Nick Bendel
Uncertain days ahead for Socceroos
May 15th 2008 06:00
Of the 24 players selected by the Socceroos’ boss for the match against the Black Stars in Sydney on May 23, many have some sort of uncertainty hanging over their future.
The greatest speculation surrounds Harry Kewell. Now that his unhappy five year spell at Liverpool has come to an end, where will Australia’s most talented footballer be plying his trade next season? Will he take the advice of Zeljko Kalac and move to Italy’s Serie A, whose less robust and hectic approach better suits his thoughtful style and fragile body? Or might be bound for Spain, another country that places a higher premium on technique that England? Or could he simply transfer to one of the Premier League’s weaker teams, thereby signing up for more of the same? If Kewell can stay fit and perform credibly during the series of matches that the Socceroos are going to be playing in May-June, there is a chance that he will be snapped up by a strong club somewhere on the continent. And that would be to Australia’s advantage, given that the national team faces a tough battle to qualify for the next World Cup.
Several other players also have important decisions to make. Will Mark Schwarzer, who is soon to be a free agent, end his long association with Middlesbrough? Will Carl Valeri, playing regularly for midtable Grosseto in Serie B, agitate for a move to the top division? Will talented youngster James Troisi, who was recently released by Kevin Keegan at Newcastle, be able to find a reputable club? Will Jade North, who impressed during the Socceroos’ last two internationals, press for a move abroad? As with Kewell, Australia will benefit if they are able to secure deals that will see them playing regularly in competitive leagues.
Keen observers will also be keeping a close eye on Matthew Spiranovic. It is no secret that Australia North (also known as Croatia) is hoping to lure the talented 19 year old to its ranks, having already seduced Josip Simunic, Joey Didulica and Ante Seric, and having unsuccessfully courted the likes of Mark Viduka. Consequently, the sooner the Nuremburg central defender becomes tied to the Socceroos, the better. While it is true that Spiranovic has repeatedly expressed his commitment to Australia, Didulica and Seric did the same.
But there is more to awarding Spiranovic his first cap than repelling the Croatians. To qualify for- and then flourish in- the next World Cup, Australia needs to ensure the emergence of a younger players. Given that the team is still dominated by the older generation who played at Germany 2006, there are fears that the Socceroos will not have sufficient depth or freshness to thrive at South Africa 2010. The national team’s success does not just depend on established internationals like Kewell and Schwarzer effectively managing their future. It needs youngsters such as Spiranovic- along with David Carney, Michael Beauchamp and Adam Federici, who were also selected in Verneek’s squad- to rise through the ranks.
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