As for Japan lacking their “top midfielders” against Bahrain, it begs the question of why perennial starter Kengo Nakamura or the recently impressive Keisuke Honda are even picked in the squad to begin with (and indeed, Honda has been overlooked for the World Cup qualifier).

I do agree with you that Pim Verbeek won’t under-estimate Japan. Of course he knows the country well from his time at Omiya Ardija and Kyoto Sanga, and he’ll also know just how motivated Japan will be going into this match.

This game won’t be a cake-walk for either side. Instead I think it will be a tense, tough, hard-fought battle throughout.

Somebody pointed out that Cahill should be the CF in the 4-2-3-1 formation. While he’s in great goalscoring form for everton, most of his goals are headers because opposition defences mark taller players. I think Josh Kennedy would be the best player to lead that formation if not for his danger at set pieces.

I wouldn’t be surprised if their strikeforce was made up of Tanaka and Okubo, and probably Maki sitting on the bench. Japan’s goal threats are commonly from the midfield, though, and that is where their international stock is most prominent. Both Japan and Australia’s squads should be known as ‘The Usual Suspects’, in reality, after regularly seeing the same faces on both sides of the water. I feel like that won’t change for some time, unless a soon-to-come mass exodus to the land of retirement occurs for both squads.

“I was very pleased with what I saw from some players in the Indonesia game but again Indonesia away is different than Japan away,” Verbeek said.

“Yeah they did (impress), but so far they were not better than the players I have.”

Despite Moore being the only local in his list of 22, which will be trimmed to 18 the day before the game, Verbeek claimed A-League players had not been snubbed, saying the A-League finals should be the focus.

“Normally I can take 24 players so it’s not so difficult to take players from the A-League over there, some of them really deserve it,” Verbeek said.

“But as you all know there is also the semi-finals coming up and some teams play (next) Friday (meaning) they come back on Friday morning and then play Friday night.

“I will only select A-League players I am more or less 100 per cent sure that they will be in the final 18 and at this moment I think I have enough players with experience and enough quality.”

I also think Eugene Galekovic was unlucky as well. Petkovic – he may be in good form right now in Turkey but when ever he plays for Australia he seems out of his depth.

However I have a feeling that Pim’s reasoning is that the 2 leg of A-league finals series is only couple days before (for the 1st leg) and couple of days after (for the 2nd leg) the WCQ with Japan. So picking A-league players will distrupt their preparation and performance for their clubs and so no point picking them unless they are going to start the match such as Craig Moore. To me that’s fair enough.

“Appreciate your thoughts on Genclerbiligi, with Jedi , Troisis & Djite in the one team ”

It may develop an understanding between players. It certainly can’t do us any harm.

Remember Uruguay and Viduka knew exactly what’s Kewell was doing and backheeled to him which led to the goal. Years of playing together at Leeds done a lot of good in that match (even if there are rumours that they don’t like each other)

Other type of friendships develops from playing extensively in the same clubs involve Lucas Neill and TIm Cahill from Millwall, Grella and Bresciano from AIS, Carlton, Empoli and Parma. Who knows how much those relationships help the national team.

Hopefully that type of understanding develops between those three players at Genclerbiligi (and lets hope they decide to buy Nathan Burns as well). Perhaps a strike partnership of Troisi and Djite may be the future of Australian Football.

More of my thoughts on Djite and the squad we have 3 DMs who’ve all been in the starting XI. We’ve got 4 or 5 AM’s (or AM’s who can also play out wide) and we’ve only got 2 strikers (3 if you count Holman there). JK is underdone. Scotty doesn’t seem to be Pim’s first choice, especially as a lone striker.

Hopefully Kool makes the trip, still our most important player IMO … just depends on whether he plays in Turkey this weekend.

Appreciate your thoughts on Genclerbiligi, with Jedi , Troisis & Djite in the one team .. if they buy a couple more they could become a sorta friend a mutual relationship may develop …

Thanks…. also Vargas must be a tad unlucky as IMO he was our MOM against Indonesia.

