At last Wednesday’s FFA Fans Forum in Western Sydney there was plenty of discussion about the Socceroos. To put it simply, not all of the feedback was positive.
Apparently, the sentiment at the Melbourne forum was the same. For football fans in this country, the growing frustration with the national team has become louder as 2006 fades into memory.
As I wrote last week, the Socceroos became instant darlings of Australian sport when they reached the World Cup in Germany. They quickly became a ‘brand’ upon which the game as a whole benefited.
But, as was suggested at the Fans Forum, the Socceroos now play second fiddle in the hearts and minds of the thousands of A-League fans around the country. Increasingly, football fans are prioritising the interests and their affection of their local A-League club over the national team.
And while it’s commonplace for football fans around the world to support their local side ahead of their national side, it’s certainly an unusual phenomenon in such a young league. Still, it’s also a healthy development. In the long term, a strongly supported national league can only be good for the Socceroos.
There are many reasons put forward for fans’ disenchantment with the national side. We are in the middle of a tough World Cup qualifying campaign through Asia, which has meant a shortage of high-profile fixtures. There is also a suggestion that the Socceroos don’t do enough to connect with the fans.
But the main objection seems to be about the way the national team plays. Our poor showing in South Africa under the dour Dutchman Pim Verbeek frustrated fans of all persuasions.
Remember Craig Foster’s “it’s not about Verbeek” outburst after the hiding to Germany? Vintage stuff.
Unfortunately, after a promising start to his tenure, Holger Osiek has become an increasingly conservative manager. Australians don’t expect tiki-taka, but they do expect their national team to attack, no matter the opposition.
As one fan commented last Wednesday night, “I don’t care if we lose four-nil, but we’ve got to have a crack.”
Les Murray made a similar point in his 2006 autobiography By The Balls “Australians hate to lose, and more than that, they hate to lose by not having a go.”
But while Guus Hiddink understood and encouraged this mentality, it seems Verbeek and Osiek are more willing to stack their defence and play on the counter.
It was always going to be a tall order for whoever replaced Hiddink. The Dutchman raised our expectations for the Socceroos to unprecedented levels. There was bound to be a come-down after that dizzying high.
The FFA deserve some criticism for not heeding Hiddink’s parting advice. He warned that regeneration was essential as our senior players were on our last legs. Seven years later, that job is still only half-finished, and it’s starting to show.
Still, stylistic objections aside, our Socceroo heroes are increasingly being replaced by our A-League stars.
As Craig Foster put it, “the A-League has actually taken over the Socceroos as the main point of reference as fans increasingly develop intense emotional ties to their club.”
In this regard, connecting the A-League more closely to the Socceroos may be the best way forward.
The trouble is, the national side is still largely made up of overseas players, with only a sprinkling of home-based hopefuls thrown in.
It’s great to see A-League alumni like Robbie Kruse, Alex Brosque and Matt McKay cement their spots in the starting eleven. It may be the future of the Socceroos brand as we move forward.
Previously, we idolised our overseas stars to the detriment of Australian-based players.
The club versus country debate was about getting the big boys in the European leagues to play all the international fixtures, both as a selling point for the game and because they were the best players available.
Michael Lynch at The Age suggests that Australia’s emerging players haven’t reached the heights of the so-called ‘Golden Generation’, leading to a “lack of excitement” among fans.
While it is certainly true that our young players have yet to establish themselves in the big leagues of Europe, is this really such a problem?
As parochialism increasingly becomes a part of the culture of the A-League, you would imagine that having Melbourne Heart’s Eli Babalj leading the line, or the Victory’s Mark Milligan pulling the strings in the Socceroos midfield would be a popular move.
Dedicated football fans watch these players week in week out. We engage with them in the stands and track their development with a keen interest.
The problem with this, however, is twofold. Firstly, European coaches have been reluctant to include A-League players. But when an A-League coach steps into the top job – be it Tony Popovic, Graham Arnold or Ange Postecoglou – you would expect this attitude to change.
Secondly, financial and career opportunities will mean that our best young talent will continue to head abroad. Still, if we were to prioritise A-League players for selection, it may prove a timely incentive for a few of those players to stay home.
