The Socceroos are a sports fan’s nightmare, at times the tease to be on top of the world before losing a game 6-0 to a team on top of the world, thus appearing mediocre.
A significant part of the Socceroos’ problem is that no one knows who is the best starting line-up.
Holger Osieck, the man who led the team to the brink of the 2011 Asian Cup title, seems to have lost his swagger and instead of preparing the side for next year’s World Cup, is persistent in boosting over aged players number of international caps.
In light of this here is my starting team for our first match in Brazil, regardless of whom we are paired with.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper: Mat Ryan – Starting goalkeeper of Club Brugge, the fact he is starting hoists him above most of the contenders.
He is a fine goalkeeper that rarely makes errors which is a big reassurance for a defensive line.
Right Back: Dylan McGowan – A solid fullback who is becoming a regular for Scottish Premier League side Hearts.
He is quick off the mark which is a real benefit against fast attacks.
Centre Back: Lucas Neill (C) – I know he will be 36 by the time the World Cup comes around but he is the country’s natural leader.
He is one of the best defenders Australia has produced and with a solid J-League season under his belt at Omiya Ardija, Neill should be ready to captain the Socceroos for the second time in a World Cup.
Centre Back: Rhys Williams – He should have been at the last World Cup hadn’t he been blighted by injury.
Williams is club captain of Championship club Middlesbrough and is credited for have a strong ability in the air as well as the ability to play out from the back.
Left Back: Luke Wilkshire – Usually positioned at right back however I feel McGowan would benefit from playing on his natural side whereas Wilkshire has the ability and experience to do a decent job on either side.
Currently with Dynamo Moscow, Wilkshire is Australia’s best dead-ball player with the ability to whip the ball in from anywhere in the attacking third.
Centre Midfield: Mile Jedinak – Runs the midfield like a boss. Club captain for Premier League new boys Crystal Palace.
Jedinak is a tireless worker who is effective a screening his defence as well as distributing when on the break.
Centre Midfield: Mark Milligan – Probably Melbourne Victory’s best player last season. He is finally delivering on his potential that saw him captain all the younger-aged national sides.
So much so that a number of Premier League sides had been scouting him with offers between 1 to 2 million dollars being thrown around.
Milligan plays similar to former Socceroo, Vince Grella which is exactly what the Socceroo’s need to partner Jedinak.
Right Wing: Robbie Kruse – He is the most exciting player Australia has had since Harry Kewell.
He has the full bag of tricks to open up many international backlines and if he isn’t starting the Socceroos may as well stay home.
At 24, the Bayer Leverkusen wide man is now ready to work his skills on the world stage.
Attacking Midfield: Tom Rogic – Still yet to secure a starting role in the side however it is clear that he is the player the Socceroos have needed for so long.
A number ten that is adventurous with the ability to set up and score goals. At only 20 years of age, the Celtic playmaker could be key to setting up the Socceroo’s attacking movements.
Left Wing: Tommy Oar – I was watching when he made his A-League debut at only 16 years of age and even then he was matching it with the big boys.
Tommy Oar plays for Eredivisie club FC Utrecht and has similar abilities to Robbie Kruse.
Striker: Josh Kennedy – A season striker that would compliment a younger attacking midfield trio.
He possesses the ability to hold the ball up and his height has its advantages.
A 15-goal plus season at Japanese club Nagoya Grampus should see ‘Jesus’ lead the line in Brazil.
I imagine there may be people who are screaming out ‘Where is Cahill!’ or ‘What about Schwarzer!’ or “Mark Milligan plays in the A-League!’ – well you my friends are the people who bring down Australian football.
I know I have included some old heads but that is for the betterment of the whole squad.
The Socceroos for too long have relied on Cahill playing upfront or Schwarzer playing in goals because ‘there was no other options’ – because there are other options.
The A-League is a decent league and there is most likely going to be a number of players representing their nation in next year’s World Cup who play for teams in the A-League.
So instead of hoping for it to be 2006 next year with Mark Viduka leading the line call for the names of Amini, Vidosic and Davidson to be included in the squad because they are the players that we need to perform to reach Russia 2018.
Johan
Guest
Any wins in our group must be seen as a huge victory given the calibre of player we will be completing against and the pool of players from which we can currenlty draw. Expectations must not be too high - note to fuss and others. This is after all only our third world cup since 1974 and those of us who were there in Durban that night do not want another repeat of our demolition by Germany. Non footballing experts in this country will not appreciate that the Socceroos are going through a period of transition and lack quality players in their late 20s and early 30s. There is a little bit of quality coming through the system that I am aware of and some fine older players, too old in some cases despite archie thompson's protestations, for who this will definitely be their last hurrah. Naturally I shall be going to Brazil.
Chasetheroos
Guest
The world cup is tournament, and this mentality that they have to earn it needs some addressing. Someone who has been signed by Aston Villa in my opinion has 'earned it' more than someone who has signed and plays regularly for Newcastle jets....rogic, Amini, Irvine, herd, oar, babajl, langerack, Kruse have all done what most sissies couldn't...earn a contract at a good European club. As far as my suggestions to play Milligan and Herd as central defenders....Milligan has played in this position for Melbourne and the food, herd has played there in the premier league....better endorsements then Neill....once upon a time did the same... Mostly as right back! A good coach puts playersin challenging positions and gives themselves options in each postion.... A fast tracked Geria....is an alternative to a Rhys williams (speed vs technique)....weshould have alternatives depending on the team we play!
