Graham Arnold’s bombshell decision to omit in-form Nagoya Grampus goalkeeper Mitch Langerak from his 26-man Socceroos squad is a firm reminder that it’s Arnie who controls the narrative.
The Socceroos coach has never liked media campaigns.
He has a group of players he trusts – one of whom is Central Coast Mariners veteran Danny Vukovic – and that preference for using players he’s always worked with has seen the J. League’s outstanding goalkeeper of the past two seasons miss the flight to Doha.
Mitch Langerak . (Photo by Hiroki Watanabe/Getty Images)
It’s staggering to think Langerak isn’t heading to Qatar. He kept 14 clean sheets in 33 league games this season and was Nagoya’s official player of the season.
But having initially announced his Socceroos retirement when it was all-but-impossible to return to Japan after international duty, Langerak has seemingly paid the price by being left out of Arnold’s World Cup squad altogether.
Quite why Langerak was summonsed for the recent two-game series against New Zealand – where he didn’t see a single minute of action – remains a mystery.
But it’s hard not to feel the popular North Queenslander has been snubbed – even if it’s clear goalkeeping coach John Crawley has long-standing relationships with Mat Ryan, Vukovic and Andrew Redmayne.
The Socceroos will now be sweating on the fitness of long-time first choice Ryan, who has lost his place in the FC Copenhagen starting XI to mouthy Polish shot-stopper Kamil Grabara.
Langerak’s shock omission is the headline news from Australia’s 26-man squad, but there’ll also be some who were disappointed not to see Roma midfielder Cristian Volpato’s name on the list.
The 18-year-old has been gradually working his way into Roma’s first-team line-up, but having opted to represent Italy at youth level, persuading Volpato to switch international allegiances always seemed like a long shot.
Jason Cummings’ decision to do exactly that has paid off in the end, with the Scottish-born Central Coast Mariners striker earning a call-up to the world’s biggest sporting event.
His pace and directness are attributes the Socceroos could certainly use, so the question now is whether Cummings will actually see any game time in the Gulf.
Given how much Arnie clearly dislikes the thought of players being selected based on public opinion, it was somewhat of a surprise to Cummings’ name on the list.
No surprise is the fact that teenage tyro Garang Kuol has also been named in the squad.
Like Cummings, Kuol will only do some damage if he manages to get off the bench in the Gulf.
But despite never having played a full game of football in the A-League Men, Kuol is clearly the sort of X-factor who can spark panic in tiring opposition defences.
The inclusion of Cummings and Kuol means there was no room for Adam Taggart, who endured a difficult campaign for his J. League side Cerezo Osaka.
Taggart has 17 caps for Australia, but despite looking a likely understudy to Mitch Duke, the former A-League star found a stop-start domestic campaign in which he scored just five J. League goals counted against him when it mattered most.
Garang Kuol of the Socceroos. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
The Socceroos will be sweating on the fitness of key defenders Harry Souttar and Kye Rowles, with the pair named despite only recently returning from serious injuries.
After suffering that crippling ACL injury on duty for the Socceroos in a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia in Parramatta back in November 2021, it was always a race against the clock for Souttar to return in time.
But having only recently returned to limited action for his club side Stoke City, the Socceroos are clearly gambling on the towering centre back’s full fitness.
Tom Rogic has hardly got a look-in at West Brom and missed the cut after his curious withdrawal from the playoff games against the United Arab Emirates and Peru, but it’s the omission of Langerak that has stunned the Australian football world.
Back-to-back seasons as the best goalkeeper in Japan have counted for little for a coaching staff who clearly prefer to work with their own favourites.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Actually J2 was finished for the year, while J1 was still going. His club didnt play any more matches.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Where exactly is Deng , how is he picked for the Socceroos and he is missing . What happened to MV against Adelaide, Brimmer and Dagastino on the bench. All I can think of is this has something to do with being in frame for the world cup. Did Deng go on a bender or something. Brilliante and others looked under the weather as well.
