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That the Socceroos are still in the World Cup is a credit to Bert van Marwijk, but now it’s time to face an undeniable fact – Daniel Arzani must start against Peru.
Here’s a thought: Robbie Kruse has done a decent job for the Socceroos in the past two games and doesn’t deserve the social media vitriol that has reportedly come his way following the 1-1 draw with Denmark.
And now a counterpoint: football is always going to be a game of opinions, so it shouldn’t exactly come as a surprise to players that so many fans voice them.
We should probably acknowledge what sort of person would seek out a player to leave nasty comments across their social media profiles in the first place.
These people aren’t fans of football, they’re fans of trolling – and they get a perverse sense of satisfaction from leaving hurtful comments.
You have to wonder what sort of person could actually be bothered to target the family and friends of a football player over said player’s performance, but the unfortunate reality is that these sorts of online losers are simply best ignored.
But getting back to Kruse, there’s little doubt that for all his energy, his final pass simply isn’t the sort of thing the Socceroos are going to need in their must-win game with Peru on Wednesday morning.
It shouldn’t be forgotten that what Kruse has done in his first two games is run himself into the ground, allowing teenage tyro Arzani to come off the bench and test fatiguing defences Kruse has already tired out.
But as Arzani proved in his 26-minute cameo against Denmark, he’s got more individual quality to unlock the Peruvian defence than any of his teammates.
Daniel Arzani of Australia (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Never mind whether he’s got the conditioning to go the distance – the Socceroos need to win if they’re to have any hope of qualifying for the Round of 16, so this is not the time to hold the teenager back.
It’s now or never, Bert. Unleash Arzani before it’s too late.
As for Tim Cahill, I was somewhat surprised by the reaction to his non-appearance against Denmark.
Some mainstream media outlets suggested that as a bona fide Socceroos legend, Cahill was essentially owed a chance to come on against the Danes.
I couldn’t care less about any of that. I thought Cahill should have come on because he offers a genuine scoring threat – especially in the air – not just so that he can add to his personal World Cup goals tally.
And I think van Marwijk should start Tomi Juric up front on Wednesday morning and only use Cahill off the bench as a last resort.
Tim Cahill (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
What the Socceroos need to be mindful of is the fact that Peru may arguably represent their toughest test to date.
Having played remarkably well in their first two World Cup finals games for 36 years, the Peruvians have nothing to show for it – not even a goal.
So they’ll be incredibly determined to do some damage in Sochi, not least because tens of thousands of Peruvian fans have made the expensive trip over from South America.
There are no easy games at a World Cup, so Australia’s back four can expect a torrid time coming up against Paolo Guerrero and co.
They’ve got someone who can give it back to the Peruvians in spades, and his name is Daniel Arzani.
And judging by the TV ratings, plenty of armchair Aussie fans will once again tune in to watch – midnight kick-off notwithstanding.
Nearly half a million viewers tuned into Saturday night’s early kick-off on SBS to watch Belgium thump Tunisia 5-2, which goes to show the appetite for top-level football on our television screens.
Optus Sport might be kicking themselves, but the Socceroos don’t need to.
They simply need to play Arzani from the start against Peru. He’s not the Messiah, he’s just a very talented boy.