Australia’s Scott McDonald and Iraq’s Haidar Hussain during the Australian Socceroos v Iraq World Cup qualifier. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Pim Verbeek may have trimmed his list, but the battle for a place among the final 23 to represent Australia at the World Cup is still fierce. Just ask Scott McDonald. The diminutive forward needs little introduction, but to cast light on his situation one will be given nonetheless.
The 26-year-old’s career looked in danger of winking out just five years ago, until a successful move to Scottish Premier League club Motherwell.
Celtic came calling next, and McDonald plundered 51 goals in 88 appearances before shifting to Middlesborough in January.
After some early difficulties, McDonald settled at the Championship club and began to find the back of the net again.
But while the goals have not eluded the plucky striker at club level, the same cannot be said when representing Australia.
He has not scored in 15 appearances for the Socceroos; a fact that weighs heavily on his mind. It has not all been his own doing.
A fundamental difference between Verbeek and predecessor Guus Hiddink has not helped McDonald.
Hiddink’s formation was dictated by the players he had at his disposal. He recognised depth was a luxury the Socceroos did not have, so formulated his playing style around the nation’s best players.
Verbeek has taken a different approach. He has stuck with his chosen formation which – although sometimes talked up as otherwise – tends to be a fluid 4-5-1.
Players are then selected on their ability to play the roles within the formation.
It’s meant the likes of McDonald – and Nick Carle – have had trouble slotting in and making an impact.
McDonald has been a somewhat peripheral figure in Australia’s World Cup qualification campaign, becoming increasingly isolated from Verbeek’s formation.
He was even passed over for selection for the Socceroos’ game against Oman late last year.
Anyone with a pedigree such as his would seem a shoo-in for a World Cup spot, but speculation surfaced yesterday that McDonald would only gain a place if injuries to Harry Kewell and Mark Bresciano worsen.
And where there is smoke, there is fire.
While he has ploughed a lone furrow for Boro on occasion, McDonald seems uncomfortable up front alone.
It means Kewell and Josh Kennedy are well ahead in the pecking order for Verbeek’s lone striker’s role.
If taken to South Africa, he would most likely have to settle for a spot on the bench. But Nikita Rukavytsya’s goals for Belgium outfit KSV Roeselare have placed further pressure on McDonald.
McDonald is a classic poacher: crafty, slippery and always in the right spot.
But Rukavytsya has pace and a desire to take on defenders, lending him an X-factor McDonald simply can’t match.
Who is more likely to provide spark of the bench if Australia finds itself a goal down against Serbia?
The answer is not one in McDonald’s favour. Attacker Dario Vidosic’s versatility – a quality Verbeek cherishes – is another poor omen for McDonald.
McDonald may well get his ticket to the World Cup. But even then it may be fair to say that he – and a handful of other Verbeek ‘outsiders’ – will be looking forward to the Dutchman’s exit after the finals.
Luke10
Roar Rookie
Wug I would have to agree with you there. I was puzzled when on May 9 when the Japanese national 23 man squad was announced, followed by their reserve players on May 12. It had me thinking why would they do so when all the other nations are holding off until June 1. Japanese are well known for their team work on and of the field. Maybe there is merit to announce the final 23 early so the player have more time to settle knowing that they are in the final squad.
wug
Guest
It is a pity the choosing of the final squad is left so late - makes it hard for everyone to start thinking of actually playing instead of whether or not they are going to make the final squad
The Bear
Guest
Pim will never play a second striker at World Cup. Especially not at the expense of the second screening/holding midfielder. No Rukka, No MacDonald, and definitely no Joel Griffiths lol.
