Liverpool FC Forum

by **Lionheart** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:16 am

Australia's 2006 World Cup Squad is has just been announced this morning (11am AET):

Goalkeepers: Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough), Ante Covic (Hammarby), Zeljko Kalac (AC Milan),

Defenders: Michael Beauchamp (Central Coast Mariners), Stan Lazaridis (uncontracted formerly Birmingham City), Mark Milligan (Sydney FC), Craig Moore (Newcastle United), Lucas Neill (Blackburn Rovers), Tony Popovic (Crystal Palace)

Midfielders: Marco Bresciano (Parma), Tim Cahill (Everton), Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven), Brett Emerton (Blackburn Rovers), Vince Grella (Parma), Harry Kewell (Liverpool), Josip Skoko (Stoke City), Mile Sterjovski (FC Basel), Luke Wilkshire (Bristol)

Forwards: John Aloisi (Alaves), Josh Kennedy (Dynamo Dresden), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory), Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough).

I've seen worse squads, but realistically, anything beyond the second round would be a bonus and they're going to have to exceed most expectations to make that. A realistic goal though. A win against Japan and no less than a draw against Croatia...possible!!

by **laza** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:37 am

Was rather surprised to see Ljubo Milicevic left out but other then that no great surprises. Im wondering whether that decision by Ljubo to go to a wedding and shun a IIRC a qualifier proved to be real costly
Pity about Vidmar but return of Moore should cover it.
At very least we should be the Croats for no other reason then to annoy AB

by **Judge** » Wed May 10, 2006 7:58 am

i reckon Oz 4 - 1 Croatia

by **LFC #1** » Wed May 10, 2006 8:08 am

Not a chance in hell judge. That defence looks very weak IMO, an injury to a key defender and Australia are really threadbare at the back. The midfield is good, capable of being competitive with most sides in the tournament. I think Australia will score goals, but defensively they will struggle IMO.

TBH I don't think they have any chance of beating Brazil with Kaka, Ronaldo, Ronny, Adriano, Robinho but with a little bit of luck I think they can get out of the group. Japan can score goals though so i think that will be a draw and Croatia have player like Srna and Prso who can hurt Australia as well as being very solid at the back. Perhaps another draw.

I think Australia at best will get 4 points, but more likely is 1 or 2 points.

by **Judge** » Wed May 10, 2006 12:32 pm

LFC #1 wrote:Not a chance in hell judge. That defence looks very weak IMO, an injury to a key defender and Australia are really threadbare at the back. The midfield is good, capable of being competitive with most sides in the tournament. I think Australia will score goals, but defensively they will struggle IMO.

TBH I don't think they have any chance of beating Brazil with Kaka, Ronaldo, Ronny, Adriano, Robinho but with a little bit of luck I think they can get out of the group. Japan can score goals though so i think that will be a draw and Croatia have player like Srna and Prso who can hurt Australia as well as being very solid at the back. Perhaps another draw.

I think Australia at best will get 4 points, but more likely is 1 or 2 points.

that sentence was to encourage AB out of the woodwork

by **stmichael** » Wed May 10, 2006 12:34 pm

Lionheart wrote:I've seen worse squads

yeah, it's called england

john aloisi? lmfao. the ex coventry hitman. :laugh:

by **JC_81** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:14 pm

LFC #1 wrote:Not a chance in hell judge. That defence looks very weak IMO, an injury to a key defender and Australia are really threadbare at the back. The midfield is good, capable of being competitive with most sides in the tournament. I think Australia will score goals, but defensively they will struggle IMO.

TBH I don't think they have any chance of beating Brazil with Kaka, Ronaldo, Ronny, Adriano, Robinho but with a little bit of luck I think they can get out of the group. Japan can score goals though so i think that will be a draw and Croatia have player like Srna and Prso who can hurt Australia as well as being very solid at the back. Perhaps another draw.

I think Australia at best will get 4 points, but more likely is 1 or 2 points.

I think that's a fair assessment of Australia.

Decent first 11, but even at that the defence doesn't look solid. Beyond that, there is absolutely no quality cover if players like Kewell or Viduka pick up injuries.

Doubt they'll make it through the group, but I'll be hoping they do...

by **Lionheart** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:14 pm

The one factor we are overlooking in terms of Australia's progress beyond the group stage is the manager. Guus Hiddink has reputation of taking teams further than we believed possible.

Hiddink will not select a player on reputation, hence Kewell warmed the bench for the the return elimination leg against Uruguay. Hiddink demands, and gets, a top shelf attitude and effort from all his selected players...otherwise they just aren't selected. That's why we don't see the likes of Zelic or Colosimo, but we have seen the rise of Culina. Someone who is commited to the cause and will give 100% everytime. Hiddink relies on it and stakes his reputation on it. Don't underestimate the likes of Beauchamp or Milligan.

Australia won't be walkovers and if anyone thinks they will be (such as the arrogant Croatians...that'll get AB!!

for example), will do so at their peril.

by **laza** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:18 pm

Dont think he is biting at moment LH, thats 3 hooks in the water now.
It normally only takes one

by **stmichael** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:19 pm

yeah especially as half of the aussie team's croatian anyway

by **laza** » Wed May 10, 2006 3:22 pm

Thats ok half the Croatian team are aussies

by **Lionheart** » Thu May 11, 2006 1:42 am

laza wrote:Thats ok half the Croatian team are aussies

True

by **woof woof !** » Thu May 11, 2006 1:47 am

Lionheart wrote:Australia's 2006 World Cup Squad is has just been announced this morning (11am AET):

I've seen worse squads,

The only squad I've seen worse than the Aussie one was in the movie "Carry on up the Khyber "

:laugh:

by **LFC #1** » Thu May 11, 2006 1:59 am

Lionheart wrote:The one factor we are overlooking in terms of Australia's progress beyond the group stage is the manager. Guus Hiddink has reputation of taking teams further than we believed possible.

Hiddink will not select a player on reputation, hence Kewell warmed the bench for the the return elimination leg against Uruguay. Hiddink demands, and gets, a top shelf attitude and effort from all his selected players...otherwise they just aren't selected. That's why we don't see the likes of Zelic or Colosimo, but we have seen the rise of Culina. Someone who is commited to the cause and will give 100% everytime. Hiddink relies on it and stakes his reputation on it. Don't underestimate the likes of Beauchamp or Milligan.

Australia won't be walkovers and if anyone thinks they will be (such as the arrogant Croatians...that'll get AB!! for example), will do so at their peril.

Good points Lionheart.

I think you have a good chance against Croatia and Japan, and you'd he happy with a 1 or 2 goal loss to Brazil.

Like i said in my earlier post I think Croatia are a very well organised team with players who can hurt you, similar to Australia tbh (but Croatia's defence is stronger), so ast best I think you'll get a draw there.

Japan is a very fast and technically gifted side, they can score goals but they concede plenty as well. IF Cahill, Bresciano et al can get on top in midfield then I can see an Australia win.

4 points may be enough, but I would say that Croatia would get at least 4, if not more, and Brazil 7 or 9. So TBH I think you'll just fail to get through, it's definitely possible.

by **woof woof !** » Thu May 11, 2006 2:21 am

I feel sorry for Harry , he'll be part of a squad that'll struggle to pick up a single point .

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