Strategy comes first in 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.
Van Marwijk will make just a handful of changes for tonight’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.
Captain Mile Jedinak and striker Tomi Juric were 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 was rapidly solidifying in his head.
“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 every day.”
Another new face could be Jackson Irvine, in light of the prospect of Tom Rogic being held in reserve against France, and kept for the games against Denmark and Peru, where Australia is most likely to gain the points it needs to qualify from the group. Jackson would offer a more physical presence, though significantly less prospect of the creativity at which Rogic excels.
But the overall system on display last week 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.”