Experienced Campaigners v Futureroos
Now that Holger is gone what is next for the Socceroos?
Some would answer the Canada game, and while yes you are technically correct it’s not necessarily the answer I am looking for. Many fans have called for a generation of Socceroos to immediately retire and allow the next generation to flourish under the new manager; whoever that may be.
When I was growing up I remember numerous Australian’s playing in the biggest leagues in Europe, sadly we don’t have that same luxury and our players are scattered around the world, predominately playing in second tier leagues or wasting away on the pine at some of the biggest clubs in the world. Football has become a far greater globalised game with the emergence of Middle Eastern leagues and the continual improvements in Asia.
I am a big believer that if players are still good enough they should represent their Country. All players should have the competitive drive to be pitted against the world’s best in the green and gold. Yes some players should have been trialled by Holger Osieck months ago, but Socceroos caps aren’t handed out; they are earned through hard work. Look at a player such as Sasa Ognenovski, he has never been to a FIFA World Cup and deserves that opportunity if good enough no matter what his age. Just because he is in the twilight of his career shouldn’t mean he shouldn’t be given the opportunity to go to his first world cup.
This doesn’t mean I’m not a believer in our youth, but I want our best 23 footballers going to Brazil, no matter what their age. It will be a careful tightrope walked by the new head coach, do we gamble on Brazil or strive for success in 2015 when we host the Asia cup.
What if the Socceroos were pitted against each other in a one off exhibition match? It would serve more purpose than playing against another football superpower and getting played off the park. I am the first to admit we are currently not good enough, and there is very little value in proving that on a world scale. I for one am not prepared for the barrage of twitter abuse I will receive from Englishman if a game against the motherland comes to fruition, at least not on our current form.
What I propose is a Over 28’s v under 29’s Socceroos match, at the very least it would be provide a talking point for us frustrated Socceroos fans, and could give the new coach (whoever that may be?) an opportunity to see some players fight for a chance of a lifetime. Who knows, we might even find that competitive streak?
Here are two potential squads, let me know what you think of my idea, and who you think would win my exhibition match.
Experienced Campaigners (Over 28’s)
Mark Schwarzer (40)
David Carney (29) Lucas Neill (35) Sasa Ognenovski (34) Luke Wilkshire (32)
Matt McKay (30) Mark Bresciano (33) Tim Cahill (33) Mile Jedinak (29)
Joshua Kennedy (31) Archie Thompson (34)
Eugene Galekovic (32), Jade North (31), Harry Kewell (29), Brett Holman (29), Carl Valeri (29), Alex Brosque (30), Richard Garcia (32)
Futureroos (Under 29’s)
Mitch Langerak (25)
Rhys Williams (25) Jason Davidson (22) Trent Sainsbury (21) Craig Goodwin (21)
James Holland (24) Mark Milligan (28) Dario Vidosic (24) Tommy Oar (21)
Mitchell Duke (22) Robbie Kruse (25)
Mathew Ryan (21), Oliver Bozanic (24), Jackson Irvine (20), Matthew Leckie (22), Michael Zullo (25), Ryan McGowan (24), Nikita Rukavytsa (26), Tom Rogic (20), Robert Cornthwaite (27)
We must fondly remember our 2006 heroes but stop comparing those future teams against what has been our best national team, possibly ever. This is not to say improvement isn’t something we should strive; continual improvement is a must. We mustn’t forget Australian football is currently in a holding pattern.
I have left some potential Socceroos off the list, some deliberately some by mistake. One thing putting these two squads together it gives me hope that the future of our national team isn’t that bleak afterwards.
Google+
