Australia's valiant Confederations Cup showing, Mile Jedinak's spot in doubt

Australia's encouraging Confederations Cup performance proved that while there should be a 2018 World Cup place for Tim Cahill, there may not be room for another ex-Premier League player in Mile Jedinak.

It also vindicated coach Ange Postecoglou's bold, if risky, attacking approach, suggesting that his contentious 3-2-4-1 formation could be a goer -- if the right pieces of the puzzle are in place.

That would mean continuing to play Mark Milligan as a centre-back, rather than in midfield, after his stellar display helped keep a usually rampant Chile attack quiet on Sunday. Jedinak, meanwhile, runs the risk of missing out altogether -- unless he too can re-invent himself as a central defender. The Aston Villa man didn't travel to Russia after suffering a groin injury in Australia's 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia on June 8, and now finds himself well down the Socceroos' central midfield pecking order.

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Postecoglou's side were impressive in their 1-1 draw against Chile in Moscow, taking a first-half lead against the South American champions through the excellent James Troisi -- and had chances to double their advantage -- before Martin Rodriguez's 67th-minute equaliser.

Three years and 12 days after a comparatively comfortable 3-1 victory over a young and raw Australian side at Brazil 2014, the Chileans faced an altogether different beast at the Spartak Stadium. From the first crunching tackle, the Socceroos walked a disciplinary tightrope -- Cahill was lucky to escape a red card for his two-footed challenge on Charles Aranguiz -- but Australia's relentless pressing clearly upset the favourites.

Instead of appearing in a familiar role as a substitute striker in the second half, Cahill celebrated his 100th cap with a tireless performance in midfield, reminiscent of his early days with the Socceroos more than a decade ago.

Playing deeper and wearing the captain's armband, he didn't provide his usual aerial threat at the tip of Australia's formation. Rather, his industry, spirit and energy clearly lifted his younger teammates against the No. 4-ranked side in the world, who appeared startled by a team they clearly expected to roll over.

Milligan was magnificent in partnership with Trent Sainsbury, and worked wonders in keeping Alexis Sanchez reasonably quiet. The first-half challenge where he disarmed the Arsenal man in the box -- turned down by the VAR as a possible penalty -- was expertly timed.

It is a shame that Milligan has been hidden away for past two years, playing his club football with Baniyas SC in the United Arab Emirates. Now a free agent, the combative former Melbourne Victory captain helped his dreams of a move to England in front of scouts from the Premier League and Championship.

Which brings us to the Jedinak dilemma. The ex-Sydney United junior is still the national captain, a winner and a true fighter, and only 14 months ago took Crystal Palace to the brink of FA Cup final glory against Manchester United at Wembley Stadium.

But within the attack-minded Postecoglou system, Jedinak is now too slow to be a screening midfielder, and too wayward with his passing. Against Chile, the likes of Massimo Luongo and Jackson Irvine stepped up and proved that they are ready to boss Australia's engine room. Jedinak was never really missed.

However, if the 32-year-old can swallow his pride to slot into the middle of a back three, flanked by the more mobile Milligan and Sainsbury, this could serve the Socceroos well in Russia next year. There's no doubt that his experience is still of value to the squad. He could quite possibly help rectify the concentration errors that have seen the Socceroos concede a litany of goals at the very start and end of halves in recent times.

Australia's centre-back stocks could also be further replenished if Matthew Spiranovic can win back the trust of Postecoglou -- something that will surely hinge on whether the 28-year-old can earn a move to a league with a higher standard than the Chinese second division.

Also looking for a new club is former Melbourne Victory man Troisi. The 28-year-old seems to save his best performances for Australia, with his speed, directness and set-piece prowess providing a cutting edge to an attack that can at times be toothless without him. It is hoped that, like Milligan, the shop window of the Confederations Cup will help the Asian Cup final hero get picked up by a European club.

Irvine produced his best competitive performance in an Australian shirt, and looks like he now believes he belongs at international level. Burton Albion's player of the year in the English second tier last season, he brings industry and physicality to the midfield, and can lay claim to being Postecoglou's best find in the past 12 months.

However, what is perhaps most satisfying about the Socceroos' performance against Chile was that it was achieved without their two most celebrated young players in Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic. In addition to providing different tactical options, it sends a message to the British-based pair that there is no such thing as certain starters in a Postecoglou team.

