Monday, October 13, 2008

Vidukan't the Socceroos Can!


Injured Socceroo striker Mark Viduka has joined the Australian squad in Brisbane, not that there's any chance of him playing. He was consulting with the Socceroo's medical staff to help overcome a troublesome Achilles injury that has had him sidelined from Newcastle United in the EPL. Although this injury is likely to see him miss up to six months of competitive football, his presence in Brisbane is the strongest indicator yet that the door has not closed on his international career.

The Socceroos play Qatar on Wednesday, a game that if won should put them on top of the standings for the final group of qualifying. Australia are favourites, but Qatar are a different team this time with a new coach and most likely some new ideas.

The make up of our team is becoming more clear Neill, Moore and fellow veterans Scott Chipperfield and Brett Emerton were missing from Monday night’s training session. So it seems that perhaps Moore has pipped Coyne for the starting central defensive role. Carney trained in LMF while Chippers was preferred in the LB in previous sessions. All of this may be irrelevant as it's in Verbeek's interest to keep the opposition guessing as to the make up of his side.

I can't wait to see this one, hopefully a cracking game with lots of goals (for us). A lot will depend on our ability to contain Qatar's main offensive threat Sebastian Soria Quintana. Born in Uruguay, a fact that should add some extra incentive for our boys. Our main threats will be a red hot Cahill and our obvious height advantage in Kennedy. Both of these players scored against Qatar last time we won in Australia, and perhaps could have got a hat full. If we can get crosses/corners and quality balls (thanks Wilkshire) we will put Qatar under all sorts of pressure.

Go the Socceroos! Or as we at Ozzy Football like to call them, Jesus and Pals.

1 comment:

Bobas said...

i dunno how the Aussie medical staff is gonna fix viduka.

Achilles are tough injuries, you're out for a year plus if you snap it.

Kennedy snapped his after the world cup