Players on alert as Bert steps in
Van Marwijk runs session
Trent Sainsbury appears to be timing his Russia 2018 run to perfection, removing fears about his groin by completing a full session with the Socceroos yesterday.
Sainsbury is yet to play for his new Swiss club Grasshopper Zurich, having had groin surgery after the World Cup playoff win over Honduras, but was among the 22 players who trained in coach Bert van Marwijk’s first full session in charge of the Socceroos.
Van Marwijk cut a focused, albeit sometimes jovial figure who was not scared to get his hands dirty at a freezing Intility Arena in Oslo ahead of Saturday’s (AEST) clash with Norway.
The 2010 World Cup finalist directed traffic at his maiden session alongside his new entourage, which included Dutch great Mark van Bommell and fellow assistant Roel Coumans, who took charge of warm-ups.
Long-time Socceroos assistant Ante Milicic, who was the chief drill sergeant under the previous regime, observed closely with van Marwijk more hands on than predecessor Ange Postecoglou, who hovered like a helicopter but seldom spoke during sessions.
Van Marwijk was one of the first out and set out some cones before addressing the players.
Only Celtic’s Tom Rogic and Suwon Bluewings defender Matt Jurman, who is the only other player under a fitness cloud along with Sainsbury, were absent from the 26-man squad, while James Troisi (Melbourne Victory) and Tomi Juric (Luzern) walked laps having played within the last 32 hours.
“It’s the first game together with the new coach so everyone wants to impress. It’s going to be pretty competitive at training,” Western Sydney fullback Josh Risdon said.
“Everyone’s going to want to play these two games to make a good first impression. So that’s good for the team, training will be sharp and get us ready for the games.”
The Socceroos’ session was uncharacteristically upbeat with the players roaring their completed passes.
But aware that every day is precious, van Marwijk was not afraid to pause and correct when he was not content, including a passing drill that got sloppy.
The 45-minute session was sharp with van Marwijk reinforcing his key messages of “passing with speed” and “concentrating on passes” before instructing his players to “use initiative” and send a message with their pass.
It was difficult to glean anything with regard to team selection, with three more training sessions left before the friendly against Norway.
A second friendly will be played against Colombia in London next Wednesday (AEST)
Van Marwijk certainly got enough across in his first session to signify that he not only means business, but the Socceroos will continue to play a passing brand of soccer.