Mark Viduka has until the end of the week to decide his international future after he was left out of an extended squad for Australia’s remaining three World Cup qualifiers.
The 33-year-old striker was not among a 30-man squad named on Wednesday for matches against Qatar (Doha, June 7), Bahrain (Sydney, June 10) and Japan (Melbourne, June 17), from which Australia only need one point to secure World Cup qualification.
But Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek remains hopeful Viduka could still make his long-awaited return after not playing since the 2007 Asian Cup.
Viduka is off-contract following Newcastle’s relegation from the English Premier League and is still weighing up his club and country future, but Verbeek insists it’s not the end of the road just yet.
“I still have one spot open and that’s a spot for him so it’s up to him,” Verbeek told reporters from the Netherlands.
“He is not on the list because I had a deal with him … that he has this week to make up his mind and to decide if he will be part of the Socceroos for the upcoming games.
“For us, he is more than welcome, and if he makes the decision not to play any more then we have to respect his decision.”
Verbeek did not offer a “gut feeling” as to which way Viduka was leaning.
“From the first moment he always showed interest in the Socceroos,” Verbeek said.
“He definitely didn’t say `I’m not interested at all’, he just said `give me time, I want to focus on Newcastle and then I will give you my decision’.
“I’m very happy with the selection so far, but if you can have a player with his quality in your squad then I have to pick him.”
Verbeek named his usual big guns for the upcoming matches and confirmed Tim Cahill would join the training camp in Dubai on Monday following Everton’s FA Cup clash with Chelsea on Sunday morning (AEST).
The Dutchman also made several interesting selections following a recent scouting trip to Europe.
Most notable were the inclusions of promising Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams and former Queensland Roar midfielder Dario Vidosic, who impressed this season with German side Nuremberg.
Williams, who made 17 appearances on loan this season for Premier League-bound Burnley, recently turned down Wales to commit his future to Australia.
“I saw him play three times and he did very well in his time at Burnley,” Verbeek said of Williams, who will be in contention for a starting berth with Michael Beauchamp and Craig Moore out injured for all three matches and Luke Wilkshire missing for the Qatar game.
“Now he has to show us that he can be part of the Socceroos in the future.”
Former A-League player Nick Carle also earned his first call-up under Verbeek after figuring regularly for Crystal Palace this season.
“I think Nicky deserves to be a part of this bigger selection … if he deserves to be part of the final 18 that’s what he has to show,” Verbeek said.
Out of left field was a recall for defender Adrian Madaschi, who played for the Socceroos nearly five years ago and impressed Verbeek while playing for Portosummaga in Italy’s third tier.
There were also call-ups for Middlesbrough ‘keeper Brad Jones and Asian-based defenders Mark Milligan and Jade North.
Australia squad:
Mark Bresciano, Jacob Burns, Tim Cahill, Nick Carle, David Carney, Scott Chipperfield, Chris Coyne, Jason Culina, Bruce Djite, Richard Garcia, Vince Grella, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Brad Jones, Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell, Adrian Madaschi, Scott McDonald, Mark Milligan, Lucas Neill, Jade North, Michael Petkovic, Mark Schwarzer, Matthew Spiranovic, Shane Stefanutto, Mile Sterjovski, Carl Valeri, Dario Vidosic, Luke Wilkshire, Rhys Williams.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
I don't think Scotty has been too bad - I'm not really judging him on his goalless run in the gold shirt (well, not yet), I'm just stating the obvious that he isn't cut out to play as a lone centre-forward as well be demanded of him (or someone) in South Africa. On that front, Djite appears to be the only one capable of filling the big bazooka's shoes - whether he's ready or not by mid 2010 is another question again.
markm
Guest
I feel for mcdonald. He's been given a good run of games by pim but the team style he plays is not suited to mcdonald. Regardless, he does a lot for the team in build up play and holding up the ball, but I doubt the australian public have much time for a goal scorer yet to score for his country.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Towser good points with both Scotty and Josh (although I'm not sure if the latter can do it alone for extended periods, the former definitely can't) then there's someone like Timmy - scores a shitload in blue and gold shirts!! (put it down to a sixth sense - you definitely can't teach what he's got)
Towser
Guest
Pippinu Definitely recognise him as a quality player & also an effective player able to influence a match. But only at club level. I still remember his 4 quality goals against Liverpool a few years ago. A standout, However hes never convinced me in the same way for the Socceroos in International matches. He reminds me of the way I felt about John Barnes for England. A Liverpool legend in his years at the club but less than convincing for England,even though he made 79 appearances. I'm starting to get the same feel about Scott Mcdonald. Different style of striker ,but both there to do a job score goals. Whereas Josh Kennedy even though you may say hes not as effective at club level ,he delivers for the Green & Gold. That in my International football book is what its all about. Delivering the goods. Dukes & Mcdonald dont convince me on this crucial point.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Yeh - fair point Photbol - that's probably not a bad reading of it at all.
