The occasional media “gaffes” of the Verbeek era look to be a thing of the past and we’re starting to see a little bit more of Osieck’s personality then we did with Verbeek.
Where it took about nine months for the Dutchmen to appear on SBS’ The World Game, Osieck was on the program within a matter of weeks.
I was also pleased to see the Socceroos boss make an appearance at a Young Socceroos training session last week.
There’s been positive change on the park as well. I’ve been particularly impressed with the way the former German national team assistant coach has released Jason Culina to join the attack immediately after Australia wins the ball back.
Coupled with the number of players getting into dangerous positions in the opposition’s penalty area and it’s safe to say the Verbeek shroud of cautiousness is starting to peel away.
So with that in mind, the squad Osieck will announce today will help shed more light on the 62-year-old’s plans for the Socceroos.
For the friendlies against Switzerland and Poland Osieck essentially selected Australia’s World Cup squad, giving the incumbents a chance to prove themselves to the new manager.
Yet with the Asian Cup in January quickly approaching, Osieck can’t afford to dawdle and sticking with this approach for any longer would be risky.
Injuries aside, the squad that comes to Sydney for the Paraguay friendly next week must form the nucleus of the one that will go to Qatar in a few months time.
So where can we expect change?
As I understand it, some of the Asian based Australians have already been sounded out and it couldn’t come sooner with Japanese based defender Matthew Spiranovic suffering a terribly disappointing injury on the weekend.
While in my opinion Spiranovic must start from now on for the Socceroos as long as he is fit, his absence allows Osieck to consider his back up players in that position.
Considering the tournament and the fact the Socceroos will be up against Asian opposition, it would do the Socceroos well to have players who are accustomed to the conditions and have already thrived in them, especially in defence.
In other words if Eddy Bosnar or Sasa Ognenovski don’t make it into this Socceroos squad I doubt they ever will.
The other position I’m starting to become concerned about is Carl Valeri’s.
For me, the 26-year-old was one of the standouts of the World Cup for the Socceroos and has done enough to deserve his chance not just in the Socceroos squad but the starting XI.
Except for one small problem: he simply isn’t playing in Italy.
Instead of kicking on from a successful campaign on a personal level in South Africa, things have gone belly up over recent months for the Australian midfielder at Serie B outfit Sassuolo.
The Neroverde originally signed Valeri with a mind to on-sell him to a Serie A side following the World Cup but a move never eventuated.
With the manager who brought Valeri to the club, Stefano Poli, sacked in the off-season despite taking Sassuolo to the Playoffs in their first ever season in Serie B (he’s currently leading Chievo’s successful Serie A campaign), the Australian has found himself under a new coach in an over subscribed position.
Valeri needs regular game time and fast.
How Osieck handles this decision, much like his options at the back, will tell us a lot about his intentions with the Socceroos.
David
Guest
i like the article, good read. I agree with it all
dasilva
Guest
The youth are at under 20 side trying to qualify to the youth world cup It's better for them to go through an experience of a decent qualification campaign through asia now (especially when we may rely on them to qualify to the world cup later on) rather for them sit on the bench for the socceroos.
jimbo
Roar Guru
6 A-League players - it is different squad alright and a vote of confidence to hard working attacking players. Looks positive. Ossie going about the business in a very quiet but methodical approach and no excuses for players now if they don't take their chance with both hands. Also a big boost for the A-League if more quality players come back from overseas to get noticed and a chance to get selected for the Socceroos again.
Midfielder
Guest
so much for the asian contingent, ie. sasa, the griffiths, eddy… so much for youth, ie. holland, triosi, leckie Good call .. would add Oar, Bozanic, But there are six from the A-League From the A-League Brosque, Culina, McKain, McKay, Galekovic, Thwaite ....
Mister Football
Guest
Just solid. Decent back-up, but has had plenty of chances at NT level, and you'd think his time has come and gone (same with McKain, and probably North).
Australian Football
Roar Guru
Michael THWAITE Gold Coast United, Australia That has put a smile on my face. He is a solid player and has been a stand-out for GCU FC. I hope he gets a run-on start; this will do wonders for the Gold Coast Football Community. MT is a real home town favourite.
Gibbo
Guest
so much for the asian contingent, ie. sasa, the griffiths, eddy... so much for youth, ie. holland, triosi, leckie
Lmacca
Guest
You'd expect that the overseas players would be the starters (except for Culina)
Davidde Corran
Roar Guru
As Adrian Musolino pointed out to me Leckie will be away with the U19s squad. Game time there is probably better then training with the national team at this stage.
Mister Football
Guest
one or two new (old) faces from the A-League?
