By AAP
November 11th 2009 @ 2:47am
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Schwarzer in superb touch ahead of Socceroos match
Mark Schwarzer joins his Socceroos team-mates in Oman on a streak of form and with an eye already on next year’s World Cup.
The veteran goalkeeper will assemble with the Australian squad in Muscat for Saturday’s 2011 Asian Cup qualifier against Oman after starring for Fulham in a 1-1 draw with Wigan during weekend English Premier League action.
“For me, after Germany four years ago, my number-one goal was to help Australia qualify for South Africa,” Schwarzer told the club’s website.
“We’ve done that and it was a very tough journey through Asia and I think we were the third or fourth team to qualify for the World Cup, which was a major accomplishment.
“Next year is a major year for us and hopefully at the very least we can emulate what we achieved in 2006 and enjoy the World Cup as well.”
On Sunday, Schwarzer made several strong saves to ensure his London club stayed in the match and salvaged a point against Wigan.
“Everyone has to play their part at certain times of the season and Sunday was my time,” the 37-year-old said.
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson was full of praise for his popular custodian.
“I think his secret is his incredible professionalism and his incredible desire to keep himself at top level fitness, which is not easy to do when you get older,” Hodgson told Sky Sports.
“It’s much easier to rest on your laurels but he’s still got something to go for, he still wants to be president of Australia I think, so he’s got plenty to go for yet.”
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