While last week’s Socceroos clash was essentially a dead rubber, with little riding on the result, there was much to be gained from the performance and, for Holger Osieck, a few areas that needed sorting after disappointing performances on the past two match-days.
On that count, he will have been pleased with the reaction of the players given a chance here, particularly with the performances from Mark Bresciano, Alex Brosque and Mark Milligan.
Chief among the manager’s headaches leading into the Saudi Arabia clash was the need to find a solution to the puzzle that has become his central midfield. Primarily, he was looking for a way to start controlling games through more efficient use of the ball.
I’d suggested, in my column last week, that Nicky Carle might have been given the opportunity to play the role ahead of the holding midfielder, somewhat of a deeper sitting playmaker who primarily keeps the ball moving and consistently brings the front-two and wide players into the game.
I had also suggested, a little further down, that Bresciano might be given an opportunity in the deeper playmaker role, and that’s how Osieck decided to go.
On the surface it looked a sound call, for Bresciano is arguably one of the best technicians we’ve produced, never shy of asking for the ball, and knowing what to do with it when he has it.
While we’ve been more accustomed to seeing him play in wider areas in recent years, there were times when Guus Hiddink used him centrally, to great effect.
The subtle difference though between Hiddink’s deployment and Osieck’s here was that Hiddink often had more bodies around Bresciano.
Hiddink would often congest the midfield, getting everyone nice and close to each other, thus not exposing any defensive frailties.
Here Bresciano was playing in a 4-4-1-1, with much space between every player in the formation. Defending becomes a crucial element in such a scenario, and there were times when the Saudis did expose Bresciano’s work in reverse gear.
As the astute observer and regular reader Peter Kandy pointed out over the weekend, against better sides this might be further exposed.
But it was for his ability to contribute to the Roos attack that Bresciano was brought in, and Osieck will have been delighted with this aspect.
Playing early balls, always looking to feed the movement of Brosque and Harry Kewell, getting between the midfield and defensive lines, Bresciano was often found feeding the ball into space, allowing Brosque in particular to move onto it.
There was a real symmetry about the way the two B’s combined, with Bresciano recognising that Brosque had the pace to get beyond the Saudi defence if he could find the ball.
No doubt Bresciano was pumped up and keen to prove to Roos fans and Osieck his best days weren’t behind him.
It’s been a few years since we’ve seen him have such an influence over an international, but the big test will come against better opposition, once the initial buzz of returning to the fold has worn off.
Behind him in the centre of midfield came an impressive performance from Milligan, one which perhaps throws down the gauntlet to the incumbent holding midfielders, Mile Jedinak and Carl Valeri.
While the other two have undoubted strengths around tactical discipline and ball winning, what Milligan showed at AAMI Park is some decent composure on the ball.
While he missed a couple of early passes as Australia sat back and absorbed, he soon settled into a passing rhythm once the Roos got on the front foot.
Defensively I thought he was excellent, providing strong cover in front of Lucas Neill and Sash Ognenovski.
For a utility, Milligan proved he can do a job, and Osieck must be tempted to have another look at him in the same role soon.
Making the central midfielder’s job somewhat easier, from both a defensive and attacking perspective, was the work of Brosque up front.
Whether it was in sprinting back in transition to press the opposition or springing forward into space with a blistering burst of pace, Brosque was a bundle of effervescence.
Having missed out, unjustly I felt, on more minutes in Muscat and Bangkok, Brosque proved to Osieck what he had missed, taking his chances clinically.
On this form, he should be in the starting 11 when the next phase of qualifiers comes around, even with the likes of Josh Kennedy, Brett Holman and Tim Cahill back in the mix.
Elsewhere, there were some excellent contributions from the experienced trio Neill, Kewell and Archie Thompson, the latter having quite the impact off the bench.
Yet, for all the positives, Osieck is no nearer to finding out who his number one left back is, with Matt Spiranovic looking uncomfortable there.
As he builds towards the next phase, with the Socceroos opponents to be determined on Friday, Osieck still has a bit to ponder, but he will at least do it knowing a couple more players have stepped up and asked to be a big part of his plans.
Brian
Guest
Team for 2014 WC Schwarzer Carney-Herd-Spiranovic-Wilkshire Valeri-Williams-McKay-Emerton Cahill-Rukavytsa Bench: Federici Lowry Neill Oar Bresciano Kewell Kennedy LB is a real worry surely now is the time to give a natual LB an extended run and hopes he lifts
Brian
Guest
Kewell as well consdiering he played both legs againt Iran in 1997 and the Confederatrions Cup that followed. Still Maldini played for AC Milan for 20 years and Italy for 15 so if you are good enough, how long you are in the team for should be irrelevant.
