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We did it! When we embarked on this journey, everyone thought it was going to be easy, like it was four years ago.
But as we all know, it took a lot of late goals, not just yesterday but throughout the campaign, to get the job done. Nevertheless, the job is indeed done and we are there. It’s time to celebrate but in a few days’ time, Holger, the FFA and the players need to start looking towards Brazil.
A year is a long time in football and there is no guarantee the squad or the starting 11 from last night will be the ones on the plane to Brazil. So the question is, what is our starting 11?
The call from Foz over on SBS was to blood the youngsters with a core experienced group from now throughout the World Cup until the Asian Cup and make winning that our focus. We should indeed take our best team to Brazil because our best team is the youngsters with a core group backing them up.
Starting at the back, Schwarzer is the tentative choice. This might sound crazy but our 2005 hero is no certainty. He’s currently club-less, so who knows if he will end up in a top league or if he even will be first choice keeper?
Plus, the competition for spots is the strongest in the goalkeeper position. Both Ryan and Langarak are excellent keepers and if either of them is playing as first choice next season with their clubs, they will certainly seem more attractive to Holger than a second choice Schwarzer.
The back four is a big problem for us and, quite frankly, a complete change would not be such a bad idea. The problem, of course, is who can we replace them with? There is no one coming through the ranks at the moment at least, so back Neill, Wilkshire and Ognenovski to retain their places.
The left-back spot is the one defensive position up for grabs. Expect Zullo to try and change clubs for more game time to push for selection and cement the spot as his own from Matty McKay.
He seems to have coped with a lot of slack but he has performed really well – at least better than McKay during the games he has played – so he should get the nod. The other possibility would be Traore if the government can get his citizenship expedited.
Moving into midfield and it’s a complete change from the last three games, starting with Jedinak to take over from Milligan. A year in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, against a lot of the opposition he would face in the World Cup, will further develop him and give him great experience, thus making him the best option. There is talk of Milligan moving to Europe before next season which could change the situation, but for now let’s stick with the Jedi Master.
Next in is Rogic for Bresh. This is a like for like replacement. Rogic is one of the three high profile up-and-coming players with an amazing touch and great passing ability; he will fill Bresh’s role easily.
Holman goes out for Cahill. Even though we play him as a striker, Timmy is a midfielder whose strength is drifting into the box to attack headers. We need him in the team even at his age, but we have better options up front so this is where he could best improve the team.
Out wide are the two rising stars of the past three games, Kruse and Oar. Kruse is better than Oar but he is the one more in doubt. Moving to Bayer Leverkusen could have repercussions for Kruse if he does not get the game time. They have recruited another rising star from South Korea in his position, so who the first choice will be is still to be seen.
Oar is playing every week for FC Utrecht and is easily our best choice in that position. For the striker, Jesus Josh Kennedy is the obvious choice. Provided he is fit, he is our best out-and-out striker. Both Kruse and Oar like to get to the line and cross in, so having tall timber up front and Timmy arriving late will be our best bet.
Many many things could change in this year but for now this is the starting 11. What’s yours?
—————-Schwarzer———————
Zullo—Ognenovski —Neill—–Wilkshire
——————Jedinak————————
———Rogic—————Cahill————
Oar————Kennedy————–Kruse
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