Verbeek remains hopeful on Viduka

Qantas Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek remains hopeful that Mark Viduka will be able to play some part in the three FIFA World Cup qualifying games in June, despite not being named in his 30-man squad that was released today.

Qantas Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek remains hopeful that Mark Viduka will be able to play some part in the three FIFA World Cup qualifying games in June, despite not being named in his 30-man squad that was released today.

Verbeek promised the Newcastle United striker a week to ponder whether he wanted to continue his international career or not, with the Qantas Socceroos due to start arriving in Dubai on Saturday for a week long camp before the key Qatar clash on June 6.

The 30-man squad was pretty much as expected, although the inclusion of Adrian Madaschi was a surprise to many, while Rhys Williams and Dario Vidosic have received their first call-ups.

“I have one spot open and that spot is for him,” Verbeek replied when asked if Mark Viduka was finished (as an international player). “So it-s up to him; the ball is completely in his court.

“He is not on the list because I had a deal with him that he could make up his mind after the Newcastle game on the weekend. He had this week to make up his mind; to decide if he wanted to be part of the Qantas Socceroos in the upcoming games.

“He has enough on his mind at the moment, so I give him the time to make a decision. For us he is more than welcome and if he makes the decision to not play anymore then we have to respect that decision.”

Asked why he picked so many players for the three games, which includes matches in Sydney against Bahrain (June 10) and against Japan in Melbourne on June 17, Verbeek wants to have players ready and prepared and in the case of the younger ones to gain valuable experience.

“Everyone can see it-s quite a big selection; some new players in the group; some young in the group. So we are prepared for three games,” he said.

“We still have seven players to play games on the weekend; big games for them. We have eight players on one yellow card and if they get a second yellow card that means they are out, so it-s better to have the boys with me, then picking them from the beach.”

The selection of Williams is particularly interesting, after he recently contacted the FFA and informed them he wanted to play for the Socceroos rather than Wales, for whom he had played for in their Under 21 side.

The Middlesbrough fullback was in terrific form while on loan at Burnley in the second half of the season and would have watched with some satisfaction after the small northern club won promotion to the English Premier League. Williams unfortunately was not able to play in the play-off-s. Ironically Middlesbrough was relegated down to the Championship a day earlier.

“We (coaching staff) have seen him (Williams) play three times and he did very well in his time at Burnley; played right fullback and is originally a central defender. If I compare him with the players of his age, he-s a player with huge potential and it-s time for him now to show us that he can be a part of the Socceroos for the future.

The biggest surprise was that of Madaschi, who is plying his trade in the Italian 3rd Division with Portogruaro-Summaga. However having first seen him with the Qantas Under 23-s, Verbeek has kept tabs on the tall central defender and wants to see him in the company of his fellow national teammates.

“In the games we have seen him, he has made a good impression. It always good to have a player of his age; a left-footed player in the squad.

“It-s the only possibility for us to see him and compare him with the rest of the group. It-s up to him now.

“Serie C is a tough league, especially for a defender because you have to concentrate a lot and it-s up to him to show us he can do that at the same level with the Socceroos.”

Verbeek also praised the commitment of several other players whose season finished early and they organised for themselves to keep up their fitness with clubs back in Australia.

“I think Nicky (Carle) deserves to be part of this bigger selection. If he deserves to be part of the final 18 that-s what he has to show us in the upcoming weeks, but that-s for all the players.

“It was his decision to go and train with Sydney FC. You can see the commitment of the boys, because it-s not only Nick, it was also Chris Coyne, Culina and all those guys and I-m very pleased that Nick and the others are showing this commitment.”