Socceroos caretaker coach Han Berger has challenged Australia’s next generation of footballers to prove themselves worthy in next week’s friendly against Slovenia.
In the Socceroos’ first appearance since the World Cup in South Africa, Berger has named a squad with a mixture of established and unproven players for Wednesday’s (Thursday AM AEST) fixture in Ljubljana.
While the squad includes captain Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer, big names such as Harry Kewell, Brett Emerton, Vince Grella and Mark Bresciano have been left out so they can continue their pre-season preparations with their European clubs.
A-League players were also excluded from selection with the new domestic campaign getting underway on the weekend.
In their place several inexperienced or new names such as Tommy Oar, Bruce Djite, Nathan Burns and uncapped defender Shane Lowry have been given an opportunity to prove their worth as the Socceroos begin preparations for the 2011 Asia Cup and 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
“We see the friendly against Slovenia as a part of the next phase of the Socceroos campaign, which is aimed at developing the squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2011 Asian Cup as an extremely important step along that way,” Berger told reporters on Tuesday.
“A number of players are not currently available and a number of players we discussed with them this fixture and for them we explained why we think it’s more important to consolidate their positions with the clubs.
“They missed parts of the preparation because of the World Cup and it’s also in our interest that these players will be playing on a regular basis.
“For any of the young players it’s important. Opposed to other opinion I think we have a number of very talented players but in order to become a good player you need to gain experience and you can only gain experience by playing.”
Oar, who enjoyed a breakthrough season with the Brisbane Roar that resulted in a debut Socceroos cap, a move to Holland and a spot in Australia’s preliminary World Cup squad, said the time was now for he and his fellow young guns to grasp the nettle.
“Of course. Obviously we’ve got a changing of the guard, you could say, with the Socceroos and a number of retirees and things like that,” Oar said.
“I think in the next six months or so there’ll be a lot of important games where everyone can show what they’re worth.”
With neither Bresciano or Kewell in the squad, a starting position beckons for left-sided winger Oar but he wasn’t taking anything for granted.
“Obviously a start would be fantastic, I’m not going to get my hopes up by any means yet,” he said.
“I’ll have to go into the camp and see what way the coach wants to play but, yeah, to get a starting spot would be a great opportunity and something I’d be looking to take with both hands.”
Berger said he had no interest in taking over the coaching role full-time despite the result against Slovenia and he expected the Socceroos new coach to be named in the “near future”.
Australia squad: Nathan Burns, Tim Cahill, David Carney, Bruce Djite, Adam Federici, Richard Garcia, James Holland, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Shane Lowry, Mark Milligan, Jon McKain, Lucas Neill, Jade North, Thomas Oar, Nikita Rukavytsya, Mark Schwarzer, Carl Valeri, Dario Vidosic, Luke Wilkshire.
sledgeross
Guest
Aljay, Kilkenny is most definately NOT a defensive mid, in fact, its a major criticism of most Leeds fans that he doesnt do enough in defence. He does have good vision, decent passing range, and a good shot on him. If he can lift his defensive efforts, he would be a chance of being better known.
EA
Guest
Can't understand why Ersan Gulum hasn't been capped yet.Looks like we will probably lose him to the Turkish NT.
Aljay
Guest
Sledgeross, as a leeds fan i'd be interested in whether you see Kilkenny more as an attacker or defensive mid. Most commentsI have seen put him as a defensive mid, but the only time I have seen him play (olympics) he looked most comfortable going forward. Where does he play for leeds?
sledgeross
Guest
As a leeds fan, I have to say I thought Lowry looked ordinary playing for us last season. No Kilkenny is also interesting.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
TC21- I certainly like your line-up. My only changes would be: a) Lowry instead of Milligan b) Vidosic instead of Rukavystya (prefer Ruka to come on in the 2nd half as the defenders are tiring) And, possibly a 4-2-3-1 formation with Djite being the 1 up forward, with Holman & Vidosic part of a 3 man attacking midfield with Cahill? We really need a No. 10 ... let's hope Nicky Carle dominates in the A-League - except, of course, against MVFC ;-)
Realfootball
Guest
Oar, Holman, Ruka, Burns, Vidosic. All quick. What a relief after 3 years of football that looked like an escalator in slow motion. Even more exciting is the potential in the current youth teams. I can see Carle coming into the mix here too if they are looking for a 10.
Realfootball
Guest
I thought Verbeek's main weakness was his limitations as a tactician. He lacked any demonstrable ability to think laterally, or to problem solve when the game plan, such as it was, wasn't working. I never lost my optimism. I knew that once Verbeek was gone, banished to the dunes of Morocco, things would improve rapidly. Can't wait to see the new look team in action.
TC21
Guest
Agree, it is exciting to see some of the new breed on show and it will be interesting to see how the team goes with a dash of youthful enthusiasm and dash. Any predictions on a possible starting lineup? I read elsewhere that Berger was looking more to a 4-3-3 formation and mentioned playing with a No.10 in a playmaking role. Not sure we have a natural No.10 in the squad but I'd guess Cahill may take on that sort of a role as he isn't really suited to the wing roles in a 4-3-3. Schwarzer Wilkshire - Neill - Milligan - Carney Valeri - Jedinak Cahill Holman - Djite - Rukavystya The front three would probably be the most difficult to predict as anyone of Oar, Burns, Garcia and Vidosic would have as good a claim to a spot. Guess it might depend as much on fitness and form as this stage of the season. Thoughts?
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
I must say I'm happy with the mix of youth and experience, as long as the kids get a decent amount of time on the park. In particular I'm looking forward to the changing of the guard aspects with players like Vidosic, Valeri and Jedinak fighting for regular starting positions.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I like the fact we have a fair bit of pace in the team now. At least in Asia I think the lack of pace in the side is why we never seemed to get much of an advantage from our players European experience other than trhe ability to compete for 90 mins and win a few games or grab points when we didn't dominate. Add pace while amintaining our aeriel threat and I think we will be able to put teams that play poorly to the sword. We still ahve a few levels to go of course (more playmakers and better technique) but I am excited.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
After the loss against Germany at the WC, I lamented a future riddled by "doom and gloom" for the National Team. But, it's taken just 2 months for me to get excited and optimistic again! I love the strategy behind the make-up of this squad. I reckon, for the 1st time in ages (ever??) we are putting out a National Team that not only includes some of our best youth talent but, most importantly, these young guys will be supported by experienced top-quality international performers like Cahill, Schwarzer, Neill, Holman & Wilkshire. And, I'm also looking forward to having Berger & Vidmar in charge of the team, who both seem to place a high emphasis on both the technical & tactical aspects of the game. For me - apart from 1 game - Verbeek was an excellent tactician but didn't seem to place a value on technically gifted footballers.