Australia’s head coach Holger Osieck, second left, talks to his players during a training session. AP Photo/Martin Meissner
As the Socceroos embark on the qualifying campaign for what is hoped will be Australia’s third consecutive World Cup in 2014, the hope is they will do it not only through the accumulation of points, but through style which demonstrates that the team is moving forward.
While the ultimate objective for Holger Osieck will be to get the Socceroos to Brazil, you sense his remit is a little different to that of his predecessor, Pim Verbeek.
Verbeek, when he was hired by Frank Lowy, appeared to be under strict instructions to get the Socceroos to South Africa. His remit wasn’t so much about regenerating the Roos, but about generating points for the Roos.
After the joy of Germany and life under Guus Hiddink, the FFA wanted to consolidate, and Verbeek, well versed in the world of Asian football, was seen as an ideal candidate.
The big picture for him was to do his job; to qualify the Socceroos for South Africa.
What followed, as we now know, was a team I referred to throughout the 2010 qualifying campaign as Pim’s Accumulators.
Setting the stall out tight, home or away, Verbeek’s Socceroos managed the logistics of navigating the two phases of qualifying well, both on an off the pitch.
Often they would arrive in destinations high and far a few days before a qualifier, leaving Verbeek with little option but to put out an organised, defensive unit, there to do a job.
Indeed, it was as early as the first away game, back in March 2008, in Kunming, China, that the away strategy became apparent, as Verbeek went with a back five, three central midfielders and a withdrawn Mark Bresciano supporting sole striker Archie Thompson (who limped off early, to be replaced by a shadow striker in Brett Holman).
It was a team built to defend and counter-attack, and with Mark Schwarzer and Jade North proving heroic, and the team working itself to a stand-still, Verbeek had what he wanted, a 0-0 draw.
With the Socceroos only scoring one goal in four games against China and Iraq in the first phase, eye-brows were raised about the new manager.
Fortunately for Verbeek, Qatar proved a softer touch, with six goals and six points guaranteeing top spot in the group.
The next phase proved less problematic, but also featured some tough work on the road, including a great deal of fortune away in Manama, Bahrain.
Later, away to Japan, it was another 0-0 draw. Here’s how I covered it at the time;
“The stall set, a job done, tonight’s was another mechanical and methodical performance from a team that has warmed to Pim’s process of accumulating points and qualifying. Far from pretty, but effective, Pim Verbeek is proving himself the master of the clean sheet and the nil-all draw.”
By the end of the second phase, the Socceroos had topped the group, conceding only one goal in eight games.
In South Africa, of course, we learnt what we had suspected all along, that Verbeek, prone to wait, would struggle to break the shackles. He eventually did, but it was far too late.
Apart from not getting the Roos through their group at the World Cup, Verbeek, it could be argued, did everything else asked of him.
But there’s little doubt, at least to the mind of this correspondent, that his methods had an impact on the Socceroos popularity.
When Osieck was hired, you sense there were more dimensions to the message from Lowy; restore some of the verve of the past, rejuvenate the team, and get Australia to its fourth World Cup.
Hitherto the signs in relation to the first two points have been great, with the Roos adopting a far more offensive mantra featuring a higher defensive line, a higher team-press, central midfielders who take turns in breaking forward, more bodies in forward motion and quicker movement of the ball into the final third.
The aim, generally, has been to control games by getting on the front foot, and it is a template opposition sides have mostly struggled to handle.
For Socceroos supporters, watching Osieck’s 4-4-1-1 has made for entertaining viewing, and the players appear to have warmed to the more offensive flavour.
In amongst all this, Osieck has been able to seamlessly blend in some fresh faces including Sash Ognenovski, Matt McKay, Robbie Kruse, Michael Zullo and Neil Kilkenny.
While Ognenovski and McKay aren’t spring chickens, the manager has given them an opportunity, and backed those who perform. It is all any footballer can ask for.
Others, like Matthew Spiranovic, Adam Sarota, James Troisi and Luke DeVere have been thereabouts, and all feature in his latest squad, which kicks-off the qualifiers against Thailand in Brisbane on Friday night.
While these kids and others like Tommy Oar, Mathew Leckie, Chris Herd and Kerem Bulut wait their turn, Osieck has recalled an almost full strength squad to launch the campaign.
With a tough away trip to Saudi Arabia immediately after the Thailand game, this is smart business. While Thailand mightn’t pose a threat in terms of world rankings, they can’t be taken lightly. Indeed, anyone who remembers the effort they made against the Socceroos at the 2007 Asian Cup will know that Osieck must have his team ready to hit the ground running.
Of course, some stern tests await in the first phase, especially away to Saudi Arabia next week and Oman in November, but if the Socceroos can get off to a flying start on Friday, and then back it up with a good performance and result in Saudi Arabia, it would build early momentum.
Importantly, it would also give Osieck some breathing space to do his business. The German sees the big picture.
Of course, after the turgid qualification work of Verbeek last time around, as much interest will be in whether Osieck can continue to have his men flowing, and how much of a role the youngsters and A-League players get in the proceedings.
By the time the qualifiers are over, the hope is the German has built a Roos team not only good enough to accumulate enough points to reach Brazil, but that it will be a team on the rise, ready to make an impact there.
Catch up with Tony’s post-match analysis of the Socceroos opening 2014 World Qualifier against Thailand, here on Saturday.
