Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou ready to adopt World Cup qualifier mode
BACKED by a five-year contract, Ange Postecoglou has had an eye on Russia 2018 for some time. The minute the Asian Cup is over, the preparations begin.
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THE focus of the world’s biggest Confederation will switch to the 2018 World Cup qualifiers the minute the Asian Cup is over.
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From the moment Ange Postecoglou got the job 15 months ago he maintained that he was concentrating on the 2015 Asian Cup.
But backed by a five-year contract from FFA, Postecoglou had an eye on Russia 2018 from the outset.
“The Asian Cup is not the full stop for us, we’re going into a four-year World Cup cycle and that’s part of the overall plan for me. I’m always looking at that,’’ Postecoglou said.
He’s maintained a selection mantra of ‘players who can contribute to both the 2014 and 2018 World Cup cycles’.
An unofficial ‘exceptional circumstances’ clause was inserted as a protection mechanism while the likes of Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer, Brett Holman and Luke Wilkshire departed, and it’s just as well because it’s scary to think what would have been if he went radical and dumped Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano.
The Socceroos have been less reliant on the duo at the Asian Cup, but talisman Cahill rescued them on countless occasions either side of the 2014 World Cup and crucially in Brazil.
Bresciano’s influence was more understated but his poise, skill, vision and calming influence has been a vital sounding board for younger midfielders Massimo Luongo, James Troisi, Tommy Oar and even more experienced duo Mark Milligan and captain Mile Jedinak have enjoyed playing with him.
RUSSIA 2018 CYCLE
The draw for the 2018 World Cup qualifying cycle, which starts in June, will take place in April, after the first round of qualifying including the likes of India, Pakistan, Cambodia and Nepal.
Australia will then be involved in the biggest pool of qualifying teams since it joined the Asian confederation, with 40 nations segregated into eight groups of five.
The four best runners up will join the eight group winners in the third round of qualifying, as the final 12 are divided into two groups of six.
The top two from each group will advance to Russia 2018, with the third-place teams in either group playing off ahead of the continental playoff in November 2017.
THE SQUAD
The Socceroos will play 18-20 qualifiers during the cycle, with eight to be played in 2015 alone, starting June 11.
Consecutive games are scheduled for FIFA international windows in June, September, October and November.
Hence there will be heavy rotation of players as Postecoglou’s regeneration continues.
Cahill and Bresciano hinted pre Asian Cup that they would continue, and even so they’re likely to be used sparingly.
Asian Cup injury absentees Tom Rogic (Celtic), Curtis Good (Newcastle United) and Josh Kennedy (Melbourne City) will feature, so too Middlesbrough’s Rhys Williams if he can overcome another torn Achilles, though he won’t be sighted until 2016.
But with question marks surrounding defenders Williams and Good, Postecoglou is likely to experiment with young defenders in coming months.
Melbourne City’s Connor Chapman, Western Sydney’s Brendan Hamill, Brisbane Roar’s James Donachie, Melbourne Victory’s Nick Ansell and Fulham teen Cameron Burgess are the kinds of players who could be handed a chance.
Teen Daniel De Silva will be blooded at some stage, perhaps before he joins Roma in June, while Sydney FC’s Terry Antonis will play a more significant role despite not seeing any action yet at the Asian Cup.
Melbourne City’s Aaron Mooy and Perth Glory’s Mitch Nichols are other A-League players best placed to play.
Euro-based trio Oliver Bozanic, James Holland and Ben Halloran have youth on their side and appear to be part of the plans going forward, despite being overlooked for the Asian Cup.
Fiorentina’s Josh Brillante and Fulham’s Adam Taggart will get opportunities, though minutes could depend on game-time at their clubs.
2019 ASIAN CUP
The Russia 2018 qualifiers will double up as qualifiers for the 2019 Asian Cup.
It will increase to 24 teams, which may give the Socceroos a greater chance to experiment once it comes around.
It’s anyone’s guess who will be in charge then, with Postecoglou’s contract due to expire at the end of the 2018 World Cup cycle.
But whoever takes over will have more intelligence on Australia’s football future than what Postecoglou had when he took charge.
REGENERATION MARK II
Non-Asian Cup Socceroos who’ll feature in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers
Curtis Good
Age: 21
Club: Newcastle Utd, ENG
Socceroos caps: 1
Recently returned to the youth side after overcoming hip flexor issues that ruled him out of the World Cup. Has a big future.
Tom Rogic
Age: 22
Club: Celtic, SCO
Socceroos caps: 9
Back training with Celtic after his prolonged injury dramas that saw him cut from Brazil 2014 at the death. Rated highly by Postecoglou.
Daniel De Silva
Age: 17
Club: Perth Glory (on loan from Roma, ITA)
Socceroos caps: 0
Joins Roma in June, but don’t be surprised if Postecoglou hands him his first cap prior to moving to Italy to inject confidence into the skillful teen.
Aaron Mooy
Age: 24
Club: Melbourne City
Socceroos caps: 4 (3 goals)
If he continues his splendid A-League form he will be called up and given a chance to show himself. Skillful and great from set pieces.
Rhys Williams
Age: 26
Club: Middlesbrough, ENG
Socceroos caps: 14
Had surgery a fortnight ago after heartbreakingly rupturing his achilles for a second time in 11 months. A quality player who’ll be given time/support to recover.
Oliver Bozanic
Age: 26
Club: Luzern, SWI
Socceroos caps: 6
Stiff to miss out on the Asian Cup squad after a decent World Cup. A regular in Switzerland and remains firmly in the mix going forward.
Adam Taggart
Age: 21
Club: Fulham, ENG
Socceroos caps: 7 (3 goals)
Played against Spain in the final World Cup match but injuries have seen Tomi Juric overtake him. If he can break into Fulham’s first XI, he will play.
Josh Brillante
Age: 21
Club: Fiorentina, ITA
Socceroos caps: 5
Didn’t miss a Socceroos camp since the World Cup, until the Asian Cup squad was picked. Needs to start playing regularly and perhaps seek a loan move to build confidence.
Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou ready to adopt World Cup qualifier mode
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