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Former skipper Craig Moore’s post-retirement Socceroos return appears imminent with a “perfect” audition fresh in coach Pim Verbeek’s mind.
Verbeek today included the tough-tackling veteran defender in a provisional 35-man Australian squad for the October 15 World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Brisbane.
Moore’s selection follows hot on the heels of his decision to come out of an international retirement which lasted just eight months.
And his chances of starting have firmed with fellow centre-back Michael Beauchamp ruled out of the Suncorp Stadium clash due to a leg injury sustained playing in Danish club Aalborg’s 3-0 loss to Manchester United in the Champions League today.
Verbeek has been a long-time fan of Moore, who combined impressively with Lucas Neill in Australia’s central defence in the 2006 World Cup.
The Dutchman watched him captain the Queensland Roar in their past two A-League matches — including the 2-0 upset of Melbourne Victory at Telstra Dome — and was convinced he’d lost none of his ability.
“The first game I saw in Queensland (against Newcastle) last Friday week was a really easy game for him,” Verbeek said.
“Last Sunday I was in Melbourne and it was a totally different game for him. Okay, (Melbourne) did very well for him because they only played long balls and balls to the strikers and I think last Sunday he played the perfect game.”
The former Rangers and Newcastle United hardman would primarily be competing with incumbent Chris Coyne for the position next to Neill while Jade North is also in the mix.
Moore’s Roar coach, former Socceroos mentor Frank Farina, has warned it would be a waste of time to sit the 32-year-old on the bench.
While Verbeek wouldn’t reveal his hand today, he made it clear Moore’s selection was about the here and now and not with a mind to preparing for lesser upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers.
“If a player like Craig Moore says he’s available I think it’s a good opportunity for me to look at him and to select him,” Verbeek said.
“It’s much too early to speak about the final 11 players but I don’t think I have to explain what the qualities are of Craig Moore. I’m happy that he is ready and he is available.
“Craig doesn’t have to prove or show anything any more. He doesn’t need international experience.”
Moore’s Roar teammate Luke DeVere received an unexpected wrap from Verbeek who revealed he was considering making him a bolter in the expanded Australian squad before discovering he’d been earmarked for Young Socceroos selection.
“Originally he was on my list also until I find out he was going with Jan Versleijen and the under-20s, so I had to take him off the list,” he said.
“Of course it’s great for player of that age to play with Craig Moore.”
The pair are now set to confront each other in a pre-qualifier scratch match with the Socceroos to play against the Roar in training on the Gold Coast on October 11.
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