Taegeuk is a traditional Korean symbol. It appears on the Korea Republic flag, and with its equally weighted red and blue components, refers to a sense of balance in the universe.
The red represents positive forces while the blue symbolises the negative energy that creates the tension and imbalance between the two.
Such thinking is fundamental to Korean culture and also lies at the centre of the religious lives of those who adhere to the principles of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.
As with life, striking a balance in football is key to success and happiness.
On Friday night in Busan, the Socceroos face Korea Republic in a curious clash, where a new-look squad will take on the Taegeuk Warriors.
Sounding a little spiritual from the outset of his reign, Socceroos manager Graham Arnold spoke prior to the Asian Cup of curing Australia’s goal-scoring issues with positive thinking and visualisation techniques.
As much as I like a little hippie culture and Dalai Lama-style thinking in my football, I was sceptical.
Needless to say, it didn’t work.
The recent history of the Socceroos has been the embodiment of imbalance. After teeter-tottering through Asian qualification, the national team has failed to stamp a definitive presence ever since the Asian Cup triumph of 2015.
For all the criticism of Ange Postecoglou, there was never any doubt to his plan and vision. He trialled just about every male in Australia between the ages of 18 and 35 for a potential spot in his squad, worked out who he liked and built a team that knew itself and its mission.
(Photo by Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Then Bert van Marwijk played the ultimate cameo in Russia, denying important developmental minutes to Massimo Luongo, Jamie Maclaren and Dimi Petratos. Van Marwijk was always a stop-gap appointment and the task of reshaping and developing a balanced squad for the short-term challenges lying ahead would naturally fall to his replacement.
With an eye to the future, Arnold has picked something of an experimental Socceroos team with the intention of building a depth and competitiveness in the squad that can cope with injury, retirement and unavailability.
The coach was categorical in his claim that the match “would bring the maximum out of every player and it will create a lot more depth in the squad”.
That is a huge expectation for a single friendly, however, go Arnie. Think big.
Arnold spoke of a desire to not rely on the “same 14, 15 players over the next four years”. His positive approach to the task ahead was in no way cloaked when he stated ambitiously, “I truly believe to be the greatest Socceroos team in history, we need depth”.
Strewth! We’ll need a lot more than depth. Let’s start with a stable back four, a midfield that moves the ball forward at speed and a couple of guys up from who can sniff a goal and finish it before the defence has caught on to the fact.
That’s not too much to ask, is it?
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
As a result of Arnold’s visionary agenda, he has selected an incredible squad. Two Brandons – Borrello and O’Neill – along with Andrew Redmayne, Lawrence Thomas, Harry Souttar and Ryan Williams are uncapped at Socceroo level.
With 12 other members of the squad possessing less than ten caps, the inexperienced nature of the line-up is clear. However, with inexperience comes opportunity and it is likely that at least one young man in green and gold will grasp it with both hands on Friday.
Just Bailey Wright, Matthew Spiranovic and Aziz Behich have in excess of 20 caps for the Socceroos.
Arnold’s plan appears to be Postecoglou-like in his willingness to present opportunity. His task will then be to blend those who win his faith with the men he has already pencilled in to his team sheet for September’s first World Cup qualifier.
No doubt Mathew Ryan, Rhyan Grant, Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic, Trent Sainsbury, Mathew Leckie plus both Maclaren and Luongo will feature in Arnold’s preferred squad.
Friday night is the first step in search of his own Taegeuk. He has the reins and now controls the narrative in the job in which he has always wanted to succeed.
Aside from the treasured golden generation squads at the dawn of the new century, the Socceroos have always looked off balance.
Friday night will be the first step in a long journey towards the 2022 World Cup. Let’s hope a few of the young men on display against South Korea will eventually make the trip to Qatar.
Sticking with the existing peripheral members of the squad might prove disastrous.
jbinnie
Guest
Stuart - Don't know if you are aware of the coaching term"spine of a team" but if not, it is a coach's love of building a team around 4 or 5 player in whom he has faith. Did you notice that Arnold's "experimental " team last night had a goalkeeper,a centre-half,a mid-fielder and a centre-forward who at some time in their careers have come under the guidance of Arnold as a club coach. As I said to you above I think Graham has set about building a new look Socceroo team but I'm not so sure it is a continuance of the "road" AP had us travelling along. Last night the team showed a "combativeness" that has been sadly missing in recent Socceroo teams.and also showed up one or two players who don't fit that description. The thing I think Graham is going to have to recognise is that that the tactical behaviour of opponents has changed dramatically since his days at CCM and his early Sydney FC days,so that to play with 2 extra wide wingers and 2 wingbacks is counter productive to the potential of these 4 players. Duke showed that he has all the attributes to upset organised defences but needs a striker like McLaren or Taggart working in close proximity to his efforts if goals are to be gained.Last night was an interesting game but still featured the one error that has to be overcome,the Korean keeper had one shot to contend with in the 90 minutes.Cheers jb
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
I like what GA is doing here, broadening the net so to speak. Looking forward to tonight's match.
