UP FOR THE CUP
Football fans back Socceroos to defend Asian title
FOOTBALL: The Socceroos have the right coaching staff in place to defend the Asian Cup.
Now, according to USQ FC head coach Matt Proctor, they just need to get the right mix of players on the field.
“Graham (Arnold) has done the hard yards – working his way through the ranks from the NSL days to now,” Proctor said.
“On form he’s the best Aussie candidate for the job, and I think it’s important the team has an Australian coach.
“He’s also got the right people around him. I rate Kenny Lowe and Andrew Clark is another good member of his staff.
“I worked alongside Andrew recently while I was doing my FFA A Licence – he’s got some great ideas and is a good bloke.”
Kicking off their Asian Cup defence on Sunday night, Proctor said it was essential the Socceroos got their attack right.
“They’ve been good in the defensive and middle thirds but they’ve struggled up front,” he said.
“You need to score goals to win games. They’ve lost a major threat in Tim Cahill, but I think they’ve got other strikers.
“I’d like to see Jamie McLaren get more time – he’s an exciting player.
“Pairing Tom Rogic and McLaren up front would give them a better chance at scoring more – they need to play a more attacking style of football.”
Like Proctor, Football Queensland South West board member Snow Green believes finding the “right mix” is important.
“I think they’re a good chance to defend the cup,” Green said.
“They just need to get the spine of the team right.
“They don’t have any worries in goal, Mat Ryan is world class; what they need after that is good leaders right up the middle.
“Mark Milligan is one of the older stars but he’s a great player leader. And if they get the right players in the middle and upfront they’ll be competitive.”