Ange Postecoglou’s stoicism in the face of criticism from certain corners of the world’s media highlights his deep-lying dedication to a cause he believes in.
While no points and nine goals conceded in our three group matches doesn’t make good reading, it need not be used as a stick to beat the Socceroos with, nor their manager.
We knew it was going to be a struggle. Frequent references to the heroics of New Zealand in 2010 aside, expectations were low. It is fair to say that the average fan wished only for competitive, passionate and meaningful performances from the team.
Everyone wanted to see some goals a few future superstars to emerge.
Sure enough, spirited performances and newfound faith in the team’s youth is what we received. Credit must go to Postecoglou, who in a handful of games has turned the prospects of the national team on its head.
The way he has brought the best out of names seldom heard previously, has demonstrated that he is able to translate the qualities that made him so successful domestically into the international arena.
And while Tuesday morning’s performance against the dethroned world champions Spain brought a rather anti-climactic ending to an otherwise strong and reputation-building tournament, the stats and the numbers shouldn’t be used to criticise.
Rather, they should be seen as motivation for this young team to improve themselves, camp after camp, match after match and tournament after tournament.
It has been made clear that Ange is in it for the long run, so why judge him so harshly after nine games, three of which were against top-20 opposition?
Something that particularly frustrates me is how the critics have been quick on the draw against Mat Ryan, suggesting that he is unfit to be the replacement for Mark Schwarzer. What these people are forgetting is that he is only 21 and is already a first choice keeper in a top-tier European League.
Schwarzer did not achieve this until the 1998-99 season, when he played 34 league matches for Middlesbrough, aged 26. Moreover, these people overlook the fact that Ryan is the perfect option in a Postecoglou team, given his first touch and distribution belies his age.
Most of all, he is confident in his abilities. Given time he will develop immensely and could travel to another four World Cups.
To these critics I ask, who is the alternative? Wouldn’t it be ill-advised to bring 41-yearold Schwarzer as first-choice? Had Ange done so – or more likely, had Holger Osieck done so – he would have made history at the expense of giving experience to Ryan.
What kind of message does that send out? Whether Schwarzer is currently better than Ryan is irrelevant, Ange is building for the future. Put him at fault for Holland’s third goal by all means, it was a mistake, but this shouldn’t be used as a means of reflecting upon Ange’s supposed failed experiment.
Ange’s next major undertaking is to find and develop a top-shelf number 10 to replace the great Mark Bresciano. Whether that be Tom Rogic, Daniel De Silva or someone else is too early to say, but a true number 10 can override a dearth of striking options.
We need the kind of player that makes others improve.
At the end of the day the most important thing for the Socceroos is that time is on our side, reputations can continue to be forged and the return of players such as Rhys Williams, Robbie Kruse, Trent Sainsbury and Curtis Good will only help us improve.
Expectations were superseded by what has been one of our most inexperienced, weakest starting sides of the past twenty years.
The Asian Cup in six months’ time provides us with an opportunity to cement our position as one of the continent’s powerhouses.
This new novel in the chronicles of Australian football history has just begun. Give it time and it will become a best-seller.
Alessandro Vari
Roar Pro
Knightblues, How odd, your comment discusses how a particular segment of australian culture - our "she'll be right mate" attitude - hinders our performance in football, yet you have shown yourself to be the living embodiment of what I believe is something even worse - if you're no good at something don't bother trying -. This is quite frankly a horrendous attitude and is something that has to be removed from our national sporting psyche. Whilst I'm here educating your good self, please refer to another article by yours truly regarding how Australians can embrace their natural 'physical qualities' and make them work to their benefit in football, in a similar way to how America has embraced the game in their own special way. http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/11/14/why-americas-development-is-a-blueprint-for-australian-football/ Have a nice day.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Tyler in particular is a familiar voice for football commentary. I think Slater is just pining for his old Friday night A-League sparring partner Bash and can't stand his old mate Foz calling a game in the World Cup 8-)
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
I don't know why Bash gets such a bum rap. He has the best/clearest voice of any of the local commentators. Agree with some sentiments about about Fozzie's cheerleading. I have to admit to not watching much pre/post match but can someone tell me; is Les actually in Brazil? Last bit of my rant - I think Ned Zelic is going great guns.
