Tommy´s Oar-some debut draws Kewell comparisons

March 4, 2010

Australia´s Thomas Oar (left) vies for the ball with Indonesia´s Ismed Sofyan during their Asian Cup 2011 qualification match in Brisbane. Australia won 1-0
Coach Pim Verbeek has hosed down post-match hype that teenager Tommy Oar is the “next Harry Kewell” following his outstanding debut to help the Socceroos into the 2011 Asian Cup finals.

Australia clinched their place at next January’s Qatar showpiece with a lacklustre 1-0 victory over Indonesia in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Japanese-based defender Mark Milligan’s 42nd-minute goal proved the winner, but most of the headlines on Thursday were about the 18-year-old left-winger.

One of the youngest-ever Socceroos, the confident Oar grew into the role former Liverpool star Kewell usually commands on Australia’s left flank and was his team’s most dangerous player in the second half against the plucky Indonesians.

Some commentators have already dubbed Oar the “next Harry Kewell” after he tormented the Indonesian defence with sublime skill and precision crossing.

But Dutch coach Verbeek quickly attempted to keep a lid on the expectations surrounding the gifted Brisbane Roar flyer.

“I wish I could keep the pressure and everything down but I must be honest, I thought he played a fantastic game,” Verbeek said after the match.

“I can say a few things about areas he can improve but I think he was fantastic.

“Let’s try to keep it normal for the boy, he’s just 18-years-old and don’t mention him as the next Harry Kewell please.”

This season’s A-League young player of the year has been touted by some as a World Cup bolter, but Verbeek refused to be drawn on his chances of making the final 23-man squad for South Africa.

“Let the boy just develop, he’s just 18-years-old,” he said. “He had a great year and it will be very difficult to stay on the same level.”

Oar, who is heading this month for trials with Dutch clubs in the Australian A-League off-season, is not allowing events to overtake him and is heeding Verbeek’s advice.

“At the end of the day I’ve just played 20 A-League games and once for the Socceroos, so there’s no need to get ahead of myself,” Oar told reporters.

“Things can turn around really quickly so I’ve just got to keep working hard and make sure it doesn’t stop.”

Of his comparisons with Galatasaray’s Kewell, Oar added: “I think that’s pretty premature to be honest. I guess when he was my age he was playing against Manchester United, not Indonesia and that speaks for itself.”

SYDNEY (AFP)

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Robson gets first taste of Asian Cup action

November 14, 2009


Former England captain Bryan Robson gets his first taste of Asian Cup football on Saturday when Thailand travel to Singapore for a must win qualifying clash against their Southeast Asian neighbour.

It is one of seven matches being played as the race to Qatar in 2011 heats up, with another round of games next Wednesday.

In Group B, Pim Verbeek’s Australia are in Oman with both sides on four points from three games, while Kuwait (three points from two games) host Indonesia (two points from two games).

Uzbekistan play Malaysia in Tashkent in the only Group C game while leaders Syria take on Vietnam in Group D and China travel to bottom-of-the-table Lebanon.

There are no Group A games, with table toppers Bahrain facing New Zealand in Wellington for a place in the World Cup on the same day.

Only the top two in each group qualify for the finals in January 2011 with hosts Qatar as well as Iraq, Saudi Arabia and South Korea, the top three in the 2007 tournament, into the finals automatically.

India have also qualified after winning the AFC Challenge Cup last year.

Former Middlesbrough and West Brom manager Robson, who took over from Peter Reid in September, will be in charge for his first competitive game and said he was confident of the right result.

“I have studied tapes of Singapore. Although they are a strong side, I think we are capable of getting an impressive result,” the ex-Manchester United legend told reporters.

Thailand are third in Group E after two goalless draws — in Jordan and at home to Iran.

They are a point behind Singapore who have one win and one defeat. Iran top the group with a win and a draw, while Jordan have just one point.

Robson’s assistant Steve Darby said it was critical that Thailand do not lose.

“We must try to get at least a point in such an important game. A result in Singapore will be crucial for Thailand’s campaign,” he said.

