On October 8, Harry Kewell should play Brett Emerton, 40,000 people should be inside Etihad Stadium watching, and the A-League should start off with a bang.
But maybe it won’t happen because on October 7 the Socceroos play in Canberra against Malaysia in a match that will pull 20,000 at most.
This problem has been reverberating around the league for a few weeks now, but it brings up a bigger question all together: what is more important to Australian football over the next four weeks, the Socceroos or the A-League?
The answer should be a simple one.
The A-League is not dead and it is not dying. It is merely struggling. The quality is improving from year to year, and should dramatically increase this season. Brett Emerton and Harry Kewell will, however, provide a huge boost for the league in general and Emerton versus Kewell will provide a massive spectacle for the Australian people.
What is not a huge event is a game against Malaysia. They are ranked 146th in the world and only 25th in Asia.
They are an Asian lightweight even by Fiji’s standards. Surely these two superstars will not be required. It is the responsibility of Holger Osieck to ensure that neither is needed.
Surely the A-League’s needs are greater than that of the Socceroos in this circumstance. Surely the Socceroos could survive without these two big names. In fact, it even opens up a greater opportunity to the Socceroos. Are friendlies not meant to be considered prospects to experiment with younger or different players?
The likes of Alex Brosque, James Troisi and Chris Herd are crying out for a starting sport or even a solid spot in the squad. Holger, you delivered the master-stroke of leaving Tim Cahill out of the starting line-up against Saudi Arabia. Could you not do it again?
These players are surely great enough to see off the ‘threat’ posed by Malaysia. Also, didn’t Pim Verbeek’s downfall occur because of his reluctance to pick players based on form and playing time deciding, instead to pick them on their name alone?
In four weeks time, Emerton would have had two months off without any substantial game time, whereas Kewell would have at least four months on the sidelines. Surely they do not even deserve to be picked. Surely you can see this, Holger.
So, on behalf of the league and Australian interests, please, Holger, do not pick Kewell or Emerton. You owe it to us not to. We would love to see 50,000 at beautiful Etihad Stadium in four weeks.
We would not like to see two potential A-League superstars at run-down Canberra stadium plying their trade in front of 20,000 supporters.
You have been great to us, Holger. Please, do not let us down now.
Kasey
Guest
you said "Agreed, it’s still an important game for the Socceroos, but for different reasons." I call bollox. it is a nothing game. its not a WCQ or even an ACQ. its a bloody friendly probably cooked up about the time the Gillard government was trying to run through the " Malaysia solution" . Nothing game, I wish it wasn't on. at he prices they're asking I doubt many Canberrans will feel keen to get out for the game:( A half full (if we're lucky) stadium for a nothing game, just devalues the Socceroos 'brand' IMO. Which is why the HAL opening kickoff weeekend is much more important!
Swampy
Guest
Seriously does anyone think Holger will bring back Cahill (calf strain), Holman (quad tightness), Schwartzer (old age), Neill (sandfly bites), McKay (deep fried excess) etc? I'd be more concerned with who will be missing from the lessor lights at Syd & Melb. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
David Heidelberg
Guest
Perfect solution.
Hugomcwilliam
Roar Rookie
its nothing against canberra, i love the capital! But in all seriousness, what is more important, malaysia or one of the a-Leagues marquee match-ups...Hope u have fun at the game, I am sure tim cahill will provide you with the necessary excitement that you need
Hugomcwilliam
Roar Rookie
you are a smart man
Mick
Guest
Yes Hugo, I will be one of many Canberrans going to our "run down" stadium as you so arrogantly call it. As a former North Queenslander, the fact that I can go to my very first Socceroos game so close to where I live is a big plus, but seeing Harry and Emmo there would make it an even more enjoyable experience. Don't wreck it with your negativity mate.
jamesb
Guest
asanchez, the socceroos will qualify for the world cup with the younger players leading the way, with the senior players as the support cast. If its vice-versa, Australia won't qualify. But i think Holger is smart enough to realise that anyway.
asanchez
Roar Guru
Lets be honest guys, this game is Australia vs Malaysia! Agreed, it's still an important game for the Socceroos, but for different reasons. It's the equivalent of England vs San Marino or Portugal vs Leichtenstein. It's a friendly, there's nothing riding on the game. Long gone are the days when all the Socceroos had was Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton. The class of 2011 has plenty more options in a number of positions, and quite a few more recognisable names. Its a friendly, we are in a rebuilding phase and we should act accordingly. It's games like these that should be used by Holger to give more game time to players like Luke Devere, Nikita Rukavytsa, Tommy Oar, Chris Herd and Mathew Leckie. By the time this game is played Harry Kewell would not have played any type of match for 4 months. I'll be very surprised if he can last a full 90 minutes against SFC. So for both reasons, he shouldn't be picked, and I don't think he will. Emerton on the other hand is a machine, the fittest Socceroo by a mile, even at 31 or 32. But by October 8, he would not have played for over a month. Everybody knows what you will get from Brett Emerton, he doesn't need to prove himself against Malaysia. Holger has the final say, as he should. And the FFA didn't really plan well around FIFA dates. But as a football nut, and for the good of the game here in Australia, I pray that Hoger makes the best out of a sticky situation and does the right thing. I'm sure he will...
