Socceroos thrill Bert
COACH Bert van Marwijk has lavished praise on the Socceroos before his first game in charge against Norway tomorrow.
The Dutchman, who has taken charge of just four training sessions, revealed that Mile Jedinak would continue as Australia’s captain.
Van Marwijk looks set to adopt a 4- 2- 3- 1 formation underpinned by slick passing, akin to the philosophy of his predecessor Ange Postecoglou — albeit with some nuances.
The coach declared his delight with his players.
“Most positive for me is the way they train, their motivation,’’ van Marwijk said.
“I don’t have to tell them. They’re motivated themselves, their body language says everything.”
Van Marwijk is big on discipline but said balance was important, as evidenced by his occasional attempt at training ground humour.
“When you will become the best team you have to see also that there is discipline on the pitch,” he said.
“I like discipline but I also like that the players are laughing and they must enjoy it.
“The combination ... is very important. Teams who are not playing well are playing wide of each other.
“It’s easy to say play compact, everybody says it.
“But when you say you have to play compact, the chance that they will play compact is not so big.
“So you have to work very hard to get them to learn to know that when you play close to each other, you know exactly where the other players are.
“We will see ( how we go in these friendlies) but for me it’s important that we are ready when we play the first game at the ( World Cup).”
Van Marwijk admitted he hadn’t put a lot of thought into the captaincy — which is not unusual for European soccer coaches — but said Jedinak would stay on.
“When he ( Jedinak) is playing, when he starts then he will be the captain,’’ van Marwijk said.
“Most of the coaches are born in the middle of the field because they see everything.
“And most of the leaders of the team are also in the middle.
“You can also do the way they do it in Spain, that the oldest one is captain.
“I think the role of the captain can be important.” Coach: Bert van Marwijk Ryan, Degenek, Milligan, Wright, Behich, Mooy, | Jedinak, Leckie, Rogic, Rukavytsya, Juric Morale is sky- high and the Postecoglou regime has laid a strong foundation for van Marwijk’s desired passing style. The players are also desperate to make an impression. SOCCEROOS 2- 0 What formation will he use? The 4- 2- 3- 1 he adopted with Holland in the 2010 World Cup and with Saudi Arabia in this qualifying series appears odds on. There will be an emphasis on pace in the wide attacking positions. What is Tim Cahill’s role? He may not play a huge role in these games, but of greater interest to van Marwijk will be Cahill’s attitude around the camp – especially if he doesn’t play. He’ll soon find out Cahill’s positivity and confidence is infectious and essential. Which bolters will play? He’s taken a shine to Newcastle Jets attacker Dimi Petratos, whose technical prowess has seen him fit in seamlessly. Czech- based defender Alex Susnjar will play at least one of the games while Andrew Nabbout will feature, possibly off the bench.