Road to Bejing - Olyroos 2008

[northernspirit]

burns + djite too?

 

[FFC Mariner]

No, too hot for Burns apparenty and even Arnoldout must have been watching Shit-eh and realised how poor he really is

 

[marinermick]

burns + djite too?

don't know but you would imagine it would be one striker, one midfielder, one defender and one keeper, therefore excluding shitje and burns

 

[marinermick]

today's newcastle herald said that james holland is also on standby

 

[serious14]

today's newcastle herald said that james holland is also on standby

 

[kevrenor]

Knocked off from elsewhere, to which it had been knocked off. Sums it up quite well:

Not sure who this person is but they go under the name of Foggy Night
and their blog is located here:
http://foggyatnight.blogspot.com/2008/07/olympic-squad-in-depth-look.html

Saturday, 5 July 2008


The Olympic Squad, An In Depth Look
<http://foggyatnight.blogspot.com/2008/07/olympic-squad-in-depth-look.html>


Ok, so the dust has settled a little on the Olympic squad that Graham
Arnold has selected but that certainly doesn't mean that the questions
have gone away. So let's have a closer look at the lucky 18 who are
making there way to Beijing.

*Adam Federici*
/Age: 23/
/Position: Goalkeeper/
/Club: Reading FC (Coca-Cola Championship, England)/
/Olyroo caps: 0/
/Socceroo caps: 0/

Federici is a fairly obvious choice at goalkeeper with Danny Vukovic now
unavailable. However the biggest question mark over him is whether he is
actually ready. Has played minimal first team football for Reading as he
has continued to be the understudy to Marcus Hahnemann, and has not
played at national team level since playing for the under 20s. A good
keeper but does have a question mark over him due to the lack of first
team football and international experience.

*Tando Velaphi*
/Age: 21/
/Position: Goalkeeper/
/Club: Perth Glory (A-League)/
/Olyroo caps: 1/
/Socceroo caps: 0/

Velaphi is a talented young keeper from Perth who burst onto the scene
when on loan to the Roar in season two of the A-League. Tando has been
the understudy to Vukovic for some time and now finds himself consigned
to the number two position behind Federici. He has yet to fully
establish himself in Perth and does have some question marks over his
readiness for a tournament of this magnitude. Has not been playing
regular for the Olyroos in recent times as Arnold has looked at other
keepers.

*Jade North*
/Age: 26/
/Position: Central Defender, Right Fullback/
/Club: Newcastle Jets (A-League)/
/Olyroo caps: 15, 1 goal/
/Socceroo caps: 22/

One of Arnold's three over age players, North now heads to his second
Olympics having previously been in the squad in Athens. In and out of
the national team he has burst into the side in the last six months and
seemingly established himself as a regular. Tipped by many to captain
the side in Beijing, North brings experience, quality, composure and
leadership to the side.

*Mark Milligan*
/Age: 22/
/Position: Central Defender, Defensive Midfield, Right Fullback/
/Club: Uncontracted/
/Olroo caps: 11, 5 goals/
/Socceroo caps: 5/

Arnold's captain throughout the qualification campaign Milligan may now
be forced to handover the role to North. Has been a strong performer at
national team level but struggled last season at Sydney FC and has also
fallen out of favour with Pim Verbeek and is yet to appear under him.
Has shown a lack of discipline and a penchant for erratic behaviour
having walked out on Sydney to trial in France only to walk out of the
trial. Skipped an Olyroo camp to trial in England earlier this year and
may be a little lucky to still have made the cut. Will be vying for a
spot alongside with the emerging presence of Matthew Spiranovic.
Milligan must have a big Olympics to enable himself to secure a decent
contract in Europe.

*Adrian Leijer*
/Age: 22/
/Position; Central Defender/
/Club: Fulham FC (Premier League, England)/
/Olyroo caps: 18, 1 goal/
/Socceroo caps: 1/

Leijer has struggled for football since moving to England and has also
been hampered by niggling injuries. He is always a strong performer for
the Olympic team and will be pushing hard for one of the starting spots
in the centre of defence. Strong and dependable, he may be forced onto
the bench however.

