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Aussie Analysis: Have Joel Griffiths And Sasa Ognenovski Caught Pim Verbeek's Attention?
A World Cup appearance is unrealistic for the talented duo but do they have a Socceroo future beyond South Africa?
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Mar 11, 2010 5:13:00 AM
By Chris Paraskevas
It was inevitable that Sasa Ognenovski would in some way make headlines upon his return to Australia, though few would have expected it to be in front of the Melbourne Victory fans stationed behind Mitch Langerak’s goal.
Noted for his uncompromising and physical defensive style during stints with Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United in the A-League, that he made an impression in a goal-scoring capacity against the competition’s defending champions only served to highlight yet another oft-unheralded strength in the former Preston Lions man’s game. It was entirely appropriate – if a little cliché – that his celebration involve him pointing to the name ‘Sasa’ embroiled on the back of his jersey in front of a sparse crowd at Etihad Stadium.
Though the Victory fans have yet to embrace the spectacle of Asia as they have the A-League – where their numbers are considerably more impressive and consistent – Ognenovski will certainly have attracted attention back home once again. His has been a name sporadically mentioned as a central defensive option in South Africa, though the lack of coverage and attention given to Asia’s top leagues in Australia mean he has gone largely unnoticed by the majority of fans and analysts over the past few months.
Ognenovski has in fact adapted to the rigours of Asia far better than most of his fellow countrymen – though it will remain to be seen how much longer they will technically remain his fellow countrymen, with the defender having declared himself ready to represent his ancestral Macedonia after being snubbed by Pim Verbeek for earlier Asian Cup squads against Indonesia and Kuwait. Would a change of heart by the Dutchman prompt Ognenovski to commit his future to his native home?
As it stands the 30 year-old has yet to actually make an appearance in Macedonian colours, which still leaves the door slightly ajar in terms of his Socceroo future. Verbeek though has a reputation as being somewhat stubborn in terms of his personnel selection, with Ognenovski’s decision to declare allegiance elsewhere having been the subject of subtle criticism by the former Korea Republic boss in the past.
It is a mutual disharmony, with Ognenovski ostracized by Verbeek’s claims that he is “too old” to be part of the current national team set-up.
"It was a silly comment, to be honest. Half the squad he's taking to the World Cup are older than me. Age shouldn't matter. If that's the case, if Paolo Maldini was playing in the A-League he wouldn't get a sniff,” Ognenovski replied.
Central defensive places indeed appear to be at a premium in Verbeek’s squad, with Craig Moore having found form and first-team football in the Greek Super League, Patrick Kisnorbo enjoying one of his most successful seasons in England with promotion-chasing Leeds United and Mark Milligan stepping into the breach whenever needed; Simon Colosimo is similarly enjoying a renaissance on the domestic scene with Sydney FC.
Perhaps the need for Ognenovski is not as great as it once was, with the now-completed Asian Cup Qualifiers his best chance of forging an Australian career – it is difficult to see the Seongnam Ilhwa man displacing any of the aforementioned defenders in the 23-man squad to travel to South Africa, despite the fact that his tenacity and form might warrant such a place.
For fellow Asia-based Aussie Joel Griffiths the future looks a little more bright with Verbeek uncharacteristically suggesting the striker might have a chance at forcing his way into the national team.
"I don't say no, why should I?” Verbeek told The World Game. “If he is going to score 20 goals and shows he has the qualities, the fitness and the desire and is better than my other strikers then of course he has a chance.
"I will make sure we see him more than one time (in the coming months) and keep track of how he is performing.
"It's no secret to me that he wants to be a part of the Socceroos. I have known that for a long time and it's good that he did well and scored against Melbourne.
"It’s not about me it's about what's good for the national team and what's best for them. So if he proves he's good enough, then why not. There is time enough for him do that still."
Griffiths was outspoken in his criticism of his exclusion from the recent Socceroos squad for the recent Asian Cup Qualifier against Indonesia and the absence of a proven goal-scorer on the international arena just might have prompted Verbeek to look east toward the controversial forward, who netted for Beijing again in the Asian Champions League this week.
Whether the comments from the Australia Head Coach are an exercise in public relations remain to be seen, though there is no doubt that the lack of form in front of goal of both Josh Kennedy and Scott McDonald might necessitate the presence of a player like Griffiths on the bench at least. The national team future of Sasa Ognenovski looks considerably more bleak.
