Much conversation has been had about who will make up the Socceroos squad for the World Cup. One subcategory that often comes up is which A-League players will make the team, and if they are good enough to face the best in the world.
This time around, the A-League could have it highest number of Socceroos with players from every club (except Wellington Phoenix, for obvious reasons) gunning for a spot in Ange Postecoglou’s 23-man squad.
Here is the rundown of each club’s biggest hope of making the cut.
Adelaide United – Michael Zullo
Bursting onto the scene with Brisbane Roar in 2008 as a winger, Zullo is now on loan to Adelaide United from Dutch club, FC Utrecht.
Zullo, 25, has evolved into a fine prospect as a wing back and has had the occasional flutter in the national set up with 10 Socceroo caps over the last five years.
With left back one of the weakest areas in the Socceroos team, Zullo could very well be lining up against Chile in June.
Brisbane Roar – Ivan Franjic
Franjic has really come of age in recent seasons, becoming a vital part of the Brisbane machine and a genuine target of many European clubs.
Capable at right back, right wing and central midfield, 26-year-old Franjic could play a significant role of the bench for the Socceroos. Not to say you need any more incentive to perform for your nation, but solid performances in Brazil could see a sizeable cheque being handed to the Brisbane Roar.
Central Coast Mariners – Eddy Bosnar
Eddy Bosnar has played in some big league in Europe and Asia and now finds himself at A-League Champions, the Mariners.
Bosnar, 33, is an imposing figure who is known for powerful free kicks and crucial slide tackles and could be the perfect foil for the Socceroos at this World Cup at the centre of defence.
Melbourne Heart – Harry Kewell
The band wagon to see Kewell feature in Brazil has had a bumpy couple of weeks with a niggling toe injury keeping him from being match fit.
Nevertheless, the reasons to include Kewell in the squad is lengthy with Kewell able to offer much needed; creativity, experience and leadership to a Socceroos side in desperate need of all three.
Providing no serious injury, Kewell, 35, should be one of the key figures for the Socceroos at the tournament.
Melbourne Victory – Mark Milligan
The Victory captain was tipped with a move to English Premier League club, Crystal Palace at the start of the season, a clear signal of his worth.
Milligan, who has 26 caps for the Socceroos, is just as dominant in the midfield as he is in any of the back four positions.
Milligan would surely be in his former manager’s plans and is even a long shot for the captains armband if Lucas Neill does not feature in Brazil.
Newcastle Jets – Adam Taggart
The 20 year old striker who has pace to burn has continued to make a case for himself for World Cup call up with nine goals to his name this season.
Despite his young age, Taggart featured for the Socceroos on four occasions during the East Asian Cup, scoring three times. Admittedly the opposition in Brazil will be of much higher calibre than Chinese Taipei however with not a huge number of strikers screaming for selection, the Perth born Jet has to be considered.
Perth Glory – Michael Thwaite
Thwaite is arguably the most consistent defender in the A-League after returning to Australia after spells in Romania, Poland and Norway.
With a wealth of experience and 13 caps for the Socceroos to his name, Thwaite may find a way into Postecoglou’s squad. His ability as a ball player would not go unnoted by tikkatakka Ange.
Sydney FC – Sasa Ognenovski
One game in for Sydney FC and he is already their player of the season. The mammoth at the back came onto the international scene later in his career at the 2011 Asian Cup and despite going walkabout in the Middle East for the last two years, the 2010 Asian Player of the Year is shaping to be the key defender for the Socceroos in Brazil.
The 34-year-old “Ogmonster” will be hoping to add to his 22 Socceroo caps and secure a spot for Brazil and next year’s Asian Cup.
Western Sydney Wanders – Matthew Spiranovic
It has taken a few years and some long distance phone calls from Germany and Japan but finally, Spiranovic, the much touted future leader of the Socceroos is fulfilling his potential.
There is little doubt that “Spira” has been taken under the wing of coach Tony Popovic (former Socceroo defender himself) this season and could see this season as the turning point of his career.
The lumbering defender is promising to make the centre back position for the Socceroos his own this year and making Ange’s job for the next five years much easier.
Of course there is numerous other players who are seriously in the reckoning for the Socceroos World Cup adventure and some clubs will probably end up have a few players fly to Brazil. This is great news for the A-League, eight years after only three A-Leaguers made the cut for Germany, potentially in excess of 10 could run out in Brazil.
The marker is well and truly set, the A-League, lollipop league no more.
fadida
Guest
We shall see Qantas. He has no acceleration. Yes he can play it on the floor, he's technically very good but I disagree re his mobility. Trust me AP will want extremely mobile fullbacks. Overlapping fullbacks for sure, even if he chooses to more conservative
Dylan Arvela
Roar Guru
I don't usually comment on what I write however in the case of Franjic, I doubt whether he will get the nod at right back just yet with Luke Wilkshire still playing competitively. Also since I included Franjic, I couldn't put in McKay or Bratten because they are all from the one club and that would break the theme of the article. I agree, all three of the players you have mentioned could play a role in the squad.
