Tuesday 13 May 2014

World Cup 2014: Australia's 'changing of guard' in full swing with Mile Jedinak in pole position to land captaincy

Crystal Palace midfielder looks set to fill Lucas Neil’s captaincy shoes as Australia coach Ange Postecoglou puts final touches to vision

World Cup 2014: Australia's 'changing of guard' in full swing with Mile Jedinak in pole position to land captaincy

New leader? Crystal Palace's Mile Jedinak looks set to captain Australia at World Cup 
Photo: GETTY IMAGES 

It has the biggest audience of any team sport competition and only weeks remain until the football public shifts focus to living, eating and breathing the world game for an entire month. In Australia the game of football or soccer is often referred as “The Sleeping Giant” but the game’s strong and rapid growth could soon see it referenced to the 1970’s colloquially-titled General Motors advertisement “Football, Meat pies, Kangaroos and Holden Cars”.

With the final squad announcement due this week, the Socceroos side has gone about a well-documented “changing of the guard” as coach Ange Postecoglou’s future vision beyond the World Cup starts to take shape.

Some well-timed pre-emptive taps on the shoulder by Postecoglou has seen the revolving door close on Socceroos stalwarts Brett Holman and Lucas Neil’s international careers. The move wasn’t swift by the new gaffer, but with wonderful service given to the national shirt, respect was shown to two very popular Socceroos veterans. Sadly Neil has been left stranded just four games shy of recording 100 caps for his country. In typical stoic Neil fashion he has given strong assurances to play on in a vain hope of gaining selection for January’s Asian Cup tournament.

The talk this week has centred on goalkeeping incumbent Maty Ryan, who has been linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid of all places. Ryan’s career has gained plenty of momentum after securing a starting role with Belgium side Club Brugge this season, but the Madrid move is purely speculation. Ryan has been on the radar of many European clubs but a final decision on his future seems unlikely until after Brazil. His debut season saw him impress with 13 clean sheets from 37 matches.

The local Australian A-League competition wrapped up in style last weekend in Brisbane with the Premiers Brisbane Roar hosting the Western Sydney Wanderers in front of over 51,000 passionate fans. The Roar claimed a third Grand Final win together with two premierships and look likely to provide Ivan Franjic and Matt McKay with spots in the 30 man Socceroos squad.

Postecoglou has not been hurried in his quest to name a captaincy replacement, but it is looking likely that Crystal Palace based midfielder Mile Jedinak has the runs on the board to fill Neil’s shoes. Other notable contenders could be veteran Tim Cahill or experienced defensive midfielder Mark Milligan. Unfortunately for Jedinak he was forced from the field in Palace’s final match with a groin strain that could see him miss the final Socceroos hit out at home against South Africa on May 26.
The possible “bolters” for a ticket to Brazil include Newcastle Jets Adam Taggart after a stellar year in the A-League after winning the coveted “Golden Boot” trophy for netting 16 goals. Fortuna Dusseldorf based winger Ben Halloran is also gaining plenty of attention with a fine season in the Bundesliga 2 league with six goals and 23 games this season in Germany.

Australia’s first opponent sees them with their best or some say only chance of snatching a point in the tournament. In what will give some hope to fans Down Under, no Australian team has ever returned home from the World Cup pointless since their opening campaign back in 1974. Chile’s FIFA ranking of 15 places them well above the Socceroos on 63, but with news of injury concerns to Chile’s Arturo Vidal, could mean a welcome reprieve for the Aussies before Chile play their remaining pool matches against Spain and the Netherlands. They will still have the likes of Barcelona star Alexis Sanchez and the talented David Pizarro to cope with.

The giant battle for midfield possession and strengthening the obvious defensive frailties will be Postecoglou’s biggest challenges. He will be hoping the Socceroos's proud unbeaten record against the Dutch can continue. Although with Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben anchoring their attack the “Clockwork Orange” will again be at the peak of their powers and one of the favoured sides to progress towards the semi-finals.

The ultimate test will be saved for last when Ange’s men take on football super powers and current European and World Cup Champions Spain in Curitiba. With last year’s 6-0 defeats to Brazil and France still etched in the memories of many, fans will be hoping for nothing more than a competitive showing over an unrealistic and euphoric upset victory over "The Red Fury”.
This World Cup has garnered unprecedented interest from Australian football fans here and abroad but not for a high expectation of success. You can be certain the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema will be filled not just with the green and gold of Brazil but a healthy splattering of Socceroos jerseys and Aussie football tragics.


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