Game on, now here's my team?
Iraq, the Asian Champions, with style and pace to burn. Australia lacking forward firepower, defensive cover.
We must win our home games. 52,000 sell-out. Now this is football.
My team below, is it good enough?
Mark Schwarzer
Brett Emerton, Jade North Michael Beauchamp David Carney
Luke Wilkshire Vince Grella, Jason Culina Marco Bresciano
Bruce Djite Scott Mcdonald
Subs:
Carl Valeri
Harry Kewell
Brett Holman
Nicky Carle
Nikolai Topor-Stanley
Lucas Neill is absent, also Mile Stejovski. Neill's absent causes me particular concern.
A combination of Pim's previous selections, plus his need to win the game has influenced my choice.
Pim should be slightly more adventurous at home...maybe. But after a stuttering second half performance against Qatar, a cautious approach against China, will Pim go for it against the Asian Champions. This is Pim's first real test.
He's got a good squad at his disposal, a very strong oppostion. How will he cope?
We'll certainly be tested in this game, particularly in defence.
Do we have the firepower to win? Certainly have the players, but who to play, to win the game, is the conundrum.
Will Pim leave Harry out? I doubt it? Will he play McDonald upfront without support? I doubt it.
I've gone for Bruce Djite over Harry Kewell. More pace, match fit, will force the game. Bruce I mean. And he'll provide fuel for McDonald's tap-ins:)
Emerton must play full back. The pace of the Iraqi forward line dictates this, plus the big question marks over Michael Beauchamp.
Vinnie Grella needs to have a stand-out game. Midfield control is crucial for Australia, for ninety minutes.
Should be a cracker. And we could win it from the bench with Harry Kewell to lift the crowd from the wing in the second half.
Can't wait.
2 comments:
Djite?
You cant be serious. He is no where near good enough to be considered to start in such a crucial game. And he isn't match fit at all. He's played 30mins of football in the last 2-3 weeks, and when he game on against Changchun he was aweful. I would much rather have Holman starting up front with Scott McDonald. Holman IS match fit having just gone through the Dutch play-offs, he is in form, and he is the clear choice ahead of Bruce Djite. Other than that, it's a pretty good team.
Go socceroos!!
On reflection you are probably right, I'm a bit concerned about our forward threat, don't suppose Bruce will play, and Holman may get the nod, but very different sort of players.
And what can Macca do if he's not sticking it in the back of the net from 5 yards.
He may not get those chances without a target man. No Kennedy, or Viduka. Holman ain't a target man.
What to do. Maybe we don't play Macca...which brings me back to Bruce, although I notice Joe Griffiths is doing the press conference today...
can't see him playing, but then again ,if not Bruce, maybe Griffith over Holman
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