Remember that time when Tim Cahill was the Socceroos’ only goalscoring threat? That was so seven goals ago.
There was jubilation and frustration in equal measure as Cahill bagged the equaliser against Kuwait. It’s great, we thought, but here we go again. It took just 11 minutes for Asian Cup sweetheart Massimo Luongo to allay those fears. Then Mile Jedinak gave it a crack. James Troisi too.
Then came the Oman game. The shambolic marking of Paul Le Guen’s men inside the box made the aerial route look the most appealing. But it was Matt McKay who opened the scoring in somewhat opportunistic circumstances. Even Robbie Kruse took his chance in front of goal, the one area he has needed most improvement in. Mark Milligan. Tomi Juric.
Eight goals, eight different names. We can breathe easy again.
There is no doubting it’s been a difficult few years on the international front. A generational transition, poor leadership, damaging injuries. But the opening two games of the Asian Cup has provided hope that stability is just around the corner.
Ange Postecoglou has the rare delight of having a near full-strength squad at his disposal, with only Chris Herd struggling through injury.
The competitive nature of this current Socceroos crop was highlighted after the 23-man squad was named; Oliver Bozanic, Aaron Mooy, Dario Vidosic and Ryan McGowan among the unfortunate names to be watching from the stands.
There was less chaos in the physio room, too, as Trent Sainsbury, Tommy Oar and Robbie Kruse all proved their fitness after tough spells with injury of late.
There were three changes made prior to the Oman match as Jason Davidson and Matt McKay replaced Aziz Behich and James Troisi respectively, while Mark Milligan was drafted in for the injured Mile Jedinak.
Behich and Troisi put in quiet shifts against Kuwait. They weren’t necessarily exposed but did little to emphasise their case for inclusion. Their omission against Oman was a subtle warning sign from Postecoglou.
Complacency is a luxury that can ill be afforded in the Socceroos camp, with assured replacements now occupying most positions. Only Terry Antonis, Alex Wilkinson and the injured Herd are yet to see game time, but Postecoglou has suggested they may have their chance against South Korea.
“We have got another big game on Saturday and it’s a game we want to play well and win and improve,” Postecoglou said. “And I will make changes again.
“I have made changes, not because I want to rest people or give people a chance. It’s because I think we have still got guys in there who have got more to give and they’re just waiting for that opportunity.”
He has the mental game spot on, Postecoglou. Prior to the tournament opener, very few players were assured of a starting spot and it meant the Socceroos’ preparations were at full throttle from day one of training.
As Tomi Juric proved with a brilliant cameo in Tuesday’s 4-0 win, there is a full bench of players ready to take their chance when it’s handed to them.
With Postecoglou willing to provide the vehicle for players to shine, it means the potential of the Socceroos has increased ten-fold when contrasted to the rigid approach of previous coaches.
With at least four days in between matches, rotating players isn’t a must for Postecoglou. Milligan should retain his place in the starting XI, with Jedinak likely to be saved for the quarter-final stage.
And Juric’s showings have raised the possibility of resting Cahill for the Korea match.
Postecoglou sits in an unenviable position, but it’s undoubtedly one he will revel in while it lasts.
Griffo
Roar Guru
In all seriousness - the Timelords one is a secret desire to hear...a whole stadium singing that, jumping and waving, drums banging, maybe some didgeridoos...chills. Another one before team walks out for kick off and second half is for the crowd to link arms and chant 'Auuuussie', 'Auuuuussie'... Ah well, whatever, just as long as there is a lot of noise. I suspect it's going to take a long time. And people to join in even if they don't like that particular one :-P
Griffo
Roar Guru
Nah - Skippy is for the stadium to blast out over the roar of the crowd when we score another goal...while our beloved Socceroos do the hop over to the corner flag for a bit if team boxing...
Realfootball
Guest
Thank you , punter.
Realfootball
Guest
:)
midfielder
Guest
A box full
The Bear
Guest
Ladies & Gents, hand this guy a cigar. Aeroplane jelly, in particular.
ciudadmarron
Guest
Nah man just buy some stickers and you are sweet. Takes nothing to win the premiership anyway. what's actually impressive is finishing at least 6 out of 10 and then winning 2 of 3 games in a row. That deserves a star, for doing it once! Way to devalue the thing. I will never ever wear any merch with one of those on it (and yes, that's if we win one). How long before every club in the league has one? What a joke.
aubgraham
Roar Rookie
Skippy: Just find the appropriate two-beat nickname for your favourite player. Very Austrialian to just add a y at the end. Timmie, Robbie, Jedda, Marco, Matty, Tommy, and so .... Timmy, Timmy Timmy's our man, he's true blue (Timmy's our man, through and through) Timmy, Timmy Timmy, our best Socceroo (Timmy plays best for our Roos) Time lords is a good one. Exterminate works very well in context. Aeroplane Jelly: I like Ange Postecoglou Ange Postecoglou for me Liked him at Brisbane, liked him at MV (Liked him at South Melbourne, liked him at MV) (Liked him in the A-League, like him for my team) Ange and the Roos is a good recipe (A high pressing game is a good recipe) I like Ange Postecoglou Ange Postecoglou for me
britesparke
Roar Rookie
And what of winning the premier's plate....do they get to display a bronze star with a number recording the amount of plates (for the lamingtons of course!) that they have won?
britesparke
Roar Rookie
That means now that the heavily discounted Wanderers jersey I picked up earlier in the week has just become obsolete since it is missing the gold star with numero uno inscribed within it.
ciudadmarron
Guest
and forget to add, with the little number inside, will look rubbish too. Once. That is truly truly pathetic.