Rob
Guest
100% agree RF
chris mackinnon
Guest
mcdonald is ok player, you have to rate what league he has played in, and who against. played in scotland and the league has gone down hill alot, plus when he plays for australia does he play out of position? maybe their is a role for him in the team but where i dont know, australian coaches in the past played viduka out of position but what can u do
Realfootball
Guest
I think it is far more likely he will come on in an Alex Brosque (for Sydney) role, not as a lone hand.
gazz
Roar Pro
It seems a shame not to take all out of McDonald, Ruka, Vidosic.....especially when you think we'll have ample cover in DM, with Culina, Grella, Wilkshire, R.Williams, along with Valeri and Jedinak. I'd prefer more attacking options than options elsewhere.
Coach
Guest
I think there is room for Ruka, Kewell, Kennedy AND McDonald in the final squad. I don't think Pim does though. As Paddy points out, Pim loves his versatility.
The Bear
Guest
Holman alone, no that would never do. My Jack Russell probably do better. And a twin strike force ? I'd actually prefer that then pinging balls to Kennedy every 5 minutes.
The Bear
Guest
Rukka as lone striker?? Didn't they try that at the Olympics??
The Bear
Guest
If there is only one striker in Pim's formation and it's not a Viduka type, then it has to be aerial (Josh) or aerial/slippery (Kewell). Scotty has no place in the formation as he is a poacher/opportunist with the additional knack of beating the keeper at obscure angles. Something only that a second striker can do...and that's what Scotty is. End of.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
Exactly, explosive pace against tiring defenses will be required at one stage or another (or possibly every stage).
Realfootball
Guest
It has to Rukavytsia, no contest. That kind of pace can change a game on the drop of a hat. He is so much faster than any of our other strikers that the change of gear when he comes off the bench should doubly discomfort opposing defenses.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
To be fair I think that McDonald played quite well in the last couple of games where he featured and created many chances for other players. The problem is who misses out if he is in. Assuming only three genuine strikers it would be a tussle between Rukavytsa and McDonald. Kennedy is in irresistible form and Kewell is, well, Kewell. My feeling is that Rukavysta will have the edge due to his pace, particularly if we are looking to hit teams on the counter.
whiskeymac
Guest
maybe but they still play at higher levels than many of the other challengers for positions, and in Maccas case he has scored against AC Milan in Europe and now as a regular in the Championship, which is more impressive IMO than the odd header in the J League or goals in the Belgian 2nd divisions.
Luke10
Roar Rookie
McDonald a victim to formation I think not! If other players can adapt and change their game to suit a particular formation or situation, then McDonald has to do the same. Shaky as Scott's position maybe, he is in a far better situation than late last year where Pim preferred players like Archie Thompson or Alex Brosque. He should be counting his lucky stars he can even battle it out for the final cut. The World Cup is a long competition and with only 4 strikers named I don't think our Mr Pim Conservative can afford to risk taking less than the 4 strikers named. No doubt McDoanld is an exceptional player, I really hope he takes this opportunity to really cement his place in the final 23. There would be no other better place for him to loose his green and gold goal virginity than at the World Cup with the world watching, if he can get on the pitch!
whiskeymac
Guest
lowry at 20 has a lot ahead of him, and just signed 2 more years at Aston Villa. i wldnt mind him being in the 23, if only to slot in once moore et al retire we have someone who is ready in defence. same for R Williams. but wont be surpirsed if the 23 is made up of more experienced/ verteran type players. then again before predicting who will be cut from the squad it might be worth waiting to see who survives training and practice games first up...
Coach
Guest
I'd leave out Beauchamp, Holland, Lowry, North, Vidosic, Valeri (he's good, but how many defensive mids do we need?) and Garcia. Galekovic obviously already out.
Mick of Newie
Guest
I think there is a role for Macca off the bench. If we are chasing a game we will go more direct to Kennedy and if so Macca would be the best option to play off him. I would take all 4 strikers and leave Garcia, Carle, Oar, Holland, Lowry, Beauchamp and North out.
Coach
Guest
Few Aussie strikers abroad could match McDonald's goalscoring in 'average' leagues, or those competitions below it. McDonald never seems short of confidence at club level, but seems to have little of it as soon as he pulls on a yellow jersey. That's Pim's fault.