Davidde Corran
Roar Guru
Full FFA press release: SYDNEY Tuesday 28 September 2010 Qantas Socceroos Head Coach Holger Osieck has selected a squad of 19-players for the upcoming international friendly fixture against Paraguay, presented by the NSW Government, which will be played at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday 9th October (Kick-Off 8:00pm). Six players from the Hyundai A-League; Alex Brosque, Jason Culina, Eugene Galekovic, Matt McKay, Jade North and Michael Thwaite will be joined by thirteen overseas based players in the Qantas Socceroos squad. Harry Kewell and Josh Kennedy will come into the Qantas Socceroos squad for the first time since the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ after injuries prevented them both from taking part in the recent matches against Switzerland and Poland. The Qantas Socceroos have previously faced Paraguay on four occasions; a three match series in 2000 in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne and one match in 2006 in Brisbane, with the Qantas Socceroos holding the advantage with one win and three draws. This will be the second time that the Qantas Socceroos will meet Paraguay at the Sydney Football Stadium having previously met at the same venue on the 9th June 2000 when they played out a nil-all draw. Tickets for the Qantas Socceroos match against Paraguay are available for purchase online from www.ticketek.com.au and from all Ticketek outlets. All Qantas Socceroos matches are broadcast live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS. QANTAS SOCCEROOS SQUAD – Tuesday 28 September 2010 Alex BROSQUE Sydney FC, Australia 4 (0) Tim CAHILL Everton FC, England 44 (21) David CARNEY Blackpool FC, England 30 (3) Jason CULINA Gold Coast United, Australia 54 (1) Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk) Adelaide United, Australia 4 (0) Richard GARCIA Hull City FC, England 11 (0) Mile JEDINAK Genclerbirligi SK, Turkey 15 (0) Josh KENNEDY Nagoya Grampus, Japan 22 (7) Harry KEWELL Galatasaray SK, Turkey 46 (13) Scott McDONALD Middlesbrough FC, England 18 (0) Jon McKAIN Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia 13 (0) Matthew McKAY Brisbane Roar, Australia 4 (0) Lucas NEILL Galatasaray SK, Turkey 62 (0) Jade NORTH Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand 29 (0) Mark SCHWARZER (gk) Fulham FC, England 80 (0) Michael THWAITE Gold Coast United, Australia 6 (0) Carl VALERI U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, Italy 28 (0) Dario VIDOSIC FC Nurnberg, Germany 10 (1) Luke WILKSHIRE FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia 48 (3)
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Unless i'm missing someone it doesn't look very different from the other two friendlies.
Mister Football
Guest
a few A-League players in the mix
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Before this season I would have said he was too raw for international football but he's gone up another level this year. His goal against Brisbane while not goal of the week was just so calm and well taken, it really impressed me.
MadeWT
Guest
Squad: Alex BROSQUE (Sydney FC, A-League), Tim CAHILL (Everton FC, England), David CARNEY (Blackpool FC, England), Jason CULINA (Gold Coast United, A-League), Eugene GALEKOVIC (gk) (Adelaide United, A-League), Richard GARCIA (Hull City FC, England), Mile JEDINAK (Genclerbirligi SK, Turkey), Josh KENNEDY (Nagoya Grampus, Japan), Harry KEWELL (Galatasaray SK, Turkey), Scott McDONALD (Middlesbrough FC, England), Jon McKAIN (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia), Matthew McKAY (Brisbane Roar, A-League), Lucas NEILL (Galatasaray SK, Turkey), Jade NORTH (Wellington Phoenix, A-League), Mark SCHWARZER (gk) (Fulham FC, England), Michael THWAITE (Gold Coast United, A-League), Carl VALERI (U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, Italy), Dario VIDOSIC (FC Nurnberg, Germany), Luke WILKSHIRE (FK Dinamo Moscow, Russia).
Smokygrayson
Guest
Leckie HAS to get a call up doesn't he? He's so fast, attacking, his first touches are great, he is always looking to attack or shoot whenever he nears the box. In my mind, he makes a mockery of the calls for Djite to be in the squad. He's at another level.
Eamonn Flanagan
Guest
Forget the ageing Sasa...Matthew Leckie anyone?
Davidde Corran
Roar Guru
Thanks AF. Certainly feels like a new dawn which is nice. Of course none of it will mean everything if the Socceroos are dismal in Qatar, World Cup qualifying or Brazil but for now I'm enjoying the optimism. It's kind of like the start of a new club season where you're filled with hope that your team will have a good run of things.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I wouldn't mind seeing big Sasa in the squad and menacing teams from set pieces.
Australian Football
Roar Guru
Good positive Article Davidee, Osie has wiped the slate clean and the door is open to all finally.. The forgotten men in Pim's era will at least have a fair go. "In other words if Eddy Bosnar or Sasa Ognenovski don’t make it into this Socceroos squad I doubt they ever will."