*Matthew Spiranovic*
/Age: 20/
/Position: Central Defender/
/Club: FC Nurnberg (Bundesliga 2, Germany)/
/Olyroo caps: 1/
/Socceroo caps: 2/

One of Australia's brightest young stars, Spiranovic has established
himself as a regular in the Bundesliga. Unfortunately missed a lot of
last season due to injury he is expected to be a mainstay of Nurnberg's
relegated side next season. Has looked comfortable and composed in
playing with the Socceroos and should be the first choice to start
alongside North in defence.

*Nikolai Topor-Stanley*
/Age: 23/
/Position: left Fullback, Central Defender/
/Club: Perth Glory (A-League)/
/Olyroo caps: 19, 4 goals/
/Socceroo caps: 3/

Topor-Stanley has been a fixture on the left of the Olyroo defence for
some time so his selection comes as no surprise. Has been given chances
by Verbeek with the full national team and is a regular in the A-League.
Not always the most convincing of fullbacks he should still be the first
choice in that postion I would expect.

*Trent McLenahan*
/Age: 23/
/Position: Right Fullback/
/Club: Hereford United (League Two, England)/
/Olyroo caps: 12/
/Socceroo caps: 0/

A regular starter for Arnold the former West Ham trainee is probably the
most under-rated player in the squad. A dependable, no frills player
rumour has it that he has no intention of returning to the Bulls where
he is out of contract. So there is every chance that he is viewing the
Olympics as a chance to put himself in the shop window and move to a
bigger club. Should start regularly on the right of defence throughout
the tournament.

*Ruben Zadkovich*
/Age: 22/
/Position: Right Fullback, Right Midfield/
/Club: Derby County (Coca-Cola Championship, England)/
/Olyroo caps: 17/
/Socceroo caps: 1/

Recently signed by Derby, Zadkovich is another of Arnold's regulars who
retains his place in the squad. Viewed by many as one of Australia's
more over-rated players, Zadkovich has a bit of a habit of going missing
in the big games and can also suffer from a lack of discipline and poor
decision making. Likely to play second fiddle to the more reliable
McLenahan, Zadkovich may get his chance if Arnold decides he needs
another option on the right side of attack.

*Stuart Musialik*
/Age: 23/
/Position: Central Midfield/
/Club: Sydney FC (A-League)/
/Olyroo caps: 9/
/Socceroo caps: 0/

Musialik, like Milligan, may be a bit lucky to be in the squad having
failed to attend a camp earlier in the year. Back in favour, he is a
talented midfielder who can play as the link man between defence and
attack. Musialik should be a regular starter at the Olympics in a
postion where Arnold has limited his options.

*Neil Kilkenny*
/Age: 22/
/Position: Central Midfield/
/Club: Leeds United (League One, England)/
/Olroo caps: 4/
/Soccreoo caps: 2/

Kilkenny has established himself in the lower leagues of England and is
considered a talented, creative midfielder. Came into the Leeds side as
they hit a mid-season slump, but he was at the heart of their charge to
the promotion play-offs and is now considered by manager Gary McAllister
as an integral part of his squad. Should be teaming up with Musialik in
the centre of midfield and will look to instigate much of Australia's
attack. Kilkenny is also a regular set piece taker for Leeds.

*David Carney*
/Age: 24/
/Position: Left Wing, Left Midfield, Left Fullback/
/Club: Sheffield United (Coca-Cola Championship, England)/
/Olyroo caps: 0/
/Socceroo caps: 12, 1 goal/

Now a regular for the Socceroos, Carney goes to the Olympics as the
second of Arnold's over-age players. He can play all the way up the left
side and could also be switched onto the right wing. He gives Arnold
options in attack and defence but really needs to step up to the
challenge as one of the squad's senior players. Most likely to be used
in attack he needs to pin the ears back and start taking on players and
beating them to give us some chance of cracking the oppostion defences open.

*James Troisi*
/Age: 20/
/Position: Left Wing/
/Club: Uncontracted/
/Olyroo caps: 6, 2 goals/
/Socceroo caps: 3/

Rated highly by many, Troisi is currently without a club and needs a big
Olympics to enable himself to tie up a new deal in Europe. Has yet to
fully impress with the national team, and like Carney needs to start
having a crack at defenders to really impress. Could well start most
matches on the left wing with Carney on the right.

