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.
Harry Sevas
Guest
Sadly but its true. The National team is falling off the radar and playing second fiddle to the A league. Tickets for this months qualifier have been on sale for months yet 34000 turned out . Compare that to Sydneyfc v Wanderers game that was sold out weeks ago. If it was played at ANZ would have easily got 40000 but closer to 50 000.
midfielder
Guest
Sack oh
Tony Tannous
Expert
Socceroos XI Schwarzer; Wilkshire, Cornthwaite, Thwaite, McKay; Kruse, Jedinak, Holland, Holman; Cahill; Brosque
Griffo
Roar Guru
fadida, I salivate at the prospect of drawing Iran again so we can exorcise those memories of '97. It is the only way we can heal and move on... (-_-)
Midfielder
Guest
Mariners system copied ....
Midfielder
Guest
And me too hopefully
Franko
Guest
I hope we give them a belting but we never do. I fear the game will drag on, me becoming more nervous with every passing minute. Until a corner arrives, bounces off Cornflakes shin and we breath a sigh of relief at a close fought 1-0 win. Why I why can't we put these sides in their place???
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
AUS v OMA AUS NT Starting XI --------Schwarzer--------- Wilkshire -- Cornthwaite -- Thwaite -- McKay -------Holland --Jedinak Kruse --Cahill --- Holman ---------Brosque-----------
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Middy hard at work keeping the rich richer!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
I'll get a better idea for how bump-in/retractable seating goes at the June game at Docklands, when the Socceroos play, bwahaha :D
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"ATO… Debt Collectors… NSW Office of State Revenue…" Are you talking about your business or your football club? :-D And, surely that "2.3 K in cash" would pay a week's wages for the team from Bluetongue ... 23 players, who are worth about $100/week? ;-) About to crack my 1st pregame beer. But, still, I remain ... alert, but not alarmed.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Oh dear, now I've got "living next doooor to Bondy" going through my head :X
Midfielder
Guest
Come on Aussie tonight.... I have had a bad day .... won all fights ... but what a day... ATO... Debt Collectors... NSW Office of State Revenue...; Then to end the day a client comes in with his BAS stuff ... must be done today as I am off to Byron tomorrow... and I took out some cash for the trip and eats at the festival ... client comes in and settles his account 2.3 K in cash ... [can't hide as I am an honest accountant and besides its a tax deduction for the client] ... so I have to much cash .... gotta finsh this flipping BAS statement get it signed and head to the club for the match.... On the brighter side winning all battles today means I can add a little extra to the bills [should never admit that should I] ... saved one guy over 8K with a debt collector with a one hour phone call.... wonder at times how much to charge ... for the hour HHHHMMM or whatever... got another taxpayer 15K in fines withdrawn by the ATO two hours on the phone and emails ... HHHHMMMM Anyway back to the BAS ..... and then to Bluesfest.... love Byron ....
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
great stuff Griffo! Great to see that many aussie kids now see a football WC qualifying game as 'the' big event of the week like any other kids around the world! Love it! Just shows how the game is growing in oz. hope they go to bed with a smile.
Towser
Guest
Nathan of Perth Oh how thou twisteth my vain utterings oh son of a Sandgroper, may Alan Bond become your premier,then the whole state will be battlers.
langou
Roar Guru
The bump in seating works well in my opinion. I have been to the Docklands and Olympic Stadium with the use of bump-in stadium and thought it looked good, providing that the game gets enough people to justify it. I think the Newcastle option is an excellent one
fadida
Guest
I still can't hear the name "Iran" in any context without a nostalgic wave of nausea. The vision of Bosnich 1v1 (heart races), the Iranian opening up his body (please no!), sliding the ball past the spread -eagled Bosnich (noooooooooo!). Rolling into the net (I can't breath). The hot girl beside me looking for consoling anyway I could provide it (may have mixed up my memories to dull the pain) :) Can't be topped as the all time worst sporting moment..........
Bondy
Guest
I think Perth @ Adelaide should host games if financially viable in the future,its dissapointing those governments appear so reluctent, the national team just playing in either Sydney or Melbourne at this time of year also fights for media attention with up to 7 NRL or AFL clubs. It would've been a massive boost for Perth or Adelaide Football this week with the national team in town,last HAL round of the regular season and both the reds and glory in contention could've been a big week .
fadida
Guest
I feel that cornflakes will demonstrate his is now two footed i.e he can now kick and control the ball with both shins :) Sadly apart from the ability to score tap ins he offers little else. Milligan 10x better option
Nathan of Perth
Guest
And the state governments can turn around and shrug and point out it is good enough for the rugby, And further point out that it is the FFA and football in Australia that loses more than the states do by not spreading the ambassadors. As it stands, in 2018 the new Perth Stadium will be a going concern, using, allegedly, bump in seating to get a rectangular(ish) shape, so I suppose it will be an interesting question when the time comes around. International football is apparently on the agenda there. Personally I thought that Malaysian friendly was the best option to bring out to somewhere fresh.