Predicting the Australia Squad 40 Days from the 2014 World Cup


By Dan Colasimone , Featured Columnist
May 3, 2014

Predicting the Australia Squad 40 Days from the 2014 World Cup


The Socceroos are on the brink of a generational shift in terms of players and have a new coach in Ange Postecoglou, meaning their squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is not as easy to predict as many of the other teams in the tournament.

Aside from a handful of veterans who are impossible to leave out, Postecoglou—who took over the role after Australia had already sealed qualification—has hinted that he intends to give the squad a youthful feel.

Many of the youngsters who could make the grade have only a few caps to their name, so Brazil will be a trial by fire for them, especially considering the quality of Australia's group opponents in Spain, the Netherlands and Chile.

Here is how the Socceroos squad could look at the World Cup.


Goalkeeper: Mathew Ryan

Club: Club Brugge

Age: 22

Caps: 5

With the international retirement of the legendary Mark Schwarzer, Australia will have a vastly less experienced goalkeeper between the sticks in Brazil.

Mathew Ryan probably has a slight edge over Mitchell Langerak for the starting role at this stage, though a final decision may not be made until the squad gathers to prepare.

Goalkeeper: Mitchell Langerak

Club: Borussia Dortmund

Age: 25

Caps: 3

The other young 'keeper competing for the main gig with Ryan, Langerak has the advantage of being on the books of one of the biggest clubs in Europe but the disadvantage of not getting much game time in recent months.


Goalkeeper: Brad Jones

Club: Liverpool

Age: 32

Caps: 4

Along with the two youngsters, Postecoglou is likely to take veteran Liverpool 'keeper Brad Jones along as well, just in case.

He is also lacking in recent playing time but has bags of experience and can be relied on if called upon.


Defender: Michael Zullo

Club: Adelaide United

Age: 25

Caps: 10

Postecoglou knows Michael Zullo from his Brisbane Roar days, which might give him the edge in earning selection over other potential wide backs, along with the fact that he has been playing regularly for Adelaide United.

He is also capable of fulfilling a number of roles on the flanks, which could make him a useful squad member.


Defender: Curtis Good

Club: Dundee United

Age: 21

Caps: 1

With scrambling to get playing time and likely ultimately to miss the cut, Curtis Good may be able to stake his claim to become one of the incumbent starting centre-backs for Australia.

He performed well in his one appearance in national team colours against Ecuador in March. His selection in that match indicates that the manager has him firmly in mind.


Defender: Ivan Franjic

Club: Brisbane Roar

Age: 26

Caps: 7

As Luke Wilkshire's career starts to wind down, the Socceroos will be in need of another multi-tasker who can slot into a number of positions in midfield and defence.

Ivan Franjic is also a player with whom Postecoglou worked at the Roar and has started at right-back for both the games that the coach has overseen for Australia so far.


Defender: Matthew Spiranovic

Club: Western Sydney Wanderers

Age: 25

Caps: 17

One of the A-League's better central defenders, Matthew Spiranovic is set to benefit from the absences of Lucas Neill and the injured Rhys Williams and earn himself a place in the squad, and possibly a starting role.

The Western Sydney Wanderers defender, who spent a number of years in German football, is a capable, if not flashy, centre-back.


Defender: Jason Davidson

Club: Heracles Almelo

Age: 22

Caps: 5

Youth and the fact that he plays regularly in Dutch football count in Jason Davidson's favour in terms of his chances of selection.

He started at left-back both times Postecoglou picked a Socceroos team, so signs are good that he will make the squad.


Defender: Luke Wilkshire

Club: Dynamo Moscow

Age: 32

Caps: 79

Dutch manager Guus Hiddink plucked Luke Wilkshire from obscurity, to the bemusement of many at the time, but the all-purpose defender/midfielder has become one of Australia's most reliable players over his career.

There's a chance he could fall victim of the coach's sweep-out of veterans, but his usefulness in plugging gaps in the side should see him selected for a third World Cup.


Defender: Ryan McGowan

Club: Shandong Luneng Taishan

Age: 24

Caps: 8

Though he won't be overly familiar to many Australia fans, Ryan McGowan has been involved with the national team setup right through the youth ranks and has already played eight times for the senior team.

He currently plies his trade in China after a number of years in Scottish football.


Midfielder: Mark Bresciano

Club: Al-Gharafa

Age: 34

Caps: 73

Few players have shone as brightly as Mark Bresciano in a Socceroos jersey, and that's not just because of his bald dome.

He may be reaching the end of his career, but his creativity and knack for scoring crucial goals will get him in the squad for one more World Cup.