Horza
Guest
What game were you watching, Tony? I saw one where our manager made bizarre decisions about player positions, neglected an opportunity to experiment in deficient areas and where only luck kept us from being 1-3 down with twenty minutes to go. There was no point playing Spiranovic at left back. He is not, will never be better there than he is in the centre. It was particularly odd when Josh Rose, Aziz Behich and Shane Steffanuto were all there for a looking over. Similar story applies to North at RB. Bresciano was terrible in the deep centre midfield position, he doesn't have the legs to win ball and close down the opposition anymore - that was Osieck's missed opportunity to play Nick Carle, who can play that game. His and Milligan's failings were laid bare for much of the first half, overrun in midfield and unable to close down Al-Dosary for the first. Bresc's classy touch and great vision were put to much better use when we moved to something closer to 4-3-3 with Thompson's substitution and he was free to push up with Emerton and Kewell covering. That was, as far as I can tell, the first time Osieck has outright changed from his preferred 4-4-1-1 and I hope we see more of it in the future.
jbinnie
Guest
Tony- This is a strange "take" on this game ,a game which had me puzzled from the time the team taking the field was announced. First of all what were we up against?,a team that had to come out and win at all costs,secondly,as we were already qualified we had nothing to lose so the scene was all set for experimentation on a grand scale to see if "problem" positions could be filled more successfully than in some of the past games. Problem positions, "playmakers" in both defensive and attacking modes & left wing-back. Other opportunities could have been to try new blood in positions requiring "cover". What did we get?.Five centre-backs starting the game (even the Italians in their worst "catenaccio" days never used that many). Three players,North,Spiranovic and your nominee, Milligan at a total loss as to what was expected of them in these totally new positions at international level, and to be quite frank and honest we could have gone down more than one goal had the opposition had a bit more accuracy in their finishing.Whether it was Bresciano's lack of defensive aptitude or Milligan's inadequacy in his novel role is hard to say but the Saudi's dominated the midfield for nearly 60 minutes and our service to the front men suffered accordingly. With the introduction of Thompson things changed drastically,With more movement in front of him Bresc. started to come into his own as an attack link and the front men revelled in the service as can be judged from the goal onslaught.In the end a great result on the night but still the questions remain,is there another playmaker who can defend as well as attack?, have we uncovered another left wing back? was any "new" blood discovered?, not in my opinion, but,------ that starting lineup ?????????.jb
Dave
Guest
Didn't Kewell start as a left back? Could be an option at a pinch.
Lucan
Was good to see Bresc want the ball but he kept playing too deep early on. I don't see Bresciano as that link man between the back four and the midfield.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Would have been interesting to see Paartalu have some game time but his time will come I feel, particularly if he has an influence in the champions league group phase. I will be particularly interested in who comes into squad when the likes of Kennedy and Holman are available. Brosque and Kennedy were a good combination and I expect Holman will still be the first name on the team sheet. What to do then with Kewell, Cahill and now I'd say Bresciano? Cahill's position on the bench will be most flexible depending on what plans Holger has formulated for each game. Similarly you could ask about Wilkshire, Emerton and McKay, the later of which game time in Korea will go a long way to getting some time on the park in Scotland. As mentioned left back is a problem but will know more when we play Scotland in August as to what Holger's plans will be in the early qualifying games. Can't see Carney being first choice since he looks like he might be playing a more attacking role for Bunyodkor but you never know what regular game time will do to a players chances.
James
Guest
Yes, that is a good point TC. Let's hope the choice for the holding midfield is disciplined and capable enough to carry those duties to allow that playmaker to concentrate on the attack.
James
Guest
Nice post Tony. I agree that Spiranovic looked uncomfortable in the left-back role, but I wasn't entirely convinced by Milligan's performance as the holding midfielder. I think you were right as he performed adequately as a utility, but not really a specialist in that role. I think Valeri still would have been better than Milligan in this formation, and Rhys Williams an even better option (if they were available). I also think Royston Griffiths played exceptionally well in that holding midfield role during his time with the Central Coast Mariners and could possibly compete for that position. Culina, if he were fit, would ideally have been the best option - experienced, technical and disciplined.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
In terms of their defensive capabilities, Bresh is even weaker and less reliable than Carle, which is saying something. Having either in a midfield of two as the deep lying playmaker is asking for a whole lot of trouble.
Bondy
Guest
What can concern some football supporters is the fact that Bresc has been out for quite some time and fitted in very well, and doesn't want to pass the ball backwards or sideways as often as others . Whats the point of taking someone like E, Paartalu if he's not going to feature in the game ? That also some will say Lucas and Mark S are holding down positoins in the national team for over 14 years that's generally not regular with other nations .
JAJI
Guest
Agree re Chris Herd - the lad has been injured for 3 months and been rushed straight back into the Villa first team. Rukaystya scored in front of 53,000 at the Berlin Olympiastadium on the weekend. James Holland is now playing every week. Shane Lowry toid SBS he can play left back - and Luke De Vere lets not forget is also capable There are plenty of options floating around....
whiskeymac
Guest
thanks for the read Tony. There are even more options out there in some of these positions with williams (both) and herd etc. hopefully they will get chances too- but its good to see the depth developing. in saying that though, left back..... no naturals there?maybe young davidson progressing for that spot in future?