The fantastic five

After watching the Socceroos sink to Oman in their most recent world cup qualifier, like most football lovers, I was furious. In my fury, I went over the the people I would drop from the team, then it dawned on me, who would replace them?

Well lucky for Australia the night scape that is Australian football has a few stars in the distance. With players such as Iain Ramsay, Mustafa Amini, Terry Antonis, Nikita Rukavytsya and Dario Vidosic just to name a few. Within this core of players, hosts a pool of excitement and youth who are ready to express themselves on the world stage.



Iain Ramsay is a 23-year-old left midfielder applying his trade for Adelaide United in the Hyundai A-League. Iain Ramsay is much regarded in Adelaide as their biggest and brightest starlet, with him sparkling for the Reds more often than not. Ramsay relies on his quick feet and unbelievable ball control to skip past and humiliate defenders. Ramsay is very much a box to box midfielder, much in the mould of Brett Emerton, but it is apparent that Ramsay is the flashy version. As of yet, the green and gold has eluded Ramsay. But with the way he is playing at the moment, it seems inevitable that he will get the call up.



Nikita Rukavytsya is a 24 year-old winger who is playing abroad for Bundesliga new-boys Bertha BSC. Nikita, in my opinion, is one of, if not the most, exciting prospect in Australian football at the moment. With blistering pace, two feet and deadly finishing he is a true weapon. Rukavytsya was an integral part of Bertha BSC's promotion to the Bundesliga last year. Rukavytsya accumulated 13 goal assists, which was equal first in the competition, and chipped in 4 goal as well. Unbelivably, Rukavytsya's last international appearances were off the bench, in 2 of the Australia's 2010 World Cup matches.

The large haired centre attacking midfielder, Mustafa Amini, is quite a character and a tremendous footballer. Amini made a name for himself by being an essential part to the attack for the Central Coast Mariners. It was not long before others realised his amazing potential, with him swiftly picked up by reigning Bundesliga Champions, Borussia Dortmund. With this midfield maestro retaining the ability to cut a defence to peices with his precision passing, it is not a surprise he is hot properly. Much like the Ramsay, Amini is yet to taste the green and gold other than in the junior ranks. However, it is a well known fact the Holger Osieck is a fan of Amini's, so his inclusion may not be too far away.



Adelaide new-boy, Dario Vidosic, is also an exciting prospect, the 24 year-old attacking midfielder has experience abroad. Vidosic has played a major part of his career in Germany, but has returned home to possibly cement a Socceroos position. Amazingly, like Rukavytsya, he has only ever featured twice for the Socceroos. His pace and aerial presence are frightening for all defences, mix this with his acute football IQ, he could easily become destructive force for the Socceroos.

Terry Antonis.

Finally, the youngest of the pentagon named earlier, and possibly the most exciting prospect, Terry Antonis. Antonis is only 17 years-old, but plays beyond his years, he is a fiery competitor with a real appetite for getting forward and does not mind a bit of physical defense. It seems Antonis is the perfect build for the Socceroos game, with him being hard as nails and also very technically gifted. Antonis was signed by Everton on a 5-year contract at the age of 14, but his contract was terminated due to FIFA's rules on overseas transfers of players under the age of 18. A reunion with Everton is set to happen once he turns 18, that is of course if other circling clubs, Inter Milan and Marseille, don't lure him away.

It is clear there is a plethora of talent waiting for their shot, it's now in Football Federation Australia's hands to nurture and indeed give the opportunities to these young talents. It is imperative that this happens because the likes of Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton wont be around for much longer. If Australia is serious about them being a top quality world-class team, they must make the steps now to secure the future.