It was hardly an inspiring performance, but after downing New Zealand 2-0 at Eden Park in Auckland, the question now is just who will Graham Arnold select in his World Cup squad?
Second-half goals from Mitch Duke and substitute Jason Cummings were enough for the Socceroos to see off a stubborn Kiwi side in front of just under 35,000 fans at Eden Park, with the All Whites hindered by the loss of talisman Chris Wood to injury after barely half an hour.
Who exactly were the big winners and losers from Australia’s experimental squad? Here are five things we learned from all the action in Auckland.
Graham Arnold will always play his favourites
Spare a thought for Mitch Langerak. In career best form for Nagoya Grampus, the amiable Queenslander must have thought he was an even-money chance of starting between the posts in Auckland.
Instead, it was Andrew Redmayne who got the nod in goal, and although the Sydney FC shot-stopper had little to do, it was still somewhat of a surprise to see Australia’s penalty shoot-out hero against Peru run out in the starting side.
Having reversed his decision to retire from the national team, Langerak didn’t see a second of action in either of the two games against the Kiwis.
The full-back positions are still up for grabs
Do the Socceroos have a problem at right back? It was Heart of Midlothian flyer Nathaniel Atkinson who got the nod to start in Auckland, but although the former Melbourne City defender turned in a willing performance, the international arena is a big step up in class.
Fran Karacic is the current incumbent but isn’t exactly the most physically imposing defender, while none of Australia’s full-backs are renowned for marauding forward.
Joel King had a couple of decent moments over on the left, but again, when the opportunity was there to take the game by the scruff of its neck and really lay down a marker for the World Cup, the Aussie full-backs were more timid than tenacious.
Garang Kuol of the Socceroos. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Some reputations were enhanced, others weren’t
Let’s start with a positive for Marco Tilio – he put that horrific first-half miss behind him and was one of Australia’s best in his remaining 25 minutes on the park after the half-time break.
But it’s hard to overlook the moment when he should have put Australia in front just before the interval. Perhaps he expected Mitch Duke to shoot, despite the tight angle, but when all Tilio had to do was side-foot the ball home from Duke’s cut-back, he butchered the chance with a finish to forget.
Yet Tilio wasn’t the only Aussie to turn in a so-so display. Atkinson, Harrison Delbridge and Denis Genreau all struggled to stamp their authority on the game. Conversely, Riley McGree was Australia’s most effective midfielder, while Connor Metcalfe and late substitute Keanu Baccus both had some impressive touches.
Mitch Duke looks likely to be Australia’s starting number nine
It’s hard to argue Mitch Duke doesn’t deserve his spot when he continues scoring goals. The bustling striker cops his fair share of criticism – much of which seems to revolve around the fact he only plays second division football in Japan – but whenever he’s called upon, he often proves a handful for defenders up front.
Compare Duke’s quietly effective performance in Auckland with Adam Taggart’s virtual no-show in Brisbane. Taggart will rightly point to the complete lack of service he received at Suncorp Stadium, yet it’s Duke who often manages to inject himself into the game.
In the absence of reliable alternatives, it could be Duke who leads the line against France.
Garang Kuol must go to Qatar and Jason Cummings should join him
If this two-game series proved anything – and not for the first time – it’s that Graham Arnold does not like being dictated to.
‘Conservative’ might as well be Arnie’s middle name, even if he did bow to at least some public pressure and pick Garang Kuol and Jason Cummings in his squad to face the Kiwis in Auckland.
And based on a couple of lively cameos off the bench, both players should be on the plane to Qatar. Teenager Kuol, in particular, will be Australia’s X-factor in the Gulf, yet Cummings should join him as one of the few Aussie attackers willing to run directly at defenders.