jamesb
Guest
i think Holger has demonstrated so far that he is not reliant on players like kewell or emerton to be part of the NT. In the asian cup semi, Holger chose Mckay over Emerton, while against the saudis he chose Holman over Cahill, while Kewell wasn't even considered for the 2 qualifyers I don't think Pim or Frank Farina would've done that TBH. Instead Holger has strength the positions over left back and midfield with Zullo and Mckay. And where only in 2011. In this unique case, let Emmo and HK not take part against Malaysia, give young players like rhys williams a go, but allow Emmo to take part against Oman.
Titus
Guest
Exactly, it's a great opportunity to give a young kid a go. Emmo will play a big role in the qualifiers but this way he will get some game time in the A-league kick off and be around to present for the qualifier on Wednesday. It really shouldn't be a problem.
mahony
Guest
Lucan, most leagues around the world dont have a postage stamp sized window in which to play their entire season becasue of boganball....... that is why they have all the time in the world to fit in international windows.
Phutbol
Guest
to be fair though, prior to the arrival of Emmo and H to the a-league, there wasnt really much to worry about as far as schedule clashes with AL and Roos games as there werent that many roos first choice players in the A-league. The Malaysia friendly is an exceptional circumstance where the National teams interests are not harmed in any way by letting 'them' play in the big blue opener but the A-league would be massively enhanced. Not to mention our position in the WC qualifiers is all but assured as well. Common sense needs to prevail, and I'm pretty confident Holger will put all this to bed by simply not selecting either for the Malaysia game. He is smarter than that and sees the big picture.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Asian football and Asian footballers continue to grab the eyes and respect of the biggest names in Football ... The rising number of Japanese footballers impressing in European leagues reflects the growing strength of the sport in the Asian region, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said Monday. In reflecting on the talents of the Dortmund's Japanese star Shinji Kagawa and Arsenal's Ryo Miyaichi prior to Arsenal's UCL Group match against the German Champions, Wenger said: "But both are very interesting players, I think it just shows what is happening all over the world at the moment, the push of Asian football towards the top quality." Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g7wuhZNFc2nZHSJy9mM0LOYjyHBg?docId=CNG.37f490980793ed822010b69c4858a6ab.1441
Patrick Angel
Roar Guru
Only because it's a friendly, BUT it is a decision for one man and one man only. He might (though likely not) want to try new combinations, etc, we don't know. Anyway, all for giving the kids a run, they'll be pleased as punch.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Kill two birds with the one stone - give a young player a bit more of a run in an international game (that won't be overly taxing)
fatboi
Guest
LOL. i find it hard to fathom the benefit of having a Brett Emerton run around in a friendly against Malaysia. Yes our WC Qualifier prepareations are important. But our next game is against Oman. This Oman team that lost comprehensively to the LadyBoys. Pim Verbleak has spooked the whole lot of you and convinced you that qualifying from Asia is the hardest thing in the world. NOT. I'm sure Holger will do the right thing and release Emerton from the Malaysia friendly. Use the opportunity to give Robbie Kruse or a Matthew Leckie full games.
Lucan
Guest
You've missed the point. There are plenty of international calibre players in the A-League (Smeltz, Rojas, half the Phoenix with NZ, Hernandez with Costa Rica, Vidosic and Culina with Australia). Scheduling league matches on FIFA international dates means should the national team request them, they must be released. Most leagues around the globe understand this, and plan their schedule around this. In the end, I'm sure Osieck will toe the FFA line and leave Harry and Brett out on his Malaysia and Oman plans, and I'm sure we'll still get the desired results. However, this should never have been an issue to begin with.
Kasey
Guest
It has been done in the past that when a big name Socceroo moves clubs, he is given a grace period from NT service if there is a clash to 'bed himself down' into the managers good books. If Holger is the thinking man Ii imagine himself to be, he'll release both H and Emo from NT duties for that purpose, with his teutonic humour shining forth in the press release stating such:) "To allow both players to compete for their spots at their new teams" would go down a riot IMO :)
kellett_1992
Guest
@Lucan, you dont even know what you're talking about. The A-League fixtures were released well and truly before Harry Kewell and Emerton even signed for Victory and Sydney - respectively. Australia will beat Malysia and if they dont I will eat my words, but we all know I wont have too. The A-League needs this match and needs these players, Australia don't need them. The depth Australia is creating is going to benefit them for the next 10 years at this rate. Poor performances recently would have other people thinking otherwise but Osieck's record speaks for itself and it is a team that is constantly changing and trailing, this will continue until the round 4 stages then you will see Australia step up a gear! A-League will not and should not have to change their scheduling just to suit you! I commend those that continue to improve the A-League each year, it would be a tough gig!
TomC
Guest
Has Emerton said what he wants to do? I imagine he wants to play for the national team.