The Australian Socceroos during a training session at Ballymore. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
The third and final installment of my overview of the prospective Socceroos World Cup squad concludes with a look at the goalkeeping candidates.
Mark Schwarzer is the unassailable and undisputed number one, which is markedly different from the situation he found himself in at Germany four years ago. He’s in career best form and is one of Australia’s few world class players.
If Pim is genuine in his stated view that the gap between the A-League and international football is too great, the reserves will all be playing their football overseas. The candidates are Brad Jones, Adam Federici, Ante Covic and Michael Petkovic.
It’s difficult to know where Pim’s thinking is on this one, as Schwarzer’s continued availability has not given any of the reserve keepers a chance to play. What then can we can read into the omission of Covic and Petkovic from the squad to play Kuwait? Their leagues are on a break, and if they were genuine contenders you would think they would have been included, perhaps even been first choice to play.
It makes me think that Pim may have already penciled in Federici and Jones. Federici’s form for Reading has been solid, while Jones has recently lost his place in a Middlesbrough side sliding down the Championship table.
Eugene Galekovich is almost certain to start this week in Kuwait, and has been one of the best keepers in the A-League for the last few seasons. A move to Europe in January and regular game time are essential for his prospects. Still he remains a very long shot.
I reckon one of the reserve spots is up for grabs, especially if Jones fails to regain his position at Middlesbrough. Assuming he does get back, the Socceroos goalkeepers will be:
21. Mark Schwarzer
22. Adam Federici
23. Brad Jones
Otherwise, you will probably see Petkovic in the last goalkeeper slot at Jones’ expense.
Thanks to everyone who commented on Parts One and Two. Have a great 2010; may it bring a great showing from the Socceroos in South Africa, the promise of a World Cup in Australia in 2022 and Brett Holman scoring a brace against Germany.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Given Galekovic's game time and his performances in the green and gold I'd suggest he'd be a fair chance for the squad. If he ends up in Europe getting game time then pencil him in.
RY
Guest
It is interesting that Petkovic has missed out. Maybe Verbeek has decided on ante covic for 2nd choice and now wants to run the rule over contenders for 3rd choice. Clearly covic has performed better than petkovic when given the chance for the socceroos, petkovic has generally looked nervy and uncertain in the few games he's played. neither has played recently - turkey has a mid-season break until late january, while covic is in his off-season. although you're right - if pim really liked petkovic, he'd include him in the squad unless injured. covic hasnt played since nov 1 so he wouldnt be match fit im guessing. in my opinion, pim has decided that 2nd choice ought to be someone who can stand in best if schwarzer was injured (god forbid!). he'd go for experience over the relatively untested and inexperienced talents of jones and federici. to me, it seems that ante covic has won that spot. he's relatively solid and reliable - a good back-up. i reckon that verbeek is just assessing the potential 3rd choices - young/a-league keepers with a bit of potential - to help their learning curve. the absence of a 1st and 2nd choice in the squad is not unusual; capello omits david james all the time. i agree that federici is the best candidate - lots of potential and playing fairly well. my picks - 1.schwarzer 2.covic 3.federici
hoodooguru
Roar Rookie
I agree that ordinarily Petkovic would be second choice. I just can't work out why Pim hasn't picked him for Kuwait. It would have been a great opportunity to give him some more international experience in the lead up to the WC. Maybe he is injured? If so, I couldn't find any record of it. Of the rest, Fedirici is in the best form.
RY
Guest
seems to me that verbeek's still deciding on 3rd choice with his latest selection for the kuwait game. he's probably decided on covic (or petkovic) for 2nd choice and maybe wants a younger keeper for 3rd choice, to bring along for the experience. covic is playing regularly in a decent european league, as is petkovic, and both have the advantage of experience over guys like jones and federici. verbeek really values experience since it equates to safety in his mind, so 2nd choice will probably be either covic or petkovic. to the author - it seems so far-fetched that federici will be 2nd choice; he's hardly featured in verbeek's squads and pim probably sees him as too young. federici looks like getting 3rd choice, unless jones regains his place and plays really well for the 2nd half of the season OR galekovic moves to europe and plays regularly and very well.
hoodooguru
Roar Rookie
Hi-5 is no chance*. Might sneak into next year's Asian Cup squad though. *Unless he starts against Kuwait and plays well. The starter will be the player Pim thinks is the A-League's best. That will put him in the frame - one of 5 players vying for 2 reserve spots.
Midfielder
Guest
Don't forget Danny V...
danny
Guest
brad jones has been in horrendous form. i'd take either eugene (in great form locally) or vukovic (for the experience) behind schwarzer and federici.
David
Guest
If Eugene Galekovich goes to Hangover 96 like there saying and gets a start he will be the 2nd choice keeper, 3rd choice doesnt matter honestly we wont use anyone but swarts unless he gets injured before the world cup and even if he did i reckon he would still play like in the south Korea game he's a tough cookie. TBH we wont be in the tornament long enough chances are we wont make it past the 1st around we tipped to come last. Even so wont beat england with fabio capello they are a completely different team to when we played them in 1997 they play a more conservative brand which i unlike england but as maximised the potential skills of there players. All threeteams in the group stage has a better squad then us maybe we can beat ghana but withall the suport they wil get i doubt it. Serbia and Germany are clear losses at best draws be we park the bus. So the 2nd and third keeper will matter very little if at all unless swarts gets injured before th world cup and if he does well....were going to get pumped.
Brian
Guest
I agree Federici is the back-up , if Jones loses his spot I'm sure Pim will pick a keeper who's playing which makes me think Petkovic or Covic
jimbo
Guest
Uhhh . . . Jones blew his chance last time he played for the Socceroos and makes me feel uncomfortable as our custodian against the likes of Ghana and Germany. The other alternatives make me feel nervous too. We do need Der Schwarz fit and healthy come June 10 don't we.