Verbeek keeps his options open for Qatar clash
18 year old James Holland (Newcastle Jets, Australia) was only four years old when Socceroos World Cup goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough), made the first of his 52 appearances for the green and gold.
18 year old James Holland (Newcastle Jets, Australia) was only four years old when Socceroos World Cup goalkeeper, Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough), made the first of his 52 appearances for the green and gold.
But, in two weeks time, the two could be team mates when Australia-s World Cup qualification journey, courtesy of Foxtel, kicks-off on 6 February at Melbourne-s Telstra Dome.
Holland, who is one of eight Under 23 (Qantas Olyroo) players to be named in the 39 strong Socceroos squad, has bolted into contention in recent weeks with exciting performances in the Hyundai A-League.
“I have deliberately kept the squad big to give us maximum flexibility until match day,” Verbeek explained.
“The Socceroos have a very unique set of circumstances with the distances involved, the number of players in overseas leagues and the timing of this first, critical match in the 2010 World Cup campaign.”
As an example of the challenges faced by Verbeek, Mark Viduka-s Monday morning game (Australian time) in England rules him out of contention for the match, and left sided specialist, Scott Chipperfield, is just returning from injury.
The squad is a blend of experienced campaigners and youth, as well as Hyundai A-League players and those playing overseas.
Every Australian Hyundai A-League club is represented in the squad with finalists Newcastle Jets providing seven of the 39 men including - for the first time in a Socceroos- squad - twins, with both Joel and Adam Griffiths included.
“I have been very pleased with the way the local players have responded to what we-re trying to do in the recent training camps we have held,” Verbeek said.
“I want to give them every opportunity to state their claim to be part of the final 18 man squad which must be named on match day.”
“Football is a team game and it will take a team effort from many players over the next two years for us to make it, and this is the beginning of a long and challenging journey which promises a feast of football for fans,” Verbeek said.
The Socceroos play Qatar on Wednesday 6 February 2008 at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne with the match commencing at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster.
Foxtel are the presenting partner of Australia-s World Cup journey.
Socceroos SQUAD Australia v Qatar World Cup Qualifier, 6 February 2008
John Aloisi - Central Coast Mariners (Australia) Michael Beauchamp - Nurnberg (Germany) Mark Bresciano - Palermo (Italy) Mark Bridge - Newcastle Jets (Australia) Alex Brosque - Sydney FC (Australia) Jacob Burns - Wisla Krakow (Poland) Tim Cahill - Everton (England) Nick Carle - Bristol City (England) David Carney - Sheffield United (England) Simon Colosimo - Perth Glory (Australia) Ante Covic - Newcastle Jets (Australia) Jason Culina - PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) Bruce Djite - Adelaide United (Australia) Travis Dodd - Adelaide United (Australia) Brett Emerton - Blackburn Rovers (England) Vince Grella - Torino (Italy) Adam Griffiths - Newcastle Jets (Australia) Joel Griffiths - Newcastle Jets (Australia) James Holland - Newcastle Jets (Australia) Brett Holman - NEC Nijmegen (Netherlands) Josh Kennedy - Karlsruhe (Germany) Harry Kewell - Liverpool (England) Scott McDonald - Celtic (Scotland) Mark Milligan - Sydney FC (Australia) Craig Moore - Queensland Roar (Australia) Kevin Muscat - Melbourne Victory (Australia) Stuart Musialik - Newcastle Jets (Australia) Lucas Neill - West Ham United (England) Jade North - Newcastle Jets (Australia) Tom Pondeljak - Central Coast Mariners (Australia) Mark Schwarzer - Middlesbrough (England) Archie Thompson - Melbourne Victory (Australia) Michael Thwaite - Wisla Krakow (Poland) Nikolai Topor-Stanley - Perth Glory (Australia) James Troisi - Newcastle United (England) Carl Valeri - Grosseto (Italy) Rodrigo Vargas - Melbourne Victory (Australia) Danny Vukovic - Central Coast Mariners (Australia) Luke Wilkshire - FC Twente (Netherlands)