23 for 2010 – Australia: World Cup squad analysis

With Pim Verbeek set to announce the Socceroos squad for South Africa on May 11^th, we here at Just-Football.com thought it timely to discuss what may be the likely squad of players announced.

In Australia’s journey to qualification, no less than 22 Socceroos made their debuts under the stewardship of Verbeek. Though the first team remains largely unchanged from that of the class of 2006, with Mark Viduka being the only notable absentee, there are a number of players that have come in to the side that will be pushing for spots in the final list of 23.

Below is the list of Socceroos that are predicted to be selected by Verbeek. Note that this is not my own personal preference as to who should go but rather as to who will most likely be present in South Africa in a month’s time.

Goalkeepers

Mark Schwarzer is the undoubted number one for the Aussies. Schwarzer is a crucial part of this Socceroos squad. He has been outstandingly consistent for the Socceroos over the years having played once again a major role in helping the Socceroos qualify for their second consecutive World Cup.

At 37 years of age Schwarzer is showing few signs of slowing down evidenced by yet another stellar season for his club side Fulham in which he has helped them to qualify for the final of the inaugural Europa League final.

If the Socceroos are to enjoy another successful World Cup campaign, like in 2006, Schwarzer will no doubt be a key figure again. Indeed, this time Australia will need him to be at his best if Australia is to get through their group which contains Germany, Ghana and Serbia.

Though Adam Federici has still not made his senior international debut, Reading’s first choice keeper is still expected to be selected by Verbeek. Following a stellar season with the Royals Federici has even caught the attention of Italian coach Marcello Lippi who recently made enquiries as to Federici’s availability for the World Cup. The Aussie shot stopper, however, seems to be committed to the Aussie cause and no doubt will be a feature of it come South Africa.

Brad Jones was for many years the understudy of Mark Schwarzer at Middlesborough, but now he has established himself as the number one choice at for Boro in the Championship. Like Federici, Jones has enjoyed an impressive season at his club despite their midtable finish. With only one cap to his name it remains to be seen whether it will be Jones or Federici who will be the first understudy to Schwarzer at the World Cup. What is almost certain, however, is that Jones and Federici will both be there.

Defenders

2. Lucas Neill
3. Craig Moore
7. Brett Emerton
8. Luke Wilkshire
11. David Carney
14. Scott Chipperfield
15. Matthew Spiranovic
21. Mark Milligan

Lucas Neill was appointed the 50^th Captain of the Socceroos in October 2006 and is undoubtedly one of the key players in this Aussie side. Usually a right back at club level, Neill is instead used as a centre back for the Aussies due to the lack of quality stoppers in the side. The Aussie captain has enjoyed a good season at new club Galatasaray and this good form will have to continue into South Africa if the Aussies are to achieve any success.

Neill’s most likely partner at centre back will be Craig Moore who has suffered from poor form of late and who is currently without a club. Nonetheless, Moore will still travel to Germany and most likely be given a starting berth alongside Neill.  There are a number of growing voices calling for Verbeek to consider alternatives for Moore and with good reason.

Two alternatives to Moore who will likely make the squad are Mark Milligan and Matthew Spiranovic. At only 21 years of age, Spiranovic is still a young player but a highly rated one. Having narrowly missed out on the Asian Cup squad in 2007, Spiranovic should make it this time round though will not be first choice back up.

If Verbeek does consider alternatives to Moore at centre back it will most likely be Mark Milligan given the chance. Milligan has been impressive when donning the green and gold and now has nine full caps to his name. He also recently scored his first international goal in an Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia, in a performance that might have secured his ticket to the Rainbow nation.

It is almost a guarantee that Brett Emerton, Scott Chipperfield, Luke Wilkshire and David Carney will be selected in Verbeek’s final squad. Both Emerton and Chipperfield have been key figures for the Socceroos in recent years and their experience both at club and international level will be vital to Australia. Chipperfield’s place in the starting eleven, however, is not guaranteed as David Carney is expected to be first choice left back for Verbeek’s side if he regains match fitness in time. Wilkshire will most likely be used as back up for Emerton but may be employed elsewhere on the pitch such is his utility as a player.

