfortable at the moment.
FIsher Price
Guest
"Is there enough surprise element, point of difference, or unknown in the squad to worry teams in SA?". No.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
There are going to be some interesting times after this world cup. The Squad we take to South Africa should be very different from the one we take to the Asian Cup (assuming we qualify)
Tony Tannous
Expert
I have seen the latest Socceroos squad and it looks like Pim has gone for the tried and tested, which I guess one can understand after the debacle in Canberra against Kuwait and given the must-win nature of this Oman game. Pim is a no risk man and it is a philosophy that has generally served him well. In coming up with my list, I am really looking to plug what I believe to be the gaps in the squad, and the main 2 are up front and in centre defence. But there are a couple of other interesting posers; 1 Striker; Kennedy at the moment is a shoe-in, McDonald has fluffed his lines so far, so there’s a spot, in my mind, for Porter to at least get a chance to show Pim he’s up for it. One thing I didn’t mention in my piece was his mentality – I like it. If there was one bolter for the squad, I’d still think Porter can be the man, but he has to keep doing what he’s doing and get a few goals for good measure. 2. Centre defence; Neill’s search for a club has the potential to really backfire on his chances of getting game time. I don’t see him as a certain starter at Everton at the moment. Craig Moore has always done well, even after his comeback for the WCQ’s, but there have been some less-convincing signs of late. I saw Kisnorbo against Liverpool recently and he did pretty well. Milligan didn’t look so good against South Korea. Jade North has been the one who has really done consistently well whenever given a game, but how often is he playing? He’s missed out. Not surprised Colosimo and Leijer have missed out, but they should just keep doing what they’re doing. Colosimo may have missed the boat for good, but Leijer has time. 3. Left back; Chippers and Carney deserve to be 1 and 2, and that’s probably all Pim will take to SA. But the battle for no. 3 is interesting. Steffanutto appears in pole position, Jamieson has gone backwards so far this season, but the guy really doing well in the A-League, at least for his defending is Dean Heffernan. Don’t know whether Lowry comes into the mix here, but if he’s anywhere near the success that Rhys Williams has been, definitely worth a crack.. 4. Goalkeeper; 3 go to SA. Covic is Schwarzer’s back-up here, but Galekovic and the boy from Huski, Federici, should be right in the mix. As a more general observation, the squad is looking a little on the oldish side, which doesn’t just mean you just throw in youngsters for the sake of balance, but looking ahead to SA, is there enough surprise element, point of difference, or unknown in the squad to worry teams in SA? And is there potential for an 11 made up of the established stars (esp. the defensive axis of Moore-Neill and Grella in front of them) to be caught out by a lack of pace? If they’re not playing or not playing well, does Verbeek have the steel/authority to leave them out? And, by picking the tried and tested, or the guys that have done the job for him to date, does Pim run the risk or not including someone who is in better form, or someone on an upward trend in terms of where their career progression?
Brian
Guest
The squad reflects that barring the January transfer window players are generally based where they will be at WC time. That means if Djitte, Spiranovic are not getting a game now they probably won't get enough games pre-WC. As we get close to the WC it is also natural that Pim starts to focus on the 11 starters + 3/5 subs rather than too many fringe players. Carle for me is a surprise. If the front 4 are Kewell, Cahill, Emmo & Jesus and we need a goal than McDonald & Bresc would be more up the pecking order than Carle I would have thought
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Djite isn't playing much, Spiranovic has finally been left out because he is not playing. I don't see either of these two making it his World Cup. Rukavytsia maybe. He is obviously not in the first team yet for his club but he is close and has 8 or so months to get ina nd score a few goals. Beachamp moving to a middle east team should mean the end of him as a Socceroo.
Realfootball
Guest
Lowry is a response to Scott Chipperfield and Craig Moore's advanced years, being left footed and a defender. Moore, in particular, has not looked the part this season. Coyne and Beachamp aren't quite up to the standard, and my guess is that Verbeek has decided that and is now looking left field, literally. As some point Vidosic has to get some serious game time - he is one of our few players competing in one of Europe's top tier comps. Bit of a worry that neither Rukavytsia nor Djite are in, but I guess if you aren't playing, you aren't in. In Djite's case, I can't remember the last time he scored a goal. He has gone very cold after a bright start.