It may redefine the term “anti-climax” but an A-League season opener without Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton may not be such a bad thing, former long-serving Socceroos captain Paul Wade reckons.
National coach Holger Osieck on Tuesday will reveal his Socceroos squad for an international friendly against Malaysia (October 7) in Canberra and the October 11 qualifier against Oman in Sydney.
However, Kewell’s Melbourne Victory are scheduled to take on Emerton’s Sydney FC on October 8 – ensuring Socceroos selection for the Malaysia warm-up will rule the star duo out of a dream A-League opener.
Debate may have raged for weeks over what Osieck will do but Wade believed it may benefit the A-League if the much hyped Kewell-Emerton duel is postponed.
If the high profile pair miss the opening game, Victory won’t face Sydney FC again until January 26.
“It would appear to be a dream start to the season but it could fall flat on its face,” Wade told AAP.
“Kewell versus Emerton would probably pull a better crowd in a couple of months’ time.
“Once all the hullabaloo is over for the season-opening game, no one will care.
“The buzz would be great in the week leading up to the season opener but it would die days after the game I believe.
“If they played in January it would build up the hype for the league more.”
Another former Socceroos captain – Alex Tobin – said fans would be devastated if Kewell and Emerton did not contest the A-League opener, but believed they would forgive Osieck.
“It is a really tough one – timing is not always perfect in football and here is another example,” Tobin told AAP.
“If they can’t play (season opener) it would be unfortunate but I think most football fans would understand.”
Football Federation Australia have been criticised for not telling Osieck to make Kewell and Emerton available for the A-League opener.
But Tobin said the national coach must have the final say on his team – even if it meant risking the A-League opener becoming an anti-climax.
“Everyone realises two big names meeting at the start of the A-League season would provide a huge kick-on effect,” said Tobin, who this year had his record for most Socceroos games broken by Mark Schwarzer.
“But a national coach usually doesn’t think the same way.
“Holger’s priories are different and he has to have the final say.
“It may be tempting (to rest the players from Malaysian clash) but Holger will be making his own call.
“The Socceroos have to be his priority.”
Titus
Guest
So Emmo misses the qualifier v Oman? EDIT:" Emerton’s non-selection for the Oman game raises some eyebrows, with the normally first-choice Socceroo missing out." It appears he does, tough call on Emmo.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Agree with your assessment of Timmy but, given Moynes's propensity to whinge prior to International games, I reckon the injury has been exaggerated or Holger wouldn't have picked him.
Midfielder
Guest
TBH striker I think he got a call ... just was not in public ... as he needs to appear in charge...
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Thanks guys - article just published. http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/09/27/socceroos-squad-announced-emerton-kewell-not-named/
Midfielder
Guest
SBS still feel the need to try and run football... What I find interesting is the start to the season was timed to start at the end of the NRL & AFL seasons... and given past experience FFA needed to squeeze in as much as possible... as the media almost totally ignores football when the other competitions are on.. FFA have obligation to their broadcast partners as well... yet SBS offer calendars great for looking at but would in all likely fall over ... I do despair when they at times do a lot of good but at times they do a lot of harm... like how is constant talking down FFA management help with the next media deal... then deny they have an agenda and are only reporting facts... I just wish they could start a year without a set agenda and it appears to have moved from the technical thing to lets get BB ... we want our man in FFA ...
Kasey
Guest
Thanks fuss, my bad, I just skimmed it looking for Kewell or Emerton:) I should have guessed that St Timothy would put his hand up, regardless of whether his leg was hanging off from an industrial accident or otherwise:) The man is truly devoted to the cause. Must be a by-product of having to fight so hard to get out of the FIFA mess regarding Samoa.
Striker
Guest
Gee that Holger is a smart man he wants the game to prosper here unlike that fool Pim who done so much damge with his negative veiws about the A-league, his comments contributed to the downwards in crowds and destroyed any credability the league had in the first few years.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Kasey - Timmy IS included in the squad.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
That's what I thought but he's been named. It's on the FFA's website now: http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/2009InsideFFA/default.aspx?s=insideffa_newsfeatures_newsitem_new&id=41122
Kasey
Guest
19 man squad named, No Kewell or Emerton. Bravo Herr Osieck I do believe you've saved te FFA from itself:) Bring on Round one now, looking forward to the build up. No Cahill, but he got a knock on the weekend in Everton's 2-0 loss at Man City. I expect him to be in the squad as soon as he is available. No ruka or McDonald ar stand out ommissions for me. McD against Malaysia, surely that could have helped him get the monkey off his back? Player Name Club, Country A-International Appearances (goals) Alex BROSQUE Shimizu S-Pulse, JAPAN 7 (1) Tim CAHILL Everton FC, ENGLAND 55 (24) Adam FEDERICI (gk) Reading FC, ENGLAND 4 (0) Brett HOLMAN AZ Alkmaar, NETHERLANDS 50 (6) Mile JEDINAK Crystal Palace FC, ENGLAND 28 (2) Josh KENNEDY Nagoya Grampus, JAPAN 26 (12) Neil KILKENNY Bristol City FC, ENGLAND 11 (0) Robbie KRUSE Fortuna Dusseldorf, GERMANY 10 (2) Matthew McKAY Glasgow Rangers, SCOTLAND 19 (0) Lucas NEILL Al-Jazira Club, UAE 75 (0) Sasa OGNENOVSKI Seongham Ilwha Chunma, KOREA REPUBLIC 11 (1) Adam SAROTA FC Utrecht, NETHERLANDS 1 (0) Mark SCHWARZER (gk) Fulham FC, ENGLAND 92 (0) Matthew SPIRANOVIC Urawa Red Diamonds, JAPAN 8 (0) James TROISI Kayserispor Kulubu, TURKEY 7 (1) Carl VALERI U.S. Sassuolo Calcio, ITALY 41 (1) Luke WILKSHIRE FK Dinamo Moscow, RUSSIA 62 (5) Rhys WILLIAMS Middlesbrough FC, ENGLAND 6 (0) Michael ZULLO FC Utrecht, NETHERLANDS 6 (0) source: http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/2009InsideFFA/default.aspx?s=insideffa_newsfeatures_newsitem_new&id=41122
Midfielder
Guest
Cahill was injured in his last match could be out for a while ...
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
The official page on Twitter for Australia's National Football Team has just posted the 19 man squad for the friendly match v MAS; and the 2014 WCQ v OMA as: Brosque, Cahill, Federici, Holman, Jedinak, Kennedy, Kilkenny, Kruse, McKay, Neill, Ognenovski, Sarota, Schwarzer, Spiranovic, Troisi, Valeri, Wilkshire, Williams, Zullo So, Emerton & Kewell ok for the blockbuster opening MVFC v SFC at Docklands. GAME ON ... no excuses. Source: http://twitter.com/#!/Socceroos
nordozzz
Roar Guru
agree with Wade here, though yeah let the coach announce the squad. I like how BB shifted it across to the coach, where the decision should be. FIFA windows for the A-L somewhere off in the future lets hope! Probably next TV deal once they can extend the season by padding it out with these dates and Cup weekends.
Kasey
Guest
I don't like how SBS have pre-empted the gaffer's announcement by 'telling' the world that Emmo will miss rd1 but H will play. guess what I'm reading in the new ltd papers this morning? SBS, are they really a friend of football in this country? I think I'll wait until Herr Osieck releases his official squad list today before I comment. I just wish SBS and Wadey had had the sense and decency to do the same. source for the SBS article published last night: http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/australia/news/1074272/Emerton-in-Kewell-out-for-Socceroos