Such is the importance of the clash that Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic has closed his training sessions to keep prying Thai eyes out.

“If everyone sees what we are doing, it is not good,” the Serb told local media.

Iran, meanwhile, warned up for their match against Jordan with a 1-0 win over Iceland on Tuesday.

Australia, who will play at next year’s World Cup, have wheeled out their big guns for the Oman showdown, with Europe-based stars Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill, Harry Kewell and Mark Schwarzer all called up.

A win in Muscat will put Verbeek’s team in a strong position as they look to qualify for the their second Asian Cup, after making an unconvincing debut in 2007.

Kewell, who has been in great form for Turkish club Galatasaray, said they were determined to make Qatar and put the record straight.

“We’re going to go for it. We were disappointing in the last Asian Cup and I think a lot of people have ridden that wave a lot now,” he told reporters.

“I think this is why they’re still giving us stick because maybe they’re trying to push us to achieve more knowing that were capable of doing more.

“We want to put the record straight.”

In the other group match, Indonesia must pick up points against Kuwait but are struggling, with injury ruling out defender Ricardo Salampessy.

Indonesia coach Benny Dollo is also sweating over the fitness of influential striker Boaz Solossa, who has a thigh strain.

SINGAPORE (AFP)

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Carney completes Twente switch

September 1, 2009


Australia left-back David Carney is ready to relaunch his club career with FC Twente after signing a two-year deal with the Eredivisie outfit from Championship side Sheffield United.

The 25-year-old, who is expected to feature for the Socceroos in next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa, had fallen out of favour at Sheffield United and spent time on loan with Norwich at the end of last season.

But Steve McClaren has given Carney a chance to play top-flight football again with the Enschede-based club.

“Since the departure of Edson Braafheid to Bayern Munich, we wanted a replacement. With Nicky Kuiper we have a talented player for the future and we also have Jeroen Heubach,” McClaren told the club’s website.

“We wanted to look at our depth and increase competition for that position on the left. We have seen Carney and also obtained information from Luke Wilkshire and Pim Verbeek, the coach of Australia. Both were very positive about Carney.”

Wilkshire spent time at Twente before moving to Dinamo Moscow last year and had no hesitation recommending his countryman.

Carney helped put himself on the radar by scoring a sensational late goal for the Socceroos in the recent match against Republic of Ireland in Limerick.

Abhimanyu Rajput

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Aussies hand ´severe´ lesson to Ireland

August 13, 2009


Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trappatoni described his team’s 3-0 international friendly defeat to Australia as a “severe lesson”.

Tim Cahill’s brace shortly before half-time, taking his international tally to 18 in 34 games, and David Carney’s wonder-strike from 30 yards dealt a psychological blow to Trapattoni ahead of their three remaining World Cup qualifiers.

The Italian coach believes the superior condition of Pim Verbeek’s side was the key factor in the visitors’ win.

“It was a severe lesson for us,” Trapattoni admitted. “I am a little bit disappointed like the team, but in pre-season this situation can happen.

“It is normal against a team that is 40 percent more fit. The players sometimes don’t understand that but in 30 years I know that.

“I questioned myself before how many players can play 90 minutes with a good performance.”

The lesson Trapattoni felt needed to be learned ahead of their World Cup qualifier in Cyprus on September 5 is likely to be a reference to the slack defending which left them two-down at the break.

In the 38th minute, Cahill took advantage of a two against two at the back, feeding Scott McDonald down the inside-right channel.

The Celtic striker passed back to the Everton midfielder 20 yards out and his low left-footed strike wrong-footed Shay Given to put his side in front.

Then a minute before the interval, Aiden McGeady lazily looked to take a ball in his stride on the left wing but was beaten to it by Rhys Williams who raced into box and turned Kilbane before firing a shot at Given.

The Irish keeper could only parry the ball back into the danger area and Cahill was there to power home.

Though 2-0 was flattering enough at the break, it could have been an even greater lead for the visitors had Harry Kewell not headed over Mark Bresciano’s free kick at the back post, after which the Galatasaray man pleaded for a penalty for Damian Duff pulling his shirt.

