Pim Verbeek read out 31 names the other day, including regulars such as Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, Vince Grella, Brett Emerton, Scott Chipperfield and Lucas Neil. However, his decision to include some youth cannot be ignored, and should be applauded.
The wonder kid himself, Tommy Oar (18), and quiet achiever James Holland (20), as well as Aston Villa’s Shane Lowry (20), who is on loan at Leeds United, were included.
As was, of course, Rhys Williams (21), who is arguably the most likely of the quartet to remain after June 1.
Now Pim, you told us to relax on the comparisons of Oar to Kewell after his fine debut against Indonesia.
“Let’s try to keep it normal for the boy, he’s just 18-years-old and don’t mention him as the next Harry Kewell please”.
You warned us.
But your stocks on the left hand side are limited, and Oar may well be the ultimate World Cup bolter.
Kewell’s groin is playing up, and David Carney simply isn’t creative enough.
Chipperfield is 34, and better deployed on the left hand side of defence despite his recent goal-scoring spree at Basel.
Oh, naturally left-sided players, where art thou?
Pim, you wrote about your problems on the left wing in your Herald Sun column.
“But we have injuries, especially to players who can play left wing as Tommy does, and you never know what will happen, so they [Oar and Holland] must train is if every day is their last, and see where it takes them”.
And you go on: “Tommy is a wonderful prospect, and I like his attitude – the pressure, so far, hasn’t bothered him.”
How can’t we compare him to Harry Kewell?
He’s left-footed, plays on the left side, skips past players with pace and whips in superb flat crosses.
Can he do it against the best? Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait and see.
Can we take him Pim, can we please? Should we take young Oar to South Africa, or are the Germans, Serbians and Ghanaians too strong?
If we do, look out Harry.
Midfielder
Guest
Harry will show Oar move in a couple of weeks of tight Socceroo training than a year of training would do.
Colin N
Guest
"Good point on Burns as well. Brazil 2014 does look all the more exciting with the youngsters doesn’t it?" Really? From what I have seen, the current crop of youngsters in Australia don't have the potential to take over from the Cahill's and Emerton's etc - they don't seem good enough to me.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
bit hard to say we may never see his equal, however very correct to say we haven't yet.
viper2716
Guest
Ive always wonder the fact harry has suffered from groin injuries since he left leeds was due to the fact he was so good so young and put his growing body through to much to early . His electric pace and the ability to turn on a 5 cent piece put alot of strain on a young body . A for tommy oar we will now find out what he has to offer , as he will come up against stronger defences that play at a much higher pace . We all hope he keeps progressing but there are alot more aussies in europe doing what he is doing . Brad Inman ( 18) comes to mind just won the youth player of the year at Newcastle united in england and has already been on the bench for the 1st team , but who has been representing Scotland as Australia has shown no interest . There must be away of setting up overseas training camps for our overseas youth players , where they can get together a couple of times a year just so the FFA can monitor their progress for the future .
chloemaree
Guest
Great piece - I think Oar has it in him.
Midfielder
Guest
Dejan Harry is in my life time (56 years)is the best player we have ever produced, only Dukes comes close and can walk with him...two other players in Ray Bart and Joe Marsden are the only others even spoken of who are compared... To much weight on anyone's shoulders... Harry at 18 in the A-League today .... HHHHHMMMMMMMmmmm ...TBH I do not see a defense in the A-League that Harry at 18 would not tear to shreds... Give Oar time... I think many football folk in Australia do not really understand how good Harry was at Leeds... we may never see his equal...
whiskeymac
Guest
true, but there's also wilkshire, carle, carney, kisnorbo, jedinak, galekovic, garcia, valeri and holman aged between 25 and 29 who aren't on that list. there are also players overseas at a similar age to Oar who haven't necessarily got the plaudits but have potential (mooy at Blackburn is 19, McGowan at Hearts). One good thing about the HAL has been players who do stand out are noticed by the media and the coaches. also well done to Langerack for his move to the bundesliga. Langerack versus Bouzanis for the number one shirt over the next few campaigns maybe?