Griffo
Roar Guru
Oh and you played with your shorts way higher than was natural, even back then 8-)
Griffo
Roar Guru
The gig is up, Frankie... :-P
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Fadida - I don’t understand your negativity about O’Neill. SFC would struggle badly without him. On an entirely different point, did you know autocorrect changes ‘Fadida’ to ‘Farina’?
Patrick
Guest
In kind of linked news - Ange Postecoglou has Yokohama sitting in 3rd in the J League after 14 matches with a budget that isn't the size of the bigger clubs whilst playing the kids. He is looking a very good coach if he can do something this season in the J League which wasn't too kind to G.A.
Tyke
Roar Rookie
Grant is so underrated, just a bull terrier/ work horse for the whole 90 minutes and creates opportunities.
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
Personally I'd throw all three of them into the Socceroos' best eleven. Apart from Grant nobody in the defence impressed me at the Asian Cup. Everyone in the Socceroos midfield was poor (Milligan, Luongo, Irvine, Rogic) And apart from Ikonomidis and Mabil nobody shone in the attack.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I am flattered that you think I am that young JB. I grew up watching Mr Arok at the helm. Had that slightly unstable feeling about him that all great managers have. Klopp is undoubtedly the greatest current version. Keeps the boss, the players and the media on edge the whole time. I love the pantomime of football and the role the managers play.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
O'Neill is the most overrated player in the league, and more importantly his shorts are waaay too high
Griffo
Roar Guru
It seems game opportunities are few and far between so hopefully Arnold has chosen wisely who to try out. I think ideally he is going to aim for a top 30 to rely on in the next qualifying phase, which means any one of a dozen players or so could change as forma and injury demands selection over prior camp knowledge. Arnold may not rely on the top 14 or 15, but very close to it depending on who else can step up to fill in form slump, injuries or retirees. Any more than that will disjoint the squad cohesion.
jbinnie
Guest
Stu - getting back before your time I think you will find Arnold's thinking could find it's basis in the thoughts and methods of another coach rather than your choice of AP. Arnold as a player played under Frank Arok,a strict disciplinarian, who picked players with a view to getting them to perform on a bigger stage. Arok, who never did get a team to the World Cup,(probably because of lack of funds) did however build a record of results against the top teams of the day that has never been surpassed and I think it is on that example that GA will probably model his efforts. On the other hand I think your statement ,and I quote "and a midfield that moves the ball forward at speed" unquote, indirectly gets to the root of recent Socceroo performances. For too long we have watched Socceroo back fours (and back threes) wasting potential to accomplish your wish by passing the ball back and forth between each other or to their keeper,while their opponent,out of possession,have wasted no time in scuttling back into their own defensive area to take up their pre-arranged defensive structure. For the last few years the top teams in the world have been practising how to get a ball from one end of the field to the other and it is this lesson that we in Australia have to learn and adapt to ASAP. Cheers on a good article . jb.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Didn't say young players or footballers. Ask anyone the wrong side of 40 and they would all describe a 26 or 27-year-old male as a 'young man'. Certainly not middle-aged or old.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Perhaps, however investing in players pays dividends in the long run. They key is to invest in the right ones. Mabil demands investment as do Souttar and O’Neill in my view. Let’s hope Arnie has them firing on Friday. I’ll be calling the game on theRoar, hoping to see some positive signs.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Given how they have performed since the WC I think BVM was absolutely justified in not giving Maclaren or Petratos time at the WC
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
'Arnold spoke of a desire to not rely on the “same 14, 15 players over the next four years”.' Based on the performances in the Asian Cup, how can I rely on any of them?
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
"Let’s hope a few of the young men on display against South Korea will eventually make the trip to Qatar." The only players I consider 'young' in Arnold's squad are Thomas Deng (22), Harry Souttar (20), Brandon Borrello (who turns 24 in a month) and Awer Mabil (23). Everyone else is 25 years old or over.