The most likely scenario is that both players miss out on South Africa, which prompts two questions: the first is how much they will be missed at the tournament and the second, whether the manager who succeeds Verbeek after the World Cup is more willing to utilize their undoubted talents.
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Noted for his uncompromising and physical defensive style during stints with Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United in the A-League, that he made an impression in a goal-scoring capacity against the competition’s defending champions only served to highlight yet another oft-unheralded strength in the former Preston Lions man’s game. It was entirely appropriate – if a little cliché – that his celebration involve him pointing to the name ‘Sasa’ embroiled on the back of his jersey in front of a sparse crowd at Etihad Stadium.
Though the Victory fans have yet to embrace the spectacle of Asia as they have the A-League – where their numbers are considerably more impressive and consistent – Ognenovski will certainly have attracted attention back home once again. His has been a name sporadically mentioned as a central defensive option in South Africa, though the lack of coverage and attention given to Asia’s top leagues in Australia mean he has gone largely unnoticed by the majority of fans and analysts over the past few months.
Ognenovski has in fact adapted to the rigours of Asia far better than most of his fellow countrymen – though it will remain to be seen how much longer they will technically remain his fellow countrymen, with the defender having declared himself ready to represent his ancestral Macedonia after being snubbed by Pim Verbeek for earlier Asian Cup squads against Indonesia and Kuwait. Would a change of heart by the Dutchman prompt Ognenovski to commit his future to his native home?
In Form | Is Griffiths a solution in front of goal?
As it stands the 30 year-old has yet to actually make an appearance in Macedonian colours, which still leaves the door slightly ajar in terms of his Socceroo future. Verbeek though has a reputation as being somewhat stubborn in terms of his personnel selection, with Ognenovski’s decision to declare allegiance elsewhere having been the subject of subtle criticism by the former Korea Republic boss in the past.
It is a mutual disharmony, with Ognenovski ostracized by Verbeek’s claims that he is “too old” to be part of the current national team set-up.
"It was a silly comment, to be honest. Half the squad he's taking to the World Cup are older than me. Age shouldn't matter. If that's the case, if Paolo Maldini was playing in the A-League he wouldn't get a sniff,” Ognenovski replied.
Central defensive places indeed appear to be at a premium in Verbeek’s squad, with Craig Moore having found form and first-team football in the Greek Super League, Patrick Kisnorbo enjoying one of his most successful seasons in England with promotion-chasing Leeds United and Mark Milligan stepping into the breach whenever needed; Simon Colosimo is similarly enjoying a renaissance on the domestic scene with Sydney FC.
Perhaps the need for Ognenovski is not as great as it once was, with the now-completed Asian Cup Qualifiers his best chance of forging an Australian career – it is difficult to see the Seongnam Ilhwa man displacing any of the aforementioned defenders in the 23-man squad to travel to South Africa, despite the fact that his tenacity and form might warrant such a place.
For fellow Asia-based Aussie Joel Griffiths the future looks a little more bright with Verbeek uncharacteristically suggesting the striker might have a chance at forcing his way into the national team.
"I don't say no, why should I?” Verbeek told The World Game. “If he is going to score 20 goals and shows he has the qualities, the fitness and the desire and is better than my other strikers then of course he has a chance.
"I will make sure we see him more than one time (in the coming months) and keep track of how he is performing.
Stubborn | Verbeek won't pull many selection surprises
"It's no secret to me that he wants to be a part of the Socceroos. I have known that for a long time and it's good that he did well and scored against Melbourne.
"It’s not about me it's about what's good for the national team and what's best for them. So if he proves he's good enough, then why not. There is time enough for him do that still."
Griffiths was outspoken in his criticism of his exclusion from the recent Socceroos squad for the recent Asian Cup Qualifier against Indonesia and the absence of a proven goal-scorer on the international arena just might have prompted Verbeek to look east toward the controversial forward, who netted for Beijing again in the Asian Champions League this week.
Whether the comments from the Australia Head Coach are an exercise in public relations remain to be seen, though there is no doubt that the lack of form in front of goal of both Josh Kennedy and Scott McDonald might necessitate the presence of a player like Griffiths on the bench at least. The national team future of Sasa Ognenovski looks considerably more bleak.
The most likely scenario is that both players miss out on South Africa, which prompts two questions: the first is how much they will be missed at the tournament and the second, whether the manager who succeeds Verbeek after the World Cup is more willing to utilize their undoubted talents.
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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