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Peter Barnes? Magnificent playwright, though I had no idea he played football, let alone on the left wing. Not thinking of John Barnes are you? Besides, it's unfair to compare Tommy Oar to players who've been touted as the world's best. It's a bit like saying someone is a dullard because they haven't reached the same level as Albert Einstein at the same age.
whiskeymac
Guest
agree. harry at 18 was a stand out. goals against Iran away at 17 or so for Venables and he never looked back. with viduka, bozza and shwarzer he has been, and when not injured always was, world class. oar has potential but is not at the same level as Mr Kewell was at the same age. kewell at 18 would have skipped past vidic. give him time.
Australian Football
Roar Guru
Hopefully it will be Rijkaard and Neeskens, but let’s us wait and see who is available after the World Cup. Whoever is appointed---hopefully it will be someone who can mentor the players instead of someone who is only capable of filling out a team sheet.
Australian Football
Roar Guru
I was really just talking about the Euro based Roos for the friendlies in Euro. Of coarse the HAL Roos could do with some good quality hit outs as well in Asia and at home.
David V.
Guest
When Peter Barnes was 19 he was young player of the year and ripping up the left wing. Tommy Oar has a long way to go before he can attain even a fraction of that.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Dare I say I'd take Oar over Vidosic if it comes down to playing on the left hand side. Raw talent is great and Vidosic is just as unproven to me, struggling to get much game time in Germany's second tier. He's only 18 so of course he has a long way to go. Is the fact they offered him a five-year deal proof? It's a tough one.
gazz
Roar Pro
Gee Tommy has got a long way to go. Prove himself with Utrecht first, then we'll see. cant see him making the socceroos final 23. seems too unproven.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Tommy is going to need game time with Utrecht before we have an understanding as to where he is at. Vidosic can play on the left so offers some cover there. Hopefully Nathan Burns and possibly James Troisi are in the mix for Qatar.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
A couple in the A-League, a couple in the state leagues and a couple overseas. The others have fallen away and disappeared. The middle-tier is the worry, I agree, but we might get away with it with Schwarzer, Chipperfield etc playing through until early to mid-30s
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
A bit off topic but it seems we have a big gap in generations. We have the generation of guys that were eligible for the Sydney Olympic team (Kewell's generation) and then the current guys all under 22 (oar Generation). Not many players in their peak years (Mcdonald and Kennedy come to mind). However I think one of our best ever youth results was the Joeys getting a runners up medal in the u17 world cup in NZ (1999). So few of them kicked on, I know big things were expected of Mark Byrnes but he’s in state league now. SBS should do a where are they now segement and see where it all went wrong. Oz team for the final Jess KEDWELL-VANSTRATTAN Shane CANSDELL-SHERRIFF Aaron GOULDING Adrian MADASCHI Mark BYRNES Jade NORTH Louis BRAIN Lucas PANTELIS Scott McDONALD Wayne SRHOJ Dylan MACALLISTER Substitute(s) Shane LOCKHART Joe DI IORIO Joshua KENNEDY Iain FYFE Brad GROVES Anthony DOUMANIS Matthew MILOSEVIC
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Thanks AF. Good point on Burns as well. Brazil 2014 does look all the more exciting with the youngsters doesn't it? Obviously you aren't a fan of Pim. Who would you want to replace him and what style and formation would you want the Socceroos to play? I think AndyRoo also throws up some interesting questions in regards to international friendlies.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I would settle for friendlies against anyone not just European countries. The A league/Asian Roos should be playing a lot more but it seems the FFA are very reluctant to schedule games for the B team. Perhaps something has to be negotiated with the Players association so it doesn't cost so much to put them out on the paddock for friendlies (I'm only guessing this might be the reason). The only time we used the A league boys was for the Asian cup qualifiers. Given how much the make up of that squad change game to game that's pretty amatuerish. Edit: The A league boys should be playing more friendlies to take the load of the european pros but also it's a good marketing tool. Fans from places like Nth Qld and CCM would love to see their players earning caps. Maybe it's branding BS in that they don't want to lose the premium brand by playing a friendly agaisnt Indonesia in Geelong and only charging $10 to get in. Shame if that's the thinking.
Harvey the Scouser
Roar Guru
"Lets see Tommy rip apart Japan & South Korea etc before we say hes ready to skip past Vidic." Well put Towser. At the same age, Harry had unbelievable ball control control and dribbling skills, and a nose for goal that was well beyond his years.