The Socceroos face a decisive week – automatic qualify for a fifth consecutive World Cup or drop into the dreaded and gruelling play-offs.
It comes amid mounting pressure on Australia head coach Graham Arnold, who has overseen just one win in five games, leaving the Socceroos third in Group B, three points behind Japan and four adrift of leaders Saudi Arabia.
As it stands, the Socceroos will finish third and feature in the play-offs, which will consist of a one-off clash against the other third-placed team in the AFC – currently the United Arab Emirates. The winner will meet the fifth-ranked CONMEBOL nation in a one-legged tie in in June for a spot at Qatar 2022.
Should Australia be consigned to the play-offs, former Socceroo goalkeeper Mark Bosnich believes a coaching change should be made.
Former Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa is the name on everyone’s lips, though Bosnich feels the Argentine coach or legendary ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger should form the long-term future of the game Down Under.
Speaking on SEN’s The Global Game, Bosnich – who has been critical of Australia’s performances under Arnold – was asked about the possibility of turning to Bielsa.
“Right at this moment in time, I’d clutch at someone like him,” Bosnich said ahead of Thursday’s must-win showdown against Japan in Sydney before travelling to Saudi Arabia five days later.
“For me, I’d have someone like him in a bigger plan for the whole game of Australia. I think in the past we probably should’ve went down that route but we didn’t because I don’t think he had the gravitas with everybody in Australia but after his time with Leeds, we know how popular the Premier League here is in Australia, that was a really important thing.
“As far as I’m concerned, someone like him or Arsene Wenger should be brought in as the overlord of Australian football with help locally. You have someone like Ron Smith who’s been part of everything for so long and knows so much about Australian football. I’d have him as part of that team above him. I’d have someone like Trevor Morgan beneath him and I mean that in the most respectful way to learn off him and pass on.
“It’s simple for me, I think we’re at that stage. We all need to then get behind someone like that but it does make it much easier when you have someone with that gravitas.”
As it stands, the Socceroos would face Russia 2018 opponents Peru in the inter-confederation play-off, should they get past the AFC tie.
Old foes Uruguay – fourth in the standings – and sixth-placed Chile are also in the mix to finish fifth in South America, where only three points separate the three nations.
Bosnich, though, has serious concerns if the Socceroos are forced into the play-offs.
“If we come third, whoever it is in the other group – UAE or Lebanon etc, I don’t think any team will beat the South American team. I really don’t think we will qualify,” he said.
A 21-time Australia international, Alex Brosque added: “I think we will finish third. I think we will play the UAE and I think we’re good enough to beat the UAE.
“But as Bozza said, I don’t think anyone is good enough to beat the fifth, sixth or seventh-best teams in South America at the moment.”
Garcia’s Glory axing: Good call or bad call?
It’s been a challenging season for Perth Glory to say the least.
Displaced from Western Australia due to the state’s strict border restrictions, COVID-19 outbreaks and injuries. Richard Garcia had his hands full.
The Glory’s return to Perth at the start of the month was meant to provide relief. Instead, it left the Isuzu UTE A-League club bottom of the standings after four consecutive home matches without a win.
Last week’s 4-1 rout at the hands of fellow strugglers Brisbane Roar proved to be the final straw for Perth’s hierarchy, parting with Garcia, who had been at the helm since September 2020.
For Brosque, he questioned the decision after what’s transpired in 2021-22, plus the lack of movement in the off-season.
“This is tough,” Brosque said on The Global Game. “You never want to see managers get sacked unless there’s something really wrong. I feel like last year with the squad they had to miss out on the Finals, disappointing. He should’ve done better there.
“But they lost [Nick] D’Agostino, [Jason] Geria, [Neil] Kilkenny, [Chris] Ikonomidis, [Diego] Castro and didn’t replace them. So I just feel what more did they expect from him?
“I don’t think [the squad] is good enough. I had them sitting last or if not close to last, so they’re on track for where I predicted they would be.
“I don’t think they helped him out with the recruitment. I feel it’s a bit harsh [sacking].”
Glory academy coach Ruben Zadkovich will take interim charge until the end of 2021-22.
The 35-year-old, who ended his career with Perth in the A-League Men in 2016, has been part of the Glory’s coaching staff for two years.
Brosque played alongside Zadkovich at Sydney FC, but feels the role may be problematic for the inexperienced former Socceroo.
“Even Ruben taking over until the end of the season, so pretty much they put a line through their season for me,” said Brosque. “I think Ruben is still young, still learning his craft. This was his first time in an assistant-type role.
“I know the players, having seen them only a few weeks ago, they speak very highly of him. They love having him around. But I think him stepping into that role when he is almost as young as a few of those players is very, very difficult.
“I think Richard Garcia should’ve at least been able to see out the season. It’s been a tough season. In saying that Wellington are handling it well so that’s not an excuse.
“But I don’t think Richard Garcia has been helped with the recruitment.”