*Kristian Sarkies*
/Age: 21/
/Position: Central Attacking Midfield/
/Club: Adelaide United (A-League)/
/Olyroo caps: 15, 6 goals/
/Socceroo caps: 2/

Somewhat underwelming at club level, Sarkies seems to save his best for
the national team. He has been a regular under Arnold and should play a
regular role in Beijing. Has a big reputation for his set pieces that he
does not always deliver on.

*Billy Celeski*
/Age: 22/
/Position: Central Attacking Midfield/
/Club: Melbourne Victory (A-League)/
/Olyroo caps: 3/
/Socceroo caps: 0/

Probably the biggest surprise of all Arnold's selections is Billy
Celeski. A talented attacking midfielder who was one of Perth's best
last A-League season. With very little presious experience in the
Olympic side Celeski has bolted into the side seemingly at the expense
of Nathan Burns. He will need a big tournament to convince most that
this was the right selection.

*Mark Bridge*
/Age: 22/
/Position: Striker/
/Club: Sydney FC (A-League)/
/Olyroo caps: 15, 3 goals/
/Socceroo caps: 2/

Bridge is another of Arnold's regulars and was always expected to be on
the plane to Beijing. Not a prolific goal scorer Bridge may be used more
to hold the ball up at the front. He will be using the Olympics to help
force his way up the pecking order at Sydney. Bridge can score some good
goals and is one of our better players on the ball.

*Archie Thompson*
/Age: 29/
/Postion: Striker/
/Club: Melbourne Victory (A-League)/
/Olyroo caps: 7/
/Socceroo caps: 30, 21 goals/

Thompson is Arnold's final over-age player and perhaps his most
controversial selection. Currently struggling with injury, Thompson
faces a race to be fully fit for Beijing. Thompson can be a prolific
goal scorer though he has yet to really step up and convince against
quality opposition. One of only three out and out strikers it is unliley
that he would be used as a lone striker so he may be given a spot on the
right wing. A poor Olympics could consign him to the national team scrap
heap.

*Nikita Rukavytsya*
/Age: 21/
/Postion: Striker/
/Club: Perth Glory (A-League)/
/Olyroo caps: 6, 1 goal/
/Socceroos caps: 0/

An exciting young striker of Ukrainian heritage from Perth, Rukavytsya's
selection was a refreshing surprise. He possesses pace, skill and can
score some top quality goals. Not yet established at national team level
he has bags of potential and could arrive on the scene if given his
chance in Beijing. He may find his chances limited if Arnold's takes the
approach of playing with a lone striker as he is at is best in a front two.

So that is is the squad and while there are some good selections here, I
personally think that Arnold has made a number of crucial selection
blunders.

Firstly he goes into the tournament without an established goalkeeper.
Both Federici and Velaphi are talented but neither has fully established
himself at club or international level yet. If ever there was a spot we
could have filled with an over-age player it is in goal. Schwarzer,
Petkovic and Covic could each have been worthy options and in the case
of the latter two it would have been a great chance to give them some
much needed game time. It's a sing and a miss for Arnold here.

The one part of the field where we surely had a wealth of options was in
the centre of defence, yet it is here where Arnold chose to add an
over-age player. With Milligan, Spiranovic and Leijer at his disposal
Arnold was spoilt for choice and it is something of a surprise to me
that he has opted to bring Jade North in. Again it's another swing and a
miss for Arnold on this one.

While we now are spoilt for choice in the centre of defence it is not
quite the same for us in the centre of midfield. We only have four
players there and I'm not totally convinced that Billy Celeski is going
to rise to the occasion. Personally I would have thought that Carl
Valeri and/or Nick Carle could have come in here to add more depth and
quality. So that is another whooshing sound for Graham Arnold.

Finally we come to the striking role and how on earth did he manage to
leave out both Nathan Burns and Bruce Djite. Burns in particular had a
huge Asian Champions League while Archie Thompson looked like an also
ran. With only three strikers picked it's almost certain that we are
going to play just one up front and I wouldn't say that any of the three
picked are suited to that role. Again a swing and a miss, but this time
Arnold has manage to trip over and fall on his stumps in the pike position.

All in all it's a squad that I don't think convinces anyone that we will
be going past the group stage. Too bad really, I was actually looking
forward to the Olympics up until now.

 

[Wilson]

anyone know who the 4 stand by players are ???

Yeah at the start of this thread I said Matt Simon, James "I did not hand ball it" Holland, Some guy from Melbourne and I dont no the 4th...Either do the players!!!!

