Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek oversees a training session at Docklands Stadium. AAP Image/Julian Smith
The popular assumption following yesterday’s announcement of the preliminary 31-man Socceroos squad is that Pim Verbeek has, yet again, shunned the A-League – a league he considers at a lower level than a training session at a Bundesliga club.
Missing from the extended squad were Perth Glory trio, and former Socceroos, Mile Sterjovski, Jacob Burns and Chris Coyne.
Alex Brosque and Simon Colosimo’s brilliant performances, which were instrumental in Sydney FC’s premiership and championship wins, also weren’t enough for Verbeek, who overlooked the duo.
Even Eugene Galekovic, the undoubted star goalkeeper of the A-League, despite Adelaide United’s woeful season, could only manage the “fourth” goalkeeper spot, with Verbeek going out of his way in his squad presentation to note that Galekovic will only feature in the final squad should Mark Schwarzer, Adam Federici and Brad Jones succumb to injury.
Injury robbed Shane Stefanutto, Matthew Kemp and Archie Thompson of the chance to be considered for South Africa – and Verbeek did single them out in his presentation – but it’s highly doubtful they would have been given the nod ahead of European based candidates such as Nathan Burns, Bruce Djite, and Neil Kilkenny.
Only Jason Culina of Gold Coast United is a currently contracted A-League player, meaning that the Socceroos will be going to South Africa with two less A-League players than they took to Germany in 2006 (Archie Thompson, Mark Milligan and Michael Beauchamp were in the squad but didn’t feature four years ago).
The perception to emerge yesterday, therefore, was that the A-League had been overlooked yet again as a result of Verbeek’s prejudice against the league and the obvious lack of technical ability within it.
Verbeek’s unfortunate past comment was a public black eye for the league, but his belief was only confirmed by the Socceroos squad he picked, we were told yesterday.
But let’s ignore the reasons why the A-League isn’t in a position to provide more Socceroos at present (that requires its own column), and look at what it has contributed to this current squad.
Scratch beneath the surface and look beyond the current clubs alongside the names in the 31-man squad and you’ll find that almost half of the players named have A-League experience, with many of them starring in our domestic competition before moving on.
According to my calculations, of the 31 named in the squad (let’s include the unlucky Galekovic for the moment), 13 of the players have A-League experience, and even more encouragingly is how many of the them are youngsters and represent the future of the Socceroos beyond the so-called “Golden Generation”.
Tommy Oar is just one example, with fans undoubtedly relieved that the incredibly talented teenager made it into the 31.
Oar, along with Dario Vidosic, were products of the Brisbane Roar, and their grounding and training in the A-League, along with their impressive performances, put them on the road to Europe and, hopefully, the World Cup.
Nikita Rukavytsya was a star for Perth Glory before moving to Holland. Michael Beauchamp and Mile Jedinak were products of the Central Coast. Nicky Carle, James Holland and Jade North were instrumental in Newcastle Jets’ successes in the A-League before going in very different paths, which could culminate in South Africa.
David Carney’s performances at Sydney FC gave him a second crack at Europe.
The A-League may come under criticism for its ability to produce Socceroos based on how many current domestic based players were selected, but delve deeper and you’ll find it is doing the job of providing a springboard for players to get to Europe, and Asia, and the Socceroos.
Finally, it would be remiss not to mention the amount of coverage and attention the squad announcement received yesterday.
Live blogs and live streaming were run on major newspaper websites across the media spectrum.
(The exception being SEN Radio who, according to Melbourne based Roarers, cut away from Verbeek’s speech as he was still reading out the names – not cool.)
Interest in the squad selection far outweighed that of four years – undoubtedly helped by the controversial makeup of the Socceroos under Verbeek’s rule.
But it’s yet another sign of the growing stature and importance we are placing on the Socceroos. As we debated and argued over players included and missing, it proved they matter more to us than ever before.
David V.
Guest
A-League players will not improve until coaching improves. Simple as that.
James
Guest
Very true. Forces them to play a more technical, more cohesive game, which therefore gives them a different and better base than the rough and tumble of the A-League.
Marsh
Guest
Last nights Adelaide ACL game proved to me that that comp is the key to the development of players to a higher standard. Look at how the Reds lifted and improved by taking the Acl seriously.
Robby72
Guest
Colosimo played his way out with his performances for the Socceroos. Particularly against Kuwait in the Asian cup qualifier. One mistake led directly to a goal. No surprise he missed out.
Robby72
Guest
Agreed. Sterjovski had two shockers for the Socceroos in the last 6 months. That's why he missed out. No other reason I would have thought.
James
Guest
I've seen a few articles pop up with this arguement. I think it's a good sign not all in the media are falling for the A-League sucking belief that some in the media are running with today.
James
Guest
Plus, Culina is a likely starter and will feature so as opposed to 2006 where none of the A-League players even got on the pitch you could argue there is a greater A-League influence thanks to Culina.
James
Guest
On form alone on Culina, Galekovic and Colosimo deserved spots. The Perth trio were average at best, Brosque too inconsistent.
Lmacca
Guest
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=784944&cc=3436&ver=global Similar article that went up last night on Soccernet...
