If the Socceroos can’t beat Syria over two legs this month, they don’t deserve to qualify for the next World Cup.
Ange Postecoglou might reckon he can’t “break some new frontiers on paved roads,” but the truth is there won’t be any such new frontiers to explore unless the Socceroos see off the Syrians.
Postecoglou is as sharp-tongued as he is tactically adventurous, and he’s made it clear he couldn’t care less what his critics think about Australia’s travails to date.
Or so he says.
But his increasingly prickly demeanour suggests the pressure is ramping up among the Australian camp, while the fact new Western Sydney Wanderers right back Josh Risdon was named in the squad to face Syria could indicate a shift away from the much-maligned three-man defence.
Yet it has never been Postecoglou’s way to abandon his plans in the face of public pressure.
And it’s not like the squad to face Syria hasn’t produced its own set of questions – not least the omission of left back Alex Gersbach.
There was a suggestion Gersbach was injured when his name was omitted from Australia’s 23-man squad, yet the young defender – who started in Australia’s most recent 2-1 win over Thailand – was an unused substitute in both the Europa League and Eliteserien for Rosenborg last week.
Perhaps Postecoglou has seen enough of the youngster to decide he’s of no use against the Syrians, but you can’t say the left side of defence hasn’t posed a problem – a point highlighted by the fact sporadically used Aziz Behich is now back in the fold.
Further forward there are questions around how the likes of Mathew Leckie and Robbie Kruse may be employed, with the pair in good goal-scoring form in the top two divisions of German football.
(AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
Tomi Juric has also been scoring his share of goals in the Swiss top flight, but the question is whether he can once again transfer his club form to the national team and contribute in the oppressive humidity of Malacca.
There’s little doubt the Malaysian weather will play a role in the first leg – though it’s not like the Socceroos haven’t played in difficult conditions before – and Postecoglou may be content with avoiding defeat in a bid to win the tie in Sydney.
And the fact Syria twice held group winners Iran to a draw in the third round of qualifying proves they’ll be anything but pushovers.
Yet the reality remains that if the Socceroos can’t see off a Syrian side ranked 75th in the world, they don’t deserve to be on the plane to Russia anyway.
Postecoglou has made it clear he’ll be stepping down after the World Cup – provided Australia reaches it – and his professional reputation will suffer a serious dent should he fail to steer his side through the playoffs.
While the Syrians can’t be discounted – and anecdotal evidence suggests at least some of their contingent are playing under duress – the real danger, in a footballing sense at least, awaits in the next playoff round.
That’s because the United States are currently lying in fourth in the CONCACAF region and looming as a blockbuster opponent in the two-legged inter-confederation playoffs.
With two games still to play in the region, it seems unthinkable a team as strong as the USA could possibly find themselves relegated to the playoffs.
(AAP Image/Matt Roberts)
But then you could have said the same thing about the Socceroos.
With Tony Popovic sensationally walking out on the Western Sydney Wanderers to take over as coach of Karabükspor in Turkey, at least one of the potential candidates to take charge after the Postecoglou era now seems out of the race.
However all of that is a long way down the line.
For now, Syria stands in the way of a place in the World Cup finals.
If it’s a hurdle the Socceroos fail to overcome, then they can hardly be considered among the best 32 teams in the world in the first place.
Albo
Guest
They might be "scoring goals for fun" in some recent club matches , but lets hope they can finally bring that with them to the world stage. Because they have been in a prolonged goal scoring drought for years at that level. Kruse with 4 goals in 57 matches & Leckie with 6 goals in 46 matches have provided little fun & excitement in front of goal for Aussie fans, now for a number of World Cup campaigns.
Realfootball
Guest
I would argue that they are far more comfortable and familiar with a back 4.
chris
Guest
jb I have to agree with you. Mooy is just so painfully slow at this level no level of skill will compensate. He never ever wins any 50 50 balls as his pace is just not there. I applaud him for getting this far based purely on his technique. His lack of mobility has always concerned me and I get proven right more than wrong unfortunately.
chris
Guest
Les do you ever wonder why they bother with world cup qualifying tournaments if as you say "They are not in the best 32 in the world"? You seem to have put a lot of thought into your comment so would love to hear an explanation from you.
esko
Roar Rookie
Disagree with j,binnie's comments. Prior to the Spurs match, Mooy was on par with the likes of Kante & Dier statistically... He 100% has the pace, just needs to work harder at times.
David McDaniel
Roar Pro
Not sure Ange will go back to a back 4 now that the players are used to a back 3 but who knows. I don't care as long as we get to the next stage.
Realfootball
Guest
He could, but Luongo is not a true dm, not like Milligan, and my hunch, David, is that Ange will go with a back 4, and Milligan alongside Luongo. The fact that Spiro is playing second div China and Sainsbury is not playing at all has given AP huge problems.
