ID :
9341
Wed, 06/04/2008 - 12:14
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https://oananews.org//node/9341
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Socceroos eyeing full points in Dubai
Dubai, June 4 (AAP) - The Socceroos have extra incentive to take maximum points against Iraq in Dubai on Saturday, with a win now certain to secure them a spot in the next stage of AsianWorld Cup qualifying.
Qatar and China's 0-0 draw in their Group 1 qualifier leaves Australia three points clear of the second-placed Qataris with three group matches remaining.
With the top two in each group going through to the next stage of World Cup qualifying starting later this year, a win over Iraq in Dubai on Saturday (Sunday AEST) or Qatar on June 14 in Doha would now guarantee the Socceroos the passage they seek.
The Socceroos arrived in sweltering Dubai on Tuesday, and will have a light training run (early on Wednesday AEST) - the start of a succession of nocturnal training sessions.
With temperatures hitting the 40s on Tuesday, coach Pim Verbeek will restrict his team to night sessions as much as possible ahead of Saturday's match.
Verbeek has also promised he will fix a defence sliced and diced by Iraq's trio of deadly box-cutters in the Socceroos' 1-0 win in Brisbane on Sunday ahead of the return leg.
Striker Younis Mahmoud and midfielders Emar Mohammed and Nashat Akram were like Stanley knives providing death by a thousand cuts to Socceroos centre-halves Jade North and Michael Beauchamp, who struggled to contain them around the penalty box ina first half the Iraqis could have had three goals and left Group 1 with a far different face.
But Verbeek backed North and Beauchamp to bounce back in their next match, and admitted some fault himself for not taking more time to work on defence.
"We all agree the defensive organisation against Iraq was not good. Those boys who played yesterday played good in the Singapore game, the China game and against Ghana," Verbeek said.
"But I was a little bit disappointed with the organisation - I told them they can do better. I was surprised we gave so many chances. It's not what I expected.
"Maybe I didn't do enough with defensive organisation. Maybe we have to spend a little bit more time on that over here.
"There's an organisational problem, but I think that problem's easily fixed."With Lucas Neill set to join the squad perhaps in time for the Qatar match, North and Beauchamp will get their chance for redemption and to gain valuable experience as perhaps the long-term anchors for Australia's defence.
"You cannot blame Jade North or Michael Beauchamp for not having the same experience as (now retired) Craig Moore and Lucas Neill," Verbeek said.
"They are good defenders but they are not the leader types the other boys are. So, if we don't have that, you have to find better organisation and be aware of what their job is."Striker Josh Kennedy could find his way into camp later this week to join the large 26-man squad already assembled in Dubai, with Verbeek keen to use the 196cm giant as a shock tactic against the Iraqis. - end.
Qatar and China's 0-0 draw in their Group 1 qualifier leaves Australia three points clear of the second-placed Qataris with three group matches remaining.
With the top two in each group going through to the next stage of World Cup qualifying starting later this year, a win over Iraq in Dubai on Saturday (Sunday AEST) or Qatar on June 14 in Doha would now guarantee the Socceroos the passage they seek.
The Socceroos arrived in sweltering Dubai on Tuesday, and will have a light training run (early on Wednesday AEST) - the start of a succession of nocturnal training sessions.
With temperatures hitting the 40s on Tuesday, coach Pim Verbeek will restrict his team to night sessions as much as possible ahead of Saturday's match.
Verbeek has also promised he will fix a defence sliced and diced by Iraq's trio of deadly box-cutters in the Socceroos' 1-0 win in Brisbane on Sunday ahead of the return leg.
Striker Younis Mahmoud and midfielders Emar Mohammed and Nashat Akram were like Stanley knives providing death by a thousand cuts to Socceroos centre-halves Jade North and Michael Beauchamp, who struggled to contain them around the penalty box ina first half the Iraqis could have had three goals and left Group 1 with a far different face.
But Verbeek backed North and Beauchamp to bounce back in their next match, and admitted some fault himself for not taking more time to work on defence.
"We all agree the defensive organisation against Iraq was not good. Those boys who played yesterday played good in the Singapore game, the China game and against Ghana," Verbeek said.
"But I was a little bit disappointed with the organisation - I told them they can do better. I was surprised we gave so many chances. It's not what I expected.
"Maybe I didn't do enough with defensive organisation. Maybe we have to spend a little bit more time on that over here.
"There's an organisational problem, but I think that problem's easily fixed."With Lucas Neill set to join the squad perhaps in time for the Qatar match, North and Beauchamp will get their chance for redemption and to gain valuable experience as perhaps the long-term anchors for Australia's defence.
"You cannot blame Jade North or Michael Beauchamp for not having the same experience as (now retired) Craig Moore and Lucas Neill," Verbeek said.
"They are good defenders but they are not the leader types the other boys are. So, if we don't have that, you have to find better organisation and be aware of what their job is."Striker Josh Kennedy could find his way into camp later this week to join the large 26-man squad already assembled in Dubai, with Verbeek keen to use the 196cm giant as a shock tactic against the Iraqis. - end.