Midfielder: Mile Jedinak

Club: Crystal Palace

Age: 29

Caps: 43

Crystal Palace midfield general Mile Jedinak was given the captain's armband by Postecoglou for Australia's most recent clash against Ecuador, indicating just how important the manager believes him to be for the side.

The 29-year-old is a leader on the pitch and will be relied on to battle his side into contention against some very talented opposition.


Midfielder: Tom Rogic

Club: Melbourne Victory

Age: 21

Caps: 9

An injury-interrupted season for Melbourne Victory and some patchy form could endanger Tom Rogic's selection in the Socceroos squad, but such is his talent and potential that the gaffer may decide he is a risk worth taking.

With few truly creative players available for Australia, Rogic could one day become the national team's playmaker and go-to man.


Midfielder: Tommy Oar

Club: Utrecht

Age: 22

Caps: 13

Livewire winger Tommy Oar has become an even more important player for the Socceroos now that Robbie Kruse is virtually assured of missing the World Cup through injury.

The Utrecht man has pace to burn as well as excellent close control.

He will be expected to deliver the type of balls into the box that Tim Cahill loves to pounce on.


Midfielder: James Holland

Club: Austria Vienna

Age: 24

Caps: 12

Though he is not expected to be in the running for a starting spot, James Holland could be taken as a back-up midfielder should the likes of Jedinak or Mark Milligan get injured.

Plenty of game time for Austria Vienna and experience in the UEFA Champions League mean Holland should be well prepared for the June tournament.


Midfielder: Dario Vidosic

Club: Sion

Age: 27

Caps: 21

Postecoglou appears to be a fan of Dario Vidosic after naming him in his starting lineup against Costa Rica and bringing him on as a substitute against Ecuador.

The midfielder has good technical ability, can play a number of positions and can both attack and defend.


Midfielder: Joshua Brillante

Club: Newcastle Jets

Age: 21

Caps: 1

This would be a left-field choice, but there is no doubting Joshua Brillante is one of Australia's brightest emerging talents, so Postecoglou might just blood him at this World Cup.

The Bundaberg boy is able to play at right-back or as a defensive midfielder, and he has stacks of maturity to go with his skills.

Aside from being a rugged defender, Brillante possesses a lethal long-range shot.


Midfielder: Mark Milligan

Club: Melbourne Victory

Age: 28

Caps: 27

Based on the two matches he has been in charge of so far, the Australian coach seems to like Mark Milligan as the man to support Jedinak in midfield.

One of the better players in the A-League, Milligan is not the most exciting centre-mid in the world, but he does get the job done.


Forward: Joshua Kennedy

Club: Nagoya Grampus

Age: 31

Caps: 33

There may be a freshening up of the squad taking place, but certain older players, such as Josh Kennedy, have something different to offer which makes them hard to leave out.

The lanky striker has an impressive record of 17 goals for his country and can be used as an impact sub off the bench if the manager decides it's time for an aerial assault.


Forward: Tim Cahill

Club: New York Red Bulls

Age: 34

Caps: 67

Australia's all-time top goal-scorer is also a fan favourite and proven match winner.

He'll be the first player picked by the coach.


Forward: Matthew Leckie

Club: FSV Frankfurt

Age: 23

Caps: 6

Able to play anywhere across the front line, Matthew Leckie should be included in Postecoglou's plans in order to give him tactical options in the attacking third.

Fleet of foot and confident enough to take on defenders, Leckie can be a tricky customer for opponents to contain.


Forward: Adam Taggart

Club: Newcastle Jets

Age: 20

Caps: 4

There are several A-League strikers in the running for inclusion in the Socceroos squad, but by top-scoring in the competition with 16 goals, Adam Taggart might have given himself an edge over his rivals.

At just 20 years of age, he fits well into the long-term thinking of the manager.


Forward: Nikita Rukavytsya

Club: FSV Frankfurt

Age: 26

Caps: 13

He is not as complete a forward as Kruse, but in the Bayer Leverkusen man's absence, Nikita Rukavytsya could be called upon when an injection of pace is needed in the Australian attack.

The Ukrainian-born striker can be lax with his finishing at times, but he is capable of sparking his side to life when they are having trouble breaking down an opponent.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2048850-predicting-the-australia-squad-40-days-from-the-2014-world-cup/page/24

As if ruka will be selected ahead of halloran.

I thought Brillante being included was more amusing.

Vidal to have knee surgery. Looks set to miss the World Cup.

That's good for us. Hopefully to sign for United when he recovers...

I thought this was a good way to look at it, and might be worth a review.
The uncertainties are in brackets, and I've tried to order them from most to least likely.

