A look at Australia’s World Cup problems
By Matt Kellett | 15th June 2010
In recent World Cups the Aussies have done well, but on Sunday night they were battered 4-0 by Germany in their opening game. In a shocking performance Tim Cahill was sent off for a tackle only worth a yellow, they defended badly, they couldn’t score, and were not quick enough. Their problems were obvious and big mistakes have been made by coach Pim Verbeek – mistakes that could cost them big time.
One of the major problems is a lack of speed. Their defense on Sunday had no players under the age of twenty-eight and the oldest was thirty-four and has just been released by his club team. Against a young German side slow players will cost you, as they found out – even Miroslav Klose and the out of form Lukas Podolski were finding it easy.
The problem continues into midfield, and although Tim Cahill is a good player, he is thirty and when the next World Cup comes round he will be thirty-four – surely too old to make an impact! Brett Emerton is thirty-one and is now having problems getting into the Blackburn first team, and will also be too old to make an impact in future World Cups. The other players in midfield are also twenty-nine or older and don’t have the same pace they used to have.
Up front they didn’t even have a proper striker on the pitch against Germany, showing what a poor squad they have taken to the World Cup. They could’ve played some younger players, but Verbeek didn’t even bother bringing young sensation Tommy Oar to South Africa. If Oar had made the trip he would have added pace and agility to the squad, something that isn’t there.
Another problem is their squad overall. Carl Valeri, a player that started on Sunday, plays for Italian side Sassuolo, who play in Serie B, Italy’s second tier. The players that do play for big clubs are aging and won’t be staying at their clubs much longer. Something that will puzzle me until I die is why did Tim Cahill start up front? I know he played there when Everton had big injuries last season, but in a World Cup when they have natural strikers available the decision is odd. Pim Verbeek has impressed Aussies in the time he’s been in charge, but people will find that hard to believe after the game against Germany.
Group D will be the group where one of three teams could gain second place, and although Australia played badly, they do have a favorable group. It will be a hard group to get out of now and Ghana look favorites to do so after their win. This group is important in determining who will face the winner of Group C, the group where England are favorites despite their 1-1 draw with the United States. If Australia will have any chance of getting through they will have to use their younger players more.
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