Osieck's bemusing Socceroos squad

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

IF the selection of David Carney in the Socceroos squad for the France and Canada clashes was one of the more surprising inclusions by Holger Osieck, the exclusion of Millwall's Shane Lowry at his expense has to be the most bemusing omission.

The national team has gone through almost as many left back's since Scott Chipperfield's retirement as the Australian cricket team has done spinners since Shane Warne called it quits.

So it beggars belief that 24 year old Lowry, who is coming off a 39 game season in the English Championship that saw him feature in an F.A Cup semi-final, has again been overlooked in favour of 29 year old Carney who has played eight club games in the past two seasons. Four of which were in Uzbekistan.

This is not a criticism of Carney's ability. 

Of all the left-backs Australia has used since Chipperfield's departure he has easily been the most capable and after a near, year-long search for a club he has found himself an excellent set-up at the New York Red Bulls in which to relaunch his career. But having played only four times in the MLS since signing, he should be required to prove his form over a longer period of time in order to win a national team recall, especially after such a long absence from regular club football.

This is, though, a criticism of Osieck's continual refusal to grant Lowry his first cap.

After graduating through Aston Villa's academy, the West Australian opted to leave the Midlands club for greater opportunities. Millwall chose to make his loan spell there permanent last season and Lowry flourished in London.

He was unmovable in Millwall's back four, winning over the fans and making the left-back spot his own as well as filling in at the centre of defence when required. And while his attack on the ball fits in perfectly with his club's aggressive culture, his elevation to set-piece taker for both corners and free-kicks proves that his left foot possesses just as much craft as it does tenacity.

The Socceroos would be well served by another option from dead ball situations.

Lowry's start to this season has been slower than the last, and while there's no guarantees that he's the long term solution at left-back, it's perpelexing as to why Osieck hasn't yet made him an option by surveying him in camp.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The Championship may lack a touch of technical class but there are few leagues in the world that are as gruelling and demanding as the 46 game marathon of English Football's second tier. Socceroo legends Lucas Neill and Tim Cahill could both vouch for its credibility having launched their careers at Millwall too, while Mile Jedinak spent two seasons there before winning promotion to the Premiership with Crystal Palace.

Michael Zullo, Jason Davidson and Aziz Behich have all had their Socceroos chances hindered by the lack of regular club football while Matt McKay has done a serviceable job but as a midfielder he is a potential liability defensively against top class opposition, as Brazil so brutally proved in their 6-0 thrashing of Australia.

Lowry presents the most obvious combination at present of both defensive acumen with regular game time at a quality level in the left-back position, of any Australian player.

In a Fox Sports interview last season, Lowry said he was willing to bide his time but thought his chance might have come in the February friendly against Romania.

Right now, he must be wondering if it ever will.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Osieck's bemusing Socceroos squad

Dengan url

http://sportifoclube.blogspot.com/2013/09/osiecks-bemusing-socceroos-squad.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Osieck's bemusing Socceroos squad

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Osieck's bemusing Socceroos squad

sebagai sumbernya