Midfielder Brett Emerton has played just one match under new Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek but already he’s endorsed the Dutchman as the right person to guide Australia to the 2010 World Cup.
Emerton will play a key role in Australia’s World Cup qualifiers, which hopefully will continue on Sunday against Iraq at Suncorp Stadium.
The match is in serious doubt of being scrapped after FIFA last night suspended Iraq and warned it would be banned from international competition for 12 months unless the government reinstated the Iraq Football Association by midnight (AEST) on Thursday.
Emerton has missed his country’s previous World Cup qualifiers against Singapore, China and Ghana due to injury or Verbeek opting to rest him.
“The last game I played here was against Qatar in Australia (in Melbourne on February 6),” he told reporters after team training today.
“I’ve only played the one game under Pim so it’ll be a good opportunity for me to get to know him better.”
Verbeek, 52, was appointed Socceroos coach in December last year, taking over from Graham Arnold and Rob Baan, who both worked as interim coaches in the time since Guus Hiddink left the post following the 2006 World Cup.
“He’s done a fantastic job since he’s come in,” Emerton said.
“I hope I don’t jinx us but we’re yet to concede a goal under him.
“He’s tightened up that defence a little bit and I think he already has a fantastic relationship with the players.
“I think it’s one quality which makes a great coach.”
Newcastle Jets skipper Jade North (groin) and Celtic striker Scott McDonald (jetlag) skipped today’s training session at Ballymore, the home of Queensland rugby union.
A group of Reds players watching from the grandstand would’ve taken note of star Harry Kewell’s passing skills with the rugby ball as he mucked around on a warm day in Brisbane.
Verbeek later praised the 34-man Socceroos squad for their positive attitude, despite the increasing prospect that Sunday’s match would be abandoned for reasons out of their control.
“You can see they’re professionals,” the former South Korea coach said.
“They spend part of their holiday … to be here in the training camp and to prepare for the World Cup.
“There’s not one player who has spoken about it so far.
“They just go on the field, they train hard.”
Australia will be without several key players for Sunday’s match, presuming it happens.
Mark Viduka, John Aloisi, Josh Kennedy, Tim Cahill, Lucas Neil, Scott Chipperfield and Olyroos skipper Mark Milligan are all unavailable for various reasons.
But asked whether he was close to finalising his squad, Verbeek said: “Not so close to be very honest because they make it very difficult for me and that’s exactly what I want.
“It’s a very good situation for a coach.”
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