3x GK: Ryan Langerak (Galekovic / Jones)
4x CB: Spiranovic Wilkinson (McGowan / Sainsbury / Good)
2x LB: Davidson Zullo
2x RB: Franjic (Wilkshere)
4x CM: Jedinak Milligan ( Sarota / McKay / Holland / Luongo / Brattan)
5or6x AM: Oar Leckie (Rogic / Bresciano / Vidosic / Troisi / Bozanic / Halloran / Ruka)
2or3x FW: Cahill (Kennedy / Taggart)

Trim one keeper and maybe Rukavysta and you have the 30 man squad. I'm pretty confident this is what we'll see.
I left out a few bolters; Mrcela Wright DeVere North Smith NTS Lowry Williams Valeri Juric
And I have it on good word Ognenovski is not at all in Ange's plans. Line through his name. Shame for him.

Without being at the 30-man camp, it's hard to make guesses on trimming that 30 to 23.
I've kept mine in order within the brackets, but it's very close between almost all of them.

Word was Wilkshere's attitude in the Ecuador camp might've been an issue. I wonder if Ange would take 5 CB's with McGowan as cover for Franjic.
It's also hard to guess what Ange wants to do upfront. Take 3 or 2. Could he just take Cahill with only Leckie as cover?
If he takes 3, you try draw a line through 7 of those bracketed midfielders. Very difficult.

My sides against each team:

I'm all for going out and attacking Chile:

------------Ryan
Franjic--Spira--Milligan/(McGowan for speed)--Davidson
---------------Jedinak
---------Rogic---------Troisi
Halloran------Cahill--------Oar

Key subs:
Bresciano to help unlock the game: drawing. Holland to help lock up the midfield: winning. McGowan to allow Milligan into midfield to secure the game.


Quick counter against the Netherlands:

---------------Ryan
Wilkshire--Spira--Og--Davidson
----------Jedinak--Milligan
-----------Cahill----Troisi
Halloran--------------------Oar

Key subs:
Leckie and Ruka for additional pace late in the game. Kennedy to change the system.


Parking the bus against Spain:

------------------Ryan
Wilkshire--Spira--Og--Davidson
-----------Jedinak--Milligan
Leckie----------Cahill-------Oar
-----------------Kennedy

Key subs:
McGowan/Zullo to go to 5 at the back to secure the game. Holland to help close down space in midfield. Halloran/Ruka to come on late and help chase the game.

With Vidal looking likely to miss the WC, I don't think Chile will be that dangerous n the centre of midfield. To be honest, I don't know their midfielders that well, but I'm just assuming that if there is any game to attack in, it's that one.

Well if we have any aspirations at all of making Round 16 we're going to have to attack them. I suspect we will be having a go.

Hopefully we dont park the bus against anyone, what are we New Zealand?

Not park the bus so to speak but stay compact and organised for a counter-attack there is absolutely no way we will hold onto the ball in any of our group matches, none of our players can hold onto it for long bar maybe rogic. Spain and Holland press very very well.

Edited by jas88: 8/5/2014 11:01:01 AM

Who will be in your 30 man squad?

Most of us have put down 23 man squads, but first, I would like to see what everyone thinks the 30 man squad will look like.

Knowing the following players are unavailable, Neill, Williams, Sainsbury, Kruse, Holman, Schwarzer, Kewell and by all reports Ognenovski is not going to be selected.

I would like something like:

GKs
Ryan
Langerak
Galekovic

DF
Franjic
Wilkshire
Spiranovic
Good
Mrcela
Wilkinson
Wright
Davidson
Zullo

DMs
Jedinak
Milligan
Sarota
Holland
Luongo
Brattan

Wingers and AMs
Leckie
Halloran
Rogic
Bresciano
Vidosic
Oar
Troisi
Giannou

ST
Cahill
Kennedy
Taggart
Juric

Edited by u4486662: 8/5/2014 12:04:54 PM

McKay and Sainsbury are nailed on for the 30.

McKay though may be a higher profile casualty when squad gets trimmed to 23. He has a strong connection to Ange, but when he's looking for bench players it will make more sense to blood youth, with Brattan, Luongo, Sarota and Holland probably all ahead of him.

Think he'll take just 7 defenders to accommodate a 5th defensive mid.

Edited by argyface: 8/5/2014 12:59:39 PM

Agreed on all counts.
With McGowan as cover CB and RB, 7 defenders in the 23.