David McDaniel
Roar Pro
Milligan could play at the back, allowing Luongo to play in front of him in the DM position. Degenek SW, Wright left and Milligan right.
j,binnie
Guest
Lionheart. One must never lose sight of the standard of football in which a player is playing. When one moves into the EPL one must expect all facets of the game will be performed at a higher level. I fear that is what Aaron is finding and it is to be hoped the backroom staff at Huddersfield can at least try to help the lad improve his comprehension on what needs to be improved in his game. Like you I always liked Borello for his attitude to the game though I felt he was wasted at Roar with him spending 50% of his game time trying to defend. He is a born attacker and liked nothing more to be in the opposition's penalty box ,a talent that was lost in trying to make him some sort of cover man for others. Let's hope he gets the opportunity to attack" full time" at his new club. Cheers jb.
j,binnie
Guest
David - I am a great believer that weaknesses can be improved upon if recognised and acted upon. In recent games with the Soccereoo Aaron's lack of pace over 10metres shows him as susceptible when faced with players who move the ball quickly and accurately. With many teams now embracing the fast retreating defence allied to even faster breakaways, any weakness in pace and ability to quickly "pick up " an opponent will be punished. That is my fear for Aaron's overall game. Cheers jb.
Realfootball
Guest
We don't have the cattle for a back 3, Mid, not with Sainsbury now a non playing centre half and Milligan in midfield. Spiro not there. If Ange goes with a back 3 of Sainsbury, Wright and Degenek, I don't like our chances. Sainsbury isn't playing at his club, Wright is a Championship carthorse and Degenek is horribly prone to losing his man. Sainsbury isn't even in his club's match day squads.
j,binnie
Guest
Nemesis - You know me better than that ,I do not crucify a player on one performance but Aaron's lack of pace has been evident in his recent Socceroo performances as well. His positioning in the team v Spurs also had me puzzled for on the run on team he was shown as a right sided defensive midfielder but on the field he was doing most of his good work in an advanced position down the left, playing two very nice crosses that found his attacking team-mates way behind play. Spurs are, as you say, one of the better teams in the EPL at the moment but Aaron is going to run up against opposition like that quite often this year and on these showings he will be judged. The other thing I have noticed about his play is that when playing against a team that specialises in fast ball movement Aaron does not pick up an opponent when his team loses possession.Against Spurs this weakness showed up as him being left behind the ball when Spurs moved forward at speed. As a defensive mid, one of the requirements is to apply the high press as soon as possible when trying to win back possession and failure to do this well will cause pressure on the back 3 if the back 3 system s being used. That brings us back to the Socceroos and the "soft ' goals they appear to concede. Personally I hope the lad goes on to be a huge success in the EPL but IMO he has a weakness in his game that needs attention. Cheers jb.
David McDaniel
Roar Pro
I think we can stay with a 3 man back line now but it can be tweaked to many different formations. We need Leckie on the right of a front 3 with Kruse behind Juric so maybe a 3-4-3 or a 3-3-1-3 would work? Winger Striker Winger ...........AM WB......DM......WB .....CB..SW...CB
Midfielder
Guest
Interesting discussion is do we loose with glory or win with pragmatism ... Do we go to a back 4 or continue with a back 3... ???????/ If other teams have sus's us out do we need to make changes ?????????/ So would I rather make the WC or fail to make the WC but have been brave ????? My two cents worth is we need to qualify ... its more important at this stage to qualify than it is to fail with glory ...
Midfielder
Guest
Mike Never knew you where such an Elvis fan... Enjoy... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkMVscR5YOo
David McDaniel
Roar Pro
I really hope that we will stand up and be counted in this. They are knockout games and nothing under 100% will get us anywhere. It is going to be quite exciting!
David McDaniel
Roar Pro
Well done Nemesis. I am in a remote area and the internet is not the best
Lionheart
Guest
The match commentary on goal.com gives him an assist to a shot that went high, and wins a free kick in attacking half in the final minutes. Lets hope he's impressed the coach.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
The Asian football confederation represents half the world's population and will be the biggest football federation for years to come, so giving them 4.5 spots in a "world" cup is a no brainer. Good move by Australia to join them.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Syria are a very good team, yes Mike, and are not to be underestimated. We'll be doing very well to beat them and get to the next stage against CONCACAF. In some ways I'd rather the Socceroos were playing against more highly rated countries. We seem to try harder against higher ranked countries and take the lower ranked ones too lightly. Good luck to Ange and the boys, I'll be there cheering then on in Sydney, but for heaven's sake, with their backs truly against the wall, I hope they take these games a bit more seriously and try a bit harder to score goals and win. Its not just about style of play, its aboput courage, desire to win, passion, strength, stamina and a true love of playing for the National team.