World Cup Soccer News - australia

Verbeek in Oar, but is Tommy ready?

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:58:23 +0000

The absence of a genuine goalscorer is tempting Australia coach Pim Verbeek into including rookie 18-year-old left winger Tommy Oar in his World Cup 23. The cards could be falling perfectly for the diminutive Oar, who only turned 18 in December but who scooped the A-League young player-of-the-year gong last month and made his Socceroos debut on Wednesday night in his hometown. Oar's dazzling performance on the left flank caught the eye as Australia limped into the 2011 Asian Cup finals with a lifeless victory over Indonesia in Brisbane, but the usually coy Verbeek's reluctance to play down his chances of making the World Cup in June took everyone by surprise. "I wish I could keep the pressure down but I must be honest, I thought he played a fantastic game," the Dutch coach beamed after the win. "I can say a few things about areas he can improve but I think he was fantastic." Although the sight of Oar taking the fight to the Indonesians was a welcome one, it again only served to reemphasise Verbeek's most pressing problem: who will score Australia's goals in South Africa. Japan-based targetman Josh Kennedy, a 2006 World Cup squad member, has all the physical attributes but has found the target just six times in 17 appearances after another duck in Brisbane as the side's lone striker. Scott McDonald is yet to open his account in 15 Socceroos internationals and is currently out of favour with Verbeek. The former Celtic forward is no certainty to be included and needs to get among the goals with Middlesbrough to prove he's worth a chance. In the pecking order after Kennedy and McDonald is a raft of wildcards including talented Bruce Djite (no goals in eight appearances) and twice-capped Nikita Rukavytsya. The latter doesn’t even have his thumbnail picture on the official Football Australia website, but Verbeek is certain to have noticed Rukavytsya banging them in for Belgium top flight side KSV Roeselare since his January loan move. All that has left renaissance man Harry Kewell seemingly in pole position to occupy an unfamiliar lone frontman position for the Group D opener against Germany. Kewell is currently sidelined with a groin problem, but has grown in stature since leaving behind a Premier League career 18 months ago. And it is Verbeek's inclination to deploy Kewell in attack which might create a vacancy on the left for Oar. The teenager's dramatic rise to the fringes of the World Cup is very much a consequence of Verbeek's attacking conundrum rather than a clamour for the Dutchman to take a him to South Africa. Oar is already on the verge of leaving the A-League with a host of Dutch heavyweights rumoured to be circling. And he's also drawn numerous comparisons with the teenage Kewell, who received his first Socceroos cap in the 1996 friendly against Chile aged 17 years and seven months, admitting that he models his game on the Galatasaray star. But, as Verbeek also noted, shining against the 137th-ranked Indonesians on home turf is a world away from dazzling against the Germans. The Dutchman said: "Let's try to keep it normal for the boy. Please don't mention him as the next Harry Kewell. Let the boy just develop. He had a great year and it will be very difficult to stay on the same level." Oar also faces stiff competition. Holland-based David Carney looks certain to be included as an option for left-back or further forward on that flank, while Verbeek favourite Dario Vidosic can also operate there as well as anywhere across midfield and attack. Copyright © Marc Fox and Soccerphile.com Tags Soccer News football

Korea Look Good Despite Off-Pitch Problems

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:42:20 +0000

You got the impression that the South Korean players enjoyed scoring against their goalkeeper in training a little too much. The novelty of having coach Huh Jung-moo in between the sticks outweighed the verbal volleys that came the way of the ten men on the outfield.

Jets fume at Van Egmond defection

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:21:08 +0000

You have to think that Gary van Egmond had endured enough turmoil in his 32-month stint at the helm of the Newcastle Jets. To some, it was no huge surprise when Van Egmond, an affable 44-year-old and former A-League coach of the year, this week handed in his resignation to outspoken Jets owner Con Constantine. Any brownie points his side had earned from reaching the knockout phase of the AFC Champions League had evaporated in Pohang as the Steelers ran out 6-0 victors last week, eliminating them from the competition. Such a heavy defeat would often be enough to prompt many trigger-happy chairmen to act or noncommittal managers to walk away - notwithstanding Van Egmond had recently penned a contract extension tying him to the Jets until 2013.

