Recently recalled Socceroos striker Nathan Burns has been in scintillating form for the Wellington Phoenix in Season 10 of the A-League.
Lighting up the scoring charts with 10 goals in 11 games so far, it was no surprise that Burns made the cut for Ange Postecoglou’s final 23 Asian Cup squad.
Having not played a game for the Socceroos since 2011, Burns has had a long and tedious path back to the top. Running a dry spell in Greece with only 10 goals in 69 games, before a brief stint in Korea, Burns has really found his feet again in Wellington.
Surrounded by the technical masterclass of Roly Bonevacia and Michael McGlinchey, Burns has proved this season that if he is presented with opportunities, he has the composure and finesse to take them.
Australian football has entered an interesting period. A home-grown manager who has proven his ability in the A-League, a partial clear-out of some overage talent, and only one win in the last calendar year has seen the Socceroos’ ranking slip to 100.
Positive performances at the FIFA World Cup generated hope and expectations on this team to achieve great things at the upcoming Asian Cup. But with a string of bad results a mental effect on the side has to have taken its toll.
A big issue for the Socceroos is goals. Our golden boy Tim Cahill bagged eight out of the 15 goals the Socceroos have scored in 2014. At the ripe age of 35, Cahill can’t have much more left in the tank after the Asian Cup, so what comes next? Where are the goals going to come from once Timmy has hung up the boots?
Nathan Burns, who can carry so much form into the Asian Cup, has a brilliant opportunity to throw his name into the hat as the leader of the next step. As long as he makes the most of the time he earns, the Socceroos could have found a ready made replacement for our long time hero.
This tournament is a great chance for Australia to build for the future and prepare heavily for life after Tim Cahill.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Guest
True, though Burns is dominating the goal scoring charts which means he is showing form rather than potential.
Josh
Guest
TomI Juric hasn't dropped off the radar.
DT
Guest
Way too early to say Burns is the "next big thing" after Cahill. Yes he is the flavour of the month at the moment, but there have been plenty of "flavour of the month's" over the last few years that have since dropped off the radar. Still, I hope he can keep it up, just not convinced yet.
Aljay
Guest
I think we very much are set up to play to Cahill's strengths. Bresc at 10 and Cahill at striker really gives us only one avenue to goal. It certainly will be interesting to see how the team sets up in the final third at the Cup. I can see Ange going for a mobile trio with possibly Kruse or Leckie in the middle, interchanging with Troisi, Burns and Oar.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Is the issue with our strikers their inability to penetrate or the lack of service from the midfield? I have found in recent times that Socceroos as a whole, struggle to dominate through the middle and are constantly resorting to going out wide and crossing into the box. Our legitimate chances inside the box are very limited. Burns and others could shine were we able to stamp more authority in the middle of the park.