With a couple of minor misgivings, I am delighted with the squad Arnie has picked for Qatar 2022.

To deal with the exclusions first…

I can’t help but suspect there was some issue with Mitch Langerak that we’ll never get to hear about (unless he writes his memoirs). In my opinion he’s the best Australian goalkeeper so ought to be in the squad. If there are political issues, it’s Arnie’s job to manage them. [Cross]

No doubt there are issues also with Tom Rogic. He went walkabout when most needed then took forever to find a club. Even now he’s hardly playing so – too little too late. [Tick]

Adam Taggart has struggled recently with injury and form but, to be fair, has never quite set the world on fire either at club or national level. I would have been deeply pissed off if he’d been picked ahead of Cummings or Kuol. [Tick]

The biggest call though has to be Trent Sainsbury. It must have been agonising for Arnie to leave his son-in-law out of the squad but, while I’ve been a massive fan in the past, he’s clearly dropped off in recent matches. His errors against the Kiwis would have seen us punished against the level of opposition we’ll face in Qatar. [Tick]

Now for the inclusions…

Keepers are entirely predictable with Langerak’s exclusion. Unfortunately, there is no pressure on Mat Ryan who has hardly played for weeks. [Cross]

The right backs are predictable (Atkinson and Karacic) but I would have taken Ryan Strain, who got his first cap against NZ. He’s always been solid but has been outstanding for St Mirren and IMnsHO is a better defender than either of those selected. Atkinson possibly gets the nod on the basis of his attacking flair, although Deng can also play there. [Cross]

The left backs are entirely predictable (Behich and King) but neither fill me with confidence. In fact, I’d probably prefer Craig Goodwin there – he’s done it before and adds a serious attacking threat. We will need to attack to have any chance of getting through the group.

The central defence is where Arnie has taken some risks. Kye Rowles and Harry Souttar are excellent players but both are just back from injury with no match fitness. It will be asking a lot of both of them to hold off the might of France and Denmark. Milos Degenek has been a solid, if occasional, Socceroo, but playing in the US is a far cry from his European Champions League days. Bailey Wright had a blinder against Peru but has been in and out of the Sunderland side. Thomas Deng, for me, is the only one playing at a decent level in good form. He can also play right back.

The defensive midfield is truly interesting. Cam Devlin has been first man picked for Hearts this season – a tackling dynamo who covers a breathtaking amount of the park. If Aaron Mooy is to play he’ll need someone next to him to do the grunt work. Devlin can do it, and so can Keanu Baccus, who’s had a breakout season at St Mirren. I’m a little surprised to see no Denis Genreau but he’s just not played enough this year. [Tick]

Aaron Mooy and Jackson Irvine were always going to be picked after solid seasons for Celtic and St Pauli respectively. Both are a little old now but have great experience and will certainly help the development of Generation Next.

Attacking midfield, Mooy and Irvine to one side, consists of Ajdin Hrustic and Riley McGree. Two very different players who, on their day, offer a lot. Hrustic is capable of being our most creative player but can absolutely go missing when the going gets tough – as it certainly will against all three teams at the World Cup. I’d be more inclined to be starting McGree whose skills have been re-forged in the cauldron of the English Championship. If McGree is used properly… [Tick]

The wingers are where we really do have some firepower. Martin Boyle, Awer Mabil, Craig Goodwin, Mat Leckie and Garang Kuol all have explosive pace and trickery which can cause problems – as long as they have the right players around them and at the focus of our attack. Leckie, Boyle and Mabil, in all likelihood, will dominate the starting positions but Goodwin, and especially Kuol, have much to offer the team and are very likely to get minutes. [Tick]

The attackers are exactly the ones I would have picked.

Jamie MacLaren’s torrent of goals for Melbourne City just can’t be denied. I don’t think we’ve ever seen the best of him for the NT but mainly because Arnie’s teams aren’t properly set up to take advantage of his qualities – the way City are. He is a lethal finisher though so deserves another chance. [Tick]

Mitch Duke is the quintessential Arnie striker – an absolute workhorse who will hassle the enemy into error. Strong in the air, with a powerful shot, I’d expect these two to be favourites to start.

However, as I’ve written elsewhere, Jason Cummings is the most complete striker at Arnie’s disposal. He is the most skilful of the three with an incredible record (goals and assists) in the A League. He scores both inside and outside the box. Most importantly, he is able to link up with midfield, and bring others into play, in a way the other two never do. He’d be my first choice.

If Arnie and his helpers are fair dinkum they’ll be giving all three an equal chance to be first choice.

Ultimately, Arnie’s squad gets a few more ticks than crosses from me, so kudos for that. I’m a little surprised at those he’s left out but very encouraged for the future. [Tick]

I do worry that, now he’s made the hard choices, he might revert to the easy choices in Qatar.

My team (from the 26 picked) would be:

                        Ryan

Deng   Wright              Rowles  Goodwin

            Devlin              Mooy

Boyle               McGree           Mabil

                        Cummings

With Souttar, Irvine, Hrustic, Leckie, MacLaren, Duke and Kuol (in particular) likely to get minutes.

That won’t be Arnie’s side but, I am very happy to see some team replenishment happening for the future.

We won’t win the World Cup but might just be smokies for the next Asian Cup.

 

Adrian's books can be purchased at any good bookstore or through ebook alchemy. His first sci-fi novel (Asparagus Grass) will be published by Hague Publishing in early 2023.