Luke10
Roar Rookie
Sure the media can huff and puff all they like about Pim shunning the A League. Its not Pim Verbeek's job to pamper and nurture A League players. The Socceroos team is the pinnacle not of only for the A League but for all Aussie footballers working their trade in leagues around the world. Pim has shunned players in Korea, Japan and in Europe as well. Its all how you measure success and equating the number of A League players in the national squad as in indicator of A League success is near sighted. I totally agree with this article, the A League is a springboard for our players into larger more renowned leagues and that's the way it should be.
Stevo
Guest
Apart from a few plucky youngsters the team revolves around the 2006 squad given that few if any new players have stamped themselves as worthy of international duty. And that's the point. "Alex Brosque and Simon Colosimo’s brilliant performances" were in the A-league where Nicky Carle showed his wares - he who now struggles to get game time in CC league. So I'm not disappointed with the team but looking to 2014 we really need some of the younger crew to hurry up and develop into international level players. Let's wait and see.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Spot on Adrian. 13 of the 31 have played or are playing in the A-League. For a new competition, there is nothing wrong with it being a "breeding ground", the only concern is that many of the managers in the league continue to persist with the older players. I'm happy to watch the youth develop in our league, for how long? Well, that's probably a matter for a different time.
ajb
Guest
there actually are quite a few current or recently departed a-league players in the squad the only dissapointment for me was the lack of colosimo/joel griffiths, who clearly have shown the form to have been included
whiskeymac
Guest
Agree - moore, oar etc are still HAL players (technically they havent been for a few months but over the last few months they were and thats good enough for me) - and players like Jedinak, Beauchamp,Milligan, North are products of the HAL (and arguably also the NSL as some of the others are too certainly played a lot of games for old clubs). i hope Holland, Ruky and Oar step up to the squad of 23. I guess we will know who is in the frame with the NZ clash - so many players need game time am sure Pim will be putting fwd his best possible squad for these friendlies. maybe the NZ clash will be important afterall =)
Towser
Guest
No question the A-League & most other leagues around the world(including lesser European leagues) will always be feeder leagues to the top European ones. However if we want to develop the A-League to its highest possible level (to compete with the MLS,J-League etc) we need to produce youngsters who are capable of going to the bigger clubs in Europe. That way if were smart we can get bigger transfer fees to help grow the clubs in the A-League. MOst of the players who are in the 13 mentioned would have given their A-League clubs either none or little return. The Roar did ok for me with the Oar/Zullo/Sarota transfer given the current status of the A-League. However we should be looking to do better. The future Tommy Oars for instance,should look the goods already in the A-League,not just show potential before they go overseas. I know this wont happen for all,some will always go early.,but its a way of clubs earning money. Lets face it World Football is a revolving door,got to make the best of it.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
It's the nature of it. Become a star int he A league and then overseas clubs will want you so it's natural our best "a league" players are now in Europe. Colosimo maybe unlucky because of his versatility but I dont think he and Brosque should have been selected. Their old and not really top drawer. What I found most dissapointing from the media was the blaming of moving back to the a league as to why Sterjovski wasn't selected. They were implying it was because of the quality of the league. That's not true, Perth were woeful and finished a scrappy 5th. Coyne was often injured and Todd had a better season for mine. They were out shone by other A league players that's what cost them. Like most I think Glaekovic was unlucky to miss out to Brad Jones.
David
Guest
The A-league players we not selected because they weren't good enough! the Perth Trio all had average seasons and were all of poor quality. Alex Brosque lost his chance when he left the indo camp (fe tho) however he hasn’t been playing or anything for 3 months now. Simon Colosimo (knew training wasn't going to be enough after his K-league deal didn’t work out) Culina is a sernior member and has experience same with..Moore All the Injured guys Archie, Shane etc have played shocking at Socceroos level plz watch football before u comment on football. I personally think this Article is off base and the current Australian Media is off base as you said Vidosic, Ruka etc are there, those players were once A-league players. They also were the BEST A-league players just because they're in Europe now doesn’t mean they weren’t produced by the A-league. Generally the players the leave the A-league are the best A-league players thus selecting them is just the best players of the A-league just playing somewhere else. The technical level the A-league isn't good enough but it's getting better. Only player i think should have been in the squad was Galekovic over Jones however he has only played a few games since the A-league season ended and a GK needs to be match fit. To conclude what im saying is that Ora, Vidosic, Ruka, Jedi etc are the A-league, we all know the A-league isnt the best these players were the best of the A-league plus techincally getting better in europe. Verbeek has done the right thing picking young players our squad is getting old and we need to blood some new players.
The Bear
Guest
Some great analysis.
AA
Guest
"Scratch beneath the surface and look beyond the current clubs alongside the names in the 31-man squad and you’ll find that almost half of the players named have A-League experience, with many of them starring in our domestic competition before moving on." A much better article than your last one Adrian.
James
Guest
The last point is the most interesting here. Four years ago there were only a handful of media outlets covering the the squad announcement. Then the bandwagon rolled in. About the first point, I can't agree. I think Tony got it right in the live blog last night when he said the omission of Brosque, Colosimo and Galekovic was another sign of the damage PV's done to the HAL.