End of an era for Socceroos old guard
DAN SILKSTONE
June 25, 2010
IT FELT, many of them said, like the end of an era. At least they could go out as winners. They probably deserved that much. And the household names who are likely to depart the Socceroos in coming days and weeks may get one last chance to say goodbye at home, as Football Federation Australia plans a farewell friendly, likely to be announced soon.
The question remains, though - just who will be farewelled? The golden generation of Australian football is no more and the only parlour game worth playing underneath Nelspruit Stadium after the Serbia game was Guess the Retiree.
Craig Moore had already announced he would not go on after this tournament. His teammates of more than a decade wanted badly to give the suspended defender a chance to play one more game. Instead, he left international football with his tracksuit still on, saying only that those who played on Wednesday night were more qualified to speak than he was.
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By his side as he walked from the arena was another we may not see in Australian colours again: Vince Grella. Another who had not managed to make it onto the field.
Missing this match and the one before it with a knee injury, the veteran midfielder had been below his combative best all campaign. He had said in the lead-up that he was not keen to play in next year's Asian Championships and might take a year off from Socceroos duty as he tries to restart his club career. Nobody yet knows who the new boss will be and what philosophy he will bring, but FFA chairman Frank Lowy left little doubt that fast-tracking the next generation would be the focus of the Asian campaign.
Grella has probably been surpassed by Carl Valeri, at some stage during the past month. Valeri is the enforcer's apprentice no more. By Wednesday night, there appeared little doubt he was a first-team player. Grella would not speak afterwards either, his thoughts are not known.
Others were prepared to ruminate about their futures. Scott Chipperfield, another who had suggested he was likely to retire, made it official.
''There's no point in continuing. I'm happy, it's a good way to finish up,'' he said. ''There's the Asian Cup in January but I think that's a good opportunity to bring some young players through and give them experience. I won't be around for the next World Cup and I'm happy with what I've achieved at international level. I've been involved for 12 years. I've been lucky, I've played 68 games. I've had a great run, it's time for someone new.''
Before the match, he said, Moore had taken him aside and told him, one veteran to another: ''We've had a good run together and this will be a good way to finish.''
The 34-year-old said his Socceroos career highlight was the win over Uruguay that sent Australia back into the World Cup finals. His best game for green and gold - he offered - was the heartbreaking loss to Italy four years ago.
Chipperfield has been censured in Australia for his churlish reaction to the criticism rightly levelled at his performance against Germany. But while his response was a touch hysterical it should not be forgotten that the former Wollongong man has represented his country with pride and distinction. In 2002, when Soccer Australia was facing bankruptcy before a crucial qualifier and could not afford to cover flights and accommodation - he was the only foreign-based player prepared to pay his own travel costs to play.
Given the lack of exposure the Swiss league gets, most Australians have seldom seen Chipperfield play his natural game in his preferred attacking position during the past decade.On Wednesday night, at least, they did. ''Playing at the back is not my natural position but at the time there wasn't anybody else and I thought I did OK,'' he said.
Though he is adamant the squad should be refreshed he does agree with those who wanted an infusion of youth much earlier. ''You have to earn the right to play for your country,'' he said.
Harry Kewell, considered likely to bow out, said he was keen to continue. So, too, did Mark Schwarzer. Brett Emerton - younger than most of those considering departure but having battled serious injury and reportedly unwanted by his club - said he would keep going and wanted to play in January's Asian Cup. ''I'm sure there will be a few boys who call it a day,'' he said. ''But as long as I'm being selected for the Australian team, hopefully I can guide some of the youngsters and help them become good international players.''
Mark Bresciano - Grella's great friend and midfield partner for more than a decade - had yet to decide what he would do. ''I'm not sure if it's the end,'' the club-less Bresciano said. ''Which boys are leaving, we haven't spoken about … I have to see where I am going to go next with club football. But I still love playing for my country. I don't think the time has come yet that I'll stop playing for Australia.''
http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/end-of-an-era-for-socceroos-old-guard-20100624-z3kx.html