Australia needs to set itself for long haul
Michael Lynch
Published: July 15, 2014 - 2:57PM

The fact that its last two remaining members of that storied class, Mark Bresciano and Tim Cahill, were the key players in Brazil this time round shows how few genuine top-level players have come through in the past decade.

Postecoglou has given every indication that he is at home on this stage, and clearly has the ability to inspire his players and get them to buy into his vision.

What Postecoglou needs to do is find some quality options to replace Bresciano as the creative fulcrum of the team, and Cahill as its main threat.

He will be reliant on the new programs being put in place by the FFA to encourage the development of technically more accomplished youngsters and the clubs for nurturing and bringing those players on.

There does need to be a cultural change at the very lowest grassroots levels of the game if long-term change is to be effected.
Those who can become the game-changers and game-winners, and Australia does not have enough of them.

Too many talented 17 or 18-year-olds have in the past left and fallen into a hole and end up playing youth or reserve team football before dropping down the divisions, their development stunted or retarded.

Making the Socceroos competitive at the highest level is a long-term project and will require vision, commitment, patience and loyalty to the coach as he tries to build for the future. Germany's Joachim Low, with an infinitely stronger talent pool at his disposal, has been in the national set-up for the best part of a decade and it is only this week that he has climbed to the summit of international football.

This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/australia-needs-to-set-itself-for-long-haul-20140715-zt7em.html