For the first time since the 2006 World Cup, Socceroos stalwart Mark Schwarzer has a real fight on his hands to hold on to the No.1 goalkeeping spot.
Not since the showpiece in Germany has the 40-year-old been challenged for his position.
Back then it was Zeljko Kalac, who then-coach Pim Verbeek favoured over Schwarzer to play Australia’s 2-2 draw with Croatia.
Now coach Holger Osieck has a veritable smorgasbord to choose from and the German mentor says the race is on.
The veteran keeper recently signed for English Premier League club Chelsea’s as their reserve keeper behind Petr Cech and while Osieck is optimistic he’ll get enough time between the sticks, he says competition will be fierce to retain his spot in the national fold.
Of the three A-League goalkeepers currently in South Korea for the East Asian Cup, Adelaide’s Eugene Galekovic is by far the front runner after sensational performance against the hosts in the 0-0 tournament opener.
With Osieck promising wholesale changes for Australia’s final game – a dead-rubber against China on Sunday – Melbourne Victory’s Nathan Coe or Newcastle’s Mark Birighitti may also get a chance to shine.
Then there are all the European-based options.
Galekovic and Borussia Dortmund’s Mitch Langerak were Schwarzer’s deputies for the full-strength Socceroos’ three World Cup qualifiers in June.
Despite being uncapped, Langerak, 24, has been touted as Schwarzer’s long-term successor. But he remains stuck on the bench in Germany behind Dortmund’s No.1 Roman Weidenfeller.
At 21, former Mariners gloveman Mat Ryan is another prospect with Osieck sure to keep a close eye on him in his first season at Belgian outfit Club Brugge.
Adam Federici largely had a season to forget with recently relegated English club Reading, while Brad Jones is now seemingly third-choice at Liverpool behind Pepe Reina and the recently signed Simon Mignolet.
“With all his talents he needs to play. He’s definitely a good keeper,” Osieck said of Langerak.
“Mat Ryan has made the first team of Brugge then we have a couple more in England in Adam Federici and Brad Jones.
“Then we have all the domestic boys. Mark Birighitti, he showed some promise in training and Nathan Coe had a good game against Liverpool.
“Eugene (Galekovic) he has already shown what he can do in particular in that first game against South Korea where he was outstanding.
“So there’s a lot of candidates and it’s going to be a tight race.”
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