With the game against Egypt, it may be Holger Osieck’s last look at his Socceroo team before he picks his Asian Cup squad. Save the possibility of a final trial game against the United Arab Emirates in the lead-up to the Cup, but by then the squad would have already been chosen.
You start to wonder what Holger’s selection policy will be for the Asian Cup squad following the Egypt game.
A man renowned for his ability to spot and nurture young talent, will he pick younger players to give them some international tournament experience to start the long build up to the qualification process for Brazil 2014? Or with players like Sasa Ogenovski in red hot form, will he pick his best available team, irrespective of age, and leave the team re-building with the younger players til after the Asian Cup?
I guess it depends on how the players respond in the Egypt game and what talent he has in mind to nurture. This is probably one of the Big O’s and others like him most important game in their international careers. But Ogenovski is already 31 years of age and will be 35 by the time Brazil comes around.
In fact, there are a number of regular Socceroo first choice players who are good for the Asian Cup, but will be 32 years or older when it comes time to pull on their boots for Brazil. Players like: Schwarzer (currently 38), Neill (32), Wilkshire (29), North (28), Emerton (31), Culina (30), Cahill (30), Garcia (29), Galekovic (29), McKain (28), Beauchamp (29), Chipperfield (34), Moore (34), Kisnorbo (29), Bresciano (30), Grella (31), Sterjovski (31), Carle (28), Harry Kewell (32) and Josh Kennedy (29).
Balance that with the young brigade, who are demanding a chance to prove themselves worthy enough to play for their country. We need these young stars to step forward and fill the boots of the retiring players of the Socceroo’s second golden age: Langerack (22), Velaphi (23), Vukovic (24), Federici (25), Carney (26), Spiranovic (22), Lowry (21), Williams (22), Milligan (25), DeVere (21), Jamieson (22), Oar (18), Holland (22), Leckie (19), Zullo (22), Rukyavytsa (23), Djite (23), Burns (22), Amini (17), Bulut (19), Kantarovski (18) and many others, some yet to be discovered, are all looking to make a regular place for themselves in the national team.
I suspect Osieck will pick his best available squad for the Asian Cup with a major part the older brigade and then with a sprinkling of the younger brigade thrown in for the experience.
He will then look for a combination of the outgoing experienced players and the younger up and coming players during the World Cup qualification period.
I’m confident Holger will steer the Socceroos on the right course with the right blend of players.
The Socceroos will perform well in the Asian Cup and then qualify for another World Cup in Brazil.
There is certainly no shortage of players to nurture or develop and bring on as senior Socceroos.
This looks to be one of the most interesting and exciting periods in the Socceroos development as we head towards the third golden age of Australian football.
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