Olympic Dream The Future

For many football fans in this country, attention will be turned to London this Saturday night, with the Socceroos in action once again. But look a little closer to home and a game of much greater significance is taking place on our doorstep.

In Gosford on Saturday night, Australia’s under-23 team face a do-or-die battle with Iraq for a place in next years Olympics. The winner is almost certain to be in Beijing. For the loser the dream is over. The Olyroos have been a fixture in the summer games over the past 25 years, but this is the first time the side have had to qualify through Asia. And after seeing off Iran in the first group stage, victories over Lebanon and North Korea have Graham Arnold’s side on the cusp of qualification. A major achievement for a group of players that have suffered most from the collapse of the NSL and subsequent lack of an organised youth structure in the A-League.

The influence of Rob Baan on this group of players is huge. He and Arnold have a core group of 20 players who have trained and travelled and played throughout the last 18 months. They have a club mentality in a national set-up. And the form of the side is hugely encourage for those with one eye on 2010 and 2014, when this group of callow youths, will be in their prime for the national side.

This collection of young A-League stars like Milligan, Burns, Sarkies and Vukovic have combined with overseas based talent like David Williams, James Troisi and Neil Kilkenny to create an exciting, talented side that are the future of the national team. When Viduka, Kewell, Grella, Schwazer et al call it a day, there is now a core of internationally experienced talent on hand to step into the breach.

And this group of players have played numerous games in Asian conditions, from the heat and humidity of Beirut and Tapei, to the frozen North Korean and Iranian winters. An experience many of the senior side have yet to get to grips with.

So for fans of the world game on the east coast, do yourself a favour. Get along to Gosford on Saturday night at 7.00. Cheer them on. If you can’t make it, switch on SBS at 10.15 to see the full game. You’ll be watching the future.