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With the A-League continuing to grab most of the interest and headlines a week out from the finals, it’s been lost to many that the Socceroos have an important home World Cup qualifier against Oman tonight.
Whether it’s the cost, the perception there are a couple of “deciders” still to come in June, or the feeling that the Socceroos are struggling to regenerate under an old school manager, there seems to be a general apathy around this game.
Organisers are expecting a crowd of around 35,000.
Perhaps the feeling among many Roos fans is that they will come away from Homebush with the three points, and that’s always a dangerous angle to take against any opponent.
The hope is that this apathy hasn’t crept into the squad and that Holger Osieck has been able to ram home the importance of performing to his players.
While winning and qualifying for Brazil remains the ultimate goal, what Roos fans also want to see over the next four games is a team that has turned the corner and hits Brazil on the rise.
The feeling is that we want a team to not only represent at Brazil, but represent us well, just as the class of 2006 did.
It’s one thing getting there, but in what shape will the team be if and when they do?
Will they continue to have the feel of a team struggling to shed its past?
Whether Osieck has the all-round skill-set to lead the nation into Brazil remains a point of debate.
There have been signs in recent times that he is starting to try and turn over the team, but when push has come to shove, he has often tended to resort to his status quo.
That will become apparent an hour or two before kick off tonight when Osieck has to reveal his starting 11.
Will James Holland, who, from all reports, has been making quite the impression in Austria, get into his midfield?
How much time will the talented duo of Tom Rogic and Tommy Oar get with the likes of Mark Bresciano, Tim Cahill and Brett Holman about?
Will Osieck’s faith in Robbie Cornthwaite pay off?
These are just a few of the questions that fans are waiting to have answered.
The other test for Osieck will be just how the team plays.
His biggest strength appears to be his ability to motivate his men.
Technically and tactically his team often leaves much to be desired.
With that in mind, it will be important the Socceroos not only start at a high tempo, but continue to zip the ball around quickly on what appears to be a decent enough surface.
Oman, under Paul Le Guen, will attempt to get behind the ball and set themselves up to block and counter, so Australia will need to get the ball forward swiftly.
This is where Holland’s range of passing could certainly help.
How quickly the defence and holding midfield can prompt the likes of Robbie Kruse, Holman and Alex Brosque will be decisive.
Kruse, in particular, flying in the Bundesliga, remains the key transition target, and the Roos would do well to channel traffic his way.
Getting Kruse in behind the Oman defence down the the Roos right remains the best bet.
What the Roos mustn’t be guilty of is over-relying on crosses to Tim Cahill, particularly if the defence is set deep.
That could play into Ali Al Habsi’s hands.
If they aren’t able to penetrate quickly and Oman do set up in defence, this is where the Socceroos will need to be creative, moving ball and body quickly.
Getting that balance into his starting 11 remains Osieck’s test.
Certainly Mark Bresciano has a role here, but equally it would be great to see Rogic, Oar and Holland get much opportunity.
If whatever he starts with isn’t working, Osieck must be bold and react quickly.
All the while he will need to ensure that his holding midfield and defence are switched on to the threat of an Omani counter.
It’s crucial here that Osieck gets more things right than wrong.
After all, despite the apathetic build-up, if the Socceroos fail to pick up the three points, the manager will definitely garner more attention in the aftermath.
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