Chasetheroos
Guest
Well here we have it again..... Is playing for Dortmund 2 better than playing for any aleague club. Anyone who has been to Europe and actually watched the technical craft and speed of these players will tell you yes! Is sitting on the bench for AZ any better than playing everygame for sSydney rd (or in Neills case...whereever he feels like playing) ... The answer is yes! Is Herd getting better practice against Benteke in training than adiran lehjer is in training against Archie Thompson or Corey Gamero in games...yes! Is langerack faster in reaction be younger than schwarzer saving regularly from lemondovski...yes! Ask any formula one driver about reaction speed! Is harry old yes...but does he have a quality 45mins left in those legs...yes, then bring on the technically inferior yet energitic oars of this world. A good coach will take the Babajls and juric type players because they represent the best options for what we need. I love josh Kennedy like everyone else...but in all seriousness when has he held the ball for more than 3 seconds, turned anyone or ever gone past someone.... He is at best an aerial option! Look at the percentage of goals with his head.....noticed how Everton have survived without cahills all round game because he is much the same...though granted poached some with his feet too. Both impact players! Like him or not but Amini has more creativity than most, Rogic better ability to beat a man and Irvine a better range of passing than most. ...anyone watch the young Socceroos?
Ballymore
Guest
Greater mobility than most of our CBs also.
Bribieboy
Guest
Mick You must be related to Holger this is the team he will pick
Bribieboy
Guest
Yes I would like to see this team play against Canada and France and give them some experience of playing together, Don't wait for Brazil do it now
drew
Guest
i would really enjoy seeing a squad like this, alot of these players will peak for the world cup in russia. As for de silva, if he has a big season with the glory this year he might (big might if holger is still in charge) be a bolter for the world cup. furthermore, the youth teams are playing 4-3-3 as part of the curiculum, the socceroos should too -----------------------------------RYAN------------------------------ WILLIAMS-----------JEDINAK-------LOWRY/WRIGHT----------DAVIDSON -----------------------DE SILVA--------IRVINE------------------------- --------------------------------ROGIC---------------------------------- KRUSE----------------------LECKIE----------------------------------OAR
Brian
Guest
Whats going on with Richie Porta?
Bill Pappas
Guest
If any team is suited to play with a sweeper & wing-backs it's the Socceroos. Getting caught out at the backb& not many traditional right & left backs of high standard but midfielders or wingers made to play as full-backs is the current situation. If Australia is going to have Neill & Ognenovski as central defenders someone like Milligan or Spiranovic must be there for cover.
Tim
Guest
Maybe not for the World Cup, but i would love to see a more youthful, vibrant Socceroos . This lineup maybe a bit eccentric and will never be played, but i would love to see Holger have some faith in the talented youth that we are producing. -----------------------LANGERAK------------------------- -----SAINSBURY-----SPIRANOVIC---------DAVIDSON ----HERD--------HOLLAND-------WILLIAMS---------VIDOSIC -----------KRUSE--------CAHILL---------ROGIC
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
I hate to burst the bubble of anyone saying Traore but. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/melbourne-victory-defender-adama-traore-ruled-ineligible-to-represent-socceroos/story-fnibbvjo-1226731828775
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
I noticed him, I thought he caused a few problems, sad to see we're missing out on him.
danno
Guest
Cahill should be the first player picked along with kruse.
AZ_RBB
Guest
did anyone watch Daniel Georgieski play for Steaua Bucuresti this morning against Chelsea? He was born and brought up in Blacktown but was ignored by the selectors in Australia so he moved to Europe. Pretty sure he is the starting right back for Bucuresti nowadays at the age of 25. Wonder how he would've gone had he stayed in Australia. He plays for Macedonia instead. He left Australia in 2006 after a short stint with Marconi.
Rob Gremio
Roar Pro
I support you stance on Ryan 100%. Langerak may get a game here and there for Dortmund, but until he is the no.1, he just doesn't deserve his spot.
Bill Pappas
Guest
------------------------------M.Langerak------------------- -------------------------------M.Milligan-------------------- -----------S.Ognenovski-------------M.Spiranovic----- L.Wilkshire----------------------------------------M.Zullo -------------------------------M.Jerdinak------------------- ---------------------------------T.Rogic--------------------- M.Zullo-----------------------------------------------T.Oar --------------------------------T.Cahill---------------------- Subs: M.Ryan, L.Neill, M.Bresciano, B.Holman, J.Kennedy The Socceroos need Milligan playing as a sweeper when defending & in attack as a libero in a Franz Beckenbauer made famous & former Socceroos Ned Zelic & Paul Okon played successfully. Having the experienced players coming on 15-20 minutes of the bench, fresh & cool under pressure will be valuable.
fadida
Guest
Agree Fuss and Ben. Jedinak is a natural for CB, and he isn't technically good enough for DM
Dylan Arvela
Roar Guru
Mile Jedinal at centre back? Not to sure about that. Leckie is an interesting pick
Dylan Arvela
Roar Guru
A agree fadida YOU NEED TO EARN IT That is why I picked Mat Ryan because he is playing at a club that is in a respectable league.
Dylan Arvela
Roar Guru
I don't agree with you at all, you are picking players who are no longer good enough (kewell) and young inexperienced players OUT OF POSITION (Herd,Amini, Rogic). The selection of Milligan as captain is a fair point. You can't say the Langerack has had enough game time to deserve a run (9 appearances in 3 seasons - Wikipedia says 7 but it is wrong) and Babajl hasn't even played ten games in Europe and people are claiming he is a superstar. The side you have picked may be similar to WCQ for Russia 2018 bar some positional changes.