Australia beat Japan in final World Cup qualifier

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:28:10 +0000

Australia finished top of Group A in Asian World Cup qualifying after beating Japan 2-1 in front of 69,238 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Tim Cahill was the hero for the Socceroos, scoring twice in the second half after Japan defender Marcus Tulio Tanaka had given his side a half-time lead. Cahill's strained relations with the Australian media were apparent in a post-match TV interview that saw him offer a series of vague responses to questioning from host broadcaster Fox Sports. Yet the Everton man remains a hero to Australian fans for his performances on the pitch, and just as in Kaiserslautern three years ago, it was the explosive midfielder who dug the Socceroos out of a hole on a chilly night in Melbourne.

Still plenty at stake between Australia and Japan

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:54:57 +0000

Looking more like a ward of hospital patients than a squad of professional footballers, Japan arrived in Melbourne with seemingly one goal in mind. Forget the three qualifying points on offer from their World Cup qualifier against the Socceroos, Takeshi Okada’s men appeared more determined to avoid contracting swine flu as they disembarked in the sporting capital of Australia. It was surgical masks all around at Tullamarine Airport, with the Japanese leaving nothing to chance in a city that has been beset by an outbreak of the highly contagious H1N1 virus. The disease is not Takeshi Okada’s only concern, with Japan forced to leave Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura at home due to a groin strain.

Still plenty at stake between Australia and Japan

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:54:57 +0000

Lay off and look forward: Schwarzer

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:59:23 +0000

The move into the Asian confederation has created so many possibilities for the World Cup-bound Socceroos, but it has unexpectedly robbed them of something - a proper climax to qualifying. Few punters will forget that November night in 2005 when a bare-chested John Aloisi wheeled away after scoring the decisive penalty in Australia's shootout victory over Uruguay, a goal, which combined with Mark Schwarzer's heroics, confirming only the country's second appearance in a World Cup finals. But a scratchy goalless draw in Doha was never likely to provide the impetus for anything resembling the party which followed in Sydney three-and-a-half years ago.

Japan confident of victory despite sending second string team

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:16:55 +0000

Japan will send an understrength squad to Melbourne to face Australia on June 17, with Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura not making the trip as he nurses a groin injury. Nakamura is joined on the sidelines by influential Gamba Osaka playmaker Yasuhito Endo, while VfL Wolfsburg representatives Makoto Hasebe and Yoshito Okubo have also pulled out, as has in-form VVV Venlo midfielder Keisuke Honda. Despite the long absentee list, Japan coach Takeshi Okada remains confident that his side can inflict Australia's first defeat of the campaign in front of an anticipated crowd of more than 80,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Japan win Kirin Cup with two dominant displays

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:05:05 +0000

Japan warmed up for their World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan in Tashkent on June 6 with two crushing Kirin Cup victories to win the three-team tournament in front of their home fans. Japan thrashed Chile 4-0 on May 27 in front of 43,531 fans at a sold-out Nagai Stadium in Osaka, with Shimizu S-Pulse front man Shinji Okazaki helping himself to a brace. Takeshi Okada handed a debut off the bench to 18-year-old Urawa Reds midfielder Naoki Yamada, but it was Yamada's club-mate Yuki Abe who scored Japan's third, before Keisuke Honda added a fourth in stoppage-time to complete the rout for the Blue Samurai.

Aussie clubs floundering in the face of Japanese might

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:36:58 +0000

Twelve games played. Seven defeats. Four draws. One win. That's the record A-League clubs currently hold against their Japanese counterparts in the Asian Champions League, with Australian teams struggling to hold their own against the might of the Japanese game. The trend continued this week when Central Coast Mariners lost for the second straight time to Kawasaki Frontale, while Newcastle Jets missed a penalty in succumbing to Nagoya Grampus at home. There were grave doubts about the quality of the A-League when Kawasaki Frontale dished out a humiliating 5-0 thrashing of Central Coast Mariners in Gosford a fortnight ago.