Midfielders

4. Tim Cahill
5. Jason Culina
6. Mile Jedinak
13. Vince Grella
16. Dario Vidosic
17. Carl Valeri
18. Brett Holman
23. Mark Bresciano

Tim Cahill has eclipsed Harry Kewell as the golden boy of the Socceroos. Cahill’s goal scoring prowess has contributed 19 goals in only 37 full appearances for his country. It is a strike rate that any striker would be proud of. Cahill will be crucial to Australia’s cause in South Africa and surely will be the first player jotted down for selection by Verbeek.

Another certainty to make the squad is Blackburn Rovers midfielder Vince Grella, as well as his understudy Carl Valeri. Despite not regularly featuring for his English club side, Grella’s place in the starting line-up will go unchanged. It is a similar case with Valeri. Though having not featured for his club side Sassuolo regularly this season, Valeri is the ideal back up to Grella in that holding midfield position and is surely to be included for this reason.

Grella’s former club teammate, Mark Bresciano, is also assured of his place. A regular for club side Palermo, Bresciano has an uncanny knack of scoring crucial goals for his country. Not only can he score goals but he can create them as well. Another player whose experience will serve his country well.

Though making the unusual decision to return to Australia to play in the A-League despite the possibility of continuing his career at PSV, Jason Culina is still expected to make the squad.  A tidy player who can play either as a defensive or offensive midfielder, Culina will be chosen because of his versatility and consistency.

The player most likely selected as back up to Culina will be Mile Jedinak. Mile has had a solid season with Turkish club side Antalyaspor who he currently plays for on loan. He has made 25 appearances and has scored 5 goals along the way, proving that in addition to being strong and standing tall at 1.90m, he also can contribute to the team going forward.

Whether Brett Holman is good enough for the Socceroos or not is a debate that is hotly contested amongst Aussie fans. No other player divides opinion like Holman, with many preferring Nicky Carle instead. However, come June it will be Holman that makes it to South Africa. Sure he has not been a great performer for the Socceroos, but his regular playing time and his achievement in playing in all AZ Alkmaar’s  Champions League matches may just be enough for him to secure his place.

Dario Vidosic may also travel to South Africa as the wild card in the Aussie squad. A highly talented attacking midfielder who currently plays in Germany, Vidosic should get the nod ahead of other wild card possibility Tommy Oar, due to his  experience of playing in Europe.

Forwards

9. Scott McDonald
10. Harry Kewell
19. Josh Kennedy
20. Nikita Rukavystya

Harry Kewell is still to many the jewel of this Australian side. Despite Cahill’s rise in stature within this Aussie squad, it is Harry Kewell who is undoubtedly the most naturally gifted player in the side. With the retirement of Mark Viduka and the uncertainty surrounding Kennedy’s ability to play as the lone front man, Kewell is tipped by many to lead Australia’s attack.

What is certain is that whether played as the leading striker or as an attacking midfielder, Kewell’s place in the starting eleven is guaranteed. At 31 years of age and given his proneness to injury, this may just be the last chance that Australian fans will see arguably their most gifted player ever take to the big stage in the green and gold.

Josh Kennedy’s place in the side is also a mere certainty. A typical centre forward in the traditional sense, Kennedy is strong in the air and has good physical presence. It remains to be seen whether he will start for the Socceroos in Germany but he will surely have a role to play.

Boro’s Scott McDonald will be selected as a backup. Having failed to impress for the Socceroos and at his new English club, McDonald will be selected merely because of the lack of alternatives. As for Rukavystya, the Ukrainian born Aussie international is a potential star of the future who has been in fine form for club side KSV Roeselare scoring three goals in his last two matches. May not see much playing time but has surely done enough to earn his place.

Players on Standby

Eugene Galekovic
Rhys Williams
Nicky Carle
Richard Garcia
Tommy Oar
Chris Coyne

Who should be in Australia’s World Cup squad and what should the starting XI look like? Discuss your thoughts below.

(photo via PacoAlcantara on Flickr)

23 for 2010, Australia, Squad Analysis, World Cup 2010