Australia has drawn South Korea, India and Bahrain for the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar. I think this is a pretty good outcome.
It’s amusing how every time a significant draw is done the media grumbles and rumbles about how ‘tough’ our group is. Since when has an international competition ever given an easy group? Unless you're Italy playing New Zealand...
There’s been chat about the Socceroos not taking on the Cup with a full strength squad. This is due to the possibility that European based players will not be released by their clubs for the tournament next January.
In my eyes this is not a problem we need to fret about. We can’t keep belting out the same team. This Asian Cup is an important one for Australia for a couple of reasons. Firstly, to help us further cement our relationship in the Asian confederation and also to prove ourselves on a worldwide scale as a strong team internationally (that CAN hold a World Cup), however, we’ve got to get our youth off the bench. They need the experience of a big competition – it’s no use playing our 28+ year olds, by Brazil 2014 they’ll be in the stands… Ultimately if this means we don't do so well, then so be it - we can't keep masking our way through.
Asian Cup Draw
Group A: Qatar, Kuwait, China and Uzbekistan
Group B: Saudi Arabia, Japan, Jordan and Syria
Group C: Korea Republic, India, Australia and Bahrain
Group D: Iraq, North Korea, UAE and Iran
3 comments:
Love this quirky and entertaining website that puts out some refreshing perspectives rather than more of the same blokes domination that can a bit too serious and ego driven - nice to be grounded a bit - thanks!
Re release of players for the Asian Cup Qatar 2011, the rules for this FIFA sanctioned tournament are quite clear, clubs have to releases all players selected for their national team squads and this includes 14 days before first match on 7 January. Expect a full strength Socceroos squad where age should not be a factor, as its results that count based upon the best available players and their form. Its up to the young up and coming talent (inc Oar, Vidosic, Jamieson, etc) to prove they are worthy of selection based on comparative merits alone, not just to give a chance.
Pablo
Hey Pablo,
Thanks for the comment!
Ah, cool. Good to know they will be released. I thought that rule might have only applied for FIFA international dates... Pretty sure the clubs don’t make it too comfortable for the players though – but at the end of the day they’re just bluffing, if a player is good enough they'll play.
You're right about fringe players, they do need to be up to standard… I just prefer a focus on development over punching out a win, but at the end of the day it’s the results that money and the media demand.
There will always be pressure placed by the clubs upon some/if not most of the European players NOT to travel all the way to Australia/Asia to play. I think it'll be just the important dates that the Euro stars will make a not to travel back and play, although there will always be a few who will put their hand up no matter what.
This is a perfect vehicle for the coach to nurture identified talent of the future by having them be in the squad and practice etc even if they don't play. But at the end of the day, if the coach has these players earmarked and are better than what he has available, then they should play.
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