Interrogation not required

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:45:48 +0000

Australia's courageous Socceroos will wait until after their April World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan before undergoing the kind of self-interrogation critics of the national side suggest might be needed right now. Pim Verbeek's side dug deep in Yokohama against Japan on Wednesday night, exhausting even more luck from their depleted reserves to salvage a 0-0 draw. It was the national team's third straight unconvincing performance since sweeping aside Qatar 4-0 last October. On all measures, the home side should have won and claimed the outright lead of Group A from their closest challengers. Japan were slicker in possession and frugal at the back where the defenders easily coped with lone striker Tim Cahill. Only poor finishing led to the goalless stalemate which, with three of the final four qualifiers on home soil, clearly suits the top-of-the-table Socceroos. Australia's finest were central defensive pairing Lucas Neill and Craig Moore, with left-back Scott Chipperfield also worthy of a mention after two months sidelined with a foot injury. But Neill, who must quickly recover from the 14,000-mile round trip to face Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on Saturday, was nonplussed about Australia's latest indifferent display. “It's not been ideal - the way we've flown in for a day and then had to play,'' he said afterwards. “Come the next game against Uzbekistan (at ANZ Stadium on April 1) if we don't perform well we'll have to start questioning ourselves. "But with eight days to prepare for a tough home game I think you will see a much more attacking side with more chances created." Verbeek's men could wrap up qualification for South Africa in April - in stark contrast to 2005's memorable double header against Uruguay which went to the wire. Then, the Socceroos squeezed into only their second finals thanks to Mark Schwarzer's penalty shootout heroics - and that after a long and winding final campaign in Oceania. The Uzbeks travel to Sydney bottom of the group after their surprise 1-0 home defeat to Bahrain, with victory likely to leave Australia at least six points clear of the third-placed Bahrainis, the team the Socceroos host in June. “Tonight we won't talk about the negatives," continued the West Ham skipper. “We're just happy to have kept another clean sheet and if we win our next game at home, technically we're probably there.'' No case for the defence The Newcastle Jets - deposed A-League champions following a disastrous title defence when they won just four times - have commenced the inevitable cull which follows such a lacklustre campaign. Ahead of their AFC Champions League group opener next month, Gary van Egmond has unveiled a brand new central defensive pairing in Ljubo Milicevic and Ange Costanzo and three new strikers. Milicevic, a former Australian Olympic captain, has been out of the spotlight since his contract with Melbourne Victory was terminated amid allegations of substance abuse - claims he denies. Meanwhile, Costanzo arrives from Champions League finalists Adelaide United and further helps soften the impact of losing Socceroos centre half Jade North to K-League side Incheon United. Van Egmond's overhaul of his forwards after Newcastle scored just 21 times in as many matches last season includes the acquisition of two foreign strikers in Dutchman Donny de Groot and Italian Fabio Vignaroli. The Jets have also brought in journeyman forward Sasho Petrovski who becomes the first A-League player to represent all three NSW clubs. Petrovski, the one-time Socceroos striker, played for Sydney FC in seasons one and two before joining the Central Coast Mariners. Joel Griffiths is on-loan to Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan until the end of the calendar year. Copyright © Marc Fox and Soccerphile.com Australian Soccer News Bet with Bet 365 World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting

Japan frustrated by scoreless stalemate with Australia

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:31:41 +0000

If the pressure was well and truly on Japan coach Takeshi Okada going into his side's World Cup qualifier with Australia in Yokohama, then the resultant 0-0 draw will have done little to alleviate it. Japan dominated in front of 65,571 fans at Yokohama International Stadium, but a combination of poor finishing and dogged defending from the Socceroos saw Pim Verbeek's team snatch a hard-earned point. Missing English Premier League stars Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka and Brett Emerton through injury, Pim Verbeek's decision not to field a single recognised striker from the start spoke volumes for Australia's approach to this clash. It was left to the Blue Samurai to dictate the tempo as they surged forward in search of an early goal to calm the nerves of the home fans, and they almost found one when Nagoya Grampus striker Keiji Tamada hit the side netting after just five minutes. Japan's best chance arrived from a Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick, but the Celtic wizard fired his effort well over the crossbar. When Gamba Osaka midfielder Yasuhito Endo took over free-kick duties late in the first half he failed to even beat the wall - however the diminutive midfielder did manage to sting Mark Schwarzer's palms with a stinging long-range drive with twenty minutes remaining. For their part Australia managed just a solitary shot on goal for the entirety of the match, as Verbeek's plan to take a point from this tricky-looking fixture came to fruition. Australia's spoiling tactics were lamented in some circles Down Under, but on the whole the pragmatic Dutchman has received faint praise for taking 10 points from the opening four final round qualifiers. Japan's next clash is at home to Bahrain in Saitama on March 28, while on April 1 Australia take on Uzbekistan in Sydney Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags Bet with Bet 365 World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting

