How the Socceroos may look in 2014

How Australia’s 2014 World Cup finals team could look – an under-30 team in 4-2-3-1 formation (current club, age in 2014 in brackets):

Goalkeeper

Mitchell Langerak (Borussia Dortmund, Germany, 25): One to watch over next few years. He looks a Socceroos keeper in waiting. Has moved from A-League’s Melbourne Victory to giant German club. If he cracks first-team and continues developing, national team selection is only a matter of time.

Defenders

Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough, England, 26): Would have been at this World Cup as back-up right-back were it not for untimely injury. Versatile and can also play holding midfield or centre-back. A Socceroo with real potential who may be important legacy of Verbeek era.

Mark Milligan (JEF United Chiba, Japan, 29): Would go into a third World Cup finals in Brazil, making him one of Socceroos’ most experienced. Always steps up for country, versatile and could easily slot in at right-back or holding midfield.

Matthew Spiranovic (Urawa Red Diamonds, Japan, 26): Perhaps one of the purest defensive talents Australia has had in years. Lack of club football cost him any World Cup hope this time, but can be part of 2014 reckoning if he secures club first team role.

David Carney (FC Twente Enschede, Holland, 30): Getting regular club football will help him and would be a really experienced campaigner come Brazil. Hard worker who is still getting to grips with vagaries of defence after spending most of his life as creative left-sided attacker.

Defensive midfield:

Carl Valeri (Sassuolo, Italy, 29): Has gone from bit-part player to Socceroos midfield string-puller with stunning six weeks. Shone in World Cup glare and looks to have grown in confidence. Possesses leadership qualities too. Could well be a captain-in-waiting.

Mile Jedinak (Genclerbirligi, Turkey, 29): Another growing in confidence who hasn’t put foot wrong in limited national team appearances. Looks to have formed solid partnership with Valeri, and they appear to have inside running for central midfield spots.

Midfield:

Dario Vidosic (MSV Duisburg, Germany, 27): Has done nothing wrong when selected under Verbeek’s reign and looks a regular Socceroo in years to come, probably in a wide midfield role.

Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar, The Netherlands, 30): Answered his critics in best possible way at World Cup. Sets bar high with his workrate, listens and learns, and will be a vital component of Australia’s rebuilding.

Tommy Oar (FC Utrecht, The Netherlands, 22): Really exciting left-sided talent who will benefit from time around Socceroos training camp and move to good Dutch club. Blinding speed and keenness to bamboozle defenders makes him the Socceroos’ new X-factor.

Striker:

Nikita Rukavytsya (Uncontracted, 26): Had his moments in brief appearances during lead-up and at World Cup. Needs to work on his shooting, but you can coach that. You can’t coach speed, and he possesses lightning pace and a rare ability to ghost beyond defenders.

Substitutes:

Adam Federici (Reading, England, 29): Will certainly be in mix for No.1 keeper’s spot but much could depend on Langerak’s emergence. Regardless will play a big role in Australia’s future beyond Mark Schwarzer.

Shane Lowry (Aston Villa, England, 25): Easy to see in starting 11, but where? Has versatility across backline, and can play holding midfield. Yet to be capped for his country despite being squad regular for a year, so we still haven’t seen him in heat of battle.

James Holland (AZ Alkmaar, The Netherlands, 25): Surprise selection in original 31-man expanded Socceroos squad. Is an ex-Young Socceroos captain, impressed in training camp and has good technical skills and workrate.

Bruce Djite (Diyarbakirspor, Turkey, 27): Strong, physically imposing striker who has faded from view after looking a Socceroos’ World Cup hope this time around. If he can become a club regular, will be right in the mix as Australia has dearth of attacking options.