Coach Holger Osieck plans to use next year’s East Asian Cup to continue blooding more Socceroos tyros after Australia secured their berth with an 8-0 demolition of Taiwan.
Australia needed just over half an hour to book their spot easily overcoming the world No.176 side at Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday night.
The top-placed Socceroos will now join Japan, China and hosts South Korea in the showpiece next July.
Adam Taggart, Richard Garcia and Aziz Behich all scored their maiden international goals with Robert Cornthwaite, and free-kick specialist Aaron Mooy rounding out the scoring for the experimental Socceroos side.
Rookies Taggart and Behich both netted a brace each while Taiwan added insult to injury gifting Australia their eighth with an own goal in a match which surprisingly Central Coast playmaker Tomas Rogic didn’t feature.
With North Korea beating hosts Hong Kong 4-0 in Sunday’s earlier match Australia knew they needed at least five goals against Taiwan to better the Koreans goal difference of plus 14.
The Koreans had previously beaten Taiwan 6-1, Guam 5-0 and drew 1-1 with Australia.
Australia had to go on the goal chase to keep their hopes of qualifying alive and responded with a 9-0 thumping of Guam on Friday after they unconvincingly beat Hong Kong 1-0 in their opening match.
“We had to play a decent tournament here in order to qualify,” Osieck said.
“We had eight uncapped players and some who had little international experience, so for me it was very important to see how they do.
“In particular the first two games were a big challenge and I think overall some of the boys showed some good performances that they’ll probably qualify for further commitments in the squad.”
Archie Thompson, one of the few veterans in the squad, twice came heartbreakingly close to equalling Damian Mori’s all-time highest goal scoring record for Australia, stinging the palms of ‘keeper Lu Kun Chi and denied by the woodwork moments later.
Osieck is likely to plunder the A-League again for the finals in July with the tournament also falling outside FIFA sanctioned dates and is welcoming the opportunity to try out some fresh talent on the international stage.
“Our priority now is to qualify for the world cup and any additional commitments will give me the opportunity to build for the future,” he said.
“There are going to be other players who have not played here in that squad in July who will have the opportunity to show if their ready.
“So the tournament in July will be another good one to give me a better picture of the performance level of some of the players.”
The Bear
Guest
"I hope that the one or two players who have shone in this round of games are again involved when we play in the WCQ’s and beyond to maintain the exposure, experience and momentum." Let me put you out of your misery now. They won't. HO has dismissed that prospect in the article above.
jmac
Guest
I'm sure you'd agree Bresciano, Holland and now Mooy (maybe others?) have shown enough this year to suggest we have options for a good passer in one of those CM roles. Holland and Mooy obviously risky given their lack of experience, and Bresh b/c of his advancing years, and he seemed a bit injury-prone when he was in the set-up recently. So yeah you're likely right, Holger will play it more conservatively, unfortunately.
Steve
Guest
His was a totally unjustifiable selection as his subsequent performances proved.
whiskeymac
Guest
the team will be voted for by fans apparently (All stars) but the clash with the EAC will probably rule out one or two. I think the EAC is more important than the TV candy of the Man U game, but wld think the team selected by fans will be a good blend of o/s and local.
whiskeymac
Guest
Some good performances from Mooy etc but the HK and NK game linger in my mind. Lopsided scorefests against Guam and Taiwan don't vindicate in my mind the first two matches. Still another tournament to look forward to now and for that I am a grateful fan. I hope that the one or two players who have shone in this round of games are again involved when we play in the WCQ's and beyond to maintain the exposure, experience and momentum.
jmac
Guest
Any A-League players selected for the EAFF finals tournament (starts 20 July 2013) will miss the Man United circus on July 20th. So 'A-League All Stars' might end up 'A-League foreigners', which would not be a bad thing..
The Bear
Guest
I wonder to myself if Jedi and Valeri will continue to "anchor" the midfield next year.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Well done Osie—winners are grinners and Osie has a big grin on his dial tonight… Perfect handling of the squad and team selections in the beginning right to the end.. Surely no one can complain that, you are not the right man to lead us into Brazil 2014 My new pin up boy is Mooy, what a fabulous talent he is---still in his early twenties too. This kid has to start if only for his dead ball specialist qualities. What we saw last night was quite special---although the Taiwanese were not quite the opposition to make a true assessment of how good last nights defensive midfielders really are. The pairing of central defenders Cornthwaite, Djulbic, and holding midfielder Thwaite (who can play anywhere at the back) with Mooy along side him needs to be tried and tested again against tougher opposition. These players put on a special performance last night that, gave our front runners so much ease to score the first five goals needed to qualify before the end of the first half.
The Bear
Guest
“Our priority now is to qualify for the world cup and any additional commitments will give me the opportunity to build for the future,” he said." Basically until the EAC Mooy, Rogic and players like Behich can forget about developing their Socceroo's contributions. I can only pray that they start in the EAC games next July.
pete4
Guest
Mooy's free-kick was the pick of yesterday's match. Also I must admit I thought including Adam Taggart up-front was a surprise selection. To my knowledge he's yet to be a regular starter for the Jets this season especially considering Babalj, Rogic didn't even feature again
Jack
Guest
Isn't July Europe s off season