Australia’s Harry Kewell (left) competes for the ball with Eljero Elia of the Netherlands during the Socceroos v Netherlands soccer match at the Sydney Football Stadium in Sydney, Oct. 10, 2009. The teams drew 0-0. AAP Image/Paul Miller
It’s time again to take off your club colours and slap on the green and gold. Another FIFA international date is upon us, and thankfully even the A-League is stepping aside for a week – though not the National Youth or Women’s Leagues.
There probably hasn’t been as important a FIFA international date since this time four years ago.
By the end of Saturday, the final World Cup spots will have been decided, we’ll know exactly how much Brazil have humbled England by (despite, according to FourFourTwo, the English having four of the twelve best players in the world compared with Brazil’s one), and the Socceroos will pretty much have their last major run-out until South Africa.
It’s the last of these points that I’ve been thinking about as the latest Socceroos squad makes for some interesting reading. Or more specifically, the omissions and inclusions do.
The biggest feature, obviously, is the absence of Scott McDonald.
So here’s what we know: Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek decided long ago that a cautious 4-2-3-1 was the best formation to utilise Australia’s abundance of wide forwards (Bresciano, Emerton, Kewell …)
There’s also a glut of central and, as Verbeek likes to refer to them, ‘controlling’ midfielders, to shield the centre-backs, which is necessary for this formation.
The other point that has now become obvious is that this squad is being built around Tim Cahill.
There’s no doubt he’s Australia’s biggest threat, and clearly Verbeek is trying to harness his quality as much as possible. That’s why the Socceroos coach has decided to go with Kennedy upfront.
McDonald’s omission is the final admission of that.
So with this structure in mind, we can start to consider the make-up and potential of the Socceroos squad that will head to South Africa next year.
For me, depth seems to be the biggest problem. Looking over recent Socceroos squads, three areas standout.
STRIKERS
Kennedy’s return to form in Japan has been heart warming for any Australian, but what if he picks up an injury?
For the last two years, we’ve just assumed that McDonald would come good eventually. However, Verbeek has now run out of patience with him.
While the door isn’t entirely shut on the Celtic striker, who would feel comfortable with him starting up front in South Africa?
Beyond him, there is the future promise of Bruce Djite and Nikita Rukavytsya but neither has proven to be ready for international football.
Beyond Mile Sterjovski, I agree with Jesse Fink’s point on Friday that striking options from the A-League pool “have virtually zero chance of making the final 23-man squad for the World Cup”.
The backup option for Verbeek then will most likely be playing Kewell out of position as a sole striker.
GOALKEEPERS
The return of Brad Jones and Adam Federici to this week’s Socceroos squad highlights Verbeek’s indecisiveness on the backup goalkeeper position.
No one, other then Adelaide United’s Eugene Galekovic, has had the chance to show their wares.
Still, if incumbent goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer picks up an injury before the World Cup, who would be comfortable with any of the players who’ve made squads over the last few years standing in goal in a high pressure World Cup game?
CENTREBACKS
I believe this is the position which will decide who are successful at next year’s World Cup. Not because I think it will be a defensive tournament, but for the exact opposite reason.
The UEFA Champions League is where the most tactically advanced football is being played and there is a clear trend being played in Europe – sides are playing one man up front.
This is becoming prevalent in international football, as well, and will feature predominantly at the business end of the tournament.
When a flat four comes up against a lone-forward, one centre-back is freed up, and while the other covers the sole striker, the other is freed.
What do you do with this free man?
While defensive forwards have been all the rage recently, I think attacking defenders are the next development.
The seething brain of tactical knowledge that is Jonathon Wilson wrote in the latest edition of Champions magazine that the libero could be about to return.
Remember Gerard Pique’s marauding runs for Barcelona last season? I saw a similar move from William Gallas lead to the opener for Arsenal against Brett Holman’s AZ Alkmaar at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
Even Juventus’ clumsy centre-back Giorgio Chiellini was continuously pushing on to great effect against Atalanta on Saturday.
Lucas Neill is capable to a point of playing this role (look up the goal Neill set up for Louis Saha in Everton’s debut) but beyond him who can? I remember with pleasure Matthew Spiranovic’s run from defence that finished with a shot on goal during the Beijing Olympics.
But few others have shown that ability.
So my fear, especially if Neill gets injured or suspended, is that Australia will miss out on utilising this potential advantage in South Africa.
