Of course, winning some silverware would be brilliant, but back then Osieck’s decision had its detractors with commentators like FoxSports‘s Andy Harper and SBS’s Craig Foster believing it was an opportunity missed to blood youngsters and build towards Brazil 2014.
Their arguments certainly raised some valid points about the direction Australian football was heading. And Australia’s position in the Asian Cup final shouldn’t deem those arguments invalid just yet.
But the way Osieck and the Socceroos have performed in Qatar certainly tips the scales of the argument in the German’s favour for now, probably irrespective of which way tonight’s result goes.
The seasoned veterans who some believed should’ve been phased out like Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill and Mark Schwarzer have led the way brilliantly, while Osieck’s wildcards Matt McKay and Sasa Ognenovski have been revelations.
He’s also managed to blood some youngsters with Neil Kilkenny and Robbie Kruse producing encouraging performances off the bench in a bright sign for the future.
That’s one of the most pleasing parts of Australia’s Asian Cup run, that suddenly there appears a natural transition occurring within the squad.
And I dare say the positive experience of being in a successful squad in Qatar for unused youngsters such as Tommy Oar, Matt Spiranovic, Nathan Coe and even Nathan Burns (who did get a run against India) will inspire them in the future too.
Okay, perhaps the football the Osieck’s Socceroos have played at times hasn’t been drastically different from what predecessor Pim Verbeek dished up, but the team does seem more positive and proactive.
But moreso than the football on offer, some of the decisions Osieck has made will have endeared him to the Australian football community.
I hate to do this, but when you compare Osieck to the conservative Verbeek, the German’s ability to back his judgement and make a call has been evident and most impressive.
Backing the in-form McKay to start ahead of Brett Emerton, giving the previously ignored Ognenovski his international chance a few months ago, throwing on young Kruse ahead of goal-shy Scott McDonald and even backing in David Carney at left-back, have been refreshing decisions which have paid off.
That Osieck has been willing to go out on a limb and make those calls will encourage fans to have plenty of faith and confidence in him.
That’s encouraging looking ahead to another World Cup qualification campaign for Brazil 2014 as the reality is prior to the Asian Cup the jury was still out on Osieck, after some mixed results and hardly overwhelming performances.
But in Qatar, he’s been calculated, level-headed, humble and even humorous in that typical German way. It’s been refreshing and endearing.
Plenty in the Australian football community are now genuinely believing we deserve to lift the Asian Cup, and that in itself shows how far we’ve come in this tournament.
Irrespective of tonight’s result, it’s been a fine tournament for Osieck. He’s been refreshing and that’s good for the long-term, but for now – in the short-term – let’s hope the Socceroos can finish off the job against Japan.
*The game begins at 2am (AEDT).
Twatter
Guest
It's very difficult both ways in relation to F.F.A. and also trying to win the media and the public over with a foreign coach, where in which we are contesting a sport probably apart from Tennis and Basketball that are global and in Australia we dont realy contest global sports apart from those i mentioned above. We as a nation realy struggle with foreign elements to sport, i remember the furore when Greg Chappell coached the Indian cricket team and Robbie Deans was treated with incredible suspicion within the Rugby community. What probably has to be remebered with football is the likelihood of an Australian born coach at the helm is about 20 years away hence more foreign coaches will come through and more suspicion and confusion for some. I've just watched the Asian cup final two foreign managers in the final , Italian Zaccheroni and German Osieck i dont think either countrie played the wrong hand.
davo
Guest
His decision making has been pleasing. but his decision to take off both kewell and cahill in the final was a bit perplexing. i mean, okay, they may have been injured and thats fair enough if thats the case. but to replace cahill with kilkenny rather than a striker like scotty mcdonald at 1-0 down with 10 minutes to go was confusing. otherwise all good. we just need to take our chances and we woulda won the thing. shame really.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
He is giving key components of the next generation invaluable big match experience without compromising the structure of the side or the goal of winning the tournament. Quite a balancing act and one that thus far he has performed exceptionally well.
Roarchild
Roar Guru
I previously defended Pim a lot. After the 07 Asian cup I was happy to take World cup qualification anyway we could get it. Now I’m left wondering what if we had of got Holger straight after he left Uruwa.