Both players will be looking for big starts to the new A-League Men’s campaign.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Now you're talking. Brimmer has been a class act for some time now
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Well so apart from being a great header and defender he is exactly like McLaren and Taggart.
jbinnie
Guest
Chris -do you ever let your mind wander and ask why Frank Arok's teams were heavily based on the then NSL?. His logic.???. His players were well within his reach and he could call training sessions and get togethers on a regular basis with most players playing in the NSL and resident somewhere in the country. The results showed the system must have had some merit for in his 7 years in charge the Socceroos played 49 games against countries, another 44 against visiting club sides, and 11 against local club and state teams. That record comes to P 93. W 44. D 23, L 26, F 146 A 90, all in 7 seasons!!!!!. Could we learn from these figures??? jb
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Concur
Punter
Roar Rookie
Come on it's NoMates!!!! He has No Idea.
chris
Guest
Totally agree. We need to do something different. JMac, and Taggart have been given enough chances and they haven't delivered.
ockeroo
Roar Rookie
I would like to see Alou Kuol joining his brother, Garang, and Mabil Awer in the forward line, with Tommy Rogic playing just behind them. I hope Arnie selects Goodwin, Boyle, Cummings, Matty Simon ... and one other from either Duke, Fornarelli, McLaren, Taggart or Tilio.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
JMac should not go. He is a poacher who needs the ball bobbling around in the box for him to get a toe, torso or backside to help it into goal. If he doesn't get this kind of service he is next to useless.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Yes I watched. There was no good news for the Socceroos in this game. Both sides will give us a hard time. Just imagine Mbappe running down our right hand side giving our right back a football lesson. Eriksen was controlling the midfield with aplomb.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Do you honestly think Arnold would think like that?
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Hallelujah.........someone who wants to see the positives in Australian football and not whinge
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
I only have one word for you in that regard. Arnold!!!
Garry
Roar Rookie
sorry but Delbridge looks too slow for me.. 15 sep "Harry Souttar is about to resume full training in hope he could be 'nearly ready to go' by the start of next month."
Punter
Roar Rookie
But is there enough composure & skills?
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
I just hope Guus drags him to the right way of thinking, it's our only hope.
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
Don't want to tell you how I know, but all Arnie needs is one full game out of him and he'll be on the plane.
Hudddo
Roar Rookie
Are you being serious. The kids still growing. It's what I believe differentiates AU and CCM. the lack of reliance on youth players ensures the avoidance of injury in youth, it ensures their best possible development of the youth. As for the slow strikers CCM had: Urena- was the the spear head of Costa Rican golden generation 8 years ago. FFS he scored against Uruguay in a WC. Cumming - came equal 3rd in the golden boot. Equal 4th in assists. The only player comparable is Goodwin, Cummings played 6 less games. He has scored a brace against Liverpool. Moreshe - is young and improving just like Garang. On the 3 out of the 4 occasions Garang scored CCM were already winning. In the WU game where he won the game for CCM, WU parked the bus. For as much as I enjoy watching Garang he never pulled CCM out of the fire!
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
thats a seperate issue, chance creation. if you want to shoehorn macca and tags in the line up (which you really shouldn't, as they're not international quality) you need to play to thier strengths. who can create in the green and gold? *you will not find a better left footed set piece deliverer/crosser than craig goodwin, unfortunately hes taken no part in pre season and may yet require groin surgery *father time is fast catching up to aaron mooy and he looks a shadow of his former self in terms of play making. *rogic and hrustic both have not found their feet yet with the new clubs and are in a race against time *both sets of fullbacks (no matter who you select) have the quality to whip balls into the right areas. *tilio is not going to have the level of freedom accustomed to him at club level compared to international.
chris
Guest
It's an interesting story about the Magyars playing weaker teams. The Brazilians have a similar philosophy in their warm up matches as well prior to a WC. Play teams in the 3rd tier level of international standing and put 6 goals past them. On allowing the senior players to depart early can't really be blamed. We do live a long way from Europe and you want these players back in time to freshen up and get good game times for their respective clubs.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Rowles is not going to make it. he wont be fit I reckon. I know he's an outsider, but I really like the starch Delbridge brings and he's not playing in the Northern Kalathumpian League, he's playing good football in the K-League