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No sooner had youth manager Jan Versleijen landed back in Australia after what can only be described as a disappointing Under 17s World Cup campaign, then he was already dealing with a few more headaches.
Not only did he face calls for his head from SBS analyst Craig Foster and former national youth coach Les Scheinflug, but he had to do it in transition, on his way to another major tournament, the Under 20s World Cup that will start in Colombia at the end of this month.
As if having to prepare his charges to face a tricky trio of opponents in Spain, Ecuador and Costa Rica in a few weeks time wasn’t enough, he will have do it under intense scrutiny.
In many ways, the calls for Versleijen’s head are likely to be a non issue given his interest appears elsewhere.
By declaring that he put his hand up, and missed out on the Melbourne Victory gig, it appears he is already looking for his next job.
What would be nice then is if Versleijen can go out with a bang, encouraging this talented bunch of Under 20s to produce some rousing performances that re-inforce Han Berger’s faith in this “talent team”, as he calls them, to graduate to higher honours.
Certainly, it would take a significant turn-around in performances to convince fans that Versleijen is up to the task of constructing the right formula.
In Mexico last month with the Under 17s, there were significant technical deficiencies throughout, including;
• A deep sitting and retreating back four that left far too much space in front for opposition sides to play in and meant that the midfield and front lines were stretched and not in touching-distance,
• The significant space between all three lines, apart from a compact first 45 minutes against Brazil, meant that the front third, especially Dylan Tombides, was always isolated,
• A lack of integration from the wide players, who always stayed out, rarely dropping infield to link with Tombides and the midfield,
• The use of a destructive rather than creative holding midfielder, notwithstanding that one might not have been available,
• The continuing use of a technical, ball-to-feet midfielder, in Hernan Espinola, in a wide area, and
• A lack of genuine comfort from the back five to play-out consistently and a lack of regular forward integration from the fullbacks.
Now, as we look forward to seeing the 20s in Colombia, the hope is that the manager can find the right formula to make it click.
Of course, this hope should be tempered by the reality that the Young Socceroos will be facing the likes of Spain’s Thiago Alcantra and Iker Munian, members of last month’s successful European Under 21s side.
Thiago, the Barcelona midfielder, is particularly special and will likely give the Dutchman a couple of sleepless nights.
For now though Versleijen’s main pain is how to narrow a plethora of options into his final 21 man squad, which is scheduled to be announced next Monday.
No sooner had he touched down that he was off to Sydney’s western suburbs for the final training camp for 18 home-based players over the past week.
There his assistant Ante Milicic has been running the rule over the local contingent that will be hoping to be among the final selection. Tomorrow they get a final chance to impress, in a training hit-out against the Central Coast Mariners.
How many of the 18 on show at Blacktown make it on the bus for the opening clash against Ecuador in Mainzales remains to be seen, but it’s fair to say this looks to be among the most competitive, talented and deep Australian youth squads yet.
With no less than 13 overseas based players (Mathew Leckie, Tommy Oar, Brent McGrath, Kerem Bulut, Bradden Inman, Kearyn Baccus, Steven Lustica, Marc Warren, Jason Davidson, Corey Gameiro, Josip Konyit, George Lambadaridis and Massimo Luongo) vying for a spot, it doesn’t leave much room for the home based players.
There are plenty here in the mix, including new Borussia Dortmund signing Mustafa Amini, likely skipper Ben Kantarovski, midfielders Rhyan Grant and Terry Antonis, and talented front men Dimitri Petratos, Bernie Ibini-Isei and Kofi Danning.
Behind them, in defence, some of the other local candidates include Petar Franjic, Sam Gallagher, Brendan Hamill, Dylan McGowan and Trent Sainsbury.
With only 18 outfield players selected, some tough decisions need to be made. Versleijen has to get them right.
Undoubtedly the strongest area in this squad is the attacking third, with the likes of Leckie, Oar, Amini, McGrath, Bulut, Petratos, Ibini-Isei and Danning all battling for four starting spots.
There they will not only be expected to provide a cutting edge in and around the box, but to integrate with the two holding midfielders and the back four.
In defence is where it gets trickier.
This has been the real problem area for youth teams under Versleijen’s tutelage.
In Egypt, two years ago, the Under 20s were bereft of any integration between the back four and the rest of the team as Versleijen used central defenders in fullback roles.
Again, at the Asian Under 19s Championship last year, Versleijen’s front six worked beautifully, constantly looking a threat and combining well.
But there was a real disconnect with the back four as the likes of Dylan McGowan and Daniel Bowles struggled to play out from the back.
Irrespective of what happens to Versleijen after Colombia, he will certainly want to finish with a better technical report than he received in 2009, where the Young Socceroos were said to have “failed to find rhythm in their game”, finishing 23rd of 24 teams.
Five of his team’s eight key strengths then were depicted as physical and mental: Rapid transition from attack to defence; Athletic players; Strong, hard-working players; Determination; and excellent team spirit.
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