How Socceroos players axed at last minute from previous World Cups reacted to the news
EVERY four years, they’re the cruellest cuts of all: the select group who come within a whisker of a World Cup dream. But how do you react when the axe drops at the last minute?
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“SICKENING” and “jarring” is how past 11th hour axings have described the experience of getting so close to a World Cup, only to be cut.
Ljubo Milicevic and Scott McDonald never got to fulfil their boyhood dream of playing at a FIFA World Cup after their shock omissions, while Luke Wilkshire was the surprise exclusion for Brazil 2014.
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GERMANY 2006
Milicevic, then 25, was the only defender playing in the Champions League (with FC Thun) leading into the 2006 World Cup, but received the devastating phone call in Switzerland.
The elegant defender was never the same after Aussie-based Mark Milligan and Michael Beauchamp were picked ahead of Milicevic despite the A-League season finishing four months prior.
“It was the pinnacle of my European (club) career, captaining Thun in the Champions League. I played 50-60 games, flying,’’ Milicevic said.
“A month out from the World Cup (assistant Graham Arnold) called to say you’re not in the squad. I had nothing to say, was lost for words.
“I missed out on three years of football because of injuries with Australian youth national team duty. Then when finally back on my feet and playing, to be slapped in the face like that, I was infuriated.
“I couldn’t have thought of a more jarring moment. I don’t want a part of the national team anymore.
“Then I went to the Cannes Film Festival and spent six weeks in France partying.”
SOUTH AFRICA 2010
The 26-year-old McDonald played the final friendly against New Zealand before he was dropped the next day.
The nuggety striker, who is still playing but set to leave Scottish side Dundee United, had moved from Celtic to Middlesbrough six months before the World Cup.
“One word — sickening. It left a real horrible taste in my mouth, especially after playing all the qualifiers,’’ McDonald said.
“I could just sense there was an air of doubt hanging around and (coach) Pim (Verbeek) pulled me up in the lobby after training and I knew there and then he’s going to cut me.
“It was the very last minute before everyone’s about to get on the plane, when he told me face-to-face. You can imagine how that conversation went down — there were a few unsavoury words.
“Everyone wants to play in a World Cup as a kid and your dream’s just been cut away unfairly. I deserved to be on that plane.
“From there on in it was never the same playing for my country. It was very awkward and I just felt it was never gona work.”
BRAZIL 2014
Right-back Wilkshire experienced both emotional extremes, after he was a surprise pick by Guus Hiddink in 2006 as a 24-year-old at English minnows Bristol City, and was an automatic choice for Pim Verbeek in 2010 — but then was cut adrift by Ange Postecoglou on the eve of 2014.
“For those who get told they’re not required, it is upsetting, no doubt. But that’s the life of a footballer, it’s cutthroat and these decisions have to be made,” Wilkshire said.
“The coach can only pick 23. Hopefully those who miss out use it as something inspiring, motivation to go on to achieve more in their career and become better players.”
LAST-MINUTE HEARTBREAK
Socceroos’ last four World Cup omissions
1. Fran Karacic, 22 (Lokomotiva Zagreb, Croatia)
Bert preferred: Josh Risdon
Having never been part of a Socceroos camp, Karacic needed to shine to oust incumbent Josh Risdon and the fact that there was only one friendly hurt him.
2. Josh Brillante, 25 (Sydney FC)
Bert preferred: Milos Degenek/Jamie Maclaren
Named as a “defender” indicating he was competing for a right-back spot. Versatile defender Degenek was ultimately preferred as Risdon’s back-up.
3. James Troisi, 29 (Melbourne Victory)
Bert preferred: Daniel Arzani/Dimi Petratos
Troisi, whose international record is decent, struggled to win over van Marwijk, who sacrificed his raw speed for Daniel Arzani and Dimi Petratos’ trickery.
4. Nikita Rukavystsya, 30 (Maccabi Haifa, Israel)
Bert preferred: Jamie Maclaren/Dimi Petratos
The rapid attacker dropped down the pecking order once Robbie Kruse secured the left wing, van Marwijk took a shine to Petratos and Nabbout plus Maclaren’s late inclusion.
Originally published as How Socceroos players axed at last minute from previous World Cups reacted to the news