Jamie Maclaren again appeared out of his depth during his second-half cameo against Chile while winger Robbie Kruse -- four goals in 55 caps -- continues to look as though he expects to miss. You can be sure that Postecoglou will continue to look at attacking options, with the likes of Nathan Burns and Apostolos Giannou still in the reckoning.

Which again underlines the value of Cahill, who will turn 38 in December, six months before the opening game of what could be his fourth World Cup.

Japan's long-time bogeyman will know that Australia will mostly likely need a draw, or a win, in their penultimate World Cup qualifier in Saitama on Aug. 31 to automatically book their place in Russia. Postecoglou will know that too, and will no doubt turn to his most-trusted deputy to once again inspire this up-and-coming group of Socceroos.

Australia valiant Confederations Cup showing puts Mile Jedinak spot in doubt - ESPN FC

imagine sains, spira and mills in a back 3

we would look pretty strong playing out the back as well as defending...

I think there is a possibility Tongyik will have a massive rise and be ahead of Spira. Ange wanted him already but FIFA paper work got in the way. If he can work on his focus and attention span he has good potential. 

he's comfortable on the ball 90% passing accuracy with 80% in the opposite half

he also causes nearly 4 turnovers a game. He mostly loses tackles because his physical side need a bit of work (he has less than 1 tackle a game but 3 intercepts)
Within a year or two he could be in our best 11 without even leaving these shores

what paper work hurdles are there?

we aren't going to see another adama troare are we?

Grazorblade, that's a good back 3. One out of left field for squad consideration might be James Meredith. A left-footed defender who stands over 6 foot tall with good pace.

This is all it said- 

"Tongyik from Melbourne City is another one who I think is really impressive,” Postecoglou said. 

“His paperwork hasn’t been cleared yet in terms of being eligible but he would’ve been close to the squad had he been.

“With guys like that we don’t want to wait too long to give them an opportunity.”

McGree the bolter, Tongyik close - Australian FourFourTwo

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Tongyik will need clearance and exemption from FIFA to play for Australia, otherwise he'll have to wait till he's 23. Pretty sure the same goes for Kamau.

That's very odd. According to his wiki he moved here when he was 6. You've only gotta live in a country for 5 years before you turn 18 to be eligible.

And Kamau moved here when he was 4 so it would be the same for him. I understand it's looked at on a case-by-case but those have pretty straightforward cases. Spending almost your whole life in a country typically means you're eligible, especially given they haven't played for their country of birth.

You can acquire a new nationality if you haven't played any international football and fulfil one of these conditions

(a) He was born on the territory of the relevant Association;
(b) His biological mother or biological father was born an the territory of the relevant Association ; (c) His grandmother or grandfather was born an the territory of the relevant Association;
(d) He has lived continuously for at least five years after reaching the age of 18 an the territory of the relevant Association.


Both Kamau and Tongyik fail both a and b and can't fulfil c until they turn 23 or they need clearance from FIFA.

It's the same reason Ibini needed FIFA clearance to play at an U20 World Cup a few years ago.

I think Tongyik is one of those players that would fit in Ange's system, you need to have strong ball player centre backs and his one of them.

----Sainsbury------Tongyik-----Curtis Good?

Cant Tongyik apply for special clearance as a refugee? Proving his family didnt move to Australia for him to play football?

Yep, him and Kamau can both apply for clearance like Ibini did and if they get it they can play for Australia but until then, no dice.

what has good done to deserve a call up?

How did Jeggo get into the olympic team at 19? I'll assume a parent or grandparent was born here.

It's also weird about Rukavytsya and Vidosic but maybe the rules were different when they were coming up? 

The reason I thought they'd be okay is I remember during England's play for Januzaj someone saying that if he'd moved there 5 years before turning 18 he'd be eligible, but maybe I'm misremembering.

Far as I can tell Jeggo never actually played for the Olympic team so either he was given an exemption or we dodged a bullet.

In terms of Rukavytsya and Vidosic, far as I can tell those specific criteria were either brought in in 2008 or amended in 2008 after they'd already played games for Australian youth sides.

