Since Ange Postecoglou took over the Socceroos, they have been attempting to play an uptempo, more exciting brand of football.
So far that has been achieved when compared to the ‘sit back and bore your opposition into submission’ football of predecessor Holger Osieck, but the Achilles heel of recent results has been the finishing touch.
Tim Cahill aside, the Socceroos have struggled to find a consistent source of goals. Captain Mile Jedinak has chipped in, but whenever Cahill is missing, the Socceroos become almost toothless.
Plenty of names have been thrown up as possible solutions to the Roo’s woes in front of goal.
Mathew Leckie showed great promise in Brazil, Josh Kennedy’s game is up there, while many believe Cahill has the years left in him to lead the national side at the AFC Asian Cup.
Enter the hero whose goal ultimately secured the Asian Champions League trophy for his side, the Western Sydney Wanderers, on the weekend. Enter Tomi Juric.
The 23-year-old striker is the man I consider our best bet to lead us into January next year, and well and truly beyond.
His goal, coming off the bench, in the first leg of the Wanderers Asian Championship final was brilliantly taken, but his overall performance was match winning.
The fact he won man of the match despite coming on halfway through the second half shows just how much he dominated the game.
His presence was enough to worry the largely untested Al Hilal defence from the get go. He won a foul that allowed the Wanderers their first real opportunity to break the deadlock.
The run he made to beat both the defence and keeper to the ball to poke it home was every bit as brilliant as a major cup winning goal should be.
He almost had a second, after singlehandedly tearing the Al Hilal defence to pieces, only to be denied by the woodwork.
Although Ante Covic will be remembered, and rightfully so, as the player of the tournament, the Wanderers would not have been able to lift that trophy if it had not been for Tomi’s striking instinct.
Juric has featured five times for his country, and already has an international goal. At just 23, Juric still has more than 10 years of football ahead of him, and I strongly believe the best is yet to come.
After spending the majority of his early career playing in Croatia, since his return to Australia it has been his starring performances in the A-League that have put him firmly in Socceroos contention.
It was his goal against Al Hilal that broadcast his name across the continent. Unfortunately for fans of the Wanderers, it may only be a matter of time before Juric heads back overseas.
For now though, Juric will be the main target of a Wanderers midfield hoping to lift the A-League trophy in the same year as they lifted the Champions League crown.
If he continues to boss defences as he did at times last season, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind he will be in the squad come January.
The Socceroos need to find goals from somewhere other than the head of Tim Cahill, and in Tomi Juric they have just that source.
Catnap
Guest
Ange coaching is good for club football where he has the players evry day but it doesn't work when he only gets the players every now and again!!!!!
steve
Guest
I believe Eli Babalj (good in the air and on the ground and with back to goal)would be the perfect player for.us to lead the line with the likes of Juric off the bench (a nightmare to mark according to all sources!). It seems the don't pickem if their manager does put them in the 11 policy still rules with Ange. We must remember that Babalj has near broken into the 1st team with USAs best ahead of him...going on loan seems to be so flippantly used. Ange needs technical ability... Not interceptors like Jedi in midfield to get retention of possession. How bout Antonis and Mooy anchoring (2 of the best technicians) and someone with a footballing brain like Brosque at 10 (maybe Luongo when he matures a bit) ...an all a-league midfield...can't believe it...but it's true!
Terry
Guest
paul - Archie Thompson should not be playing for the socceroos. He is not good enough and is too old. Surely it also goes against the stated ethos of Angie about bringing through younger players. Isn't that the alleged reason why defeats to smaller teams in the last few months has been tolerated?
melbourneterrace
Guest
It's a shame Australia striker stock is so dire because Cahill needs to be moved on immediately after the World Cup. A 4-3-3 passing game like Australia is playing is limited when your relying on a Target man up front. Cahill is weak at both build up play and making runs in behind defenders. The play makers can only either go themselves or look for wide men because Cahill is only effective at the set piece or when the ball comes in from wide areas. Juric is probably the man to succeed Cahill but with only one friendly to go before the Asian Cup, it's too late for drastic changes.
Paul
Guest
Archie Thompson is still available.
Dyssius
Guest
It sucks how all our attacking talent seems to be constantly plagued with injury. Taggart's injured, Kruse is just coming back from injury, Rogic is injured, Juric is just coming back from injury etc etc. Prevents them from having a decent run with both the club and national side.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Still not convinced his body is up for it. This season will be very telling.
Midfielder
Guest
Agree