Osieck puts Roos wannabes on ice

[the_gun]

Australian players have to serve their apprenticeship and earn their national jersey, Socceroos coach Holger Osieck declared.

Osieck was speaking after announcing a 20-member squad for the international friendly against Egypt in Cairo next Thursday morning (AEDT).

The squad includes experienced defender Sasa Ognenovski, who plays in Korea Republic for Seongnam Ilhwa and goalkeeper Nathan Coe, who plays for Sonderjysk in Denmark. Both are uncapped.

But there is no room for 23-year-old Turkey-based defender Ersan Gulum, who plays for Istanbul giant Besiktas.

Gulum, who was born in Melbourne of Turkish parents, is believed to be at the centre of a tug-of-war for his services between the Turkish and Australian football authorities.

Osieck said Gulum was in his thoughts but it was too early for him to be selected for Australia.

”Ersan played for the Olyroos before going to the second division inTurkey and now he has started a few games for Besiktas,” Osieck said.

”The assistant coach there is a former player of mine at Fenerbahce and I can assure you that the phone has been running hot.

”I also talk to Besiktas head coach Bernd Schuster and believe me we are not leaving any stone unturned.

”It would be ignorant of me not to have a look at him.

”But four good games do not give you a clear indication (of a player’s skill).

”I know about the activities of the Turkish federation. They go everywhere whenever they see a player with a Turkish name.”

Australia’s German coach also said that placing high expectations on promising players would do no good to anyone in the long term.

”The problem is that young players are put on a podium after one or two games,” Osieck said.

”It takes a lot more to establish yourself at the top level of football and I think we should recognise that.

”We don’t do players any favours by making them big heroes or big stars. That is not a good idea.

”They first have to prove their consistency at lower levels before they are ready to step up.

”It’s like a process, a process of maturing. You should only pick an apple from a tree when it is ripe.

”These days the development of players is influenced by people who talk them up."

Osieck said FC Utrecht winger Tommy Oar was "definitely leading the pace" among Australia's emerging players.

He explained he did not pick the young gun for Cairo because of an agreement with his Dutch club, whereby he would play for the Young Socceroos in last month's Asian under-19 titles in China so long as he is not picked for the senior team in the months leading up to the Asian Cup in Qatar next January.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/103 ... bes-on-ice

[Steelinho]

Respect is due to Osieck.

[Chade]

Otherwise known as "Gulum's agent is en route to getting him an Australian cap as quickly as possible, so he can demand a pay rise".

[Bresciano]

Australian players have to serve their apprenticeship and earn their national jersey, Socceroos coach Holger Osieck declared.

Osieck was speaking after announcing a 20-member squad for the international friendly against Egypt in Cairo next Thursday morning (AEDT).

The squad includes experienced defender Sasa Ognenovski, who plays in Korea Republic for Seongnam Ilhwa and goalkeeper Nathan Coe, who plays for Sonderjysk in Denmark. Both are uncapped.

But there is no room for 23-year-old Turkey-based defender Ersan Gulum, who plays for Istanbul giant Besiktas.

Gulum, who was born in Melbourne of Turkish parents, is believed to be at the centre of a tug-of-war for his services between the Turkish and Australian football authorities.

Osieck said Gulum was in his thoughts but it was too early for him to be selected for Australia.

”Ersan played for the Olyroos before going to the second division inTurkey and now he has started a few games for Besiktas,” Osieck said.

”The assistant coach there is a former player of mine at Fenerbahce and I can assure you that the phone has been running hot.

”I also talk to Besiktas head coach Bernd Schuster and believe me we are not leaving any stone unturned.

”It would be ignorant of me not to have a look at him.

”But four good games do not give you a clear indication (of a player’s skill).

”I know about the activities of the Turkish federation. They go everywhere whenever they see a player with a Turkish name.”

Australia’s German coach also said that placing high expectations on promising players would do no good to anyone in the long term.

”The problem is that young players are put on a podium after one or two games,” Osieck said.

”It takes a lot more to establish yourself at the top level of football and I think we should recognise that.

”We don’t do players any favours by making them big heroes or big stars. That is not a good idea.

”They first have to prove their consistency at lower levels before they are ready to step up.

”It’s like a process, a process of maturing. You should only pick an apple from a tree when it is ripe.

”These days the development of players is influenced by people who talk them up."

Osieck said FC Utrecht winger Tommy Oar was "definitely leading the pace" among Australia's emerging players.

He explained he did not pick the young gun for Cairo because of an agreement with his Dutch club, whereby he would play for the Young Socceroos in last month's Asian under-19 titles in China so long as he is not picked for the senior team in the months leading up to the Asian Cup in Qatar next January.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/103 ... bes-on-ice

Impressed with Osieck. Saw him at the Victory-Adelaide game, no-one noticed him as he walked by which was funny given the role he has. Agree with his slant on young players getting too many accolades way too early - in the end it just stuffs them up.

[the_gun]

gulum just got picked in the turkey squad.

[guti]

Have to hope that he doesn't get capped. Then pick him for the next squad.

I seriously don't see the harm in picking players when they are young and 'locking' them in. None of this crap about 'you have to earn the cap'. Young nations like Australia which are made up of significant migrant populations always face the risk of players playing for the place of their parent's birth. Nip it in the bud when they are young.

[the_gun]

i believe hes come out and confirmed his decision to play for turkey. so that just about settles it i think.

[guti]

Yes, he has. If he was picked for both though, he would have chosen us.

The fish stinks, FFA ! Just because you change the head doesn't mean the rest of the body is fixed !

[the_gun]

whatever happened to richard porta? why doesnt he get a look in for the socceroos squad? proven goalscorer in south america... surely thats good enough credentials.

[Steelinho]

Yes, he has. If he was picked for both though, he would have chosen us.

The fish stinks, FFA ! Just because you change the head doesn't mean the rest of the body is fixed !

I seriously doubt it. He's mentioned his desire to play for Turkey quite a feew times.

[Chade]

Another Joe Didulica?

4 Croatian caps and 24 appearances for AZ since 2006, apparently...

[guti]

Yes, he has. If he was picked for both though, he would have chosen us.

The fish stinks, FFA ! Just because you change the head doesn't mean the rest of the body is fixed !

I seriously doubt it. He's mentioned his desire to play for Turkey quite a feew times.

Then why would he bother flirting with Australia?

[Steelinho]

Yes, he has. If he was picked for both though, he would have chosen us.

The fish stinks, FFA ! Just because you change the head doesn't mean the rest of the body is fixed !

I seriously doubt it. He's mentioned his desire to play for Turkey quite a feew times.

Then why would he bother flirting with Australia?

Fallback plan in case Turkey were never interested, I guess. I don't think he flirted with Australia as much as Australia flirted with him (and failed).