Verbeek was understandably delighted with his team’s performance though he admitted it flattered them a little.

“We played well defensively we were well organised, we won most of the first balls and were in control,” Verbeek said.

“We have players who work hard and have special abilities. I’m very pleased with the result, but I think 3-0 was too much.”

The nearest Ireland came to getting on the scoresheet was when substitute Keith Andrews’ low 88th minute strike from the edge of the area came back off Mark Schwarzer’s right post.

Prior to Cahill’s first strike, the game was an even affair with McGeady the best player on view. Twice midway through the half he created openings, moving inside from the left flank to set up Irish chances.

A measured cross-field ball enabled Duff on the right wing to cut inside the area onto his left foot, but Carney deflected his effort wide. ‘

Then a neat pass into the box found Robbie Keane, but after turning Patrick Kisnorbo well he was denied by Schwarzer.

Ireland created few chances in the second half with Stephen Hunt’s left-footed effort, after Robbie Keane’s neat backheel, which skewed wide summing up a very disappointing first international football game for the home fans at Thomond Park.

LIMERICK, Ireland (AFP)

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You´re on your own in Socceroo attack, McDonald told

August 12, 2009


Australia coach Pim Verbeek has warned Scott McDonald to get used to playing as a lone striker and suggested he will have Mark Viduka to compete with for this role in next summer’s World Cup finals.

Speaking ahead of Australia’s game with Republic of Ireland at Limerick’s Thomond Park, Verbeek rebuffed McDonald’s earlier suggestion that he will look to alter the team’s style to be more of an attacking threat before the tournament in South Africa.

With no other senior strikers available McDonald is set to play up front on his own, supported by Mark Bresciano, Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell.

“You should not change too many things that are good and I think we had a very good campaign…and the players know exactly what I like,” Verbeek said.

“I’m not going to use too many friendly matches for changing the system because I think we’re doing well with the system we are playing.

“We have the players to play 4-2-3-1 so why should I change that? It’s up to Scotty and all the other players to pick up a spot in that selection.”

Verbeek was more encouraging to Viduka. The veteran striker is expected to seal a move to Portsmouth in the coming days, but once his future is assured, and assuming he returns to full fitness, Verbeek expects him to return to the Socceroos fold for the first time since the 2007 Asia Cup.

“I think the only motivation for him to start playing football again is to go to the World Cup so that’s good for us,” Verbeek added.

“I did everything to at least get him in the squad (for the June World Cup qualifiers) but at that moment he was so disappointed about what happened in Newcastle…so he said: ?mentally I cannot do it again and come into the Middle East at 40 degrees – I need time to think about my future.’

“The door is open for him, not because he’s Mark Viduka but because he is a good football player and he has ten months to show me that he is good enough to be a part of the selection.”

Verbeek is meanwhile confident his makeshift defence will be competitive against the Irish strike pairing of Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle, who is over a hernia injury.

Rhys Williams will play his second game at right back and, with Lucas Neill looking some distance from match fitness, Jade North will partner Patrick Kisnorbo in the heart of the Australian defence, with David Carney slotting in at left back.

Just as importantly, with holding midfielder Vince Grella out, Mile Jedinak plays in front of the back four.

“We miss some central defenders because they’re all injured or they play in Australia,” Verbeek insisted.

“We will give everything to make it a very interesting game for the fans and a fantastic test for Ireland for their very important game they play next month in Cyprus.”

Irish coach Giovanni Trapattoni for his part rebuffed suggestions from his assistant Liam Brady that his first eleven will be the same which take the field in the World Cup qualifier in Nicosia in three weeks.

“It is not the team that will play in Cyprus,” Trapattoni said. “Don’t think ahead to the future.”

Trapattoni insisted the door is not shut on the senior players not in his squad such as Steve Finnan, Lee Carsley and Clinton Morrison, but suggested that the latter will struggle to be included in future squads because he is similar in style to Doyle.

“My rule is never say never. I don’t forget Steve Finnan. At the moment we have to play with 11 players. (Caleb) Folan is a different type of striker, for playing a different way. Morrison’s movement is like Doyle.”