Brick Tamland of the Pants Party
Guest
Errr no it's a direct copy of our 74 jersey.Brazil have a totally different shade of yellow and their shorts are blue unless im colour blind.Brazil do not have sole ownership of white socks.And i'll think you'll find the locals are more likely to get behind Australia unfortunately for you,Chile is a local rival,the Dutch knocked them out in Sth Africa and Spain will be seen as a threat to them for the trophy.
realfootball
Guest
What a very strange list. And Franjic "off the bench". How do you figure that, when AP obviously has him as the starting RB? Og/Thwaite/Bosnar. Really? Kewell is injured again. He's a slow as a pensioner's scooter. Taggart hasn't done anywhere near enough. No McKay? No David Williams? No Brattan?
AZ_RBB
Guest
Below is a comment more intelligent than the one above: "fjjoiiidalldiwjdoioaeijf ooasdikeiwid fas"
Xavier
Guest
Who said you cant buy press coverage in Sydney. Front page article no less http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/socceroos-go-back-in-time-with-new-world-cup-kit-20140217-32vur.html And then pretend its honoring the 74 Socceroos when its a direct copy of the Brazilian jersey.. Bizarre...They should get booed by the locals when they play in neutral venues...
James Anderson
Roar Guru
And yet he has played in every match he has been available in the best team in Australia at the moment? Ahead of the likes of Newmann, Cirio and Griffiths. F%^en hopeless isn't he ha.
Palé Paxton
Guest
Spiranovic and Milligan should be the only two certainties for the World Cup! Taggart will probably be an option for the future and maybe even the Asian Cup but lets not expect him to start over the likes of Tim Cahill and Josh Kennedy who both are performing at better clubs and will both have more game time leading into the WC! Milligan has already shown the potential and the performanes under Ange and Spira has shown he can play the ball better the most centre backs in the world plus he much better than the likes of Thwaite, Niell, Og, Cornflakes in almost every department bar maybe experience at the top level! Both need to be starters as well!
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
I don't get what you say about MT---he is definitely not slow. Good in the air and more mobile you give him credit for, who can play on the floor as well.. If you think Ange is going to play his normal system against Spain and Holland you're being naive.. This will have to be a very compact outfit in the middle of the park. No overlapping full backs that I can see in this team he puts out. More like deep lying wing halves I suspect. Anyways I have said a handy squad player to have now with Ange in charge.
Towser
Guest
Harry Williams http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Williams_%28Australian_soccer_player%29
fadida
Guest
Kisnorbo is a slower Og. Unsuited to a possession based game.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
Harry Williams? Not sure if he ever played for natoinal team, but he certainly deserved to back in the day
fadida
Guest
He'd still be a slow right footed centre back at left back. In the system Ange will play the fullbacks will be pushed really high and expected to be attacking. Thwaite, while a very solid A-League player is neither quick, attacking or left footed.
James Anderson
Roar Guru
I think 3-4 players over 28 is necessary for WC, and 2-3 for Asian Cup. Experience shouldn't be overlooked, but it's understandable to have this mentality after the Osieck period. Still, I think Kewell, maybe one older defender and Jedinak is all the experience we need to take to WC.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Why not? As I stated here before and so the SBS crew have written also---he can play anywhere across the back four with two good feet.. Haven't seen anyone who can do that for Australia yet. He would definitely be a handy squad player to have. The author has pick up on that as well (good to see).
Melange
Guest
You got me thinking, how's this for a handy Aussies A-League team: Covic Rose Milligan Spiranovic Franjic Rogic Brattan Mooy Troisi Taggart Juric Watch out for Brattan, Ange loves him & he's been very consistent this year.
Patrick Hargreaves
Roar Guru
I think David Williams is the best Heart option. HK isn't better and a lot older, Kisnorbo might be able to sneak in with the lack of depth in the defence. Super Dave! Also he's aboriginal, not many have played for the socceroos, I think Jade North was one of the first. Which is always good for reconciliation and promoting the game to a wider audience.
fadida
Guest
Agree with both points. Juric is going to be quality, but lacking game time for reasons only Popovic could explain. In a few years time we'll hopefully see Taggart and Juric playing at a reasonable level in Europe. A front selection of Leckie, Juric, Oar, Kruse and Taggart offers great pace and mobility. Perfect for AP's style of play
fadida
Guest
That's why I can't see a Neill/Og pairing. AP will be looking for pace
James Anderson
Roar Guru
My only problem with Juric is the amount of game time he is getting at WSW. He is a striker who deserves to play, and Popovic for some reason continues to go with Santalab. He needs more game time if he is going to Brazil