If the likes of Mark Milligan, Eli Babalj, Trent Sainsbury and Aaron Mooy can break into the national team from their local club, they may not feel the need to chase big money moves to Asia, the Middle East and perhaps even Europe.
Imagine a Socceroos squad, coached by an Australian and filled with young A-League players and recent graduates. It would synchronise the domestic and the international game, and it would be a national team that fans could truly connect with.
Jukes
Guest
This was a pretty good discussion, thoroughly enjoyed it. Good ideas and a lot of thought. At the end of the day we all want the Australian team do well. We obviously have differences in how the team plays but thats going to happen no matter what. I think the stronger our A-league the better off the National Team will be. I am genuinely excited by whats happening in football. I can see new talent emerging from the our ranks despite Pim Veerbeks dire assessment all those years ago. Holger for the most part is doing ok for a difficult job. I am pretty confident will qualify for Brazil. Its now up to those fringe players if they want their chance to go out there and grab it, because we need them standing up and getting noticed. Its a ruthless business dislodging the incumbents from the squad and its got to be done. Big opportunities for these young players. Take your chance boys, its up to you.
Sleemo
Guest
Jukes, I agree with many of your comments also. I guess my point is that when it comes to the Socceroos, what will be remembered is how far they went in the tournament, not how entertaining or attacking their football was. I mean at the end of the day results are what counts...2006 is considered a success because they qualified from the group with 1-1-1 results, while 2010 is considered a failure because they didn't get through although they got the same results...see what I mean? I personally think we did well in 2010, and if third place in the group had been achieved in 2006 - after our absence of 32 years - I think it would have been considered satisfactory. Problem is too few people truly understand the Socceroos' true place in world football. Your examples of Brazil, Holland and Spain are a bit difficult to apply to the Socceroos though - these are well-developed football nations with years of big-tournament experience. They're probably at the stage where they have developed a reputation and a method of football. Australia is not at this level yet - for these nations the realistic focus is on winning the World Cup, for Australia the immediate focus is to qualify from the group stage - THEN we can think about going further. I love watching entertaining football as much as anybody but I would prefer to see a dull game where Australia win 1-0 over an end-to-end attack-fest where we lose 3-2. I agree in that in the future the Socceroos will get to a stage where the way they play the game is more identified with the team than the results - but people like winners and if pragmatic, "boring" football gets results, that's what we need right now.
Thomas
Guest
To be honest, I don't care which league Socceroos play in, as long as they are the best players we have got. Whether they play in Europe or the A-League.
oly09
Guest
Agreed. When it comes to international football, and especially with a team like Australia that draws on players from across the world, it's all about the result. When we play at home, if we're up by a couple, you can tell the players are keen to get through the game with as little fuss as possible. Most face a 24 hour flight and need to be fit otherwise risk losing their place in their club team. It was evident when we beat Oman in Sydney last year. Personally I don't mind, as long as we win and make the WC.
oly09
Guest
I was in Durban for that match and all I can vividly remember from that game was our back 4 being beaten time and time again. We could have been beaten 6 or 7 nil in that game. Even if we'd scored first, we still have have lost. The biggest disappointment was the draw in Rustenburg. We were all over Ghana with 10 men and Wilkshire had a great chance to win it for us.
oly09
Guest
The 4-0 comment sort of annoyed me too, but not because I assumed he was a recent Socceroos fan. I've watched a lot of poor WC qualifiers since we made the move to Asia and been frustrated and disappointed along the way. But, in my opinion, qualifying for the WC remains the main goal, with the second one blooding the next generation. But I guess I think that way because qualifying for the WC has also had a big impact on where and when my next overseas trip will be! To say you'd rather lost 4-0 and have a go is ridiculous.
