It's fairytale stuff to think AWs can play as well as Socceroos. Aussie have a bit of class in midfield with likes of Mooy (Huddersfield), Luongo (QPR) & Rogic (Celtic). These young guys are all likely to end up at bigger clubs at some point. NZ has no one near their ability in the middle of the park. Australia don't have to pick players from their state leagues (ASB Prem equivalent)! Socceroos also play many more games together, and Postecoglou has had a lot more time with his players to embed how he wants them to play.
Still it's time for Hudson to show some progress is being made with AWs. I think we will always look a bit shark against Island nations - best players won't always be available, lack of motivation/dragged down to their level, poor pitches in Islands etc.
But for these friendlies and Confed Cup next year against quality opposition, good true surfaces, top referees etc - our players shouldn't lack for motivation to prove themselves on a bigger stage. They don't of course have to win, just show some evidence of a playing style, offer a scoring threat and be hard to break down. In short give the fans some belief, and reason to be enthusiatic about their national team.
