We are going to win, says Socceroos coach Verbeek

Confidence is not a problem for the Socceroos before next week’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Brisbane. “We are going to win,” a usually circumspect Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek said yesterday.

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Despite admitting he had “no idea” what to expect from a Qatari team under new coach Bruno Metsu, Verbeek was more certain over the result at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.

Metsu recently took over after Jorge Fossati stepped down as Qatar coach because of health problems.

“That is always a problem if you change coach - you have no idea what they are going to do,” Verbeek said.

“But I don’t think it will be a problem for us.

“We have fantastic players, we are going to play our game, and we are going to win the game.”

Australia’s track record backs Verbeek’s supreme optimism, winning 3-0 and 3-1 earlier this year.

However, Verbeek’s squad has been hit by the withdrawals of Vince Grella, Mark Bresciano and Carl Valeri.

And he is sweating on Harry Kewell’s fitness test results in Turkey.

Kewell is making a last gasp bid to be fit for the clash by testing the knee strain that has forced him out of his last two games for Turkish giants Galatasaray.

But Verbeek’s response to the injury dramas was: “no problem”.

“We have 25 players … I have enough players who can do a great job,” he said.

“They all look ready to do a job on Wednesday. They look fresh, fit, sharp, so I am a happy coach.

“I don’t think I have to tell my players how important the game Wednesday is.

“It’s an important game, it’s a difficult game. We have to give everything we have.”

His supreme optimism evaporated during a “Q and A” session with the public.

Asked by a youngster when world No.34 Australia would crack the top 10, Verbeek said: “Top 10 is going to be a little problem, it’s not going to be easy.

“(But) we always pick up young talented players, they are coming.

“First we have to qualify for the World Cup. We have to be there.

“I think anything is possible in football so let’s go for it.”

Meanwhile, Colchester United’s Chris Coyne has relished the challenge thrown down by veteran Craig Moore’s international comeback.

Queensland Roar defender Moore has returned to the national squad after ending a self-imposed eight month international exile.

Coyne has impressed with Lucas Neill in defence in Australia’s recent wins over the Netherlands and Uzbekistan, after an ill Jade North gave him an opportunity.

“I thought the chance had passed me by,” Coyne said of his late blooming Socceroos success.

“The depth is fantastic, it means you can put a foot wrong. It doesn’t let you get complacent.”

Amazingly Coyne finds himself in international calculations after being left out of Colchester United’s team at the start of the season.

Neill admitted Verbeek had an “interesting” challenge to pick his match-day lineup with Moore back in the mix.

“Whoever plays will have to be on their toes, show consistency,” Neill said.

“There is talent in the squad and there is experience back now with Moorey - it is going to be interesting.”

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