Australia
Van Marwijk takes temporary control
Ange Postecoglou’s decision to quit left the FFA in limbo
After a marathon 22-match qualifying campaign, Australia finally fell over the line as the last qualifiers for Russia, and coach Ange Postecoglou fell on his own sword almost as soon as it was over.
His decision to quit left the FFA in limbo, and the patchwork solution of a short-term appointment for the World Cup (Bert Van Marwijk), and then a longer-term option (Graham Arnold), has only further muddied the waters. Arnold was actually unveiled as Van Marwijk’s successor before the Dutchman had taken charge of a game.
While this Australian squad has some talent, collectively they are a level below the “golden generation” that reached the round of 16 in 2006. While there was cautious optimism following the draw for the group – with Peru and Denmark both being seen as beatable – this is tempered by an acceptance that there is no Harry Kewell or Mark Viduka in this squad. That Tim Cahill, who is now 38, remains in contention, despite accruing only sporadic minutes at club level, underlines just how bare the cupboard is.
The core of the team almost picks itself. Mat Ryan, Trent Sainsbury, Aaron Mooy, Mile Jedinak, Tom Rogic, Mat Leckie and Tomi Juric all play at a decent level in Europe, but there are issues surrounding the defensive areas – which was one of the reasons why Postecoglou switched to a back three; a move which was much criticised.
Van Marwijk has reverted to the more tried and trusted back four, but in his first friendly, against Norway, the team looked horribly disjointed, and neither Bailey Wright nor Mark Milligan covered themselves in glory at right-back. Josh Risdon acquitted himself better in the subsequent game with Colombia, and while there are similar conundrums on the left, at least Aziz Behich appears to have staked a decisive claim.
Van Marwijk raised some eyebrows in the wake of the two March friendlies by announcing that the team would be much improved once the injured Sainsbury and Matt Jurman returned. While Sainsbury is a genuinely classy central defender, he has played barely a dozen games in two years, while Jurman didn’t kick a ball for Suwon Bluewings until late March following knee surgery.
With heavyweights France to come in the opening game, it’s understandable that Australians are nervous about their team’s chances. However, on the plus side, the side do tend to lift their game against the better teams, and with such low expectations they should be able to play with some freedom.