Beach
Roar Rookie
There will be no penalty shoot-outs for us to. Forget that straight up.
sheek
Roar Guru
Chris, I must confess I saw the original suggestion from someone else. I obviously have not enjoyed anywhere near the same success as Arnold, so what would I know. But if it were me, I would have chosen Langarek to challenge Ryan & hopefully make them both better because of the competition. And if Ryan wasn’t up to the challenge, then someone else gets the captaincy gig. Captaincy is not a right of passage. You still have to pay your way.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Was that what Australia was doing? He was not going to get a lot game time. Let him decide in his own time.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
True enough. Regarding Volpato, if in 5 years he hasn't had any nibbles from Italy he can always opt for Australia. But quite likely Italy will look to tie him down in the meantime.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Give this kid a break, he's 18 years old, he's hardly played any professional games. Yes he shows promise, but he's 18 years old, let his career develop at Roma, at least we know we can produce these players again if he is successful & he hasn't closed the door on the Socceroos. Craig Johnston, who did so much for football in this country was always persecuted for saying playing football for Australia was like surfing for England, he was 17 years old.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
And he'll be forever battling to overcome the 'made in Australia' prejudice.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
So a few justifiable gambles and a couple of selections where many would reject the alternatives you offer...and on that basis Arnold is a joke who should be sacked asap. Your logic is inscrutable, and not in a good way.
Cavaquinho
Roar Rookie
Thanks for an interesting perspective. Maybe you are right. I am reminded of Mohammed Ali’s quote, “Champions are made from something they have deep inside them-a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have the skill, and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.” Maybe this is where Arnold is coming from.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Priceless, great response
Cavaquinho
Roar Rookie
His willingness to make a contest and win tackles makes him an ideal Arnold player. It’s surprising he hasn’t been part of the squad longer. The same with Josh Risdon who, year in year out, is top or near the top in winning the ball in the A League. He should fit Arnold’s game plan but is not there. Four years after he was Australia’s best against France, yet, he is a more complete two-sided player now with leadership credentials. So, though I am pleased to see Devlin get a chance, fitting the same criteria, the omission of Risdon feels like a mistake. (Karacic is doubtless a player on the improve but he has seemed error-prone to me when playing for Australia.)
chris
Guest
That's a good theory in regards to not picking Langerak to protect Ryan. It's probably got merit. I just can't understand why Ryan always seems to end up 2nd choice keeper regardless of where he goes. I think he has developed into a very good keeper and way better than some of the first choice keepers in bigger clubs in Europe. Very strange.
chris
Guest
Freddy what makes you think Japan is way ahead of us in youth development? Have you been there to see? Maybe you have who knows. But I have been there and went to a number of top academies (Yokohama, Tokyo Verde to name a few). They aren't doing anything too different to what we do here. They have a strong Brazilian influence and are very much into the ssg. What they also have is a much larger population and their personal discipline has to be seen to be believed. Total 100% commitment from the players making huge sacrifices and selflessness to the cause. This is cultural. Do you want football coaches here in Australia to instil a culture and discipline that is borne not just from football, but the way they live life itself? That's a big ask.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i dont know the player personally, cant provide any information on him at junior level - but have seen enough of at national team level, to suggest he is a liability especially when dealing with pace and having the turning circle of an 18 wheeler he looks very competent in the rough and tumble style of the championship, but they dont play like that at international level lol also he will not be able to boss france/denmark/tunisia around in the opposition box, due to the fact they've got a lot of 6 ft+ players - unlike all the asian sides with their 5"6" players lol
Grem
Roar Rookie
What! Blow me down. Next thing you’ll tell me they don’t play league in the USA, Lebanon and Sweden! I’m glad they didn’t invite Russia this time - that showed principle!
chris
Guest
There is a new wave of young players coming through for Italy and many of them attacking midfielders. Remember Italy are Euro champs and they had 3 penalties in their last 3 matches prior to their playoff. Score any one of those and they are in the WC instead of watching from home. They also topped their group in the Nations league ahead of Germany and England. Volpato will be finding it very hard to break into that squad. But good luck to him.
chris
Guest
Agree with your comments except Grant. I'm SFC, but Grant probably not my choice to start. Definitely could be the back up RB but I think Arnie has selected the right pairings at RB and LB.
chris
Guest
100% agree with Souttar. I've always thought he was slow and cumbersome. Goodness knows how bad he is now. We need quick mobile central defenders, especially against France. Hopefully he sits that one out at least.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
Mauk had an ok season in the J2, but not at the level required to represent the national team (unlike his last season in adelaide when he was the best performing australian midfielder in terms of stats in a professional league -anywhere in the world)