Despite his willingness to select and believe in A-League players in the past, Socceroo manager Graham Arnold appears unlikely to do so for the upcoming World Cup.
Despite Jamie Maclaren, Craig Goodwin, Mathew Leckie, Marco Tilio, Nicholas D’Agostino and ultimate hero Andrew Redmayne all being part of the group that travelled to Qatar to face Peru on June 8, Arnold has expressed a clear view that his hands appear somewhat tied when it comes to considering them for selection this time around.
With only a handful of Australia Cup and/or pre-season trials under their belts as preparation for the new A-League season that begins on October 7 with a grand final replay between Western United and Melbourne City, the manager is openly unconvinced that such a preparation is enough to command a seat on the plane.
That reads forebodingly for the players listed above.
Whether two or three impressive performances across the opening weeks of the season will be enough to alter Arnold’s view that he “can’t possibly” pick A-League players without an appropriate fitness base is unknown.
In recent comments, the Socceroos boss has been stern in his view that the June to September A-League season break “destroys” national teams.
As much of the football globe participates in domestic competitions that are now well and truly underway, players are reaching peak condition and national team managers are scouring the globe, watching and monitoring the ones they have on their short lists for potential selection.
Rather unfortunately, some of the elite Socceroo talent remains essentially idle when it comes to top-flight play, something that simply cannot be replaced by fitness, gym sessions and strength work in training.
(Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Months back, Arnold had sought consideration from Football Australia for a potential earlier start to the domestic season, in anticipation of the exact scenario he now faces.
Perhaps an extra month of play would have made an important difference, yet the Australian Professional Leagues and Football Australia subsequently decided to return the opening round of play to its traditional and pre-COVID place, on the weekend following the NRL Grand Final.
Whilst A-League players would potentially have a maximum of four games in their legs before the time came to pack for the trip to the Middle East, one of Arnold’s key concerns is the impossibility of selecting those players for the two friendlies against New Zealand in late September.
In all likelihood, the Socceroo squad that plays at Suncorp Stadium and then ventures across the Tasman will be an overseas-based one, especially when considered in light of the categorical comments emanating from Arnold.
His calls for a season that runs from April through to November would garner much support from many fans; aligning the game far more neatly with European leagues and thus eliminating the issue that arises when major international tournaments are played across the Australian spring or early summer.
However, that discussion is the oldest chestnut in the game, with Arnold’s national team interests potentially at odds with those of the A-League; a competition that many believe enjoys and deserves some of the clear air received whilst being played without direct competition with other popular and powerful winter football codes.
Regardless of the views held in either corner, Arnold faces the tricky task of gathering together his best available talent from abroad for the matches against New Zealand, with a potential softening of his approach required should some players fail in their attempts to be released from their home clubs.
However, should the manager stand by his comments and select none of the men still champing at the bit in the Australian pre-season, the chances of Goodwin, Maclaren and co earning a spot in Arnold’s final squad slim further, with Redmayne a potential exception considering the position he plays and his intended role.
More positively, names like Riley McGree, Martin Boyle, Denis Genreau, Jackson Irvine, Aaron Mooy and Mathew Ryan are humming along well in Europe and are certain to form the nucleus of Arnold’s squad.
Sadly, those down under remain well off the coach’s radar and will have little time and opportunity to impress him through October.
Should a like-for-like selection decision be required, logic suggests that the extra kilometres in the legs of the men well into their seasons could be the deciding factor.
TenTribesOfTexas
Guest
The two most consistent.players for Aust have been Panos Amenakus and Alex Gersbach. Both have played nearly all.games for the clubs over the last two years and are doing well yet neither gets a look in. Playing only 4 games in the.lead up may have its advantages as the players will not be exhausted from a long season and would have had a full pre-season of skills and fitness training
Kewell
Roar Rookie
Musky is a winner, and Australians like winners. He deserves an opportunity.
