FFA technical Director Rob Baan announced his first and probably only Socceroos squad yesterday, for the November 17 clash with Nigeria. And the Dutchman has raised a few eyebrows, not least amongst the coaches of Merseyside’s 2 clubs.
Despite just a handful of matches since the Asia Cup, both Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell are included for the match at Craven Cottage, but don’t expect to see much of them in the green and gold. Messer’s Moyes and Benitez will be highly reluctant to release either player for a friendly match, so don’t be surprised if they both pick up mystery “injuries” this weekend.
The real bolter in this entirely overseas based squad is Leicester City’s James Wesolowski. The 20 year old is highly rated by both Baan and Graham Arnold, so much so that Arnie wanted him for the Olyroos match with Iraq next week. But Baan has won the battle, and can now run the rule over Wesolowski at a senior level, alongside his club team-mate Paddy Kisnorbo.
Nathan Coe also gets a chance in the absence of injured pair Brad Jones and Michael Petkovic. Coe is now at FC Copenhagen but spent his formative years at PSV, where he came to Baan’s attention. Highly rated as a teen, Coe hasn’t quite lived up to his early billing but now he has a chance to shine.
Scott McDonald has been rewarded for his prolific form at club level with a call up and expect to see the Celtic man forming a “little man-big man” partnership with Josh Kennedy, in a squad short of experienced striking talent.
David Carney and Nicky Carle get the chance to further enhance their burgeoning reputations, but perhaps the most significant inclusion is Scott Chipperfield. Chippers missed the Asia Cup to be with his pregnant wife, and the lack of personnel on the left side of the Socceroos defence really told, despite the best efforts of Carney. Chipperfield’s know-how will be invaluable to a pretty inexperienced squad, and the Basle man is in great club form.
All in all there is plenty to be gained from the match with Nigeria. Dick Advocaat is expected to be watching form the stands before his appointment is confirmed, and this is the first opportunity for the next generation to impress.
The road to South Africa 2010 starts here.
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