Verbeek Sick As A Parrot As Injuries Mount, But Kewell May Be The Remedy

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday March 26, 2008

Michael Cockerill in Kunming

THE Socceroos will be hoping they don't get the World Cup wobbles like their coach, Pim Verbeek, who almost collapsed during a media conference on Tuesday as he was discussing his plans for Wednesday's qualifier against China in Kunming.

Verbeek was four minutes into a conference with travelling Australian journalists when he said he had to stop "because I'm not feeling very well", before staggering as he was helped to a chair. Verbeek had earlier skipped breakfast after complaining of a stomach bug, and team doctor Peter Bruckner later confirmed it was a gastric complaint, rather than the altitude, which had caused the coach's distress. After a few hours' rest, Verbeek was able to go to the match venue, Tuodong Stadium, and is expected to take his place on the bench for the match.

Verbeek will need all his wiles and experience following a spate of injuries, which he admits have forced him to adjust his selection plans. The only solace after a week of bad news - capped off by Bruce Djite's hamstring injury at training on Monday night - is the likelihood that Harry Kewell will be fit enough to start the game, although not necessarily to end it.

Kewell left training early on Monday, but Verbeek said "that was to protect him", and the Liverpool star could be used in the same playmaking role he performed for 45 minutes in last weekend's warm-up match against Singapore. The issue for Verbeek is that a desperate Chinese team could target a half-fit Kewell in the early stages, but, given the dearth of options, it's a risk the coach and player might have to take.

There's little doubt China - roared on by a partizan crowd - will try to knock the Socceroos off their stride. China's play has become increasingly physical under new coach Vladimir Petrovic, and Chinese journalists expect the home team - who have spent three weeks in camp acclimatising to Kunming's altitude of 1900 metres - to go as hard as they can as early as they can.

That's no surprise to Verbeek, who said: "We expect them to be physical, that's the way they play, and we have to be ready for that. The pressure is on them, that's true, because if they don't win, they'll probably be out for the qualification."

In truth, the pressure has mounted on the Socceroos following a catalogue of injuries that have ripped the heart out of the attack. Djite's hamstring strain - likely to sideline the Adelaide United striker for at least a month - follows the loss of Scott McDonald, Mile Sterjovski, Tim Cahill and Josh Kennedy.

Asked whether he has any strikers left, Verbeek laughed: "I still have a few, but of course I agree this was not expected. You cannot be happy, that's true, but on the other hand we still have players who can do the job ... that's why we took enough players to come over here. It's a little bit tough, but we still think we can win the game - and that's why we go for it."

Pressed on whether the spate of withdrawals had changed his mindset, he replied: "Not really."

Verbeek's bravado is designed to keep the pressure on the Chinese team, who go into the game on the back of a sequence of poor results and injury problems of their own which have ruled out strikers Dong Fangzhou and Shi Jun. Two other European-based players - winger Shao Jiayi and utility Sun Jihai - and striker Han Peng are all returning from injury and are expected to be on the bench. Gifted Shandong Luneng midfielder Zhou Haibin - who provides the workrate to support playmaker and captain Zheng Zhi - is also under an injury cloud.

For all that, China go into the game as slight favourites and, while he won't admit it, Verbeek will be delighted to escape with a draw. That means Australia will take a far more defensive approach than they did in last month's World Cup opener against Qatar, with either Brett Holman or Mark Bridge given the lone striker's role.

* The Socceroos' next game will be a friendly against Cameroon at ANZ Stadium on Friday May 23.

POSSIBLE AUSTRALIAN TEAM (4-2-3-1): Mark Schwarzer; Luke Wilkshire, Lucas Neill, Michael Beauchamp, David Carney; Vince Grella, Carl Valeri; Jason Culina, Harry Kewell, Mark Bresciano; Mark Bridge/Brett Holman.

Culina fits the bill - Page 32

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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