The Socceroos’ squad depth looks fragile and there are few places on the pitch where quality injury cover will be easy to find. Verbeek is continuing to experiment with his squad, but time is about to run out.
Julio
Guest
only a delusional English paper obsessed with the EPL would ever put 4 of theirs as the best in the world this is by far the most ridiculous thing i have ever head. EPL is good but sorry England isn't its simply a fact. Countries like brazil have far more talent that is hidden from the media spot light of europe. I hope Brazil thrash England to prove how wrong these assertions are.
md
Guest
I think 'failed to create an entirely cohesive unit' is precisely what will change with the camp. You are right to focus on the 2 'controlling midfielders' though, getting that right is the key to the the cohesion issue. The main issues that make the team look a bit hot and cold are not rocket science - its tempo and decision making - for which controlling midfielders need to be the quarterbacks. Its not really stuff you can get right in pre-match camps. 4 weeks though is plenty of time to fix it and we will look like a different team - or more accurately we will look like we do when we play well, just a lot more often.
Robbos
Guest
That's a great point Vidic is far better than Terry & Ferdinand (on current form). Terry is a great leader, but doesn't have the techinque, I rate Carvello better than Terry at Chelsea. I agree Ferdinand is up there with the likes of Vidic (though on current form Vidic better), Lucio, & Nesta. For me Cannavro circa 06 was the best defender in the world we had seen for awhile, but in the Real Madrid years, not so good.
SImone`
Guest
Each to thier own I guess... They may be at the 'end of the road', but if you have watched thier form this season they are still 2 of the top defenders going around. The English defenders you mentioned are also coming along in thier career, so it's not really a valid point, just because they old they are finished.
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
"serious dude", i do watch enough Serie A to make a judgement and I would still rate the current english defenders as better, sure in the past Italy have had some excellent backs (while I'm only really talking central players) but currently they don't, Lucio I already mentioned before, Chiellini has done nothing in football yet but has the talent and Nesta & Cannavaro are at the end of the road.
SImone`
Guest
Serious dude, Chiellini, Lucio, Nesta, Cannavaro, Silva, would be better or just as good center backs, not even mentioning the full backs such as Maicon, Grosso etc... You have to stop watching only EPL and then commenting on 'best in the world', typical anglo comments. On a side note I'd rate Vidic (last season) as better than Terry and Ferdinand.
SImone`
Guest
I concur whole - heartedly... J.Kennedy is no good, unless he sits at the penalty spot and we just cross long balls to his head all day. Offers nothing else. HAL players also shouldn't make the cut, Scotty Mac scored against United last season and I believe AC? recently, players from big clubs like this we will come up against in the WC. Who cares if he can't score agains Oman...
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
It seems until he signs a new contract with his current club they aren't going to play him. You can probably find more detials on 442 somewhere but it's old news. The end result is he hasn't been playing lately.
vladimir
Guest
contrsct dispute? do you have any more information...
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
Davidde, a fairly accurate reflection on Rooney I'd have to say, watching him live is amazing, his work-rate etc that you don't see on the camera is just incredibly and I think Terry isn't necessarily so highly rated for his defensive skills, that is just a part of it, it is his leadership, he's the kind of guy you'd want leading you into battle and I think it's this aspect that makes the myth. As for Lucio, I have seen a lot of him at Bayern and while he is a good defender and good on the ball he isn't as good as Ferdinand whom I think you've been particularly harsh on. Remember he has been playing with back injuries for the past 12 months and his form has only really dropped off in 2009 (admittedly, quite spectactularly), for the entirety of 2008 Ferdinand and Vidic were the undisputed best central pairing in world football. I have seen a bit of Italian football (although I'm sure your knowledge in that area would dwarf mind) but I couldn't come up with a better individual defender there either, in the most defensive league in the world. Serie A relies far more on team tactics than individual feats and Spain is hardly renowned for top defenders while Germany has fallen too far behind the pack to have any serious contenders. I fail to see a real contender to the crown, particularly amongst the Brazilian ranks.
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
Ferdinand is far better technically than Lucio and mentally, both the english players are far better. Lucio is one of the better defenders Brazil have had in recent memory (I don't count the fullbacks) but England have always produced good centre-halfs the same as Brazil has always produced fine attacking-midfielders.
