Socceroo Brett Holman’s gut-running for his country would melt a GPS system. Twelve months after his emergence as a genuine midfield linchpin at the World Cup, Holman again reminded Australian fans of his class with another all-action performance in the 0-0 draw with Serbia at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.
Heading towards the next World Cup, the Dutch-based midfielder is now a vital cog in the Socceroos’ midfield machine.
And coach Holger Osieck underlined Holman’s importance to the national cause after his creative performance against world No.16 Serbia.
“I don’t know of Brett’s history before I came to Australia, but I saw him at the World Cup and I liked what I saw,” Osieck said.
“He has really confirmed my expectations and my confidence today again – he showed his value to the team.
“I am very happy I have him in my team. He can play all positions, he can operate from the flanks, he has a great tactical awareness and he has the pace and guts to really go after (opposition teams).”
There was a synergy about Holman’s performance against Serbia on Tuesday night after his coming-of-age goalscoring effort in Australia’s final World Cup match against the Serbs last year.
As well as the undoubted energy be brings, what he now possesses is an ability to knit other teammates into the game.
He was involved in Australia’s three best chances of the match – going close with one himself in the second half which scraped the outside of the left-hand post.
Holman and his teammates now head on a belated end-of-season break before the Socceroos’ next hitout – likely to be a friendly against Wales in August.
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