With the senior national team producing fewer headlines than a singular Wayne Rooney, I have decided to take a look at just how the Young Socceroos success at the Asian under-19 Championship will benefit the senior squad. Arabella's latest piece about the under-19s progression into 2012 Olyroos provided great insight into their shorter term importance; hopefully the following will provide a look at the squad's potential to become fully fledged Socceroos.
The attacking prowess that was displayed over the course of the tournament is exciting to say the very least. At a time when quality depth in the forward third is the senior Socceroos most pressing issue, the vision of goal scoring opportunities being created through both individual skill and offensive teamwork comes as a welcome relief.
While the general consensus has been that the defence was a little too fragile, which is difficult to disagree with, defenders do tend to make greater strides with experience. After all, Lucas Neill started out as a winger at the AIS so our optimism shouldn't be ruined by this alone.
The impression that these youngsters can make on the 'Roos squad shouldn't be limited to the long term. The success of the under-19s should really only provide a fraction of the incentive required for Holger Osieck to include new faces in his Asian Cup squad. If he isn't planning on making major changes, the least that could be done would be to incorporate two or three of the younger stars as learning experience.
Tommy Oar should be a certainty. A certain squad member, that is, and also a definite participant.
The way he glided past several North Korean defenders to assist Kerem Bulut's second goal of the final was a moment of Messi-esque beauty. This brilliance came after delivering one of many pinpoint crosses for Bulut to opening the scoring. I've been lucky enough to be a first-hand witness of Tommy Oar's professional debut, first professional goal and international debut and hope to see his career continue to grow into eventual Asian and World Cup appearances.
His showing in the final would indicate that such is a likely course of action. With the reluctant acknowledgment that Harry Kewell cannot go on forever, and a lack of natural left-fullbacks meaning David Carney must stay in defence, space is soon to open up on Australia's left wing. Tommy has obviously been making the right kind of progress at Utrecht to smoothen that transition.
Ben Kantarovski, on the other hand, hasn't yet taken off to Europe. Despite not particularly dominating the A-League to this point, he has been just about the brightest young player to feature in the league since his debut at age 16. You couldn't blame the Young Socceroos captain if he were to make the move at the conclusion of this season; his composure as both a player and a leader puts him a class above most his age.
Kantarovski has been particularly appreciated for his versatility at the Newcastle Jets but if he can continue grow into the central midfield role that he commanded then the Socceroos will be a major beneficiary. Holding midfielders are likely to stay in vogue for a while yet and a player blessed with the ability to combine creative and defensive roles from his position, as Kantarovski can, should be a valued Socceroos regular. He's the archetypal technical footballer that the Australian football revolution is aiming to produce in greater numbers.
While Mathew Leckie was one who didn't hit the heights that we have seen for Adelaide this season I am still confident that he should be at least the second under-19 representative in the Asian Cup squad. He's perhaps one who may need a little more nurturing and refinement before becoming a consistent Socceroos squad member.
Kerem Bulut, however, pushed his case to be a rough chance for the squad and long-term Socceroo further than any of his teammates. If he can manage to find game time and goals at club level then he could be a chance for Asian Cup inclusion, although I suggest that his international potential is most likely to be realised beyond the tournament. In any case, he showed most of the qualities that are required of a top-drawer striker. Positional awareness and ability to find the back of the net - the latter a commodity that Australia have been lacking - were the hallmarks of his golden boot winning tournament.
The FFA youth coaching staff would be wise to monitor this technically talented squad for as long as is necessary. The highlight reels that Mustafa Amini and Terry Antonis could each compile showcasing their individual skills is enough to suggest that strong investment should be made in the group.
Ten years from now, with the countdown to Australia's 2022 World Cup edging closer to fruition, we could very well be reminiscing about the under-19 tournament which launched the international careers of our most successful Socceroos.