Davidde Corran
Roar Guru
Great point on Milligan. I hope he goes to South Africa. He's as reliable as any of the other back-up options and he is the future of the Socceroos up back. I agree entirely with you on the flexibility of 4-2-3-1. I actually love seeing that formation used by those with the ability to employ it successfully (think Liveprool with a spine of Alonso, Gerrard and Torres). Verbeek doesn't like his full backs to bomb on continuously but when they go, they go hard. My gripe with the way Verbeek utilises it, and I've written about this before on here, is the way he employs his two holding midfielders. When one of them is allowed to push into the attack the Socceroos look much more convincing (think Netherlands last year, Ireland this year). The other issue with the formation is we lack a player who can drift between the lines and exposes other formations. Kewell has some of that ability but I don't think we get the best out of him when he's pushed out wide. I do, however, disagree about the pre-tournament camp changing things. Hiddink never had two years to work with the squad. That's why he changed so much in such little time. Verbeek has had time to mold this squad and has failed to create an entirely cohesive unit. For this reason I doubt there will be any significant departures from the way the team is playing now.
Davidde Corran
Roar Guru
I love Rooney as a footballer. I cant stand his type of petulance but I love his commitment and work ethic which is coupled with such ability. He is the most important player for any team in England. I got to see him play in the flesh for the first time last week and you can see what he's all about. That said I feel he's a fair way off C.Ronaldo in terms of creativity and quality. However I couldn't disagree more with your comment about Terry and Ferdinand. Firstly I wouldn't make such a comment as I've probably seen less then 1% of all the Brazilian defenders that have played at a high level - making such a comparison impossible. However Rio's form over the last 18 months has been poor to awful. I would take Lucio over him in a heartbeat. Terry is quite a decent defender but how easily he sold himself to Valencia in the first half on Sunday, by squaring up his positioning and allowing Valencia to fly past him, (Valencia should have been awarded a penalty) was an example of his fallibility. He's a quality defender on most days but he really isn't much better then most other defenders playing at the top level in Europe. Terry being the best defender in the world is a myth perpetuated by those who mainly watch English football.
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
Kennedy is good enough, he did well in Germany, scored enough goals but was playing for a crap team who, even when he was scoring, wasn't giving him chances and McDonald has a lot of talent, just seems to go missing on the big stage. Perhaps Verbeek should schedule a friendly against Samoa and let McDonald open his account, then the flood gates may open.
Freud of Football
Roar Guru
And let's not forget the press complained constantly about the Europeanisation of their football team. They would have prefered to lose than play boring, defensive football.
FIsher Price
Guest
Pants? I fear so.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
I wouldn't say he offers nothing - you could argue it's limited. But Scotty isn't the complete package either - this is our dilemma - we've known it and seen it coming for at least 18 months.
David
Guest
Am i the only person who thinks J.Kenndy is no good?? he plays inthe J-league big woop! he stuggled in Germany and no offence does nothin for our field play besides his height advantage i reckon he offers nothing to our national team his like a crap version of Peter Crouch. At least McDonald can hold but the defence like he did against ROI setting up Cahill Id rather see Vidoic up front at least his skillful, can shoot and take free kicks. If not Kewell should be our up front man his still got some pace and his by far the most skillful playerin the squade Anyone who thinks Strjovski, Archie, Thompson or any A-league play for matter of fact should be our stricker god help us. i got nothing against the HAL i follow it but anyone who knows anything about football can see the players get way to much space and the game is way to slow. U put any HAL striker in there they will gt torn apart from not being quick enough in the WC. We are a weaker side compared to 2006 but in 2006 we has a hard group followed but the eventual winners italy if fortune favors us will get NZ (if they qualify) and a out of form team like france or Protugal will top the group play a weak Asian or African team and make it to the final 8 im parying this happens but who knows
Pippinu
Roar Guru
It's a good point (the value of a month together). If you ever watch a replay of that Aust vs Uruguay game, you will be struck by how well Uruguay played in ET right up to the 120th, and how unlucky they were not to tie the game up (and thus avoid pens).
dasilva
Guest
I think that's a reasonable point Our style of football under Guus wasn't that great against Uruguay. Lets face it if it was a boxing match. I would say Uruguay would have shaded on points over the two legs (we should have been at least two goals down after the first leg due to a penalty shout when Schwarzer tripped over recoba and the referee missed it. Uruguay had the better chances in extra time). We certainly didn't play attractive football until the world cup after Guus had then in camp for a month. I think the socceroos team at the world cup wouldn't have needed extra time and penalties to beat Uruguay of 2005.