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Joeys boss hails new generation
5 June 2012-SBS EXCLUSIVE: Philip Micallef
Optimistic ... Alistair Edwards believes Australia's next generation has the talent to succeed
The doom and gloom surrounding the future of Australian representative football is misplaced and completely unjustified, Australia Under-17 head coach Alistair Edwards declared.
Recent failures of several national representative teams have raised doubts over the country's ability to retain its healthy position in the world rankings once the veteran Socceroos stars call it a day.
Pessimism reached fever pitch when Australia Under-23 failed to qualify for this year's Olympics in London.
It will be the first time since 1984 that the Olyroos won't participate in the Games.
But Edwards said that the current crop of up-and-coming youngsters should give the football family plenty of optimism that Australia's reputation as a consistent producer of young talent will not be tarnished.
"I can see at first hand what special young talent we've got in this country," Edwards said from Vientiane in Laos, where the Joeys are taking part in an invitational four-team tournament.
The Joeys have drawn 1-1 with Japan and beaten Laos 3-2 and will face Thailand on Wednesday for a spot in the final.
"I think our young players are on a par with anything I've ever seen," he said.
"But they need more international competition to reach their potential.
"We just have to provide them with the right environment and process which can nurture them into better players, hopefully good enough to play for the Olyroos and the senior national team.
"They are showing a lot of promise and, although it is very hard to pick at this young age, there are a number of guys here who, given the right environment, could end up being professionals and hopefully Socceroos.
"We are getting a great deal of support from the Institute of Sport in Canberra and Football Federation Australia because the only way these boys can improve is to give them more games like we are doing here.
"Every game we play is a learning moment.
"We are looking at each player individually, we're not looking at results but focussing on making the player and the team better.
"I see this as a very challenging role and I feel honoured to be given this opportunity."
The Joeys have a demanding schedule leading to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
After their commitments in Laos, the Joeys will travel to Saudi Arabia for another tournament involving Morocco, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia.
A few weeks after that they go to Bolivia to play four games against South American opponents and will round off the year with the AFC Under-17 Championships in Iran that will serve as qualifiers for the World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2013.
National technical director Han Berger has made no secret of his steadfast belief in the 4-3-3 playing formation which he sees as the ideal platform for young players to enhance their general skills.
It is the way the game is played in many countries but are Australian kids capable of adopting this system?
"It is not just Han's opinion but one of the world," Edwards said.
"Most of the teams in the countries I've visited have a 4-3-3 as their development tool.
"Players in Australia can adapt and do adapt and there has been a massive improvement at this level in the last few years because we are focussing on the long-term player development.
"So it's looking good at this stage."
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1108483/Joeys-boss-hails-new-generation