It has become apparent to many supporters however that unless certain things change, then not only are the Socceroos going to suffer defeat in Brisbane against Japan on Tuesday but they will also seriously struggle to gain points for the rest of the final qualification phase. What became apparent in the Oman game is that there are a number of issues that need to be addressed by the coach Holger Osieck. Team Selection:
There were so many team selection questions raised from that performance, that it was surprising Holger Osieck was not quizzed further about this matter after the game by the media. The comment he made prior to the game was that he picked the best, most in-form and fittest players at his disposal at that time, so...
- Why was Nikita Rukavytsya, who has played a full season against the world's best players in the Bundesliga, not given a minute against Oman or at least a half to show his worth in the friendly against Denmark?
- Why were Harry Kewell and Archie Thompson, who have not played competitive football since February, leading the line in attack?
- Why were Wilskhire and McKay, two of the most industrious but unimaginative wide players, given the task of unlocking the Omani defence on the flanks?
- Why was Robbie Kruse chosen in the last 15 minutes to get the team a goal when he has not played a minute of competitive football in the last six months? And chosen ahead of two of the most reliable goalscorers we have in Cahill and Kennedy?
- Why was Ognenovski chosen ahead of Rhys Williams, who is on the radar of English Premier League clubs and can contribute to building up from the back unlike the former?
- Jade North ahead of Milligan, Williams or Spiranovic?
Quite simply on this occasion Holger's team selection was wrong.
The heat factor:
For the last few years both the players and the coaching staff have been making it very clear how difficult it is to play in the searing heat of the Gulf nations, particularly this last game against Oman. Granted, the facts don't lie and no one can dispute that the Socceroos faced stifling conditions. Having said that however it does not excuse the team to resign to deep sitting tactics and the use of the long ball to launch attacks. Korea played in similar conditions in Qatar and managed a convincing 4-1 win. So how do the Socceroos who once took pride in being one of the fittest teams on the planet, equipped with the latest in sports medicine, experience of playing in similar conditions and, given close to a week to acclimatise, suffer so much in the heat? Seeing the once brave Socceroos sitting deep, inviting Omani midfielders to enter our half and showing way too much respect to opposition we should be comfortably beating was disappointing.
Its as if the players talk themselves into thinking that sitting back and getting out with a 1-0 win is a good tactical game, however this is not synonymous with Australian football and leaves the door open for surprises against minnows. Its a mindset from Pim Verbeek that still lingers unfortunately.
The age factor:
As much as it pains me to say this it surely has to be the end of the road for most of the 2006 stalwarts. One of the reasons the team may have played so deep and tried hard to conserve their energy in the heat is probably due to the realisation that their legs cannot carry them like they once could. To be two years out of the 2014 World Cup and still be relying on the 2006 team to get us there shows a complete lack of evolution in the Australian team. The talent is there, even though many pundits dispute it, for the Socceroos to have evolved into a young, technical and attacking Australian team once again. It is mysterious that young talents like Herd and Rukavytsya, who for the past year have been performing at the highest level, have not been integrated into the team yet. To have a line up of many Socceroos past their physical prime in stifling conditions was asking for trouble. Schwarzer, Neill, Ognenovski, Bresciano, Kewell, Cahill and Thompson all being over 30 and past their peak act as a massive anchor for the team. So much has been said about Bresciano's contribution in the last few games but can we really expect him to dominate the midfield in 2014 World Cup games at the age of 35? No, alternatives must be given their chance now.
Long Ball:
Australian football in the last six years has not been able to come close to the football played under Guus Hiddink's reign. The team in 2005/6 played a short passing and high tempo game and defended high up the park. What we are now used to seeing from the Socceroos sadly is cautious tactical football with only a few passing combinations in the midfield and in the attacking third. To see the ball played from Ognenovski to Neill and then a long ball up the park, or the ball distributed unimaginatively to Wilkshire or Carney on the wings and a speculative cross to the forwards, is a step backwards in our style of play and one that many football fans recognise does not do the football talent of the country justice. Everyone knows that the Aussie team CAN play great football, but its up to Holger Osieck and the players to ensure that they do.
My preferred Line-up:
Schwarzer
Wilkshire Neill Williams Carney
Valeri Herd
Brosque Holman Rukavytsya
Kennedy
Subs: Langerak, Spiranovic, Milligan, Kilkenny/Sarota, Cahill, Kruse
This team would surely have more movement in the attacking third, dangerous pace on the wings and better passing combinations through the back and midfield then the one that played against Oman.
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