You might forgive young Brad Jones’ inexperience on the world stage, but the young Middlesbrough goalkeeper showed how harsh an environment the big, bad world of international goalkeeping can be. In what seemed like a routine cross, the young Jones gifted a goal as he caught nothing but the cold night breeze against a muddled Uruguay last night in Sydney.

It poses the question as to whom, if anyone could ever fill the role of “numero uno” for Australia if Mark Schwarzer ever retires from the international football scene. Some local soccer pundits look too rising A-League talent, but it is a far cry from the good old days of Bozza (Mark Bosnich).

If it weren’t for his porn video antics and snorting the white lines (other than the football field), I feel that no Aussie goalkeeper would ever eclipse the brilliance of Bosnich in his hey day. Alas, those good old days are come and gone. Brad Jones is still a young lad, with promising potential ahead of him, and goalkeeping is a true test of pressure and time.

Jones seemed a little flustered against the likes of Recoba and Forlan, and it would be a daunting battle to behold for any young, aspiring goalkeeper in their first major international debut amongst a sea of green and gold at home. Star Aussie internationals like Cahill, Viduka and Kewell missed the game, and the lack lustre effort showed in this game against Uruguay.

Overall, I don’t blame young Jones. It will be first of many learning curves for a young goalkeeper with plenty of time to ply his trade in the Premiership and international stage. I just hope he gets the chance for Australia’s next friendly game against Singapore on June 30?

BIGJ runs Keeper Skool, the only up to date resource for the soccer goalkeeper on the internet. He is also the author of The G-Code:Unlocking The Scientific Secrets To Goalkeeping Success.