LIMERICK, Ireland (AFP)

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No second Socceroo thoughts for Viduka

May 30, 2009


SYDNEY (AFP) – Striker Mark Viduka will not be joining the Australian squad for next month’s final three FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers, national coach Pim Verbeek said Saturday.

Verbeek said he had reserved a spot for the Newcastle United targetman in his extended 30-player squad for the June qualifiers against Qatar, Bahrain and Japan as Viduka considered his stalled international football career.

But Verbeek said Viduka had contacted him to advise that he would not be available for selection for the three matches.

“He told me that after a difficult season he needed a break from football to consider his future plans,” Verbeek said in a statement.

“Mark is currently out of contract (with Newcastle) and, while he is deciding what to do next, it would be difficult for him to fully concentrate on these important matches for Australia.

“We respect his decision and wish him all the best over the coming weeks as he makes his next important decision.”

Viduka, 33, last played for his country in the quarter-final loss on penalties to Japan at the 2007 Asian Cup in Hanoi and has since been plagued by injuries.

Viduka, who skippered the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, has scored 11 goals in 43 internationals.

Australia needs just one point to progress to next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

The Australians play Qatar in Doha on June 6 with their final two qualifiers at home against Bahrain (June 10) and Japan (June 17).

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Culina defends quitting Europe for A-League

May 18, 2009


SYDNEY (AFP) – Australian midfielder Jason Culina on Monday defended his decision to leave Europe in the prime of his career and return home to play in the domestic A-League against his national coach’s wishes.

Culina, 28, who has played 38 times for his country, left Dutch club PSV Eindhoven last January to sign a three-year deal worth a reported 3.6 million Australian dollars (2.6 million US) with A-League newcomers Gold Coast United.

Culina made the decision to return even though Pim Verbeek, the coach of the Socceroos, said he believed the player was putting his Australian shirt in jeopardy ahead of next year’s World Cup in South Africa.

PSV said it had offered Culina a new three-year deal and the player also received an offer from Dinamo Zagreb.

But Culina, who began training with his new teammates on Monday, said he was content with his decision.

“I decided to sign for Gold Coast United because I believe it is the right thing for me at this point in my career,” he told reporters.

“It was a calculated decision and I thought long and hard about it. I?m just happy to be here now.”

Responding to the debate over whether his playing standards would be compromised by returning to Australia, Culina said there was pressure on A-League players to perform as there was in Europe.

“I?ve always been a player who gives 100 percent and I try to do my best, so coming back to Australia certainly isn?t a drop in standards,” he said.

“I?m going to do my job to the best of my ability, as I always do.”

Culina is expected to be chosen for Australia’s three remaining World Cup qualifiers against Qatar, Bahrain and Japan next month, before he begins the new A-League season in August.

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Aussies wait on Viduka contract decision

May 14, 2009


SYDNEY (AFP) – Australia coach Pim Verbeek said Thursday he would wait until Mark Viduka decides his future with Newcastle United before deciding whether to include him in the squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers.

Verbeek said he was prepared to wait until just before he announces an expanded 25-man squad for Australia’s final qualifiers against Qatar, Bahrain and Japan.

Australia’s 2006 World Cup skipper comes off his contract with the English club at the end of this month, but said this week that he wanted to stay on with the Magpies.

Viduka hasn’t played for the Socceroos since the 2007 Asian Cup as he has largely battled injuries over the last year.

“We’ve spoken with him. He’s focusing entirely on his Newcastle job, he wants to keep them in the Premiership,” Verbeek told reporters in a teleconference here on Thursday.

“We won’t make any decision, he doesn’t want to make any decision.

“He has to find out if he wants to play another year. That’s one of the last decisions we are going to take.

“Mark is always on the list. The (Premier) League finishes on the 24th (of May), and it’s up to him.

“If he doesn’t want to play next season then it’s useless to take him for the June games so let’s wait for his decision and let’s wait for Newcastle.”