LordBrucie
Guest
Roger - we all have different standards I suppose and my definition of success for the socceroos and Angie is clearly much higher than yours. I make no apology for having high standards for the socceroos or indeed Angie. One of the reasons the socceroos have never been a world class outfit which can mount a serious challenge in competitively matches against the likes of Germany, Spain or Argentina is the acceptance of total mediocrity. For Australia to improve the acceptance of mediocrity must cease. A similar point to mine was made recently by one of Australia's only ever world class players - Mark Schwartzer who was lamenting the mediocrity that has been created by the establishment of a local professional league which has given youngsters who were finding it tough in Europe an easy fall back option.
Uncle Junior
Guest
I've subscribed to Foxtel Play that is being heavily advertised on The Roar. The product is rubbish - the video quality is extremely poor on my PC/laptop and the app no longer works on my SmartTV. So, even though I'm paying $50/month for Foxtel Play, I'd rather wait 2 hours to watch the match on ABC without having to worry about the feed suddenly dropping out as happens regularly with Foxtel Play. I would not recommend anyone buying this Foxtel product.
ciudadmarron
Guest
And yet, twice the number will still watch it. I am one of them. Fox is too expensive for me and comes with a bunch of stuff I will never watch yet still have to pay for.
ciudadmarron
Guest
boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo seriously? I know I won't be believed but firstly why is there recognition for clubs that win two games in a row in a finals series and not for clubs that come out on top after 27 rounds and secondly ONCE is enough????? that's pathetic.
Midfielder
Guest
YAWN
Fadida
Guest
Agree Qantas. Antonis is a great talent
The Minister
Guest
Well here's the suggestion. I'll let some genius run with it and turn it into the official chant of the Roos. Definitely need some drums with it. :-)
punter
Guest
All the fans are thugs, they chant at each other & break chairs.
AZ_RBB
Guest
A-League news if you don't mind From the FFA this afternoon Symbols recognising the Australian football’s champions and cup-winning clubs will be introduced on playing strips, Football Federation Australia (FFA) announced today. The innovation will cover the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League champions, the Westfield FFA Cup winner and the AFC Champions League winner. The clubs who win the championship will be entitled to display a gold logo of the competition they won, featuring the word ‘Champions’ (for Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League) or ‘Winners’ (for Westfield FFA Cup). This will be worn in the season immediately following the title win. Reigning AFC Champions League winners the Western Sydney Wanderers FC will be recognised with a gold star above the club logo in perpetuity. This will be the entitlement for any Australian club that wins Asia’s most prestigious club competition, with any subsequent AFC Champions League titles won by a club to include a number contained in the middle of the star representing the number of Asian titles. As the policy is retrospective, any club that has won the Hyundai A-league or Westfield W-League championship can display a silver star above their club logo in perpetuity. For the second and subsequent titles, the star shall include a number contained in the middle of the star, which represents the number of titles won. By example, Brisbane Roar FC will have a silver star with the number three (3) in the middle in recognition of their record three Hyundai A-League championships. FFA CEO David Gallop said today that after 10 years of Hyundai A-League competition and seven years of the Westfield W-League it was the right time to recognise champion clubs. “A Grand Final victory is the dream of every player, coach, member and fan,” said Gallop. “This recognition of a championship means that special achievement will forever be a part of the club’s playing strip. “This very public recognition means that players will literally carry some history into every game. And I’d imagine it will add another competitive element to the championship as clubs take pride in the number of championships they have won.” Clubs are able to have symbols applied to their jerseys with immediate effect. An outline of the policy is as follows: Reigning champions: Hyundai A-League / Westfield W-League The reigning champions will play with a gold Hyundai A-League / Westfield W-League logo on the right breast in the season following their title with the word ‘Champions’ followed by the year under the logo. Westfield FFA Cup The winners will play with a gold Westfield FFA Cup logo on the right breast in the year following their title, with the word ‘Winners’ followed by the year under the logo. History of titles won: Hyundai A-League / Westfield W-League Clubs can wear a silver star above their club logo in perpetuity once they have won a championship. For the second and subsequent titles, the star shall include a number contained in the middle of the star, which represents the number of titles won (for instance, Brisbane Roar FC would have a silver star with the number three (3) in the middle for their three championships). Westfield FFA Cup Currently no sustained success element in place. AFC Champions League Clubs can wear a gold star above their club logo in perpetuity once they have won an AFC Champions League title. For the second title and subsequent titles, the star shall include a number contained in the middle of the star, which represents the number of titles won.