From 442
“Those on standby in addition to Kewell are James Troisi, Bruce Djite, Jacob Burns and back in from the international cold (perhaps) Nicky Carle.”

Steffanutto. We don’t really know how well he impress pim in training last time and Jamieson didn’t have the greatest of match against Indonesia

I would have love Jamieson to be there but I’m very curious in what Steffanutto is like as I haven’t seem much of him.

Do not understand how Steffanutto was picked ahead of Jamieson TBH. Makes no sense IMO, Steffanutto hasn’t played at all since before Xmas.

Troisi is a touch unlucky, has been playing regularly and well for Genclerbiligi, but I guess he’s a victim of us having a glut of attacking midfield options.

Jedi started the 2 matches he’s been there for I think 2 games, 2 starts, 2 wins to Genclerbiligi,

Agree on Spiranovic in for Coyne, but back Pim on Garcia this kids deserves his chance… as for Djite who do you leave out its like Troisi a glut of similar players..

Interesting Genclerbiligi,have Jedi & Troisi as their center mids Jedi the DM and Troisi the AM and both look to have cemented themselves in the side … Djite playing as a striker in front of them, but he is more a squad player than a first team regular, they are coming third in the league maybe a future combination for the Socceroos … a very interesting position..

Mark BRESCIANO – U.S. Citta di Palermo, ITALY – 46 (11)
Tim CAHILL – Everton, ENGLAND – 30 (14)
David CARNEY – Sheffield United FC, ENGLAND – 17 (1)
Scott CHIPPERFIELD – FC Basel, SWITZERLAND – 58 (12)
Chris COYNE – Colchester United FC, ENGLAND – 5 (0)
Jason CULINA – PSV Eindhoven, HOLLAND – 36 (1)
Adam FEDERICI – Reading FC, ENGLAND – 0
Richard GARCIA – Hull City FC, ENGLAND – 2 (0)
Vincenzo GRELLA – Blackburn Rovers, ENGLAND – 36 (0)
Brett HOLMAN – AZ Alkmaar, HOLLAND – 21 (1)
Mile JEDINAK – Genclerbirligi SK, TURKEY – 3 (0)
Josh KENNEDY – Karlsruher SC, GERMANY – 10 (5)
Scott MCDONALD – Celtic FC, SCOTLAND – 10 (0)
Craig MOORE – Queensland Roar, AUSTRALIA – 41 (3)
Lucas NEILL – West Ham United FC, ENGLAND – 46 (0)
Jade NORTH – Incheon United FC, KOREA REPUBLIC – 23 (0)
Michael PETKOVIC – Sivasspor, TURKEY – 6 (0)
Mark SCHWARZER – Fulham FC, ENGLAND – 63 (0)
Shane STEFANUTTO – FC Lyn Oslo, NORWAY – 1 (0)
Mile STERJOVSKI – Derby County FC, ENGLAND – 39 (7)
Carl VALERI – U.S. Grosseto FC, ITALY – 14 (0)
Luke WILKSHIRE – FK Dinamo Moscow, RUSSIA – 31 (0)

Given Japan’s problems in front of goals (set pieces aside) I’m a little surprised Takayuki Morimoto didn’t earn a call up.

At the end of the day this match won’t decide things as it is the matches against the remaining three that are viewed as “6 pointers”. Still, it is a chance for us to move one step closer and to write another chapter in our growing rivalry. If nothing else, it will be fun.

The in form players are Cahill, Bresciano, Moore, Neill, Culina, McDonald, the key to unlock the Japanese defense is once again on the shoulder of Cahill. Will he play the CF role in Pim’s patent 4-5-1 away formation? Will he feel great after bruised foot, 2 matches per week in EPL and long flight to Japan?

If McDonald or Kennedy plays the lone striker, the chance to win the game is really low. Will Pim look Djite for answer?
Such a big game, can’t wait.

I have to say I am feeling very confident of the boys going to Japan and getting three points. The chances of either side qualifying may not rest on the result of this game, but a win for Australia will mean that we are pretty much there. Verbeek said we only need six more points – three in Japan and suddenly Australia v Uzbekistan would be the hottest ticket in town.