Hiddink Shoots for the Stars not the Pavement
I nearly choked on my Corn Flakes this morning as I read Con Frantzeskos’ article “World Cup squad hedging its bets” on Crikey. The reasoning behind the opinion was ill informed and lacked insight.
Mr. Frantzeskos you believe that first of all the Australian World Cup squad is ‘best described as conservative’ and secondly picked under the influence of the Football Federation of Australia (FFA). You are showing a lack of knowledge and a lack of respect to Australian football.
The Socceroo squad consists of Australia’s top level players with the last few squad positions taken up by players who, Graham Arnold explained, were in very close competition with nine others. Your argument that we turn our backs on the players that got us to our first World Cup since 1972 and stack the team with youth is preposterous. If we stack a team with youth at a World Cup it will be throwing lambs to the slaughter. The World Cup is no time to experiment with youth in the hope of unearthing a gem. It is fine to name stars like Pele or Owen (I disagree that they were in relative obscurity) as examples of players who made a name for themselves at the World Cup but Australia does not have any young players of this ilk. Please name someone who you think could, as you say, ‘explode into international prominence’.
Your point that the FFA had influence on squad selection is insane. A coach of Guus Hiddink’s stature would never be undermined and have his employers influence team or squad selection. Unlike your opinions there is reason to Hiddink’s selections. The Dutch maestro already knows his starting XI and for the majority of the tournament, barring injuries, it will be quite settled. The players picked will be smart and flexible, able to switch tactics and positions if required.
Your negative attitude of ‘if Australia can't win the World Cup, then it should be aiming to blood the World Cup stars of tomorrow’ astounds me. Australia winning the World Cup is a long shot however putting in our best performance each mate and seeing how far we can go has to be our aim. Luckily the squad does not share your feelings and have a quiet confidence about what stage they can get to. A successful Cup run will be of greater benefit to the future of Australian football compared to ‘grooming the next generation of Aussie Socceroo stars’. Seeing 11 young Australians get smashed by Brazil in front of a worldwide audience will do nothing to inspire young Australian soccer players. Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka are players the youngsters can identify with, not unknowns.
You have the right intention to see Australia develop a new generation of soccer stars as our current crop of internationals are ageing. However, there are established tournaments like the U/17 and U/20 World Youth Championships and the U/23 Olympic Games to develop the young talent on the international stage. Just ask Mark Milligan and he will tell you that representing Australia at two U/20 World Youth Championships was the best learning platform to prepare him for the challenge of a World Cup.
Everyone has different levels of optimism but I believe we should all get behind Guus Hiddink and the Socceroos and give them the best support possible for the joy ride that is going to begin on June 12. Come on Aussies!
Mr. Frantzeskos you believe that first of all the Australian World Cup squad is ‘best described as conservative’ and secondly picked under the influence of the Football Federation of Australia (FFA). You are showing a lack of knowledge and a lack of respect to Australian football.
The Socceroo squad consists of Australia’s top level players with the last few squad positions taken up by players who, Graham Arnold explained, were in very close competition with nine others. Your argument that we turn our backs on the players that got us to our first World Cup since 1972 and stack the team with youth is preposterous. If we stack a team with youth at a World Cup it will be throwing lambs to the slaughter. The World Cup is no time to experiment with youth in the hope of unearthing a gem. It is fine to name stars like Pele or Owen (I disagree that they were in relative obscurity) as examples of players who made a name for themselves at the World Cup but Australia does not have any young players of this ilk. Please name someone who you think could, as you say, ‘explode into international prominence’.
Your point that the FFA had influence on squad selection is insane. A coach of Guus Hiddink’s stature would never be undermined and have his employers influence team or squad selection. Unlike your opinions there is reason to Hiddink’s selections. The Dutch maestro already knows his starting XI and for the majority of the tournament, barring injuries, it will be quite settled. The players picked will be smart and flexible, able to switch tactics and positions if required.
Your negative attitude of ‘if Australia can't win the World Cup, then it should be aiming to blood the World Cup stars of tomorrow’ astounds me. Australia winning the World Cup is a long shot however putting in our best performance each mate and seeing how far we can go has to be our aim. Luckily the squad does not share your feelings and have a quiet confidence about what stage they can get to. A successful Cup run will be of greater benefit to the future of Australian football compared to ‘grooming the next generation of Aussie Socceroo stars’. Seeing 11 young Australians get smashed by Brazil in front of a worldwide audience will do nothing to inspire young Australian soccer players. Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka are players the youngsters can identify with, not unknowns.
You have the right intention to see Australia develop a new generation of soccer stars as our current crop of internationals are ageing. However, there are established tournaments like the U/17 and U/20 World Youth Championships and the U/23 Olympic Games to develop the young talent on the international stage. Just ask Mark Milligan and he will tell you that representing Australia at two U/20 World Youth Championships was the best learning platform to prepare him for the challenge of a World Cup.
Everyone has different levels of optimism but I believe we should all get behind Guus Hiddink and the Socceroos and give them the best support possible for the joy ride that is going to begin on June 12. Come on Aussies!
posted by Simon Ainsworth at 4:48 pm
2 Comments:
Mr Souvlaki may have been a bit extreme in his article, but the team selected is not one without its critics.
The oversight of not choosing defenders Ljubo Milocevic and Patrick Kisnorbo is nothing short of a national disgrace.
i mean, Mark Milligan and Michael Beauchamp....who???
Im not an A-League ignoramus, but these guys a surely just along for the ride. If the FFA wants young blokes to experience Europe: send them on a flippin' contiki tour, not to the biggest stage in sport.
Neil Kilkenny shouldve gone instead of Wilkshire, i mean you have a guy whose eligible and is playing EPL week in week out, why go for second-tier midfielder. havent we learned yet?
My main beef is with the defence, of the senior players only Lucas Neil has had an uninterrupted season. We're in trouble down back. Especially against quick opponents like Japan and Brazil.
Thank god Vidmar got injured, a blessing in disguise!!
For sentimental reasons I'd love to see "dry your eyes" at a world cup.
As for the defence, I agree players like Kisnorba and Milicevic have a right to be p*ssed off particularly given popa is in the squad.
Also agree wil kilkenny ahead of wilkshire- i've never been impressed by wilkshire.
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