Verbeek Urges Team To Be Alert

The Age

Saturday June 7, 2008

Michael Lynch, Dubai

IT WILL be hot, intense, and nerve-racking, but Australia knows that a win - perhaps even a point - against Iraq in the early hours of tomorrow in Dubai will ensure it books itself a place in the final phase of Asian World Cup qualifying.

The Socceroos' Dutch coach, Pim Verbeek, is making all the right noises about going for the three points - he would like nothing better than to complete the task with two games to spare and let his big-name players off for summer breaks - but his team selection will be designed primarily to avoid a defeat.

Verbeek is a long-standing international manager, so he has, in the way that men of his experience do, got his message across in advance.

It was little surprise this week to hear him sound the alarm about gamesmanship, urging the Japanese referee who takes charge tomorrow to ensure he clamps down on diving and play acting should the Asian champion seek to win free kicks and penalties unfairly.

Australia is likely to go into this match with a lone striker (captain Harry Kewell), a revamped rearguard featuring three central defenders augmented by two wing-backs, and a midfield designed to contain and frustrate an Iraq team for which a loss will mean there are no tomorrows, as far as World Cup 2010 is concerned.

Flanker Brett Emerton sat out the penultimate training session with a groin injury, but Verbeek says the Blackburn Rovers man will take his role at full-back.

Jade North, the A-League-winning Newcastle Jets skipper, sustained an ankle injury in training when Socceroo new boy Chris Coyne landed on him, but Verbeek is confident North will be fit to face an Iraqi front line marshalled by Asian Cup hero Younis Mahmoud and primed from midfield by the gifted Nashat Akram.

It is widely expected that Coyne, a tough nut who has done the hard yards in the English lower divisions, will get the chance to make his international debut in a rejigged back three.

Verbeek expects the Australian defence to come under sustained pressure from the first minute and has pushed his players hard in evening training sessions during their four preparatory days in Dubai to maintain focus from the opening whistle.

The Socceroos worked hard in training on defensive shape and pressure all over the ground. Verbeek wants his players to close the game down, but has repeatedly warned them - in harsh tones, if necessary - of the danger of "stupid" fouls and the risks of making rash challenges around the penalty area.

"Brett has a groin problem since last week but he is so fit, we didn't take any risks with him today. There's no doubt about it (that he will be available). Jade is OK, it's swollen, a contusion . . . but his pain barrier is quite high, he will not give up."

Verbeek knows that his team cannot afford the lethargic start it had in the lucky 1-0 win in Brisbane last weekend against the same opponent because it could get caught cold this time.

"You have to be (ready) from the first minute because we know what is going to happen," Verbeek said.

"They want to force an early goal and then drop back and wait for the counter-attack. In Brisbane, instead of controlling the game, which we did in previous games, we gave corner kicks and free kicks away . . . they are dangerous with that.

"They will come, they will attack, they will storm, this also means that they give space away and it's up to us to take our chances. Possession is important in this heat and we have players who can do that."

The coach has stressed the requirement for discipline in what will be a testing emotional environment, with the stadium crammed with expatriate Iraqis roaring on their team.

"They (the Socceroos) are always fighting, going for the ball, they play with the heart. We know how dangerous they (Iraq) are with free kicks and corner kicks. Pressure is OK, no stupid fouls.

"We know they are going to dive. The same story will happen - they will go for free kicks and penalties, it's in their character, it's in their culture, the referee has to make that decision."

Kewell scored the winner last Sunday and played one of his best games in a Socceroos shirt. The 29-year-old is relishing the responsibility and is playing a key role in steeling his teammates for the test that awaits.

POSSIBLE TEAMS

AUSTRALIA v IRAQ

2am tomorrow, Al Ahli Club Stadium, Dubai

AUSTRALIA

Mark Schwarzer

Brett Emerton

Jade North

Chris Coyne

Michael

Beauchamp

David Carney

Luke Wilkshire

Vince Grella

Jason Culina

Mark Bresciano

/Carl Valeri

Harry Kewell

IRAQ

Noor Sabri

Haider Abdul

Amir

Salam Shakir

Ali Rehema

Basim Abbas

Mahdi Karim

Nashat Akram

Qusay Munir

Hawar Mulla

Mohammed

Younes

Mahmoud

Salih Sadir

© 2008 The Age

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