Praise for Leckie: Osieck introduces Asia Champions Australia
Holger Osieck was national team manager of Australia for roughly three years between 2010 and 2013. He became the first Australia manager to beat Germany in 2011 (2-1 in Mönchengladbach) and he led the Socceroos to the 2014 World Cup. In 1990 he also won the World Cup with Germany as Franz Beckenbauer's assistant. The 66-year-old will watch Wednesday’s game between World Champions and Asia Champions (20:30 CET) from the stands. DFB.de was the perfect platform for Osieck to introduce the squad of the newly crowned Asia Champions:
Mathew Ryan (22): Ryan succeeded Mark Schwarzer as Australia's No.1 goalkeeper and conceded just one goal during the Asia Cup. Ryan was also crowned Keeper of the Year in Belgium, where he plays for FC Bruges. He is quick off the line and is comfortable with the ball at his feet, allowing him to participate more in the game – but he is not quite Manuel Neuer quality just yet.
Mitchell Langerak (26): He was Dortmund's first choice keeper in December but didn’t play a single minute during the Asia Cup. He missed his club's entire winter preparation as a result and is now back on the bench at BVB. It's difficult for a keeper when you lack match practice. Mitch has a good character though and he’s very talented.
Ivan Franjic (27): Franjic never stops bombing up and down the right wing. In Australia he is often referred to as having "a good engine". He currently plays in Russia for Torpedo Moscow.
Jason Davidson (23): He made his debut when I was in charge of Australia's national team. He scored an own goal in Scotland in one of the game’s first attacks– cross comes in, wonderful header but unfortunately in the wrong direction. He has a great left foot.
Trent Sainsbury (23): Another young gun who moved up the ranks following the retirement of players like Lucas Neill and Saša Ognenovski. Is he capable of playing top level international football? We shall wait and see.
Aziz Behich (24): A real fighter, with a great bounce-back-ability. He currently plays for Bursaspor in Turkey.
Massimo Luongo (22): An interesting youngster, who has had a very positive development. He scored two goals in the Asia Cup in January, provided four assists and was named as the tournament’s most valuable player. Australia play with a three-man midfield, with one defensive holding player and two on the wings. Luongo is one of those wide players, with Milligan playing on the opposite wing. Luongo currently still plays for Swindon Town in England's third division, but this will surely change in the near future. He is a player we should all keep an eye on.
James Troisi (26): Left footed, very quick and a good shooting on him. He scored the winning goal in extra time against South Korea in the final of the Asia Cup, although Tomi Juric desserves most of the credit for the goal following his solo-run. For me personally, Troisi is not starting XI material. I would go with Tommy Oar.
Tommy Oar (23): He has got good dribbling skills and can play dangerous crosses. Their game plan often involves high and long balls to Tim Cahill, who is not available this week. Leckie and Kruse played on the wings in the Asia Cup, but Bayer Leverkusen's Robbie Kruse is injured unfortunately and will be out of action for quite some time.
Mile Jedinak (30): The skipper of this team and already a key player during my time in charge. He holds the team together in defensive midfield and is a rock in this team. He is a regular with Crystal Palace and has scored five goals for them this season.
Mark Milligan (29): A reliable defensive all-rounder, who can also play in central midfield.
Matt McKay (32): A central midfielder with great understanding of the game and lots of creativity. Due to his age he has started to make more appearances as a substitute however. He plays together with Thomas Broich at Brisbane Roar.
Tomi Juric (23): A real old-school type central forward. He’s all, athletic and he throws himself about, but he lacks pace and agility. His current club is Western Sydney Wanderers and it remains to be seen if he can establish himself in modern international football.
Mathew Leckie (24): He took has developed greatly in Germany. He only made a few appearances for Gladbach, but at FSV Frankfurt he has become a key player. His ten goals and nine assists last season put him on the map and since then he has joined FC Ingolstadt, where he has continued to score goals and provide assists. Ingolstadt are currently top of Germany's second division and are aiming to secure Bundesliga promotion. He has tremendous pace, is very athletic and will be essential for Australia when playing against a top side like Germany.
