The chance is coming. Or at least it should be.
While the two recent friendlies against Poland and Switzerland provided some decent results and the odd showcase of good football they didn't really teach us much we didn't already know.
Lucky, then, that they weren't intended to be a learning opportunity for us fans - though it did seem to be a gentle reminder that 4am kick-offs aren't particularly enjoyable. They were instead organised to give new gaffer Holger Osieck an opportunity to personally communicate his ideals to the first-teamers.
Now with these two matches out of the way, it would be fair to hope that Osieck will take a few more risks with his next squad selection. Sure, it wasn't a great deal of time for Osieck to lay the framework for his plans but then he has to remember there is less than four months until the Asian Cup gets underway.
Unfortunately, Osieck has said that the upcoming home fixture against Paraguay - and potentially the Asian Cup also - will be contested with a full strength squad.
Disappointing.
Every single opportunity to integrate new members into the national team set-up should be taken, starting now. Most importantly, this can be achieved without wholesale changes.
Remember those possible versus probable matches that were contested to decide your region's representative squads when you were younger? Well I certainly do and my distaste for the concept remains, particularly as a regular member of the former. I'd love to see Holger assist my boycotting plans by blurring the lines between the two for the upcoming friendly. Something along the lines of a 'probissible' squad selected to face Paraguay would be pleasing to see. It wouldn't be hurting anyone to include five or six guys who are close to making the step-up but haven't had any real chances to show that they are ready.
Fans may want to see Cahill, Neill, Schwarzer, Kewell and friends in the flesh as often as possible - just as I do - but we should be willing to make this small sacrifice.
As far as individuals go, I would love to see Neil Kilkenny, James Troisi and Matthew Spiranovic all given substantial game time. I've said before that Spiranovic will cement his place in the side if he receives an extended run in the heart of defence. Perhaps Lucas could be one who does make the trip to further build their partnership. Troisi and Kilkenny, meanwhile, have been in impressive club form and both have qualities that would significantly add to what Holger currently has at his disposal. Kilkenny may not be as defensively strong as Carl Valeri, Vince Grella or Mile Jedinak but he makes up for that with his tenacity and, more importantly, his unmatched passing range.
I would also like to see Mathew Leckie introduced sooner rather than later for experience purposes. No one can doubt just how ridiculously good the 19 year old has been recently. Mile Jedinak is in a much different position to Leckie but could also do with a full 90 minutes of international standard competition. Lastly, why not invite Ersan Gulum over to secure his allegiance to the Green and Gold? Although I'm usually against handing out easy caps, especially if I haven't seen that player in action, it would be silly not to take a look at a promising left footed-defender. Go have a chat to him Holger.
Hopefully Osieck will realise that it's worth saving the senior boys another long trek to instead promote their successors. Give them a chance and they may just 'write their own futures.' (Clever, huh?)
Beyond this friendly, with a few solved questions, planning can begin for the Asian Cup. Stay tuned ...
