After finishing our analysis of Group A with a look at Mexico yesterday, we turn our attentions to Group B. First up are the underdogs Australia, a team that many expect to crash out at the first hurdle without a point to their name. Ange Postecoglou’s men face Chile on Friday June 13 at 11pm before squaring up to Holland five days later at 5pm and then take on reigning champions Spain in their final group match on Monday June 23 at 5pm:
Road to Qualification
The Socceroos progressed through a couple of groups before clinching their qualification. The first consisted of three other teams, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Thailand, with Australia winning five of their six games, scoring 13 times and conceding five.
Their second group was a little more taxing. Winning just three of their eight matches, they finished second to Japan with just 13 points, scoring 12 times and conceding seven times, with three clean sheets accrued.
Most Starts Mark Schwarzer, Luke Wilkshire, Matt McKay (8), Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill (7) Brett Holman, Mark Bresciano, Robbie Kruse, Sasa Ognenovski (6)
Most Goals Tim Cahill (3), Archie Thompson (2)
The Key Targets
This is a period of transition for Australia. Postecoglou took charge after a faltering qualifying campaign and has masterminded a shift away from the so-called “golden generation”, to an emphasis on youth ahead of the Asian Cup in 2015. Both Mark Schwarzer and Harry Kewell have recently retired from international duties, whilst many of the main men from the qualifying campaign, such as Luke Wilshire, Lucas Neill and Brett Holman, are far from certain to feature in the shake-up.
It’s fair to say that expectations are low. Hindered in attacking quarters by the absence of star man Robbie Kruse, of Bayer Leverkusan, with a knee injury; a lack of pace at the back will likely leave them cruelly exposed to the Spanish, Dutch and Chilean attacks.
The Socceroos are likely to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation that will see Tim Cahill, by far their most recognised and potent goal threat, leading the attack. The former Toffee is well known to to us, as is his prowess in the air from set-plays. Classified as a forward in FantasyiTeam, he sets you back 7.9, though if listed as a midfielder in other games, is likely be the only figure to tempt our investment as a possible out-of-position prospect.
The Aussies will rely on their widemen for provide for Cahill. Postecoglou is set to turn to youth in these positions, with Tommy Oar and Matthew Leckie deployed either side of experienced New York Red Bull’s man. Both are players of some potential: Oar plies his trade in Holland as a striker with FC Utrecht but possesses the trickery to find space and a proven crossing ability which could be a factor from set-plays – indeed, he has provided an assist in each of the last two friendlies. Leckie, meanwhile, is based in Germany with FC Ingolstadt 04 having appeared for FSV Frankfurt last season. He will offer some threat with his raw pace and can play as a second striker or out wide: he struck ten goals from 31 appearances in Germany’s second tier last season. Of the two, Oar is slightly cheaper in FantasyiTeam, priced at 6.2 to Leckie’s 6.4, though both are classified as forwards and will struggle to earn our Fantasy attention.
Mile Jedinak will be a more familiar name to us and will provide the physical presence and energy as the hub in Australia’s midfield. Outstanding in his first Premier League season, Jedinak’s height at set-plays and ability to break up play and earn recovered balls could make him a budget option in the official FIFA game – available for 5.0 in FantasyiTeam, he also has spot-kick duties to further his appeal, as evidenced by a converted penalty in a recent friendly defeat to Ecuador.
The Long Shot
The precocious talents of 21-year-old Tomas Rogic (5.2 in FantasyiTeam,) may not earn a stage in Brazil, with Postecoglou unlikely to turn to his playmaking abilities from the outset after a spate of injuries. Even so, many are tipping Rogic to be the Socceroo’s most exciting prospect and a natural “number 10”.
Further Analysis
Group A – Brazil,Cameroon, Croatia,
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