Novice TogelSocceroos with big shoes to fill
Pim Verbeek has explained some glaring absences in his latest Socceroos squad by saying he’s made his choices based on recent domestic form and not international reputation.
Just six previously capped players adorn Verbeek’s 21-man travelling party for the opening Asian Cup 2011 qualifier in Jakarta next Wednesday with only two – captain Craig Moore and striker Archie Thompson – possessing any degree of senior international experience.
Top drawer midfielder Jason Culina will Delhi Bazaar Satta King come into the TogelAsian Cup qualifying equation at the end of the European season when he joins newcomers Gold Coast United on a three-year marquee deal.
However, that still leaves the Dutchman’s cupboard a little bare for the group games against Indonesia this month and Kuwait in March, forcing his selection of a rookie group of national team L-platers.
The squad includes 33-year-old Melbourne Victory midfielder Tom Pondeljak, who won his previous four Socceroos caps in one spell in 2002, well before the arrival of Verbeek. Queensland’s Matt McKay was also recalled.
But the greater headlines were generated by those players left out. Newcastle’s star turns have clearly been punished for the Jets’ terrible championship defence with twins Joel and Adam Griffiths, Mark Milligan and goalkeeper Ante Covic all omitted.
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