A Case Of Attitude Over Altitude

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday March 28, 2008

Michael Cockerill

Player resolve ensured Pim Verbeek's punt paid off against China, writes Michael Cockerill.

Adversity is always more revealing than triumph, and the way the Socceroos emerged from Wednesday's daunting task against China augurs well for another successful World Cup campaign. Undefeated after two games, no goals conceded, and the selection options growing by the day. No wonder Pim Verbeek, having shaken off a stomach bug, couldn't stop smiling after the game.

The Great Wall of China - in the form of a team without a striker - did its job. Skipper Lucas Neill seemed reluctant to describe the 0-0 draw as heroic, but there was plenty of spine in this display. All the odds were stacked against the Socceroos - losing Archie Thompson after just three minutes summed up the week from hell - but they didn't flinch. Mark Schwarzer's last-gasp penalty save might have been crucial, but in truth it simply ensured justice was done.

All coaches love it when they gamble and win. Verbeek made one of the biggest gambles of his career, and it paid off. No genuine striker, no one to hold up the ball. Neill admitted it was a strange feeling to be in possession, look up and see no one at the other end. As it happened, the long ball out from the back was a poor option given the way the ball picked up speed in the altitude. Instead Australia played to feet, in neat triangles, and Mark Bresciano, Jason Culina and Thompson's replacement, Brett Holman, did wonderfully well in making time and space to receive the ball. In fact, there wasn't a bad player for Australia, and some were better than good. Holman seized his chance superbly, and his tendency to play more central than Thompson ended up suiting the cause.

Holman's international career has yet to get going, and he was disappointed not to start. But opportunity knocks unexpectedly, and before the game got going, he was off the bench.

"It was unfortunate for Archie, but I was happy to get my chance so early," Holman said later. "I wanted to prove something to the new coach, that maybe I might be worth a starting spot in the next game. I was happy with my performance."

Holman was one of four players not involved in last month's opening qualifier against Qatar who got a chance in Kunming. All advanced their claims, perhaps none more than Jade North. The Newcastle Jets skipper was on the bench against Qatar, but on that occasion Verbeek ignored him when Craig Moore wanted to come off. Instead he asked Brett Emerton to see out the game as a centre half. But after this effort, Verbeek might not be so dismissive. Neill later claimed the Socceroos had unearthed another "gem", but North has been there all along. And while Verbeek's uncomplimentary view on A-League players is well known, there's little doubt he's starting to soften his stance.

That's what a successful start to a World Cup campaign can do. Open eyes, open minds and make everyone more relaxed. Verbeek now has two months to prepare for the next qualifier, against Iraq, and has the benefit of a high-grade warm-up game - believed to be against Cameroon - in late May. He'll use that game to give some fringe players a run.

The coach is off to Europe this week, where he'll try to get a definitive answer from Mark Viduka about whether he wants to continue his Socceroos career. He'll also watch as many of his players as possible, and introduce himself to Matthew Spiranovic, Mile Sterjovski and Scott Chipperfield, whom he has yet to meet.

When you consider Harry Kewell, Bruce Djite, Josh Kennedy, Brett Emerton, Scott McDonald and Tim Cahill pulled out of the China trip because of injury - as well as Sterjovski - it's clear the competition for places is heating up. The reaction of Jacob Burns, who rounded on the fourth official when he was tardy in getting the subs board ready 92 minutes into Wednesday's match, said a lot. "He [Burns] was really pissed off, and I like that," Verbeek laughed.

The players are starting to see the possibility, and even one minute on the park for the Socceroos counts for a lot.

For all the promise, however, nothing can be taken for granted. China were poor, perhaps the poorest team in the group. Their lack of adventure at home was mystifying, making it easier than it should have been for an Australian team fatigued by travel and unprepared for the altitude. On this evidence, the Socceroos have their measure - an important consideration given the Chinese are again the opposition in the last game of the group stage.

By then Australia will have been to the Middle East, to play Qatar and Iraq, under a baking Arabian sun. That's Asia for you. Different, challenging, but exciting all the same.

Meanwhile, in a massive blow to Melbourne Victory's Asian Champions League campaign, Archie Thomson may be sidelined for up to two months following a knee injury he sustained during Wednesday's Kunming match.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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