Socceroos youngsters shine in draw against Serbia
Australia have had an entertaining scoreless draw with Serbia after a high-tempo clash in Melbourne, with the focus of the game on Australia’s youngsters coming through to assert themselves as real options for Socceroos coach Holger Osieck.
Check out the action as it happened with our live blog of Australia vs Serbia
With the 2011 Asian Cup now well and truly in the past and qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup still months away, there was a sense of inevitability behind this week’s games against New Zealand and Serbia.
A little bit of pride at stake, a decent smattering of interest in the result but no big picture narrative under pinning it all.
However this once every four years set of circumstances did afford coach Holger Osieck the opportunity to blood a number of youngsters and, for me, this was the biggest revelation.
With big stars Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Schwarzer all absent the opportunity fell on a number of fringe Socceroos to stake a claim for a regular place.
Captain Lucas Neill called Australia’s performance against Serbia “average”, but when the topic of competition for spots was raised his mood was much more buoyant.
“We’ve got a nice deep 25-30 players who you can throw in at any stage and they would be ready and they would put on a performance for Australia,” the 33-year-old explained.
Adding that qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, which begins in September, is “going to be tough and we’re probably going to need all 25-30 players so it’s good to have them getting game time now.”
While there weren’t any performances that will live particularly long in the memory against New Zealand on Sunday or against Serbia tonight, a few players did their hopes no harm at all as World Cup qualifying approaches.
Michael Zullo
After 12 months of discontent following Scott Chipperfield’s international retirement, Australia may have finally found a player who can challenge converted midfielder David Carney for the left-back spot.
The former Sydney FC player’s defensive lapses are famous and while Zullo had a few nervy moments against the marauding Zoran Tosic on Tuesday night in Melbourne, there is heart warming potential in the youngster,
Either way the competition should help both players extend their game.
Mitch Langerak
With the absence of regular goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer for these two friendlies, no doubt some fans were left disappointed by Langerak failing to get any game time.
However I’d argue patience is in order as a debut was never really on the cards for the young Borussia Dortmund keeper. The Socceroos coaching staff have a plan for his development and this week came too early.
His former goalkeeping coach at Melbourne Victory Steve Mautone told me recently he expects Langerak to go out on loan next season. When the time is right that first Socceroos cap will come.
Neil Kilkenny
Something of a staple in Osieck’s extended squad since the German took over, the friendly with New Zealand offered the 25-year-old a chance to show he could control a midfield for a whole 90 minutes. Unfortunately for him he didn’t and so the jury is still out on whether Kilkenny is a genuine option for the Socceroos midfield.
James Troisi
New haircut and new mentality? On the back of a decent second half to the season at club level, Troisi impressed Osieck enough during a recent national team camp in Germany to get a call up for the national team.
It was refreshing to see a young Socceroo determined to keep the ball at his feet and Osieck was interested following his performance against New Zealand to give him a run against Serbia as well.
whiskeymac
Guest
the old cliche a star team beating a team of stars is a true and tested one. star players certainly help though =)
Roarchild
Guest
I remember not long ago some were bemoaning that it looked like we would have more depth but not match the star quality we had before. I think that's still a concern (Kewells and Vidukas don't grow on trees) but I listened to the European Football show (http://www.europeanfootballshow.eu/2011/05/here-it-isthe-first-podcast.html) last night. They were talking about the move away from the reliance on stars into a more team based strategy. Lille, Man Utd ... etc etc Even Barcelona while having 3 of the best players in the world don't win just because of those players individual abilities but the system.... there words not mine :)
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Midfielder You are spot on - this squad will also be boosted by the depth provided by two whole squads of players - u23s and u20s, who will also part of the journey to Brasil. Exciting times for the National Team. Can't wait for the u20 WC to see the next crop of Footballers - not just the Aussies but the next Gen of Brasil, Argentina, France, England, etc. etc.
Victer
Guest
Zullo has potential if he can calm himself. This comes with more game time at european level. Kilkenny is a decent squad player and i've never really thought troisi was up to it.
Hoof
Guest
I think Rukavytsa could be a real game changer for Australia in the future, he just needs to keep fit.
asanchez
Roar Guru
I agree. We've got plenty to look forward to! I don't see any Cahills or Kewells coming through either, but I can see a heap of promising youngsters. The future Socceroos team looks like it will have less superstars but a more all-round better team with less weaknesses. All we need is a young gun to come through a become a star, like a Kruse, Amini, Leckie or Williams. One thing's for sure, we know that we won't have a problem between the sticks anytime soon.
Evan Askew
Guest
I think it was right that Coe and Federici got starts instead of Langerak. Langerak is a very exciting prospect for the future but he hasn't het nailed down a first team spot. Coe and Federici have nailed down first team spots with their respective clubs. Zullo was very exciting to watch along with Williams. As well as the fact that a lot of this squad have played in the A league the most gratifying moment was seeing McKay, who is now a regular in the starting lineup of the national team still playing in the A league. He was one of our good players tonight against the technical wizardry of an established football nation. It shows that the standard of domestic football in this country is a lot higher than some people give it credit for. On a sidenote, Jedinak, Zullo and Ognenovski have also played extensively in the local comp's of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne respectively showing that the state league's are at a higher level than a lot of people give them credit for as well.
jamesb
Guest
Middy the U 20 side is certainly a side I;ll be looking out for, with the upcoming youth world cup coming up soon.
The Special One
Guest
Given time it might be, but its hard to see it for me.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
I've seen enough of Williams and Langerak to know they'll be around for a while. I'm still not sure about Troisi, Zullo or Kilkenny. Vidosic and Spiranovic are likely sorts.
Midfielder
Guest
There are so many knocking on the door especially from the U 20 side .... I can't see a Kwell or Duke yet .... but the team on a whole is stronger...
The Special One
Guest
Too early to tell to be honest. Im not as convinced this set of new players will be taking Australia to a higher level. None of them really scream out i'm the next Cahill or Kewell which can turn games around in a split second.
jamesb
Guest
its promising. if those players continue to develop, the socceroos are in a good place. Tristan Rayner did raise a good point in his commentary, in which he coudn't believe how Brett Holman has developed as a player since his earlier caps for the socceroos. 5 years ago, luke wilkshire was another who had a slow start to his socceroo career. Guus Hiddink kept faith with him. Timmy Cahill was playing for Millwall at age 24, 25 in the championship and debuted for the socceroos around the same time. Us fans should be patient with the likes of Zullo, Troisi, Kilkenny, Wiliams, Langerak etc, and you never know, in a couple of years time, these boys could be the real deal. And if one or two X-factor type players come along, even better.