WSW77
Guest
Well very sad indeed, I love my Benfica but they are the worst when it comes to youth, they have not taken chances with so many players that its not even funny. It's all down to the pressure of winning so they buy top South American players to get results/success. Actually Benfica's main lineup is only composed by one Portuguese player, very sad indeed. Even thou I hate FC Porto he should of gone there when they wanted him, his career wouldn't be what it is now I guarantee you that. FC Porto have the ability to turn a mid quality player into a world class player. Because in FC Porto they protect their players better and they work hard or else. It's their policy. Maybe Popa might give him a go, he does have the ability to reignite players careers.
philk
Guest
You say 'one of the new breed ' not Vidmar or Arnold.....I grant you Popovic is new to coaching but I suggest you check your football history regarding Ange Postacoglou . I would think any or all of the coaches you have named could do a job sometime down the track but right now we have only a few qualifying games left to take us to Brazil so let's all settle down and let Osiek do the job he is qualified for.
philk
Guest
langou, you are correct...it is an achievement, however, having reached that lofty position, not once but twice now, it is expected that we will do so every 4 years regardless. Anything less will be seen as failure by the Australian public at large and by the ' ever expectant' media. The Australian psyche does not allow for failure to achieve at the highest level in any sport (just ask the Olympic swim team).!!!
steven
Guest
yeah, but the danger is when/if we get to Brazil, what will we have to offer, with current players way too old.
steven
Guest
And the sooner we get a new coach, the better!
Joe Gorman
Expert
http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos/kaz-patafta-has-no-regrets-even-though-the-socceroos-next-generation-has-failed-to-kick-on/story-e6frf4l3-1226387969902 Kaz was a good player, but never managed to kick on for any of the A-League clubs. I wonder if he would be better appreciated now that the competition has matured? He takes a very good attitude towards his career though, which is admirable.
WSW77
Guest
So true mate, but there is a problem. A-Leagues salary cap is to low to secure our young talent at least until they are 23.
WSW77
Guest
I remember Kaz Patafta at my great Benfica he was a very promising player, you don't know how proud I was to see an Aussie at Benfica. What happened he gave up? Why? Injuries?
langou
Roar Guru
Good luck Mid Im sure all A-League fans will be hoping CCM win(this game only of course)
Adam
Guest
Correct Mid, 2 out of 3 massive flaws being worked on. FFA should rebrand them as the "Footballroos" would be a good start, but I don't want to start another code war argument!!
Jukes
Guest
Sleemo you do make some very valid points and I do agree with you as do a lot of people. At the end of the day it is still important that we get the desired results even if that means playing boring or defensive. But it also depends on the circumstances on each match and whats required for progression to the next stage. As an example if we needed to score lots of goals to get through a group to improve our goal difference and if we sat back defensively anyway. That would just peeve me of beyond belief and rightly so. If we got the results as you so described with a 1-0 win and draws of 0-0 and we got through to the next stage off course we would view it as a success and we should. But also there comes a point in every nations football journey that the expectation to play a certain way and still get a result is very important. I give you examples of Brasilian Jogo Bonito or the Netherlands total football and Spains possession and passing game. In all instances this type of football reflects both the desires and the psyche of the people of these respective nations. Many of us could argue that Brasil plays a more pragmatic game these days. To a certain extent that is true, are the people of Brasil happy about this. Most certainly not, even when they win. Harsh I know but thats the truth. I will argue that what I saw of the Netherlands in Sth Africa was not total football and they as a nation have gone away from the beautiful game as they once played in the 70's. Are the people happy about it, I mean I am sure they are somewhat pleased that came 2nd thats an outstanding result. Are they happy that they are labelled as cynical, pragmatic and not playing total football. I dont think they are. I am not saying we will ever reach the lofty heights of these fantastic footballing nations but at some point when we mature as a football nation we will be asking more of our players. Not only to play a certain way but to also get the desired result. is this harsh or asking too much. Perhaps but I can always dream.
Adam
Guest
Aggressive?? WE didn't play a striker, we technically played a 6 man midfield. Pim was pilloried out of the job because we sat back and didn't "take it" to the Germans. We were just outplayed, and not the only team that's happened to from the Germans over the journey.
Football United
Guest
No one is willing to step up, people already in active groups across the A-League and State leagues who want to get involved but don't want to get shouted down and be accused of being biased towards there own club. I think this is something the FFA is going to need to help with getting the active support groups together, WITHOUT their usual gimmicks.It surely couldn't be that hard, i went to the Scotland vs Australia match in Edinburgh and several hundred away fans made it a great fun atmosphere with classic football songs that were easy to pick up, no megaphones or capos needed, just a large bunch of fans that were willing to get involved.
Midfielder
Guest
jersey, check tickets,check the boss, check hi ho ,hi ho it's off to blue tounge we go hi, ho.