Tom Rogic I think was unavailable for these games. Also Arnold has been rotating his squad in Kuwait.
But yes the days of Socceroos Golden Generation, peaking at that 2006 Germany World Cup (when they were unlucky to go out in the quarters to eventual winners Italy) are long gone. Then nearly every player in the starting eleven was in the EPL, or top tier somewhere in Europe.
And most of those guys got an early start as youngsters in the old NSL. So one of criticisms of the A League in Aus, is lack of playing time for young kids, hindering player development in Aus. Of course the NSL also had more teams as well, so naturally more opportunities for kids to get a game.
But yes the days of Socceroos Golden Generation, peaking at that 2006 Germany World Cup (when they were unlucky to go out in the quarters to eventual winners Italy) are long gone. Then nearly every player in the starting eleven was in the EPL, or top tier somewhere in Europe.
And most of those guys got an early start as youngsters in the old NSL. So one of criticisms of the A League in Aus, is lack of playing time for young kids, hindering player development in Aus. Of course the NSL also had more teams as well, so naturally more opportunities for kids to get a game.