Futbanous
Guest
Good article Fussball. Apart from the fact that this man is very experienced in the nuances of world football I particularly noted these lines:- "First of all, Australia has different expectations than previously. They appeared in the last two World Cups and want to stay at that level. I can certainly identify with that thinking. Qualification, of course, will be harder now that we are in the Asian zone" "Regarding key elements, I would say that you must quickly gain an understanding about the mentality of the players. In the national team it is, naturally, not the same as at a club, where you can be faced with many cultural differences. However, at the start of this job I did have to adapt to the Australian way of thinking.." Shows also a man with great insight & willingness to adapt chameleon like to local conditions. A quality somewhat lacking under our previous coach Pim.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Tony and all Australian football fans, I suggest you have look at this terrific, in depth 3-page interview with our gaffer, Herr Osieck in the current issue of "UEFA Technician". Every time I read or hear Holger's words I'm filled with confidence and so proud that he is our National Team manager/coach. Brilliant work by Frank Lowy & the FFA to hire him. In answer to a question about the 2011 Asian Cup: ".. I would say, without bias, that Japan, South Korea and Australia would have the quality to play in the finals of the European Championship." How times have changed since Pim Verbeek was here! Enjoy ... http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Download/TheTechnician/uefaorg/Publications/01/64/88/21/1648821_DOWNLOAD.pdf
peter
Guest
Pim was rubbish - he even thought Brett Holman was a good player ! Oh .....
Ka-Blonk
Guest
What will you do Tony when Holger makes his first mistake...over-react and write an 'article' about it?
Evan Askew
Guest
Brian Greene. I've read Rale Rasic's book and apparently when Rasic and Johnny Warren were applying for the job, the WA delegate said to Warren, "tell us about yourself." What a stupid question to ask. And you can't blame the maladministration back then on the NSL as this was 1976 before the NSL was created. Though you'll never get me to say a good word about the likes of Labbozetta and Papasavas.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
jmac the game I have in mind didn't have any other sounds, except this one bloke - who must have been driving the players on the field absolutely NUTS!! (I know it was driving me mental)
Jupiter53
Guest
Must be close contest between Jimmy Shoulder and Rudi Gutendorf surely!
Kasey
Guest
Sounds like what Archie does when the American Samoa 'highlights' come on:( ooh err, Roger that Captain! Carry on!
AGO74
Guest
having to play in a shirt where u r numbered +100 would not exactly fill u with confidence that the gaffer really rates you would it?!
AGO74
Guest
if anyone has driven to north out of of auckland u will have passed north harbour stadium. Nice stadium but basically on the northern extremities of a city where majority of people in auckland live south of the harbour. With such a geographically unfriendly home ground its no wonder nz knights struggled to succeed.
Johnno
Guest
Davo you are mssing the point about soccer. Defence like the style Jose mERNO PLAYS IS EXCITNG, I LIEK DULL DEFENSIVE STIFLING FOOTBALL it is tactual and ruthless and exciting. And winning is everything, why play excting football for the so called sake of it begin good for the game . And that point in itself is debatable i prefer great defence and stifling tactics to watching great goals. attack coaches are often to risky eg Arsene wegner. Play attack football by all means, but winning is everything np matter how dull it is to be achieved. Don't do the sporty thing and be entertaining if it means begin risky and letting in goals for the so called good of the game. What a waste that would be. Winning is everything no matter who boring or stifling it is ot be achieved, and i think the fans at porto, inter milan and chelsea like jose Moreno the special one more, because he gave them titles no matter how boring hose football style was. And same with aussy guss Hiddinks defensive soccer's and we love aussie Guss and all aussie fans loved his defensive tactics and strong defensive formations. Im sure Arsene wenger an attack minded coach who so called plays in the sport and good sport would love those titles but he chose to be open and perhaps be a good sport and ambassador to the beautiful game and look at how far that has got him, compared to Jose moereno of recent years. SO winning is everything no matter how boring it is to be achieved and it take prioity over being a good role model for the game if that mean risking losing , if you don't like it don't watch. Like me i am a fan of 10 man rugby and south africas rugby tactis of a dominant penalty kicker and lots of kicking over raze dazzle rugby any day of the week. I am not a fan of quad cooper for that reasons to risky. Give me Dan Carter Jonny Wilkinson,Morne Steyn or Berrick Barnes any day of the week.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Can't agree Nordozzz----Pim was a great disappointment as far as I am concerned. I don't know what Dick would done but I can't believe it would have been as conservative as Pim's approach.
Bondy
Guest
Axelv. I was just thinking these may help you out . ( http://www.vipbox.tv/sports/football.html ) ( http://www.freefootball.eu/ ). Although i cant guarantee there wont be buffering issues .
Davo
Guest
"the hope is they will do it not only through the accumulation of points, but through style which demonstrates that the team is moving forward." Plaster those words throughout FFA HQ. Spam Pim Verbeek with them. That phrase best encaptulates my desires from Holder Osieck. Good on ya Tony!
Bondy
Guest
Axelv . Thats a shame and your a regular . Im just wondering why your friends decided to cancel there foxtel subscription .
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Oh my!
Bondy
Guest
Kasey . Dont knock the " The Glory Days Of Oceania "D.V.D. Boxset . I know when i get a lttle emotional i put on the Socceroos vs Vanuatu and to see another mauling , well put it this way iv'e got the tissues out but im not drying my eyes . L.O.L .
Kasey
Guest
Is your local Pub an option Axelv?
jmac
Guest
cattery, yes that would have been a guaranteed, along with the distant sound of 55 percussion instruments being played out of time with one another
Bondy
Guest
Johno. You make some strong points with defensive minded coaches .I think Dunga was given the boot from Brazil after last years world cup for being to defensive , whats the saying swings and roundabouts .