As for Januzaj pretty sure that was partly tabloid crap and the fact England seemed to think it was just 5 years and not 5 years after you turn 18.

So yeah they'd have to gain some exemptions which we are pretty well versed in since I think I remember reading around half of the exemptions FIFA has given out for this particular thing were to Australia.

Thats just a personal choice mainly the fact that we don't have many left sided defenders to play in a position like LCB.

Its a great shame injuries have hampered the lads career.

Socceroos Legend Billy Cook passes away


Sydney: Pioneering Australian international Billy Cook passed away at age of 77 on Sunday after a period of illness, Football Federation Australia said on Wednesday.

Australia’s 176th national team player, Cook was a member of the first Socceroos squad to enter FIFA World Cup qualification in 1965, when the Aussies were defeated over two legs by DPR Korea, who went on to represent Asia at the following year’s tournament in England.


http://mobile.ghanasoccernet.com/socceroos-legend-billy-cook-passes-away

One thing that ought to be acknowledged here is that a number of members were giving Quickflick a hard time about advocating a formation with three at the back for Australia.

Ange has arrived at the same conclusions. When one evaluates the whole of the Confed Cup tournament, it didn't work out too badly.

Chile and Germany met in the final. We had a tough group. We drew with one finalist  and lost to the other by a solitary goal.

Milligan was pretty good as a right CB - better than as a central CB in a back three when the other team has the ball.

As a central CB Milligan sometimes has to contest more heading duels against often taller players and good aerialists. Spira, Jedi and Sains are all better in aerial duels.

Degenek was okay in the Confed Cup in this right CB role, but has nothing like Milligan's distribution under pressure.

My views on the English Championship as a place to hone one's skills for international football are well known. ATM I'd prefer to Milligan to return to MV  and play HAL and ACL football.

Informative post.

Ta.

i dont think it's a bad place for defenders. could be worse.  the biggest issue for me is the work load that he will be copping.  but the intensity of play and the calibre of the opposition is far beyond anything we can offer in Australia.  there is no real incentive to defend in australia.  there is no punishment for loss.

Australia Are Outgrowing Their Associations Under Ange Postecoglou
http://www.umaxit.com/index.php/columns/australia-are-outgrowing-their-associations-under-ange-postecoglou

A good read and very positive, thanks.

Bumping this up for the squad announcement on Tuesday. I expect the 30 will be the Confed squad plus Amini, Goodwin, Mabil, Oar, Jurman, Federici and Jedinak. No Smith or Davidson here for obvious reasons nor Spiranovic. Jedinak might be scratched early too. Three experienced players to the set up but they can't be allowed in now.

The set of defenders makes me want to cry. I want to trust Wright but I know he'll get turned by Kiyotake and Kagawa. Degenek I'm not even going to talk about. It has to be Sainsbury, Milligan and probably Wright as a back three. Jurman has done well but I find this just way too risky in regards to experience. Wright has been a pro for so long and hopefully he'll deliver on this day.

I stand by my claim that burgess needs to be exposed sooner rather than later. From what I've seen of him and his duke the kid is class.
Left sided centre half.
Also would love to see mabil in there. I think he's the X factor out wide that no one else really possesses. Has the ability to shoot/cross/take a guy on. I know it's a little sporadic but hey, why not.
Maybe another smokey is Aidan O'neill? Getting minutes in league 1 (where luongo was plucked from) and got the assist for the winner on the weekend. Could do a job in the middle of the park.
Apart from that I feel it will be as per usual for Ange, which I'm happy with.

Good read, Inala.

my 11

---------------------------------ryan---------------------------------------
----------------degenek----sainsbury---milligan--------------------
-------------------------irvine------------mooy--------------------------
---kruse--------------rogic-------------troisi------------gersbach---
----------------------------------Juric-------------------------------------

which I could play a back 3 of milligan, sains and spira but you cant pick players from the chinese 2nd division....

I keep forgetting Burgess, unbelievable! He's had rave reviews. Qualifying directly is vital so we can use the international breaks to try a few others. 

O'Neill is a classy player and needs to come in for a practice game. 

Couple interesting selections in the 30 man squad. Disappointed to see Spiranovic in the squad though, if you go to the Chinese 2nd division you don't deserve a call up.