From the 30 u448 posted, I'd make 4 changes.
McGowan and Sainsbury in for Mrcela and Wright.
And McKay and Bozanic for Giannou and Juric

I heard that Sainsbury could be expecting to have surgery in the off season and as a result will miss the tournament. Otherwise I would have selected him. McKay is a possibility, and Ange will probably pick him, but we have so many midfielders I couldn't put him or Bozanic in. Plus Bozanic hasn't played much recently. McGowan also hasn't played that much lately, but Ange will probably select him anyway.

Can't imagine that McGowan and Bozanic will be selected if they have not been playing. The C League is no better than the HAL apart from Guanzhou the best team in the world outside Europe and South America. McGowan has never played as well as Good has just in his one appearance against Ecuador. Someone like Topor-Stanley may be more match conditioned than him and more experienced.

Edited by Decentric: 8/5/2014 07:01:54 PM

Wouldnt mind Giannou, but just haven't heard anything about him from Ange at all... would be an absolute shock selection

That said... at last he is playing and playing reasonably well... fuck Vidosic and Bozanic. Neither are playing. I would much rather see Giannou, Antonis and Troisi in the squad.

I also don't think Wilko deserves to be there... doesn't inspire any confidence to be honest, isn't of the younger variety, and as an older player doesn't have any experience in the NT. If we are going for a 1 cap player, would rather it be a young guy full of enthusiasm. Even throw the kitchen sink at Brad Smith and offer him a spot in 23 to choose to play for Aus.

I think Wilkshire will be in the 23 - just the way all of these blokes have been retiring... think he would have followed suit had he not been told he will be included.

The real issue will be wings. If Leckie is included as a wing, opens up a spot for Juric/Taggart. But I have a feeling Leckie will start as CF with Halloran and Oar as the wings.

Including Vidosic and Bozanic as #10 options is silly.... we have Rogic & Bresc, Oar has played a few games there for Utrecht, and Troisi can play there if he makes the team.

Either way, forumites will find a way to be disappointed in this squad. I just hope Boz/Vid dont get selected - they dont deserve too ahead of A-League guys who've been getting game time.

The greatest selection surprise would be if Milligan was selected and moved into CB with Spira and Brattan started alongside the Jedi.

Saw Chile play against Brazil, shortly before after our thrashing. Chile nearly matched Brazil in a very close game. On that showing they look formidable.

Didn't see much of Antonis, but he looked very good when I did for Sydney.

Would not be surprised to see T-S partner Spira.

Brattan just hasn't played enough senior international football yet. The WC is a big step up from the HAL. The Asian Cup could be a possibility, if he plays a few friendlies between now and January.

German squad of 30 announced:

I think Ginter's missing from that squad list.

thats how you promote youth....

durm, mustafi, draxler, goretzka, meyer, volland, hahn..... etc

most of that squad is well under 30.

....greatest surprise?

T-S has 0% chance. IMO De Vere, Chapman, Malik, and Zac Anderson would make an Ange squad ahead of him. If it is another A-League player partnering (realisticlly, it is going to be Curtis Good or Trent Sainsbury and we all know it) it will be Jade North, Matt Smith, or Osama Malik. 1% chance for Og. 5% chance for Milligan.

I think 2018 will be their year - too reliant on the midfield and an ever-aging Klose for goals here. But then again, its a pretty fucking good midfield and Klose loves the Cup.

Edited by roary's mane: 8/5/2014 09:49:25 PM

3 players in the 30 man squad over 30 years of age is pretty damn impressive.

Durm- Ex striker now awesome left back. Something Australia needs big time.
Goretzka- Great on the ball and so so young.
Hahn- Was delivering pizzas two years ago and now made a massive move to Gladbach.
Volland- Such a gun forward and would walk into the Australian team.
Draxler- Slowly fulfilling his potential and is only 20.
Meyer- Great talent and will continue to get better.

Then there are Sven bender and Gundogan who both missed out. Plus due to the cup final a German C team has been put together with players having theoretical chance at the final squad but unlikely. They'll go well but I don't want to say if they'll win. They always start with a bang but peak too early.

Was pretty surprised to see Gundogan left out.

Hopefully Sainsbury pulls through, meaning Good, Spiranovic, McGowan and Sainsbury are the four going to Brazil.

Decent set of CBs IMO, and with three friendlies to play plus a near month long camp there is plenty of time to get fit and sharp ready for the Chileans.

Yeah, was about to post that too P2BC! Seems the speculation of many of you, in regards to the CB rotation, was right on, or near, the mark! Good AND Sainsbury seem 'all-but' on the plane to Brazil and either one of them is a 'Good' chance to partner Spira too! Ryan McGowan is a logical choice though he needs to see regular game time with Shandong Luneng quick smart or he won't make that final 23-man squad!

Edited by GloryPerth: 9/5/2014 07:38:55 PM