Australia’s Scott McDonald and Iraq’s Haidar Hussain during the Australian Socceroos v Iraq World Cup qualifier. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Middlesbrough striker Scott McDonald was the victim as Pim Verbeek cut his squad down to 25. The omission of McDonald was the major talking point, with the Socceroos style, not his own ability, the key reason cited for him missing the squad.
The former Celtic striker hasn’t scored in sixteen international appearances, a large chunk as a substitute and a great portion as the lone man up front.
Despite having a decent first touch and a body shape allowing him to hold up play, McDonald stands at 173cm tall – simply too small when against towering central defenders.
Monday night’s farewell against New Zealand showed a flaw in Verbeek’s style. It appears the Socceroos have one tactic and the Dutchman wants to stick with it regardless of the situation.
When the Socceroos play the Kiwis in football, Australia should dominate, controlling the ball and the play through midfield with the ability to create numerous chances up front. This didn’t happen.
It looked like the Socceroos had travelled thousands of kilometers to play at altitude in order to scrap a point against one of its Asian counterparts.
However, the concern in the lead-up to the World Cup has been goals and defence, and after Monday night, it could be the midfield, as well.
The wide areas are fine – Scott Chipperfield and most probably Luke Wilkshire – though questions were raised centrally. Michael Beauchamp showed plenty of poise compared to Craig Moore against the Kiwis and could be edging for a starting berth.
Vince Grella is lacking match practice, and Carl Valeri and Mile Jedinak took up the holding posts well in the second half. Jason Culina will get one spot, Valeri is likely to have the second if Grella doesn’t show improvement.
On the fringes, Mark Bresciano is lacking some match fitness, but is a proven match winner, while Brett Emerton is likely to slot in on the right with Harry Kewell, hopefully as the one-man strike force.
The other strikers in the squad are Josh Kennedy and Nikita Rukavytsya – two men probably not up to the standard of breaking down defenders from Germany or Serbia.
The hero against the Kiwis, Brett Holman, can also play up front if needed.
Jade North and Nick Carle were also, unsurprisingly, cut from the squad, with Eugene Galekovic an injury backup and Tommy Oar and James Holland not making the 23, unless Verbeek only has to cut two others to finalise his squad.
However, McDonald was the unlucky one.
He scored goals for fun while at Celtic and has found the net at intervals at Middlesbrough, when he’s been fit. Verbeek’s 4-2-3-1 formation doesn’t suit the Melbourne-born striker and both Verbeek and McDonald admitted to that yesterday.
He’s the victim of the team’s style – not his own ability.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
When we went a goal down to Japan in Germany 06, Guus brought on 2 strikers, reverted to a back 3 and pushed up the park. The rest is history and we went on to the knockout stage. In the same situation in SA, Pim will bring on Holman for Kewell on 79 minutes, who is knackered by this stage from chasing shadows on his own. Then in the 89th minute he'll bring on Valeri for Bresciano.
Chris
Guest
I don't think Guus' every decision was gold, but he did prove that reputation meant little to him. He plucked Wilkshire from obscurity and left Skoko and other established players out. I'm not saying that all his decisions were correct, but he did back himself to make these tough decisions. I fear that Pim won't. I really hope the team does well and can lift and galvanise at the World Cup. However, individual weaknesses may cost us unless they are shown to improve in the final 2 warm-up games.
The Bear
Guest
No doubt Culina is able bodied in midfield...in advanced positions. But still only rarely used by Pim as such. But Carle looks to be a Sydney FC marquee next season. I think there is football people that rate Carle and Culina in advanced midfield positions in the same breath. Carle was snubbed. Publicly. Simple as that.
The Bear
Guest
It's all or nothing now. I wish we had of just dispensed with the charade of Scott Mac ever playing in a two striker system and groomed Ruka over the last two years (since China Olympics). Never know if we are chasing the game we could have a new innovation: two lone strikers ; /
dasilva
Guest
I have no problems with PIm wanting to play with one striker up front. In fact most of the club and international team in the world play with one up front. My major problem is that Pim said that McDonald doesn't suit the one striker system. Which then assume that we will never play the two striker system irrespective of match situation What happen if we are chasing the game and we are a goal down. The dropping of McDonald seems to indicate that we will stick with that gameplan of one striker up front irrespective of the game situation with no plan B.
