What if an All-Australian A-League team played off against the current Socceroos? Who would win?
Watching the numerous Socceroos World Cup Qualifiers in recent weeks I, and many other fans, continue to feel frustrated with the lacklustre performances of our starting XI.
I would like to see a team comprised only from Australian-eligible A-League players take on coach Holger Osieck’s Socceroos. Who knows, they might even win.
A fixture like this could provide a valuable insight into whether the A-League has grown into a league with a standard high enough for our national team players to ply a decent trade between international matches.
A disproportionate number of current national team players are playing in leagues considered well-below the level of the A-League and yet are still receiving call ups for the Socceroos.
A Socceroos versus A-League match could also raise the profile of the A-League internationally.
Fielding a competitive A-League team to take on the Socceroos may just sway the opinions of those like former national team coach Pim Verbeek who scoff at our national league – or at the very least put forward the case for players in the A-League to receive national team call-ups over those playing in lesser leagues.
If I had the luxury of choosing an All-Australian A-League team, I would select:
—————————— M. Ryan——————————-
I. Franjic —- T. Sainsbury —- M. Smith —- A. Behich
—————————- E. Paartalu —————————-
————- M. Nichols —————- D. Vidosic ————-
M. Duganzic ———-A. Thompson———- C. Goodwin
Reserves:
Def: M. Thwaite, S. Colosimo, Cassio
Mid: A. Mooy, B. Emerton, R. Garcia
Fwd: R. Griffiths
Roarers, who would you like to see in your team?
Griffo
Roar Guru
I remember back to the days of Australia vs Australia-A in one day cricket and remember the first match post-game comments from the Australian national team players,who didn't take too kindly to being booed by their own fans in their own country for the first time. Was the only summer that Australia-A played against Australia. For football I think that the A-League based team would need to be selected for international friendlies. East Asia Cup qualification might be the next opportunity to field this sort of team.
greendog
Guest
Should make it so non-australians can play in the team, i.e Heskey, Del Piero, Ono, Broich, Flores, Berisha, Rojas etc.... this teams more likely.... Ryan(GK) Franjic(RB) zwaanswijk(CB) Smith (CB) Behich(LB) Paartalu (CDM) Ono (RM) Broich(LM) Del Piero(CAM) Heskey(ST) Berisha (ST)
Hamish Alcorn
Guest
Another very obvious proposition is a friendly for the Socceroos against an A-League team. Without a lot of training an all stars is not going to be as competitive as one of the well established teams anyway. But really, surely the question isn't if but when this will occur for the first time. Why not?
West Sydney Wanderers
Guest
Socceroos v A-League Dinasours -------------------------------Covic-------------------------- Emerton---Beauchamp---Colosimo-----Hefferman Dodd------------Culina-----------Grella---------Garcia -------------------Sterjovski---------Thompson---------
Mantis
Roar Guru
That would be better then an A League v Socceroos game. And it would be good to play it somewhere without an A League team, like Canberra, Wollongong etc... As for your team Ono would have to be in there somewhere, but yeah, it pretty much picks itself.
Mantis
Roar Guru
True. Its like when Australia used to play Australia A in the ODI series in cricket. There is truly nothing good that can come out of it. Australia were expected to win, if they didn't it was just an embarrassment.
Mantis
Roar Guru
I was at that game, I think it was 2-0, but could be mistaken. Regardless, that A-League side is nothing compared to what we could put out now.
fadida
Guest
He's certainly a raw talent. I love his fearless taking on of players. Too many players turn around and play back when confronted with even 1 opponent. Goodwin will go at 2 every time. He does work back really well, but is better suited to attack than defend at this point. I'd much rather see Osieck look forward to Goodwin than back at Carney!
ant
Guest
I agree, he does look very similar to Bale with his movement, especially when his head is up, great anticipation, etc. I thought that myself a few weeks ago, when I first watched him. What I also like about him is his tracking back and his industrious help in defence. Already with what we have seen of him this season, he has done more defending that Carney in the Socceroos.
Nathan of Thirroul
Guest
Sorry one of those Broich's should be Del Piero
fadida
Guest
Goodwin will become an attacker. Shades of Gareth Bale
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Interesting concept. There was a J. League All-Star game for years.
Rangaraider
Guest
Yep can't see this ever happening...shame though it is an intriguing question. Maybe one for whatever version of FIFA Or PES you have... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Brick Tamlin of the Pants Party
Guest
A little ironic Neville left us for first team football.
Nathan of Thirroul
Guest
What about a mid season A-League game? A-League Aussies v A-League Internationals? That would be a cracking game and an absolute toss of the coin as to who would win. Who's your international team? GK- Paston/Moss DF - Ritter - Calvano - Zwaanswijk - Traore MID - Fred - Miller - Broich FWD - Berisha - Heskey - Broich
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Hahahaha. Well played langou
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
I am also not to ken to watch gimmick matches. This would probably have less intensity than a friendly against New Zealand. Last time we did it the overseas based players were rightly unhappy about coming home just to play the role of the bad guy agaisnt the underdog.
langou
Roar Guru
I think the Socceroos would win because their Archie Thompson is playing better than the A-Leagues Archie Thompson
Nathan of Perth
Roar Rookie
He's certainly been up there - he had some brain fades last year that on occasion cost goals but then that's part and parcel for young defenders. So far this year his consistency has been way up. Definitely a suitable replacement for Scotty Neville. He's got that rare determination and had to take the hard way to achieve his passion (such as moving by himself to Perth from rural Bunbury in his mid-teens).
Jamesb
Guest
Nathan, i like the look of risdon. I think he's been glorys best player so far this season