We had two main problems at the Asian Cup. The first problem – against the so-called weaker teams – was that we struggled to break down the low block. Despite the lion’s share of possession we were clueless and toothless when it came to working through the lines or getting in behind.

The Lesson… pick some creative players with excellent touch, fast feet and fast football brains.

The second problem – against the somewhat stronger teams – was that we struggled to hold possession, especially in the enemy half. Our control, movement and passing was diabolical and way below what we ought to expect from international players.

The Lesson… pick some players who are good at winning the ball, keeping the ball and passing the ball.

So, looking at today’s squad announcement, am I content that the lessons from the Asian Cup have been learned?

I am not.

We have four right backs (counting Thomas Deng). Why do we need four – especially when Gethin Jones was so underwhelming at the Asian Cup and Lewis Miller so naïve? All we needed for two matches was Nat Atkinson and Deng as cover. That seems be the approach taken at left back with Jordy Bos the only specialist.

Up front, Arnie has picked six specialist strikers (Duke, Yengi, Fornaroli, Taggart, Borello and Iredale). Do we really need that many for two matches? Very odd when you consider how infrequently we got the ball to our strikers in Qatar.

What we really need is players capable of winning the ball, holding the ball and starting attacks with sleight of foot and excellent passing. They might get the ball to our strikers.

The midfielders and wingers selected this time, for the most past, were present in Qatar and struggled in the areas listed above. I do get that Arnie is loyal to his players but there has to be some X factor.

We are so predictable in the way we play, it makes things pretty easy for the opposition to prepare. If they can hold out for twenty minutes (ie, by stopping Souttar scoring from a dead ball) the pressure will ratchet up on the Socceroos. Touch will suffer, passing will get desperate, shape will get ragged and the next thing we know we could go behind after being hit on the counter. (That will be Lebanon’s game plan).

I hope we get to see Yazbek – to see what he brings to the table – and I expect we’ll see Hrustic at some point. I was a fan of his but he definitely went missing in his last few Socceroos matches. It will be interesting to see whether he’s rediscovered the old fire.

Given the surplus of strikers and right backs, I’m disappointed to see no Daniel Arzani (or even Irankunda). He’s exactly the sort of X factor player we lack and has been in great form for Victory this season. You’d think with Boyle injured he’d be the natural replacement and would absolutely thrive on a return to the National Team.

That’s bad enough, but the failure to pick Josh Nisbet is utterly bewildering. Not only is Nizz the best midfielder in the A League right now, he’s arguably the best player full stop. His domination of nearly every match this season is reminiscent of the way Maradona used to dominate matches – pulling every string, winning every ball and constantly setting up chances. Most importantly, he almost NEVER loses the ball.

And before we break the internet… I emphasise that I did not compare Nizz with Maradona in terms of natural ability. Both are/were short men with low centres of gravity, fast on the turn, fast feet, outstanding vision, always beat the first defender, brilliant at picking out team mates with pinpoint passing and their teams always win/won when they play well. Apart from that, I didn’t compare them at all.

The inclusion of either or both of Arzani and Nisbet at the expense of a striker and/or a right back would have given the squad better balance and a few more options.

The Socceroos are crying out for players who can keep the ball and set up chances in tight spaces. I daresay we will find a way to beat Lebanon (god help us if we can’t in Australia) but the squad picked by Arnie does not give me any sense of regeneration to prepare for the tougher matches ahead.

Prove me wrong Arnie.

 

Adrian's books can be purchased at any good bookstore or through ebook alchemy. His first sci-fi novel (Asparagus Grass) was published by Hague Publishing in July 2023. The ebook can be purchased here and the paperback can be ordered here or at your local store.