Greg
Guest
I don't think not taking Macca is stupid, he doesn't fit the system. But the problem is with no Viduka, we really have no player fully capable of playing alone up front. Viduka was big and strong and back to goal was peerless. Against Croatia no other Australian player past or then present could have played his role better. Harry & Jesus struggle as lone striker role, maybe Homan's pace and work ethic might suit but not his strength. Ruka is not up to the role. It's a problem, but I am supportive of Pim and the Team and hope they do well, 3 draws might be enough to sneak out of the group.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
You'd have to trust that Harry is fit and therefore McDonald wasn't taken - otherwise Pim's decision is completely and utterly stupid. If Kewell isn't fit, next choice is probably Kennedy -> Rukavytsya, Holman. Kewell must be fit in order to leave McDonald out. Your other point is the problem most people have - Grella and Moore will probably start, despite showing very little. But they still have two games to impress before Germany..
Greg
Guest
I was very unimpressed by Vince Grella against NZ. His attitude, swearing at everyone seemed to occur because he was just not up to it. He is very different from 4 years ago and should not start. Moore was terrible, and should also not start. BUT, Pim will probably pick them anyway. I just hope they don't let us down. Maybe Holman up front in lone stricker mode if Harry is unfit?
FP
Guest
Kalac was rubbish and always had been; not sure what Guus was thinking.
Tom
Guest
Yeah, he had no problem replacing Schwarzer against Croatia. And that went real well. For God's sake, could people please stop comparing Verbeek to this idealised version of Hiddink that seems to exist in some of our minds? He was a very good manager, but not everything he did worked. Verbeek, based on results to this point, is also a very good manager, but not everything he does works. If the expectation we have of Socceroos managers is that they will be the same as Hiddink, then we will never be satisfied.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
I agree Chris. He needs to have the courage to make the tough decisions. I think for months we have assumed a starting line-up and chances are he will go with it despite form. Schwarzer Wilkshire Neill Moore Chipperfield Grella Culina Emerton Cahill Bresciano Kewell Questions remain over Moore and Grella and perhaps even Bresciano and Kewell, who have barely played for months.
Chris
Guest
The thing is that Verbeek has never suggested or intimated that form will be the basis for his selections. The NZ game suggested that Valeri was sharper and fitter than Grella, and that Beachamp is a more assured CB than Moore. I don't know if Verbeek will have the balls to make the bold calls of leaving the so called 'established' or 'senior' players warming the bench if needs be. Compare that to Hiddink who had no problem letting people know that they could be replaced. Let's face it, most players need that kind of positive pressure to maintain form and intensity. To me, it seems like the starting 11 are etched in stone and Verbeek will maintain faith in them, regardless of form or fitness.
Tom
Guest
??? Culina played as an attacking midfielder on the right in the second half on Monday, Bear. He also played behind the striker against Indonesia a couple of months ago. Looked very good there both times. But yeah, Valeri and Jedinak looked excellent as the holding midfield combination. Grella's starting spot is under serious threat.
Dejan Kalinic
Roar Guru
Terrific point. After the game, Pim said don't read anything into players who didn't get a run tonight, yet Carle didn't play and didn't get picked. And yes, Culina in advanced midfield role. Obviously Pim doesn't rate Carle, but is it that simple? I don't think it's good enough for him to have one formation, one style - unless he is ready to surprise us, it's the way it looks. We play the same way against everyone, even in games where we should be dictating play.
The Bear
Guest
OK Valeri and Jedinak in Screening Midfielder roles, whilst Culina pushed up. But... Since when has Culina been given the freedom to play in an advance midfield position under Verbeek? Will Culina play up the park against Denmark, USA??? Or was Verbeek just taking the opportunity to publicly snub Carle?
The Bear
Guest
And Valeri coming on for Bresciano in the second half intimating Verbeek prefers players that fit into his syle...not just his formation.