 

[Newieutd]

Arnold = tool.

How can Olyroos be antonymous from the Socceroos.
Regardless of you allegiances.
Holland, Burns, Djite have to be in based on them playing for the Socceroos. Even Simon was training with the Socceroos, but, has been overlooked for Olyroo selection.
Archie Thompson selection is just ridiculous, as bearinator said has been injured for ages, doesnt get close to getting a run for the Socceroos. How can he get in.

I am also totally against the Carney selection. Im not sure what he will bring to the team.

Im just so scared the Olyroos will fail for the sole reason Arnold has been involved in it.

 

[FFC Mariner]

Maybe the players realise that he is an utter waste of space and arent making much of an effort to play for him (Asian Cup anyone??)

 

[Newieutd]

Maybe the players realise that he is an utter waste of space and arent making much of an effort to play for him (Asian Cup anyone??)

You really cant count anything out with Arnold

 

[marinermick]

boogs is also on standby

 

[MattSimon]

"If Craig Foster criticises you, and he is right, something is very, very wrong with your decision."
- M. Simon referring to Graham Arnold @ Media Conference, Sydney, 11am.

"ARNOLD OUT! SIMON IN!"
- M. Simon referring to his own excellence whilst on top of a table @ Iguana Joes, Gosford, 3:27am.

 

[soccersensei]

"If Craig Foster criticises you, and he is right, something is very, very wrong with your decision."

 

[happy]

I don't know the original source but it was posted in our forum

Games snub stings striker Dario Vidosic


Marco Monteverde

July 08, 2008 12:00am

FORMER Queensland Roar striker Dario Vidosic will consider committing his future to Croatia after being snubbed by Olyroos coach Graham Arnold.

Vidosic was among several young strike weapons, including Nathan Burns, Bruce Djite and David Williams, overlooked for Olympic selection last week.

Arnold, who chose 30-year-old striker Archie Thompson, has explained the controversial omissions of Burns and Djite, expressing concerns about their age and ability to play in the Beijing heat.

But Vidosic, who on Sunday returns to Germany for pre-season training with Nurnberg, said he was still waiting for a proper explanation for his non-selection.

He says part of the reason could be Arnold being under the false impression that he was more concerned with establishing himself in the Nurnberg first team rather than representing Australia.

"When you've gone through the whole two years (with the Olyroos), it's a bit of a shame not making it and not knowing why," Vidosic said.

"I think in the two years I've been around I've proven that I wanted to be there."

Vidosic, who moved to Australia from Croatia when he was one, said if he, too, had been rubber-stamped as a player who could not perform in the heat, perhaps he would be better off representing his country of birth.

"Unfortunately, Australia plays all their games in the heat through the Asian qualifiers, so there's not much more I can do," he said.

"If I start doing well in Germany, then Croatia will come as well because I'm not locked in, having not represented Australia at Socceroo level.

"First and foremost I'd like to play for Australia, but I would not rule out playing for Croatia, because with the Australian team, everything's up in the air now."

Vidosic said he was desperate to prove Arnold wrong.

"This is only a small bump in the road. I've got to do it for myself now and all the rest will figure itself out later," he said.

Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley yesterday leapt to Arnold's defence, saying claims he picked the Olympic team on his own without consulting Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek were wrong.

"Graham consulted with both Pim Verbeek and (national technical director) Rob Baan in making his selections, and also discussed the implications with the head of the national teams department, John Boultbee," Buckley said.

 

[dibo]

all i could read is

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!

 

[mariners4ever]

the stand by players are:
-simon
-broxham
-O'Connor
-holland

boogs is an additional train on squad member

 

[marinermick]

the stand by players are:
-simon
-broxham
-O'Connor
-holland

boogs is an additional train on squad member

o'connor?

 

[mariners4ever]

the stand by players are:
-simon
-broxham
-O'Connor
-holland

boogs is an additional train on squad member

o'connor?

Chris O'Connor is a goalkeeper who plays for Bray Wanderers in Ireland

 

[marinermick]

the stand by players are:
-simon
-broxham
-O'Connor
-holland

boogs is an additional train on squad member

o'connor?

Chris O'Connor is a goalkeeper who plays for Bray Wanderers in Ireland

fark, never heard of him

 

[mariners4ever]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_O%27Connor