Arzani not worthy yet
TGS coach sees winger as option off bench
FOOTBALL: Bert van Marwijk’s appointment as Socceroos coach raised a few eyebrows.
His squad selections into the FIFA World Cup raised even more.
The two biggest shocks in van Marwijk’s initial squad were that of Croatia-born right back Fran Karacic and Melbourne City winger Daniel Arzani.
Karacic has faded into obscurity – cut from the final squad – but Arzani remains with calls from fans to start the teenager against France.
Toowoomba Grammar School director of football Peter Broadfoot is not one of those fans.
“I don’t think he will start
and I don’t think he should,” Broadfoot said.
“I don’t think he will make much of an impact at this World Cup – he’s only young – this will be more of a learning experience for him.
“He looked a million bucks when he came on against Hungary
but they defended pretty poorly and the keeper gifted him that goal.”
Despite his views on Arzani’s role in the Socceroos squad, Broadfoot remains a fan of the Iran-born winger who pledged his allegiance to Australia this year after featuring at the under-17,
U20 and U23 levels.
“His upward spiral is immense,” Broadfoot said.
“He’s got bags and bags of potential. I just think it might a World Cup too early for him right now.
“Maybe he can make that Tim Cahill 2006 type of impact
– when he (Cahill) came on against Japan and blew them away late in the game.”
HE’S GOT BAGS AND BAGS OF POTENTIAL. I JUST THINK IT MIGHT A WORLD CUP TOO EARLY FOR HIM RIGHT NOW.
PETER BROADFOOT