Job not yet done, but the Socceroos, inspired by a coming-of-age outing from Robbie Kruse, took a significant stride towards Brazil with a big 4-0 win over Jordan in Melbourne last night.
For years now Australia has been clamouring for the next batch of ‘Roos to not only be given a chance, but to take it, and Kruse gave us a sneak peek at what that looks like with an inspired performance that featured two assists and a terrific solo goal.
Holger Osieck may have been keen to hose down the hype around Kruse’s performance post-match, perhaps understandably so given the importance of the Iraq game next week, but for many fans of the Socceroos, this is what they have been waiting years for.
On the big occasion, with his team under significant pressure to get the win, Kruse stepped up to the plate, driving consistently beyond Jordan’s left back Basem Fathi both on the ball and without it, and showing plenty of variety in his game.
While he looked a threat on the counter attack in Saitama, here there was a reminder that his game offers more.
With the Roos on the front foot for much of the match, Kruse reminded everyone just how creative he can also be, ducking inside, getting on the ball and linking.
What was particularly exciting about Kruse’s performance was that he produced an end product just about every time he got into solution spots, teeing up both Mark Bresciano and Tim Cahill, before finding the net himself after a delightful nutmeg on Mohammad Mustafa.
Countless other times he produced accurate cut-backs from the byline, finding feet.
Back in the city and ground where he did some of his best work in the A-League, it was exciting to see how much Kruse has evolved in his time in Germany.
With a performance like this, it was easy to see why he’s much-talked about in the Bundesliga, and the hope here is we can get a little more coverage of the German league to see him more regularly.
With his pace, increased tactical awareness and lightning sharp technique, the hope is his next domestic season is another huge one, wherever he ends up.
If the Socceroos can make it to Brazil, he could be flying by the time we get there, becoming our key player, and he mightn’t be the only one.
While Tommy Oar, on the other flank, had a tougher night against the pacey Khalil Bani Ateyah, there were times in the first half where he showcased his potential.
Meanwhile, Tommy Rogic, in a 15 minute cameo at the end of the match, showcased the quality he possess on the ball, even bagging an assist for his skipper.
If these three attacking midfielders can produce the goods for their clubs next season, then the Roos future isn’t as gloomy as it has often appeared under Osieck.
It’s not quite nirvana, but it may be the start of something, and the hope is they can consistently provide front third penetration for years to come.
In many ways, the Socceroos’ use of lightning speed down the flanks last night was a throw-back to the 1990s, when the likes Jason van Blerk, Stan Lazaridis, Tony Vidmar and another Robbie, in Slater, would consistently bomb-on out wide.
This mightn’t have been the most complete ‘Roos performance, but there were other aspects to enjoy, including the form of central midfielders Mark Milligan and Bresciano.
With the game often stretched between the central defenders and attack, there was much space for both to cover. Milligan, in particular, covered it well, protecting his defence whenever Jordan looked to go quickly, holding up the play, allowing his teammates to transition back.
Miligan’s was a performance of tactical maturity.
Meanwhile, the Socceroos look a far better unit with Bresciano in the team, pulling the strings, especially when he is able to get high up the pitch.
Whereas last week he and Milligan were often redundant as an attacking option, forced to play deep, here they were even able to drift into the box, as Bresciano did for the opener.
While Jordan rarely looked a threat, some credit must go to Osieck for sticking with the Saitama starters and instilling in them an understanding of the different strategy required here.
When they were looking flat at the start of the second period, he injected Archie Thompson, much to the approval of Melbourne’s football fans.
While there were still worrying signs about a defence that refuses to push up too high, this was one of the better efforts under Osieck.
But as the manager said in the post match press conference, this is no time to celebrate, with the attention already turned to recovering in time for next Tuesday’s decider in Sydney.
With the hype around Kruse and the result last night, Osieck’s will be keen to ensure complacency doesn’t creep into the squad, and has again pleaded with the media not to give birth to any heroes.
While Osieck’s ultimate goal remains World Cup qualification, most Roos fans also want a team on the rise if and when we get there.
To that end, Kruse’s performance is one that gives hope.
j binnie
Guest
Bondy - You may well have pointed out the reason for wide wingers on both flanks no longer being the "done thing". If Matt McKay is being used as an attacking full back then it is up to the player in front of him (the winger) to create space by making those diagonal runs that Thompson and Kruse were making in the last 30 minutes of the game. All of a sudden space was being created where both Wilkshire and to a lesser extent McKay could go forward and keep going forward into the spaces created if the opportunity arose..Suddenly Cahill was no longer isolated and covered by up to 3 defenders for with Thompson and Kruse cutting in and space being created out wide Wilkshire could get forward and work with Kruse.The result?. A defence overrun and 3 more goals scored. Oar was not to blame entirely,the boy had obviously been told to stay out wide and tried to do so,but the full back nullified him with his pace and positioning.That's modern tactics ,every man has a job to do if "the machine" is to function.jb
Bondy
Guest
Jb What's doing with M McKay he seems to make a forward run down the left then passes the ball back to the centre half almost all the time, I don't see him as a left channel offensive or flank player and never have ,and that's what we need.