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Praise for Leckie: Osieck introduces Asia Champions Australia
Holger Osieck was national team manager of Australia for roughly three years between 2010 and 2013. He became the first Australia manager to beat Germany in 2011 (2-1 in Mönchengladbach) and he led the Socceroos to the 2014 World Cup. In 1990 he also won the World Cup with Germany as Franz Beckenbauer's assistant. The 66-year-old will watch Wednesday’s game between World Champions and Asia Champions (20:30 CET) from the stands. DFB.de was the perfect platform for Osieck to introduce the squad of the newly crowned Asia Champions:
Mathew Ryan (22): Ryan succeeded Mark Schwarzer as Australia's No.1 goalkeeper and conceded just one goal during the Asia Cup. Ryan was also crowned Keeper of the Year in Belgium, where he plays for FC Bruges. He is quick off the line and is comfortable with the ball at his feet, allowing him to participate more in the game – but he is not quite Manuel Neuer quality just yet.
Mitchell Langerak (26): He was Dortmund's first choice keeper in December but didn’t play a single minute during the Asia Cup. He missed his club's entire winter preparation as a result and is now back on the bench at BVB. It's difficult for a keeper when you lack match practice. Mitch has a good character though and he’s very talented.
Ivan Franjic (27): Franjic never stops bombing up and down the right wing. In Australia he is often referred to as having "a good engine". He currently plays in Russia for Torpedo Moscow.
Jason Davidson (23): He made his debut when I was in charge of Australia's national team. He scored an own goal in Scotland in one of the game’s first attacks– cross comes in, wonderful header but unfortunately in the wrong direction. He has a great left foot.
Trent Sainsbury (23): Another young gun who moved up the ranks following the retirement of players like Lucas Neill and Saša Ognenovski. Is he capable of playing top level international football? We shall wait and see.
Aziz Behich (24): A real fighter, with a great bounce-back-ability. He currently plays for Bursaspor in Turkey.
Massimo Luongo (22): An interesting youngster, who has had a very positive development. He scored two goals in the Asia Cup in January, provided four assists and was named as the tournament’s most valuable player. Australia play with a three-man midfield, with one defensive holding player and two on the wings. Luongo is one of those wide players, with Milligan playing on the opposite wing. Luongo currently still plays for Swindon Town in England's third division, but this will surely change in the near future. He is a player we should all keep an eye on.
James Troisi (26): Left footed, very quick and a good shooting on him. He scored the winning goal in extra time against South Korea in the final of the Asia Cup, although Tomi Juric desserves most of the credit for the goal following his solo-run. For me personally, Troisi is not starting XI material. I would go with Tommy Oar.
Tommy Oar (23): He has got good dribbling skills and can play dangerous crosses. Their game plan often involves high and long balls to Tim Cahill, who is not available this week. Leckie and Kruse played on the wings in the Asia Cup, but Bayer Leverkusen's Robbie Kruse is injured unfortunately and will be out of action for quite some time.
Mile Jedinak (30): The skipper of this team and already a key player during my time in charge. He holds the team together in defensive midfield and is a rock in this team. He is a regular with Crystal Palace and has scored five goals for them this season.
Mark Milligan (29): A reliable defensive all-rounder, who can also play in central midfield.
Matt McKay (32): A central midfielder with great understanding of the game and lots of creativity. Due to his age he has started to make more appearances as a substitute however. He plays together with Thomas Broich at Brisbane Roar.
Tomi Juric (23): A real old-school type central forward. He’s all, athletic and he throws himself about, but he lacks pace and agility. His current club is Western Sydney Wanderers and it remains to be seen if he can establish himself in modern international football.
Mathew Leckie (24): He took has developed greatly in Germany. He only made a few appearances for Gladbach, but at FSV Frankfurt he has become a key player. His ten goals and nine assists last season put him on the map and since then he has joined FC Ingolstadt, where he has continued to score goals and provide assists. Ingolstadt are currently top of Germany's second division and are aiming to secure Bundesliga promotion. He has tremendous pace, is very athletic and will be essential for Australia when playing against a top side like Germany.