Tit-for-tat spats ahead of crucial World Cup qualifier

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:23:22 +0000

Japan's upcoming World Cup qualifier against Australia in Yokohama has been punctuated by an on-going verbal stoush between the two sides. The chatter kicked off in earnest after Japan beat Qatar 3-0 in Doha last November, with a bullish Japan coach Takeshi Okada telling reporters that he wanted to "shut up" the Socceroos. Predictably his statement was like a red rag to a bull for the Australians, with Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill retorting that his team could be one of the first to qualify for the finals in South Africa in 2010 by picking up three points in Yokohama. Never short of a quote, West Ham United defender Neill went on to declare that Australia has the "mental edge" over a struggling Japanese side. "We know psychologically we have a slight edge over them from the World Cup," Neill told AAP in the build-up to an eagerly anticipated clash. That World Cup reference comes from Australia's epic 3-1 win over Japan in the group stage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany - which launched the Socceroos on their way to the second round. Japan claimed revenge with a penalty shoot-out victory in the quarter-finals of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, and the tension is building ahead of the latest installment of this burgeoning rivalry. Just days away from the clash at a sold-out Yokohama International Stadium, Takeshi Okada has softened his tone. "I need to be careful about what I say now... all I can say is that it won't be as easy as tonight," he told The Daily Yomiuri in the wake of Japan's recent 5-1 friendly defeat over an inexperienced Finland at the National Stadium in Tokyo. "There were some things we did well today, and some things we didn't. Thinking about the Australia game, I think we needed to execute better, but the match was meaningful to us." Okada is under fierce pressure after his side were beaten 1-0 by Bahrain in Manama in an AFC Asian Cup qualifier at the end of last month. At the same time Australia drew 0-0 with Indonesia in Jakarta, however Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek negated any potential criticism ahead of that clash by naming a side comprised entirely of A-League representatives. Verbeek has reverted to a largely European-based squad for the match in Yokohama - but they will meet just 48 hours prior to kick-off - handing Japan somewhat of a psychological advantage. The cagey Dutchman has been quick to turn the pressure back on Japan, however, telling reporters that his team can afford to lose in Yokohama and still qualify comfortably for the finals in South Africa. Okada, meanwhile, will be desperate for a win - with some sections of the Japanese press calling for his head following a lacklustre qualifying campaign so far. It all points to a fascinating encounter in Yokohama, although with the top two from a five-team group qualifying automatically for South Africa, both Japan and Australia have time up their sleeves to guarantee themselves a place at FIFA's money-spinning extravaganza. The Japan - Australia clash will take place on February 11 at Yokohama International Stadium, with kick-off set for 7.20pm local time. Copyright © Michael Tuckerman & Soccerphile.com J.League News Tags Bet with Bet 365 World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting

Carney's a Canary

Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:13:06 +0000

Socceroo David Carney has reunited with former Sydney FC assistant Ian Crook after agreeing a deal to join Norwich City on loan until the end of the English domestic season. He becomes Crook and new manager Bryan Gunn's first signing since they took charge of the Carrow Road club last week. Carney has been out of favour with Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell this season after taking his place as one of three over-age players at the Beijing Olympics. Despite playing 26 times for the Blades last year following his switch from Sydney FC, the 25-year-old hasn’t made a single league appearance this term with his senior national team spot coming under pressure from the returning Scott Chipperfield. And Australia boss Pim Verbeek's recent warning to any Socceroos regulars not enjoying first team football at club level is the clear motivation behind Carney's transfer window move. "With the World Cup coming up in 2010 he wants to have the chance to show what he can do so he has an opportunity of a place in the Australian squad," Gunn told the official Norwich City website. "He has a tremendous left foot and is a confident goalscorer who is technically gifted." Carney made 34 A-League appearances, scoring seven goals, and helped Sydney claim the inaugural league championship in 2005/06. He was primarily used as a left winger, but has won the majority of his 17 national team caps as a left-back including as a member of coach Graham Arnold's 2007 Asian Cup squad. "Ian gave a very high recommendation of David and his capabilities and was happy to recommend him to us," said Gunn. "I know there were other clubs interested in him - both in this country and in Europe - and I really hope he is able to use his abilities to help us in the battle we have ahead of us." Norwich are in relegation trouble after dropping to 19th place in the English Championship, 14 places below Sheffield United, the club Carney is under contact with until the end of the 2009/10 campaign. Carney is expected to take his place in the club's squad for Friday's trip to fellow strugglers Doncaster Rovers. Former Melbourne Victory central defender Adrian Leijer, now at English Premier League side Fulham, is another Australian being linked with a move to Norwich. Copyright © Marc Fox and Soccerphile.com Australian Soccer News Bet with Bet 365 World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting

Turning tides

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:44:37 +0000

How the saga involving Jason Culina ends will take its natural course. But the fact an A-League side is holding its own in negotiations with the current PSV and Socceroos midfielder is being lauded as a milestone for the domestic game. Culina is a first choice for national team coach Pim Verbeek and arguably plays at the highest standard of any of Australia's overseas stars in Eindhoven after appearing for PSV in this year's Champions League. The 28-year-old son of former Sydney FC coach Branko is rarely injured and was one of the country's outstanding players leading into the 2006 World Cup. His form over the past 12 months for the national team hasn't perhaps maintained that same level. But he has retained his position in PSV's midfield under coach Huub Stevens and has been offered extended terms to remain with the Dutch club when his current deal ends in June. Reports suggest Croatian outfit Dinamo Zagreb are the other major European player in the hunt for Culina's silky services. But it's the ballsy ambition of expansion A-Leaguers Gold Coast United which has made the overseas heavyweights sit up and take notice. United have reportedly offered Culina a three-year $3.6 million deal to become the club's marquee acquisition with Gold Coast coach Miron Bleiberg believing the fledgling club have presented the most attractive all-round package. "My understanding is that we are his top choice but if something comes up that interests him more, then I'll accept it," Bleiberg told the Gold Coast Bulletin. "To date, the only Socceroos players who have come home have been just one step from retirement. With Jason you are looking at a player in his prime. "Even at a big club like PSV, he still looks outstanding every time I see him. He would provide the gloss and class I am looking for." Culina aside, United, bankrolled by mining magnate Clive Palmer's billions, are causing shockwaves around the league some seven months before they officially join the competition for the 2009/10 campaign. Melbourne Victory and fringe Socceroos defender Michael Thwaite has been the latest big name addition to the Coast's inaugural line-up, a group of players looking increasingly likely to deliver on the outspoken Palmer's promise of winning the A-League title in their maiden season. Thwaite is another local player who's elected to remain in Australia rather than return to Europe. The 25-year-old was loaned to Melbourne by Norwegian champions SK Brann and was expected to return to Scandinavia at the end of the current A-League campaign before joining the Gold Coast. Livewire Queensland Roar striker Tahj Minniecon has also had his head turned by the Coast's offer of becoming their inaugural under-23 marquee player. He will double his yearly salary by moving to the Roar's nearest neighbours, but the switch does intensify the hostilities between the pair. Earlier this season, Bleiberg was branded a clown and a liar by Queensland skipper Craig Moore after the colourful manager claimed he hadn’t tapped up a single member of Frank Farina's current Roar squad. The usually reserved Moore was moved to rubbish Bleiberg's comments and said he knew for certain the former Roar boss had spoken to team-mates. Minniecon's subsequent move suggests Moore was telling the truth. Palmer and Bleiberg's continued boastful comments seem set to make the Gold Coast the team most rival sides will take aim at when the new season kicks off this coming August. They previously announced the signings of Wellington's prolific striker Shane Smeltz and Newcastle's Adam Griffiths, plunging those clubs' playoff challenges into crisis. Another three currently contracted A-League players have made the similar journey to the tourist strip. Copyright © Marc Fox and Soccerphile.com Australian Soccer News Bet with Bet 365 World Soccer News Soccer betting tips Soccer Books & DVDs Tags Soccer News soccer football J-League K-League Betting