j binnie
Guest
Daniel - An interesting observation but if the truth be told the use of two wingers at this level of football has almost disappeared completely from team strategy. At an international level we can go back to 1966 when the England manager Ramsey's WC winning team was described as the "wingless wonders". Since then strategies have been many and varied with all sorts of different numerical descriptions but the use of out and out wingers on both flanks at the same time has rarely been seen.That is where the Thompson for Oar substitution caused an almost immediate effect in the recent game for Thompson's intelligent running added a dimension to the the Socceroo game that had been sadly lacking in the first hour of the game.This does not reflect on Oar's ability as a winger, it simply means a winger playing as a winger does becomes a spectator when the attack is being built on the opposite flank unless he does what Thompson did,use his pace and football "nous" to get into places where he can worry a defence. You did note where Kruse was when he scored HIS goal????????jb
Daniel Hackett
Roar Rookie
This all reason why both wingers should be inverted (i.e right footer on left flank and left footer on right flank) like what we did against Saudi arabia and Korea and look at the performances both times. This way players will naturally cut inside more and link up with the CF.
Kasey
Guest
TK - shouting: In a way that’s good, shouting at the TV is a sure sign the ‘care-factor’ has returned. I’m certainly feeling a renewed sense of love for our National Team after wondering if Club had won out in the eternal club v country debate of all football fans. I regularly shout at the TV during AU away games and was at it again on Tuesday leaping up off the couch with a "f**k yeah!!" when Bresch scored the opener:)
Jukes
Guest
and on a 1 hr delay........pretty impressive.
dasilva
Guest
He is not a hero but Kruse is now our best outfield player in terms of current club career He played regularly (played 33 games this season) in the best league in the world Bundesliga and now is bought by Bayer Leverkuson and will play in Champions League football next year if he breaks the first team there Only Schwarzer is playing regular football in the "Big 3' leagues in the world
Ralph Nadeer
Roar Rookie
Yes Tony, but what if Holger wanted you to think like that?
Ralph Nadeer
Roar Rookie
No, if the Socceroos draw, we are dependent on Oman and Jordan to draw or we could finish 3rd at best.
Ralph Nadeer
Roar Rookie
That should be FIFA WC . . . not FFA World Cup ... now, there's a thought Lowy.
Ralph Nadeer
Roar Rookie
Midfielder, 6 of the starting 11, and 16 of the 23-man Socceroos squad in action in Melbourne last night were either former or current A-League players. That's more than half. Remember Verbeek who didn't select any A-League players. Going overseas to sit on the bench and train with the reserves, is no longer the best way to get into the team.
Ralph Nadeer
Roar Rookie
Very impressive when coming on cold and would like to see Tommy Hoops start against Iraq. But who do you leave out - Holman, Cahill, Oar, Brosque, Bresc, Milligan, Kruse? Its getting very competitive for a starting spot in the national team these days. You have to wait till someone retires to get a game.
Ralph Nadeer
Roar Rookie
Josh Rose from the CCM should be given a chance, he's better than Zullo or McKay in that position and a natural left back.
Ralph Nadeer
Roar Rookie
Chipperfield was one of our best ever attacking left backs. He pulled off two magnificent shots against Italy and Buffon saved both, otherwise the penalty wouldn't have mattered. I lost a little respect for him though when he said he would rather go back to driving buses than play in the A-League. No need for that at all.
AZ_RBB
Guest
*fingers crossed* he has a big season with Celtic in the lead up to the WC (touchwood) the Celtic fans love him already.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
True to an extent, though he does it fairly consistently in the Bundesliga (at least the Dusseldorf games I watched).
Robbie
Roar Pro
Having seen little of Rogic so far, my breathe was taken away by the technique and skill he displayed in his small cameo. I would love to see him come in a bit earlier in the game.
Lamby
Roar Rookie
Yep +1 And double yep seeing we are so slow down back and keep getting killed by counter attacks.
Lamby
Roar Rookie
Yep, was there too. At half time we were talking about how we were getting tickets and how we could get to France. The 2nd half was one of the worst 45 minutes of my life. I still hate Terry Venebles for not shutting the game down! We are in another must win game against Iraq. We have a MUCH worse team than 97. We still looked slow down back and VERY suspect against the counter - we were only saved by some forwards who did not have enough class.
The Bear
Guest
I don't think we are intending to be in Brasil to do something. That's a big assumption. And we would both agree it aint gonna happen as it stands now. Whether the FFA wants to step it up over the next Cup cycle remains to be seen. Much work to be done though.