Asian Cup 2024: Robbie Slater analyses the striking debate in Socceroos squad
The Socceroos have flattered to deceive on their way to the Asian Cup’s round of 16. If they are to progress further Graham Arnold must nail a crucial selection call, writes ROBBIE SLATER.
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As much as veteran Socceroos striker Bruno Fornaroli probably deserves more game time at the Asian Cup, emerging talent Kusini Yengi did enough against Uzbekistan to hold on to his spot for Australia’s round-of-16 clash on Sunday night.
It’s hard to imagine that first-choice centre-forward Mitch Duke will recover from a hamstring strain in time for the match, so Socceroos coach Graham Arnold is again going to have to choose between Yengi and Fornaroli for the “No. 9” role.
The inclusion of Yengi in the team that drew 1-1 with Uzbekistan didn’t fully solve the attacking problems that have plagued the Socceroos during the tournament. The Australians still must improve significantly in that area if they are to win the Asian Cup.
However, Yengi was responsible for the segment of play that led to the penalty from which the Socceroos scored their only goal of the game.
His power and strength caused problems for Uzbekistan in an individual performance Arnold described as “outstanding”.
It’s therefore hard to see Yengi not starting again on Sunday, and that’s arguably the right decision to make.
However, considering the scoring form Fornaroli was in for Melbourne Victory before the Cup, and the problems the Socceroos are having finding the back of the net, he deserves some more game time at the very least.
He didn’t come on until the 83rd minute against Uzbekistan despite the obvious signs much earlier that the Socceroos were struggling in attack.
When Fornaroli did come on, he partnered Yengi in attack, but it’s probably too much to ask the Australians to change their formation and start with two strikers. We haven’t got enough depth in that area to play two up front.
The Socceroos also don’t have enough creative depth, but that’s just how it is. We’ve got who we’ve got and we have to make sure it’s enough to win the tournament.
Riley McGree is the most creative player in the squad, and he showed that for the first 15 minutes against Uzbekistan in his first start for Australia since suffering a foot injury in October.
He faded a little as the game went on but he still showed in his 80-plus minutes on the field that he should again be a permanent starter for the Socceroos.
Overall, the Australians have ticked off another box in topping their group, which will ensure a potentially easier round-of-16 clash.
However, there are still problems that need solving when coming up against Asia’s stronger nations, as Uzbekistan proved.
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Originally published as Asian Cup 2024: Robbie Slater analyses the striking debate in Socceroos squad
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