By Ciaran Baynes
August 21st 2008 @ 1:18am
Socceroos will fix defence, says Verbeek
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek insists the defensive frailties evident in Australia’s 2-2 draw with South Africa will be dealt with before the World Cup qualifier in Uzbekistan on September 10.
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Although impressed with his side’s use of the ball during the Loftus Road match, Verbeek was not happy with aspects of their defence and will seek to address this when the team sets up camp in Holland next month.
Scott Chipperfield and David Carney each played half a game on the left-hand side where South Africa threatened all night largely thanks to the forays of Panathinaikos right back Bryce Moon.
For the first goal Bafana Bafana’s record scorer Benny McCarthy backheeled the ball, catching Chris Coyne and Chipperfield flat-footed, allowing Siyabonga Nkosi to run on and finish smartly past Mark Schwarzer.
For the second time, in the opening minutes of the second half, Moon beat Carney, on this occasion pulling back for Teko Modise to blast an unstoppable drive inside the top corner of Schwarzer’s near post.
“Defensively we still have to improve but that’s normal when you only have one day of preparation,” Verbeek admitted, but took umbrage at suggestion that it was an area of concern.
“Not at all. You have the organisation that was not good yet, but we had one training session.
“We have 10 days to work (before Uzbekistan) and that’s what we have to improve, definitely.”
Captain Lucas Neill suggested defensive vulnerability may be a price to pay as the Socceroos look to improve on their scoring record.
Prior to Mile Sterjovski’s well-judged lob and Josh Kennedy’s header from a Mark Bresciano free kick, they had only mustered eight goals in eight games in 2008.
“The movement was excellent and overall some of the boys look really sharp,” Neill said.
“The way we try to play when we’ve got the ball means if we lose it we’re quite spread out and we have to get back into position as quickly as possible or we leave ourselves vulnerable.”
Neill believes the strike partnership between Josh Kennedy and Scott McDonald is a sign that the team can be competitive even without Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill and Mark Viduka.
“They showed signs of a good partnership,” Neill added.
“We’re now a team deep enough that if a Harry’s missing, or a Timmy missing or a Duke is missing we’ve got people who can fill in.”
With Cahill and Viduka almost certainly out of the Uzbekistan game Kennedy and McDonald are likely to be paired again in attack.
Kennedy is keen for this to be the case, but does not see himself as an alternative to a fit Viduka yet.
“Me and Scotty do alright together, I think with more time on the pitch together it will get even better,” Kennedy said.
“Mark’s definitely a quality player. I look up to him and can still learn a lot from him.”
Verbeek hinted he had already chosen his starting lineup for Uzbekistan but won’t finalise it everyone convenes in Holland.
He confirmed Graham Arnold would retain his role as assistant coach.
“I know my players very well,” Verbeek added.
“I know what they can do and what they can’t.
“I will wait until training camp when I have everyone in the group then I can make my mind up.
“I know what is the best combination on the field. I have my ideas for the first game but there’s still three weeks to go.”
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The Bear said | August 21st 2008 @ 9:09am | Report comment
Good to see PVB developing his depth in all positions. I just wonder if the defence is our weakest part of the field? Perhaps he should work on both.
Graciously,
The Bear
Pippinu said | August 21st 2008 @ 9:26am | Report comment
The South African goals were pretty good. It’s true that Chippers was caught out a bit (and again on at least one other occasion), but it’s his first game for over a year, and I thought it was a good one. Carney was ok too in the 2nd half, even if he was involved in the mix up that led to the 2nd (but another top notch finish). Let’s be honest, Pim was trying out both Chippers and Carney, and that intense competition for that one spot can only be good for the Socceroos.
My guess is that Pim will run with something similar to the first half line-up, with Emo replacing Wilshire and one of North or Spira replacing Coyne. Sterjovski looks in the best touch of his career, and Bresh was in fine form as well - I think the foursome of Bresh, Sterj, Macca and 2m Jesus deserve a crack at Uzbekistan.