Boys show their support for teammate Moore

The Socceroos have shown their support for team mate Craig Moore by wearing training shirts with "MOORE" and "3" on their backs at their official pre-match training session ahead of their 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier against Bahrain in Manama on Wednesday (local time).

The Socceroos have shown their support for team mate Craig Moore by wearing training shirts with "MOORE" and "3" on their backs at their official pre-match training session ahead of their 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier against Bahrain in Manama on Wednesday (local time).

Craig Moore was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent surgery last which ruled him out of the match.

Moore is currently recovering at home in Queensland with players and fans hoping that it isn't long before Moore is back on the playing field for Queensland Roar and the Socceroos.

"We were all shocked by Craig's diagnosis," said Socceroos captain Lucas Neill.

"But knowing him, he is strong physically and mentally. With the support of his family, friends and teammates we know he will be up to the challenge of beating it.

"The lads wanted to do something to show Craig that we are all thinking about him, and wearing training shirts with his name and number on the back was our way of doing that.

"We wish Craig a full and speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back with us soon," concluded Neill.

This is Australia's third match in the fourth - and hopefully - final series of qualifcation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and their final match for 2008. They have previously met Uzbekistan (September) and Qatar (October), with matches to come against Japan as well as return matches against all four opponents.

If Australia finishes in the top two of its group after the eight matches, they will be on their way to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. They currently sit top of their group. If they finish third, they face up to four further matches.

The Socceroos take on Bahrain in Manama Wednesday 19 November at 6.00pm local time (2.00am AEDT Thursday 20 November 2008). The match will be broadcast live and exclusive on FOX Sports.

Coach Pim Verbeek is yet to name his starting line-up but all players present in Bahrain trained comfortably today.

Tickets are on sale for the three remaining home matches to be played on 1 April and 10 June in Sydney against Uzbekistan and Bahrain, and 17 June in Melbourne against Japan.

www.footballaustralia.com.au will have a Full Live Text Commentary Update of the match, starting at roughly 1.45am Thursday morning.