wer Rankings: Tim Cahill remains No.1, Mathew Leckie into top 5, Alex Wilkinson rises
- FOX SPORTS
- April 01, 2015
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THERE was plenty to learn from Australia’s two European friendlies as Ange Postecoglou continues to grow his pool of potential Socceroos for the road to Russia, in 2018.
Against Germany, he threw a number of players lacking game time or international experience into the deep end, and they thrived under pressure in Kaiserslautern, while a number of fringe players showed their worth against FYR Macedonia.
Our Socceroos Power Rankings looks at the side’s pecking order heading into the World Cup qualifiers, looking at their indispensability, the depth in their position, their Socceroos form and their game time/form at club level.
TOP 10
2015 has seen a major shake-up of the top 10 as a clear spine of the side has emerged.
Tim Cahill remains at No.1 despite his absence; while the side scored twice against Germany, the Macedonia match showed that against a packed defence, the Shanghai Shenhua striker’s aerial ability and knack of scoring clutch goals remain vital.
Mathew Leckie’s sheer speed and dynamism has him entrenched in the top five, while Massimo Luongo’s Asian Cup influence still sees him in the elite band.
Against Germany’s embarrassment of midfield riches, Mark Milligan and Matt McKay showed why they continue to get the nod from Postecoglou in big games, while Ivan Franjic’s monopoly on the right-back spot sees him in an inflated position. Perhaps Tarek Elrich or Chris Herd might have something to say about that down the track.
BIGGEST MOVERS
With Matthew Spiranovic absent and Trent Sainsbury playing 45 minutes, Alex Wilkinson’s reputation enhanced with his calm displays. The former Mariners skipper also took the armband at the end of the Macedonia clash and provides re-assuring cover in a position where a bit of depth is starting to emerge.
Luke DeVere catapults up the list; back from Asia and in the picture at Brisbane Roar, he made the most of the opportunity as he was thrown him in the deep end in Germany. Should he get back to full fitness, he’s someone highly rated by Postecoglou and could form part of the evolving group in defence. Bailey Wright, part of the World Cup set-up, did himself no harm with a measured 45 minutes in Skopje.
Oliver Bozanic and Aaron Mooy both return to the top 23, showing immense potential to become part of the set-up, while squad bolters Chris Ikonomidis and Tarek Elrich enter the top 30.
INJURIES
Robbie Kruse’s long term injury sees him slide out of the top 10, but he is far from out of sight, out of mind. Kruse was first choice in the Asian Cup and when he returns, he’ll form part of an exciting attacking group, with James Troisi and Nathan Burns showing their ability to step up with their contributions in Germany.
Well down the list, Curtis Good and Rhys Williams remain frozen at the end of the queue as they desperately search for some luck. We know they are rated if they can find fitness.
Adam Taggart and Tom Rogic are two who will look to bolt up the queue if they can start to find some game time at Fulham and Celtic.
SLIDERS
Tomi Juric didn’t really convince in his cameos over the last week, while we expect Terry Antonis to climb back up into the top 23 once he starts playing regularly again at Sydney FC.
It was good to see Tommy Oar get some minutes, but he continues to drift away from a previous spot in the top 10, while Asian Cup squad members Eugene Galekovic and Mitch Langerak fell away. It will be interesting to see if Josh Kennedy can force his way back into Socceroos reckoning via form with Melbourne City.
SMOKIE
With five goals in five games, is Wanderers’ recruit Kerem Bulut someone to keep an even closer eye on?
He’s got that predator’s instinct and thirst for goal and has represented Australia at youth level. If he can avoid any off-field distractions, he may be a tempting proposition to try.
OLYROOS ON THE RADAR
Ikonomidis’s selection should give confidence to the next brigade that consistent game time will be rewarded.
The likes of Mustafa Amini and Daniel De Silva await their opportunity, midfield influences Jackson Irvine, Ryan Edwards and Steve Ugarkovic are building their reputations, while a band of A-League contributors like Andrew Hoole, Connor Pain and Jame Maclaren will look to kick on domestically to make their cases.
