Oceania Nations Cup - V Solomon Islands Preview
LG Socceroo Coach FRANK FARINA has made six changes to his starting line-up for the second and final Group A Oceania Nations Cup match, to be played against the Solomon Islands in Tahiti tomorrow night (Saturday AEST).
LG Socceroo Coach FRANK FARINA has made six changes to his starting line-up for the second and final Group A Oceania Nations Cup match, to be played against the Solomon Islands in Tahiti tomorrow night (Saturday AEST).
In come defenders STEPHEN LAYBUTT and STEVE HORVAT, STEVE CORICA and SCOTT CHIPPERFIELD playing in the midfield, with AURELIO VIDMAR and hat-trick hero from the 17-0 victory over the Cook Islands, CLAYTON ZANE, making up the strike force.
The LG Socceroo Starting Eleven Vs Solomon Islands is:
ZELJKO KALAC (goalkeeper)
STAN LAZARIDIS
STEPHEN LAYBUTT
STEVE HORVAT
KEVIN MUSCAT
SCOTT CHIPPERFIELD
PAUL OKON (Captain)
STEVE CORICA
BRETT EMERTON
AURELIO VIDMAR
CLAYTON ZANE
"I-ve said from day one that I feel every member of the squad can do the job, which is basically why I-ve made some changes," said Farina after Australia-s final training session today at the Punaruu Stadium.
"We play a semi final two days after this game, and I want to make sure that the players are as fresh and sharp as possible and ticking over for every game.
"I think that the Solomons will provide better opposition for us, but we need to maintain our standard against lesser opposition, which is what I was pleased about the other night.
"Instead of taking it easy after a 7-0 lead at half-time, we kept improving, we kept our shape, our motivation and our concentration, we must do that again tomorrow night, and that-s the effort that I-ll be looking for." he concluded.
MATCH: AUSTRALIA Vs SOLOMON ISLANDS
DATE: Friday 23rd June (Tahiti)/Saturday 24th June (Australia)
KICK-OFF: 6.00pm (Tahiti)/2.00pm (AEST)
VENUE: Stade de Pater, Tahiti