A-League stars set to battle for places in World Cup squad

Of the five A-League players selected in the Socceroos squad for this month’s international window, 22-year-old Beach’s inclusion perhaps raised the most eyebrows despite his outstanding start to the season.

Most probably assumed that Mat Ryan, Paul Izzo and Joe Gauci were locked in as Australia’s three goalkeeping options for next year’s FIFA World Cup.

Even with Beach getting the nod ahead of Gauci in this squad, very few thought he would play in either of the games against Venezuela or Colombia.

However, Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has shown many times during his tenure that he’s not afraid to give players a chance, particularly in his quest to pick his best possible squad for the World Cup.

And by giving Beach a chance against Venezuela, Popovic now knows he has another player that can handle the demands of international football and a World Cup if selected.

Beach didn’t look out of place at all, with his fine all-round performance including two top-shelf saves to deny Venezuela’s Jesus Ramirez.

“I loved it,” Beach said in reflecting on his debut.

“(I was) pretty busy in the first-half, and the save early in the second-half, (I was) really happy I was able to make those saves for the team, and help them out when I was called upon.

“I loved being out here with a bunch of the lads, and other lads I hadn’t played with before and watched them on TV, so it was great.

“I’m over the moon. I’m so excited. This has been a dream since when I was a little boy, and just to be out here tonight and soak it all in, I don’t have any words ­– it’s the best feeling ever.”

Popovic suggested before the match that Beach had already moved ahead of Gauci in the battle for the three goalkeeper spots in Australia’s World Cup squad.

And after Beach’s performance on Saturday, it’s probably fair to say that Beach is now further in front of Gauci, who now seems in real danger of missing the World Cup.

MIXED NIGHT FOR A-LEAGUE STARS

Beach wasn’t the only A-League star to perform well in their Socceroos debut, with his Melbourne City teammate Kai Trewin and Sydney FC midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler also holding their own and adding to Popovic’s World Cup options.

However, Adelaide United skipper Craig Goodwin had a rough night in the left wing-back role and got dragged at half-time.

Goodwin turns 34 next month and he’s not suited to the wing-back role that requires a player to go back and forward between defence and attack for an entire match.

The left wing-back role in Australia’s team belongs to Jordan Bos when he’s fit.

However, with Bos sidelined with a hamstring injury, Goodwin was given the job by Popovic in his return to the Socceroos squad.

And while it didn’t work out, it’s not to say there’s no place for Goodwin in Australia’s World Cup squad – as an attacker.

He has a lethal left foot, is a specialist when it comes to dead-ball situations and has previous World Cup experience.

Those three factors will ensure Goodwin remains in Popovic’s thoughts.

However, Goodwin will need to maintain form for the Reds in the A-League to have a chance of going to another World Cup.

Sydney FC forward Al Hassan Toure, who made his Socceroos debut off the bench on Saturday, is another player who will need to stay in form for the entire A-League season to have any hope of securing a World Cup berth.

PRESSURE BUILDING

The pressure will be on Melbourne Victory coach Arthur Diles when Sydney FC hosts his team in Saturday night’s “Big Blue” at Leichhardt Oval.

The Sky Blues are on a hot streak after three successive wins, but the Victory have failed to inspire this season, with their only win coming against the competition’s worst team, Perth Glory.

Diles needs to find a solution to the Victory’s woes in attack.

Midfielders Denis Genreau and Juan Mata have performed well, but their good work hasn’t been capitalised on, particularly by striker Nikos Vergos.

The international break has given Diles plenty of time to work out what’s needed to kick-start his side’s campaign, so another inadequate performance in one of the A-League’s marquee match-ups this weekend would be tough.

It’s also going to be an important weekend for Newcastle coach Mark Milligan, whose Jets have crashed back to earth after their Australia Cup success.

Milligan’s honeymoon period is well and truly over following three losses in four A-League games, and some questionable selection decisions, particularly the lack of game time being given to Lachlan Rose.

The Jets not only need a win over the Glory on Sunday at McDonald Jones Stadium, but also a performance to give their fans hope.