Stubborn patriotism demands that we compare ourselves to the best of the world – often with humbling results.
Of course, this was the primary reason behind the Socceroos’ recent outings against Argentina, Ecuador and Mexico – to gauge the quality of the national team and ask the very honest question of whether the “platinum generation’s” Qatar campaign was a fluke or not.
The closeness of the results was encouraging and Aussies would be right to demand a competitive Asian Cup campaign just a few months away – for how many Asian teams, realistically, could achieve the same results we did against the aforementioned giants of football?
An observation of mine in recent months is the lack of want that many Asian teams have in arranging friendly matches with European or South American squads. Simply put, AFC nations appear to be protecting themselves from global humiliation.
For example, Iraq have played one (outcast) European nation in the post-COVID era – Russia, in March.
Syria, a dangerous team on their day, battled one non-Asian country in the same period – Mauritania (North-West Africa).
India, a self-proclaimed “sleeping giant” of football, have failed to challenge a non-Asian team in the last four years – a damning fact for a country of 1.4 billion people who harbour grand aspirations.
My point is this: for whatever Football Australia’s shortfalls are – and there are many – we are absolutely pushing in the right direction by targeting stiff opposition.
London this month presents a great opportunity to re-calibrate and determine Australia’s readiness; the Three Lions, followed by little brother New Zealand.
Graham Arnold will be given 180 minutes of insight; who will be the starters? Who makes the bench? Will there be formation changes?
The training camp itself will be an eye-opening: Mohamed Toure, Alex Robertson and Patrick Yazbek will have an opportunity to impress the Arnold-regime. Robertson, of course, has already earned first-hand experience in the green and gold.
Like all squad announcements, there are perplexities.
Garang Kuol had featured in most of the Eredivisie campaign, yet finds himself without a place.
Denis Genreau, the only midfielder who labours in a top five league, was also overlooked.
Belgium-based Aidan O’Neill may have dipped in form recently, but he has played more football than half-fit Irvine as of late.
Of course, their absence is not necessarily an indication of who Arnold will omit come January.
Socceroos midfielder Aiden O’Neill (Photo by Di Yin/Getty Images)
No matter how much promoters try to glorify the “Soccer Ashes” contest, the match against New Zealand will be less interesting, though just as valuable for Arnold. Naturally, he will play a less experienced team against the All Whites which will tick off any red-herrings remaining after the real challenge – England.
The Three Lions will not play their best squad. Regardless, any half-respectable squad selected by Gareth Southgate will be good enough for the Socceroos to truly test their skills.
Should the Socceroos make a good struggle against England, or even scalp a win, the Australian attitude should not be basked in good memories alone. The experience must further instill self-belief in a team already brimming with chemistry.
We don’t fly to London just for the highlight reels. It has to value-add to our ongoing story of winning within the world game.
Our next chapter may end with the Asian Cup in Qatar – but let’s start the journey in London.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Gersbach is currently in the MLS with Colorado Rapids and out with injury. He appears to have played for a lot of good teams so must still be at an ok level but off the socceroos radar. “Métro-Sports’ Grenoble beat reporter Frédéric Sougey described Gersbach as a hard-working player who has “a very good left foot (crosses and set pieces) and has a great state of mind.” btw I wouldnt be surprised if he is still on a watch list but he’s injured and theyre trying other options
NickA
Roar Rookie
Also interesting that with McGree now confirmed out of the squad, he's replaced him with O'Neill rather than with an attacking minded midfielder like Genreau.
NickA
Roar Rookie
That's been Arnie's biggest strength - while he has some doubters regarding the playing style, he's stayed true to his beliefs of building depth. That's what is so good about having an Australian coach for the national team - I think he gets it. I don't think an international coach would do what Arnie has done.
NickA
Roar Rookie
Well they are RBs Garry. Rowles has grown up through youth teams also playing at left back so it's not foreign to him - but I agree, not his strongest position. I've seen that Brad Smith has been getting more minutes, Callum Elder too, but what has happened to Gersbach? Really thought he'd be a cracking player but he's just faded away. There is a lack of talent at LB currently. Maybe with Farrell starting to mature there might be another coming through other than Bos.
mrl
Roar Rookie
Australia 2-1. Come on!!!
NoMates
Roar Rookie
I actually hope Roar win the cup, They could use some good vibes coming into the A-League season and they are the team that needs to lift there game and bring some magic back into QLD Football even at the expensive of a good SFC side (That will prob win it).
mrl
Roar Rookie
I will catch it on channel 10…hopefully none of The Project panel will feature!!
Harry Brill
Roar Rookie
Can't wait myself for tonight's match either. I watched Sydney live a fortnight ago down in Melbourne and thought they were excellent. Low possession, counter-attacking football was their style. Wood, Lolley, and Mak combined brilliantly. Brisbane are obviously revitalized under R. Aloisi. Hopefully a sign of an improved season ahead.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
:crying:
Grem
Roar Rookie
Be even more fantastic if we beat them.
Grem
Roar Rookie
And we both know that will be Sydney! Actually as I said before, I just want to see a cracking game of football with a good crowd and atmosphere to match. I’ll be there - enjoy watching it in 10 in the sunny Gold Coast.
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
Arnold is all about depth for the national team. Kudos to him for managing this process extraordinarily well, as we have seen some real potential stars emerge. What is interesting is that the gap between superstars and fringe players playing for their country has closed significantly. It used to be light years apart, but what we have seen in recent world cups is that the pay packet is the only element that remains light years apart. Looking forward to the opening of the new A-Leagues football season with the 'Australia Cup Final' tonight. May the best footballing team win on the night.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Tony Gustavson primed the Matildas for the World Cup by playing top 10 nations. This seems to be what The Socceroos are doing as well. They are playing top nations while blooding young talent. So far they have handled the test very well with a win against Ecuador, a draw against Mexico and a good battle against Messi/Argentina. A win against England would be nice and the Soccer Ashes would be nice to claim - this is also trophy that could build over time - especially if it could be played on ANZAC Day. These games will be most enjoyable to watch - go the Socceroos and go Sydney tonight!
Garry
Roar Rookie
What about Miller or Strain then
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
fantastic for Australia to play England at Wembley
cruyff turn
Roar Rookie
To be fair though, Arnold's most likely first choice at left-back, Jordan Bos, is injured. I don't think this experimentation you note is a sign of things to come.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
England to put 5 past us, and a draw vs NZ would be our best outcome. Arnie will be fielding kids so i doubt we will be very competitive.
Harry Brill
Roar Rookie
Well said - Kye Rowles at LB vs Mexico was a nothing experiment to my mind.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Australia have actually sold themselves to the highest bidder, I totally agree with playing in Europe as most of the players are based there. Ecuador travelling to Australia that was their desire for money. Australia travelling to the Americas on the other hand against Mexico has to be for money for Australia. How many European national team play away from their continent particularly big ones. England for example the last time they played away from Europe outside of world cups was Trinidad and Tobago where they staged a friendly as world cup bid bribe for the notorious Warner who of course has a life ban. The big worry for Australia is Arnolds new big man theory, a return to his Olyroos of old, where Topor Stanley was at left back.