Phutbol
Guest
Maybe the 'snub' headline is referring to Viduka's reluctance to commit one way or the other.... It fits either way and is more contextually correct given there is obviously no snub from Verbeek.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Towser granted, his NT scoring record is pretty ordinary (one of the unaccounted four goals was a lucky goal in friendly against Ireland), but I'm a bit surprised you would come out with such a negative comment on Dukes, because I'm sure you would still recognise him as a quality player. One thing about Dukes is that he's a bit sluggish (putting it mildly), this means that he'll get a brace one game, not score for two or three - and that sort of pattern will count against you in an NT setting where the games are far more spasmodic. I know you will know all this (plays solo, etc), so I'm not going to go on about it - but you see Dukes in a game like we had against Brazil last WC, and it's clear that the one man they're worrying the most about is him (and maybe Harry, who probably should have scored from at least one of Duke's flicks) - and I reckon that counts for something.
Towser
Guest
Ey up Greg bita Yorkshu Puddin stuck int keybooed. Regarding Viduka. Never rated him for the Socceroos. A striker is supposed to score goals, not be the greatest hold merchant since Bonnie & Clyde. Heres what Wikipedia says & who can argue with them:- "Although a regular scorer in the Premier League, has struggled to score any significant goals for the Socceroos, and the 2006 World Cup was no different." So what is his goalscoring record-11 goals out of 43 appearances-5 scored in 2007(2 against Singapore in a friendly 2 & 1 goals against Thailand & Iraq respectively in the Asian Cup-2 more were scored against the Solomon Islands in 2005. That leaves 4 out 39 for the rest of his Socceroo career. Cant be bothered to check who they were against,but if it was against Oceania opposition more damning evidence that he has been a Socceroo dud. Another thing about Viduka. I've never been convinced that the whole of his heart is Green & Gold. Theres quite a lot of red & white tea tablecloth in there also. Given a push he may have been sitting at the same table with the same tablecloth on as Joe Simunic if cards had fell another way.
Greg Russell
Roar Guru
PS. Sorry for the typing gremlins: obviously the bit at the end should read "If he is, that’s NOT going to happen".
Greg Russell
Roar Guru
As someone who writes articles for The Roar and has his suggested headings changed, I should defend the Editors here: the purpose of the headline is more to hook the reader than it is to accurately summarize the content. Having said this, I agree that "snub" is misleading here ... or did Dukes expect Pim to come begging? If you think about it, the situation is a bit strange. Either Viduka has the deep-seated desire to commit to the Socceroos, or else he doesn't. That's not the sort of thing where you just wake up one day, look in your diary to see "Look to see if I have Socceroo commitment", and think "Right, after breakfast I'd better have a look at myself". Either Viduka knows he's got it or he knows he doesn't, and that's not going to change in the next couple of days. Why hasn't he communicated this to Pim? One wonders whether he is waiting for Pim to come begging. If he is, that's going to happen. One of the things I really like about Pim is that he doesn't play any games like this.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Very droll Jimbo!
jimbo
Guest
I think we've got the squad to get the point to qualify. No snub. Pimbo doesn't need viduka, or any strikers for that matter in his 5-5-0 formation.
whiskeymac
Guest
absolutely right, it is reckless headline as the snub "For us, he is more than welcome, and if he makes the decision not to play any more then we have to respect his decision" appears to be from Viduka not Pim. It's Dukes decision not to join the squad, Pim is bending over backwards to accomodate him. this is good ; Most notable were the inclusions of promising Middlesbrough defender Rhys Williams and former Queensland Roar midfielder Dario Vidosic, who impressed this season with German side Nuremberg. no news on N Burns, Holland or Ruky? i assume these positions are more comfortably covered than defensive, left back positions (hence the inclusion of players with limited time like Coyne and Carney) why not Liejer?
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Yeh - agree - the word "snub" is at best, a little to strong, at worst, misleading.
Tom
Guest
Sorry, what's the snub? As far as I can see Verbeek wants Viduka in the squad and Viduka is yet to make up his mind. Change the headline, possibly?