Toss Of The Coyne

The Age

Friday June 6, 2008

Michael Lynch

Chris Coyne may get his chance against Iraq, Michael Lynch reports from Dubai.

SOCCEROO boss Pim Verbeek may spring a surprise and pick a rookie 29-year-old centre back who plays soccer in England's third tier to shore up Australia's defence against an Iraq side that must win its World Cup clash early on Sunday (Melbourne time) to retain any hope of progressing to South Africa 2010.

Chris Coyne, a centre-half who has spent the bulk of his career in the English lower divisions with Luton Town, could come into the starting line-up as the pivotal member of a new-look Australian defence.

At least he will if Verbeek opts to employ a back three with two wing-backs, rather than the back four that started against Iraq in Brisbane last Sunday.

The Dutchman was unhappy with the lack of defensive cover the two full-backs, Brett Emerton on the right and David Carney on the left, provided for the just-bedding-in centre-back pairing of Michael Beauchamp and Jade North in the 1-0 win last Sunday, a match in which he conceded Australia was lucky to keep a clean sheet.

Picking the rough, tough and experienced Coyne - a veteran of years of bruising, physical encounters in England's lower divisions - at the heart of the Australian back line could help solve the problem as it would bolster the centre of a defence likely to come under sustained pressure from the desperate Iraqis.

Verbeek may also look to stiffen the midfield by including Carl Valeri alongside Vince Grella in a supporting defensive midfield role for a game many believe will be Australia's toughest, if not in the entire qualifying campaign, then at least in this phase.

If the coach opts for that stifling approach, Australia may line up, in the stamina-sapping heat expected, with Harry Kewell in a lone striking role, and Scott McDonald and perhaps Mark Bresciano starting on the bench.

Coyne cut his footballing teeth in Western Australia and is the elder brother of Perth Glory defender Jamie. He was at West Ham for several years as a youngster but made only one appearance before moving to Scottish Premier League side Dundee. He made his name at Luton, where he had 221 appearances, before leaving the cash-strapped Hatters for struggling Championship outfit Colchester in the middle of last season. Coyne could not help the Essex club avoid the drop, and he is due to return from his Arabian adventure to play in England's League One next season.

Still, Verbeek says he would have no concerns about playing the 185-centimetre centre-half if he decided to switch his formation for this weekend's match.

"Surprises - sometimes they are the best," the cool Dutchman ventured when asked if he would play Coyne in the starting XI following a training session in which Coyne played in what looked like the first team during a scratch match. "It doesn't say anything so far; it's Wednesday, there are still three days to go," Verbeek said.

Verbeek said of Coyne: "He has personality, he is a leader, he is a tough defender, he is a very good header, he is never in panic. So far (in Lucas Neill's absence), we don't have somebody (like that) in the back line. I have the confidence (in him), that's why I took him for the last selections. He can do a job."

Last night, Verbeek admitted he was considering Coyne because of defensive frailties that concerned him in Brisbane. "That's the reason", said the head coach, who also wants to be be able to take advantage of the marauding abilities of Emerton and Carney in wide areas by tightening up his central defence.

The struggle Coyne has faced to make it in England is the reason he does not feel overawed having come to the cusp of international selection. "They (the players) are not different to anyone else . . . there are 11 players on the football field and if they are superstars, they are no different to anyone else. It's still a game of football, two goals and a round thing in the middle. I respect people I play with every week . . . but here, there's a mutual respect in the dressing room and I have been welcomed in."

© 2008 The Age

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