This week will see the first-leg of Euro 2016 qualification playoffs take place.
Among the teams taking part include Hungary, who face Norway in a bid to end a 30-year exile from international tournaments and the Republic of Ireland, who hope to join England, Northern Ireland and Wales to make it four British Isles teams out of five in the tournament. The Irish face Bosnia-Herzegovina, who featured in the 2014 World Cup and gave a good account of themselves. Qualification would not only be another achievement for the long managerial career Martin O’Neill, it would be equally a crowning achievement for one player in particular, the gem that is Wes Hoolahan.
The gifted Irish left-footer, now aged 33, has never had a higher profile in the game as he does now. Not only after winning four promotions with Norwich City – twice to the Premier League – but also now seeing more regular national team action under O’Neill. Such is his quality that fans must be wondering why he has rather few international caps for his age and experience. For one, Hoolahan is a product of the League of Ireland and was part of a Shelbourne side that won three League titles in a row with European action. He caught the eye of clubs in England and after a brief spell at Livingston and a protracted transfer saga, he would join Blackpool and win promotion to the Championship in 2007.
After joining Norwich the following year, relegation to League One in 2009 was followed by consecutive promotions, in which Hoolahan excelled as the playmaker role in what was an impressive Canaries side that managed to hold thier own in the Premier League – surviving for three seasons. In 2014-15, following relegation, Norwich bounced straight back through the playoffs and Hoolahan was again a pivotal player. Not only is he important to Norwich’s chances of keeping Premier League status, which are more than reasonable, Hoolahan has drawn praise for his performance in the Republic of Ireland’s critical 1-0 win over Germany, ensuring that they would qualify for the playoffs and over which commentators waxed lyrical. After trailing Scotland at one stage, the Irish recorded three straight wins to seal third place, behind Germany and Poland.
Should they qualify for Euro 2016, there is no doubt that this will be a stage Hoolahan and his splendid talents deserve. He should at least get that, where many other similarly deserving footballers have not and there will be others, such as the so-called “Irish Messi” Alan Judge, who can expect to follow him. All will hinge on whether the Republic of Ireland can overcome a Bosnia-Herzegovina side who finished behind Wales and Belgium, but are dangerous opponents on their day and have won their last three qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Australia also has a midfield maestro who is presently drawing plaudits for his A-League performances and along with his presence in the Socceroos squad, is certainly destined to go on to a flourishing career abroad. Aaron Mooy, who returned to Australia to become part of the inaugural Western Sydney Wanderers side, has risen his game even further since joining Melbourne City with his elegant play in midfield a delight to watch.
A brilliant bit of play in the final third & the finish wasn't too bad either!
Relive @AaronMooy's goal! #ADLvMCY pic.twitter.com/dWcp34fX4M
— Melbourne City FC (@MelbourneCity) November 5, 2015
Like last season, City have been somewhat inconsistent, but Mooy has delivered some sterling performances this far. Furthermore, in Australia’s recent World Cup qualifier in Jordan, he was complimented in midfield by two more playmakers in Tom Rogic and Massimo Luongo, an unthinkable situation not too long ago.
While the Socceroos lost that game, it is likely they will win their remaining qualifiers in this stage to progress to the next round. Even then though it is a long way to go, but Ange Postecoglou’s reconstruction of the team that resulted in an Asian Cup success may yet give fans more tasty delights along the way, which Mooy will surely be apart of. Unlike Hoolahan, the Australian has quite a bit of time on his side but similarly, he may not be alone in delivering footballing delights.
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