World Cup 2018: Few changes expected for Socceroos’ final warm-up match against Hungary

IT’S the final dress rehearsal before the real thing, and Bert van Marwijk has promised “a bit of direction” for his leading lights with the World Cup just a week away.

IT’S the final dress rehearsal before the real thing, and Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk has promised “a bit of direction” for his leading lights with the World Cup just a week away.

Van Marwijk will make just a handful of changes for Saturday’s friendly with Hungary, the final hitout before facing France on June 16, trying to battle harden his core selections as quickly as possible.

It’s bad news for many in the squad of 23 who might have hoped for a run in Budapest, but van Marwijk was unapologetic as he fast-tracks instruction in how he wants the Socceroos to play.

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Captain Mile Jedinak and striker Tomi Juric are the most likely inclusions, after missing last weekend’s 4-0 defeat of the Czech Republic through injury, but van Marwijk indicated the first-choice XI to take on France is rapidly solidifying in his head.

Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk at the team’s training camp in Turkey.

“No, you cannot give everyone game time because we don’t have the time,” van Marwijk said. “You have to choose a bit of direction.

“Within that direction you have the possibility to change some things and some players, so that game will be about the same as against the Czech Republic.

“Maybe I will change two or three players, maybe I could even change five or six players. But it’s not possible to change 10 players.

“When you play a lot of games, you can see everybody play but it doesn’t bring you further. I prefer to develop the team in the way of playing and train that everyday.

“I cannot see all the players in a game, that’s the other side of it. But that’s my choice.”

Another new face could be Jackson Irvine, in light of the prospect of Tom Rogic being held in reserve against France, and kept back for the games against Denmark and Peru — those where Australia is most likely to gain the points it needs to qualify from the group.

Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak (left) and striker Tomi Juric look set to get game time against Hungary.

Jackson would offer a more physical presence, though significantly less prospect of the sort of creativity at which Rogic excels.

But the overall system on display last weekend and against Hungary will change little in the three World Cup games, given van Marwijk’s penchant for one consistent style.

The Dutchman believes that, especially at this stage, his players need consistency.

“No. I always try to develop the team, no matter how the opponent plays and who plays,” he said.

“Because otherwise you keep changing and changing. Players need something to hold on(to). That’s my experience.”

Hungary’s glory days well and truly in the past

IF the Socceroos wanted a gentle runout in their final game before the World Cup, Hungary seem unlikely to do more than go through the motions after a very difficult year.

The team known 60 years ago as the Mighty Magyars, which dominated European football and boasted the unique talents of Ferenc Puskas, has fallen on seriously hard times.

If the etching of Puskas on the walls of this reporter’s city-centre hotel shows how much he is still revered, it also highlights the paucity of his successors.

Hungary have not qualified for the World Cup since 1986, and though they did make the 2016 European Championships, and even reached the round of 16 (losing heavily to Belgium), it was a brief hurrah.

Hungary midfielder Kristian Vadocz spent time at Perth Glory in 2016.

Attempts to reach this World Cup were particularly grisly, with Hungary (currently ranked 51st in the world) drawing with the Faroe Islands (90th) and losing to 130-placed Andorra.

Coach Bernd Stork resigned, to be replaced by Belgian journeyman Georges Leekens, but to no noticeable improvement - his first result last November was a defeat to Luxembourg, one of the whipping boys of European football.

Hungary drew 1-1 with Belarus last week and now host Australia, against whom they have lost twice in Budapest.

The Terry Venables-coached Socceroos won here in 1997, while Frank Farina led his team to a comfortable 3-0 win 18 years ago thanks to goals from Stephen Laybutt, Josip Skoko and Craig Moore.

Originally published as World Cup 2018: Few changes expected for Socceroos’ final warm-up match against Hungary