John Newy
Guest
***Latest News on Rogic*** Rogic finally close to joining a new club after Celtic exit at the end of last season. As tweeted by Journalist John Percy, Rogic is in talks with West Bromwich Albion and is expected to sign with the Championship club.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
You just restored my faith in Australian football. There are lads out there that of the same mind. Can't wait for the season to kick off
Ferno
Guest
Australian cup has started, why no club/player takes it seriously? Australian football season is short and, yet, part of it is ignored by all. 4 months extended holidays doesnt help teams finance, players development or supporters engagement. It's a big waste of time and opportunities.
Animal
Roar Rookie
Yes, our regular team won't really scare the opposition, but add in Tilio and a couple of players like him and we may start rocking some boats
Animal
Roar Rookie
Anyone but Musky. His cynicism has been evident since the Australian Youth team, and there is no place for a character as cynical as Musky at the national helm. We need to inspire, not corrupt them.
Mark
Guest
Should also re-look at Callum Elder. Played all but one of Hull's games as a starting player and all the full 90. Quite a good effort to keep his place as the new Turkish owner has bought in a dozen new players from Turkey, Iran, and Georgia and loanees from EPL clubs. Manager is now playing a 5 at the back so Elder and his opposite full back Coyle are playing high up and bringing in a lot of assists and crosses to their tall new Columbian striker Estupinan who was leading the goal scoring in the championship. It means he's evolving to more the style of full back Socceroos play with than the other more defensive style.
Mark
Guest
There is no way you can take any A-League field players because the A-Leagues in their wisdom left the season to start so late. None have match fitness, some of those listed, Maclaren, Leckie, Tilio especially have barely shown any form in pre-season. I would look to European players, in particular anyone playing rehularly. As an aside, Connor Metcalf opened his account on the weekend with St Pauli and with that he may see more game time. Poor old Jackson Irvine also scored but an own goal from a wonderful header into his own net.
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
After seeing Copenhagen get thrashed i would agree.. Redmayne must be there!
Foot and ball
Guest
Nope open your eyes Johnson and Towsend-in particulat.
David V
Guest
They actually tried this in the mid-90s: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozPtFCgDF8w&ab_channel=SocceroosVideoArchive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHn_7QRRRU8&ab_channel=SocceroosVideoArchive
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
What about young Cam Devlin. The guy has been more consistent than any other Australian. And he's a defensive work horse
Hoolifan
Guest
1. When they scrapped the NSL. It should have been scrapped in 1981. 2. When Australia left Oceania for Asia.
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
Maybe, but we'd have a squad loaded with centre backs, fullbacks and central midfielders. Maybe 2 guys who know how to find the back of the net
Hoolifan
Guest
Have a A-League All Stars versus Foreign Legion match or series in the lead up to World Cup to decide who goes. Put them head to head and let them fight it out for a slot.
Punter
Roar Rookie
What has that got to do with him being lazy? Ronaldo doesn’t press, nor does Messi or some of the better players, they build the game around them. However, if you want to play a pressing game you don’t sign an aging Ronaldo. But to say he is lazy is just so wrong.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Yep but maybe the A League couldve considered playing mid week A League games in the early weeks. I know with some its not popular but I think the attendance might be up this year.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
The problem is a wider systematic issue not only in football, but life in general - people are time poor and cut corners to fit as much as they can into the day its impossible for a coach to be at multiple grounds at the same time to view players, to see if they're what they want - but that’s where technology comes into it. how many players have been signed off purely a 5-minute youtube highlight reel across the world? tens of thousands. i'd guess that close to 90% of visa signings in the a league over the past couple years have been done via video analysis through club intermediators. none of the coaching staff physically have been present to see the player miss 6 shots, before scoring that 1 worldie that is shown on a YouTube clip that has been professionally edited with specific software and has fancy music playing behind it
Garry
Roar Rookie
Are there 26 players good enough getting regular gametime?? I doubt it.