Jim
Guest
Exactly. Pedro Carcuro from Chile, one of the most legendary commentators in South America is like this and he is highly respected. Various Argentinian commentators are also like this. Victor Hugo Morales is also like this. I think everyone has been watching too much golf, including Robbie Slater
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Same here AZ, Martin Tyler is pure class.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I really enjoy listening to Martin Tyler and Gary Bloom. Both wonderfully understated and keen observers. I'm a big fan of sole commentators. Other sports might work with 2 or 3 but 1 is enough for me when it comes to football. Fairly indifferent towards Bash but the other A-League commentators are perfectly decent.
Paul Nicholls
Roar Guru
I think English commentary has been very ordinary. Give me Bash and our A-league commentators any day
Adam
Guest
And Foz was correct, your point?
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
There's nothing wrong with an Aus commentator supporting Aus Do you think commentators from other countries don't do this?
AZ_RBB
Guest
Its our birthday today. Mr antonis would be a nice present. :D
Punter
Guest
There was in 2010, I have Dutch friends who were disgusted the way they played. All different this year.
Alessandro Vari
Roar Pro
Look, you wont find a bigger fan of Ryan than me, I strongly believe he has the tools to become a world-class modern goalkeeper. In saying that, I've seen him save more difficult efforts than Depay's but as you say, he has to move on.
Alessandro Vari
Roar Pro
Obviously it could happen, but we have to see if they get first team minutes in Serie A over the next few years. Theyre obviously for the future but I reckon its far too early to even think of considering them for NT selection.
Alessandro Vari
Roar Pro
Sorry, have you listened to any of Ange's correspondence in the past 7 months? If you have, then you well know that playing a forty one year old isnt exactly in his plans, even if he is the greatest aussie keeper of all time.
Alessandro Vari
Roar Pro
Agreed, didnt think he had a defensive side to his game until he came back from injury last season, he was brilliant.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Casper, a few things; 1) Sainsbury has never had a cap for the Socceroos, i dont see how he would have made much of a difference at the WC. 2) England did manage a point and they managed to score 2 goals, not 1 3) Ryan is a great keeper who could have done better with some efforts on goal, but then again he was hung out to dry by his defence on a few occasions as well. It was a great learning curve for him
casper
Guest
Everyones a cheerleader at the World Cup, check Martin Tyler's calls. Craig Foster is the best analyst going around so give him a break. I reckon Ange could do worse than having him on staff. Now that we're out, it's time to take stock. Before the tournament, there was substantial talk that we wouldn't even score a goal, let alone get a point out of the round robin. With Kruse, Sainsbury & Rogic missing we weren't disgraced and in the end, we bowed out without getting a point but scored 3 goals overall and ended up 9-3 down. When you look at England as a supposed superpower in international football, they bowed out with no points and scored one goal in three games against arguably easier opposition. Wasn't our group labeled as the group of death. As happened with Kewell last World Cup when he missed a game with injury, we don't have the quality to replace Tim Cahill and that showed in the flat effort against Spain. At first sight, Ryan appeared to be found wanting in goal but lets remember the quality of the strikers who got past him, not a bad group & he's still a kid by all standards. The worry is we let in 3 goals in each game & that has to be rectified. Theconcernwill be if we don't improve next year, after all of Ange's groundwork.
Franko
Guest
Rogic will do well to fight for his place at Celtic for the first part of the season. Lennon is gone and has been replaced by Ronny Deila (No, he hasn't heard of you either) who is supposed to be good at working with youngsters and developing an attacking style.
ken oldman
Guest
Look I believe that M.L.should have got a run against Spain...we all know that M.S.quit and that M.R of Brugge was the Belgium Goalie of the year but how good is the Belgium league and what competition did M.R. have in this league. Now looking at the 20+members of the Belgium W.C. squad only 3 play in Belgium the rest abroad....so maybe M.R did not have much to beat.........just a thought....whereas M.L. deputy at a powerhouse club like B.D. to me deserved some game time or is there something about M.L.that we do not know about?
Griffo
Roar Guru
Rogic loan deal to MVFC ended in May and currently will go back to Celtic pre-season. It wouldn't surprise me Mid if Arnold makes another play to loan him back after his failed attempt while at Vegalta Sendai. I wonder if he will get better (medical) treatment at Sydney FC than Celtic? To think before signing for Celtic he had interest from Club Brugge :-P