Verbeek said he would select a larger squad to cater for Australia’s three World Cup qualifiers, against Qatar in Doha on June 6, Bahrain in Sydney on June 10 and Japan in Melbourne on June 17.

The Socceroos need one point from their remaining three qualifiers to reach next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa.

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Kuwait stun Aussies 1-0 in Asian Cup qualifying

March 6, 2009

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CANBERRA (AFP) – Kuwait rocked Australia’s 2011 Asian Cup qualification hopes with a stunning 1-0 win here on Thursday.

The Kuwaitis, ranked 125th in the FIFA rankings, moved to second behind Oman in Group B with their first victory in Australia for 32 years and left the Socceroos at the bottom of the group after two games.

It was only Australia’s third loss in 16 games under Dutch coach Pim Verbeek, who chose an all A-League squad and paid a high price with Kuwait outplaying the second-stringers.

Kuwait, showing the benefit of playing a couple of lead-up matches in New Zealand, rocked the disjointed Australians with a goal by defender Mesaed Al Enezi in the 37th minute.

Socceroos skipper Craig Moore fouled Hamad Al Enezi and Mesaed’s header from a splendid Bader Al Mutwa free kick beat goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic.

It was the first goal Australia had conceded in 534 minutes after five clean sheets since the Netherlands scored in a 2-1 loss to the Socceroos in Eindhoven last September.

Kuwait last beat the Socceroos in Australia 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Sydney on October 16, 1977 and they celebrated wildly after the full-time whistle on Thursday.

"It was a very good result and a big win for our team and because it’s a young team they will get more motivation for the next match," said coach Goran Tufegdzic, in his first game in charge of Kuwait.

Although Verbeek has voiced his criticism of the standard of the A-League, he said he knew the Australian-based players could do much better in future matches.

"I think our players can play much better than they showed tonight," Verbeek said.

"They showed me on the training sessions, they showed me during the A-League they are much better."

But Verbeek did not completely rule out calling in European reinforcements when Australia’s Asian Cup qualifying continues against Oman on November 14, a FIFA-sanctioned date.

Australia squandered their best chance in the 23rd minute when striker Archie Thompson had a weak shot cleared off the line only for Tom Pondeljak to ricochet the rebound off an upright with the goal beckoning.

The Australians became increasingly fraught in the second half, trying to find a way through the packed Kuwait defence and only conjured a couple of half-chances. They lost skipper Moore with a hamstring injury five minutes before the end.

The best of their chances fell to substitute Mitch Nichols in the first minute of stoppage time but his volley flew wildly over the bar and with it went Australia’s last chance to snare an undeserved draw.

Written by: AFP

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Verbeek heaps pressure on Japan

February 10, 2009

YOKOHAMA, Japan (AFP) – Australia coach Pim Verbeek Tuesday piled more pressure on Japan ahead of their World Cup qualifier and indulged in more of the mind games that have been a feature in the lead-up to the game.

The Dutchman and his players have repeatedly said the onus is on Japan as the home side and second behind unbeaten Australia in the qualifying group to take all three points on Wednesday in Yokohama.

"I just want to repeat: I think the pressure is still on Japan. They have to win. We’d like to win, but we don’t have to win. Japan will have serious problems if they don’t win," said Verbeek ahead of the sell-out clash.

"We have three home games to go. I think we need six points to qualify. There’s no pressure on our side. The pressure is still on Japan, especially an away game against Uzbekistan, which is not very easy."

Australia lead Group 1 with nine points, followed by Japan on seven and Qatar on four. Bahrain and Uzbekistan each have one point.

The top two teams from the group qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, while the third-placed team has to go through play-offs.

Verbeek said he did not expect his players, most of who play for sides in Europe, to be intimidated by the expectant capacity home crowd.

"My players are used to playing for 60,000, 70,000 or 80,000 people, so they are looking forward to play in this fantastic stadium."

Verbeek was full of praise for his veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

"He is a great goalkeeper, great professional," the coach said.

"So far in this campaign, he didn’t get a goal against so he has three clean sheets. That shows his qualities. I think he keeps his clean sheet tomorrow."

Written by: AFP

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