This morning saw the Socceroos get revenge for their World Cup 2010 thumping at the hands of the Ruthless Germans. Holger Osieck chose an experienced side consisting of players from the so called “Golden Generation” of Australian football. However there was also a sprinkling of up and coming players on the bench who look to be the future of football for this country. Players such as Nikita Rukavytsa, Neil Kilkenny, Mitchell Langerak and James Holland, all of which ply their trade in European league competition, and all under the age of 25. Gone are the days when we would need to supplement our star players with players from the A-League who had no experience playing in packed stadiums. The A-League is receiving more and more recognition and more of these young players are being scouted by European clubs, enabling them to get that experience which will only serve to benefit the Socceroos in the long-run.

The Socceroos fought back against a near full strength German side (only missing Mesut Oezil with Miroslav Klose on the bench) on their home turf. We went behind to a well constructed goal from the Germans and it was looking like last years 4-0 thumping could have been repeated. However, the Australian fighting spirit kicked in and Holger Osieck must have got the boys firing with his half time speech. We came out with renewed enthusiasm and took the game to the Germans, we looked hungrier than they did and must have had that World Cup opening game in the back of our minds. David Carney played a neat one-two with Matt McKay and finished with aplomb underneath the on-rushing Wiese to equalise for Australia and it appeared the Germans were a bit shell shocked.

Just seconds after the equaliser Australia were in front courtesy of a Luke Wilkshire penalty after Harry Kewell was brought down in the box by Trasch. Wilkshire made no mistake with the penalty and all of a sudden Australia had fought back from 1-0 down against the 3rd ranked team in the world to be leading 2-1, all of this in the space of just a couple of minutes. Australia held their nerve for the final 30 minutes to record an unlikely victory which is likely to send shockwaves throughout international football. No-one expected the Socceroos to get close in this game and it is a testament to Holger Osieck the way he has got the Socceroos playing since he took over from Pim Verbeek. We need to hold on to him at all costs in the lead up to the next World Cup in Brazil, as he could take our next generation of players further than the Golden Generation has ever been on the World Stage.

Blooding these younger players whilst we still have the likes of Kewell, Cahill and Schwarzer on board can only be of benefit to these players and the future of Australian football as a whole. The only way we can avoid going through a rebuilding phase (much like the Australian Cricket team) is to ensure that we have ready made replacements once these legends do decide to hang up the boots. We have beaten Germany in an international friendly, now it is time to give the next generation a taste of the World stage to ensure they are not overawed when their time does arrive, today Robbie Kruse and Brent McGrath were given a small taste against quality opposition and this will only serve to aid their development for the future.

The area of the team I’m most concerned about is that of the goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer is not getting any younger and at 39 probably doesn’t have much time left in football, let alone on the international stage. This is an area that we should look toward in regards to blooding younger players, sooner rather than later. Even if that means giving Langerak or Jones half a game in the international friendlies just to move along their development and ensure we are not left in the lurch when Schwarzer does eventually hang up the gloves for good. It appears Holger Osieck has not overlooked the fact that Australia also needs to look toward the future, this is evidenced by the players he selected for the bench for this mornings game against Germany.

Football in this Country appears to be in good hands and I for one am glad that the FFA appointed the lesser known Osieck over some of the higher profile names that were being mentioned for the top job.