It has been more than six years since Ante Covic earned his second and final cap for the Socceroos. But on the back of his phenomenal performance in the Asian Champions League final the 6’4″ giant must be in Ange Postecoglou’s squad for the Asian Cup.
The Socceroos have always been blessed with a high calibre of goalkeepers. The standard so high that former Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea keeper Mark Bosnich only managed 17 caps for the national team.
Covic was the third choice keeper for Guus Hiddink’s 2006 World Cup squad and it was a fair suggestion that most Australian supporters knew little of the man that plied his trade in the Swedish first division.
In front of Covic was AC Milan’s Zeljko Kalac and Middlesbrough’s Mark Schwarzer, both seen as far better options then the unknown Covic. By the Asian Cup in 2007, Brad Jones and Michael Petkovic had come into the Socceroos set up and Covic’s international career was all but over, barring one friendly appearance against Singapore.
In the years since the list of Socceroo goalkeepers reads; Adam Federici, Eugene Galekovic, Nathan Coe, Matthew Ryan, Mitchell Langerak and Mark Birighitti. Ange Postecoglou’s current trio of Ryan, Langerak and Federici have an average age of 26, 13 years Ante Covic’s junior.
So the argument against Ante Covic is that he is too old to be reintroduced back into the Socceroos fold, but goalkeepers are like fine wine and they almost always get better with age. Some of Mark Schwarzer’s very best performances came in his late thirties while he was at Fulham. I firmly believe that if Schwarzer had not moved to Chelsea, limiting his game time drastically, he would have been at the World Cup in Brazil and on the verge of a Asian Cup squad at the age of 42.
There is a place for Covic in Ange Postecoglou’s squad, not just for his wealth of experience but because he is Australia’s best goalkeeper right now. He has 61 clean sheets in his last five seasons which makes the fact he has not been in and around the national set up all the more ludicrous.
His performances against Al Hilal in both legs were extraordinary and his efforts throughout the competition beggars belief, eight clean sheets in 12 games. Deserving recipient of the AFC Champions League’s Most Valuable Player. Everyone remembers Schwarzer’s penalty save but it could be argued that Covic’s one-handed save in the dying moments to deny Saudi hero Yasser Al-Qahtani was just as significant, at least for Australian club football.
The Socceroos are expected to win the Asian Cup next January and while Matt Ryan and company are good options going forward, it is Ante Covic who should be wearing the number one jersey come January 9.
His partnership with Nikolai Topor-Stanley has been vital for the Western Sydney Wanderers and with Topor-Stanley being recalled into the Socceroo’s set up it makes perfect sense for Ange to recall the man he once set a drift into the footballing wilderness.
Follow me on Twitter @dylaneloiarvela
baanskis
Guest
Standard stuff bar 2 or 3.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Would prefer Ryan at this point. Covic has had his moments for sure, but if he stays consistent throughout the season then I think he can considered for the number one role. With that being said, a solid number two for sure, and he should get game time in international friendlies. Not to mention at 39 years of age, you have to think that picking him as number one keeper isnt exactly forward thinking.
Wynter
Roar Pro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1Emol3m-mk
Adrian none
Roar Rookie
great performance, he was man of the match....but he 39 years old , Mathew Ryan 22 years old and Belgian Pro League keeper of the year, and Mitchell Langerak and at Borussia Dortmund (which was a top 5 team in world, un till the start of this year) and Eugene Galekovic was A-league keeper of the year last year
baanskis
Guest
Dude. This isnt a coaching forum and I'm pretty sure Ange isnt logging in for some constructive criticism....from me. However, if your reading this Ange. Might be a good idea to get yourself a keeper who can catch, parry and distribute. I know this guy will fail us at international level. Just like I knew Harry was going to be a raging success at Hearts. Lighten up man. Just a fan venting
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Given Terry's obsession with the Mariners, I am guessing either Northern Spirit or the Central Coast Bears. I'm banking on the latter.
Bondy
Guest
Its a salary capped league Terry we've had our turn, a good fourth or fifth this year will suffice. Who do support by the way ...
Terry
Guest
Perhaps it is your mariners who should be lifting their game bondy. A comprehensive humbling by sydney yesterday and a tough away game at Adelaide in the FFA cup semi finals. I doubt any silverware will be heading to gossy this season!!!
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Matt Ryan was A-League Goal Keeper of the year in 2011-12 and Belgian Pro-league goal keeper of the year in 2013-14. Whilst I appreciate that you feel a measure of frustration, it would be more useful if you could engage in constructive criticism as the accolades suggest that contrary to your statement that he may well indeed be able to save something.
Bondy
Guest
Terry You old slag, you've missed the big threads recently about Asian domination with the Western Sydney Wanderers C'mon mate lift your game.. WSW continental Champions of Asia ...
Paul
Guest
Familiarity with the kind of opponents we will face helps.
baanskis
Guest
nor is a goalie who cant actually save anything
baanskis
Guest
Please! Matt Ryan initially got recognised due to his quirky keeper come sweeper style at CCM. Never thought much of him beyond that gimmick. During the cup , I would say to my mates, the only thing he has saved have been struck directly at him.....until the last game when he couldn't even do that. Crapola.
Johnno
Guest
Fuss You boys kicked Covic to the kerb and gave him to the drive-buys. Wrong move, and is your 1st choice keepers any good since who is your 1st choice keepers.
Ian
Guest
I don't enjoy smelling Terry's fear. He must have spent a good couple of hours scouring ticketek and the asian cup site looking at every game to do up his spreadsheet of ticket sales. I'm not surprised though that China vs Uzbekistan has not sold out at Suncorp Stadium in a 52000 seat venue. I expect most games not featuring Australia will not sell out. But Terry rates an NRL game getting 5000 as evidence of complete domination in the most competitive sporting market in the world. That's funny.
Ginger71
Guest
he has had a great ACL, but he has let in 7 goals in 2 A-League matches. I think he is fantastic, but i would still much prefer Matty Ryan as the number one and Covic as Number 2.
David SFC
Guest
No you do not. I rate Covic highly but i think you have drank way too much of the WSW Kool-Aid.
Towser
Guest
I cant believe there is even a discussion about him regarding the Socceroos ,given that Ange's is looking to the future. 39 year old's are not the future.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Let us all hope the Asian Cup is a great success.
Woodo
Guest
No, you really don't. Also, way to disrespect someone who already deserves more credit than he recieves for what he did that night.