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Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek will ask his weakened Australian side to do the impossible – forget about the World Cup – when they return to face Bahrain at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Socceroos come into the qualifier having already booked a spot at next year’s tournament in South Africa after a scoreless draw with Qatar in Doha on Saturday.
After a short celebration, a tough three-day turnaround and hectic travel schedule, they come into the match with essentially nothing to play for while Bahrain have plenty on the line, needing a point to seal third place in the group.
But Verbeek said he wanted his players to forget the fact they are already going to South Africa and switch their focus fully to beating Bahrain.
“It’s not a friendly match, it’s a serious World Cup match and we want to be number one in the group,” Verbeek said on Tuesday.
“Until now, most of the players were still thinking and dreaming of the Qatar game about the World Cup, which is normal.
“But the moment they are on the field, they have to start concentrating on the game … forget about tiredness, forget about trips, forget about the World Cup. Just think about the game.”
Verbeek will be forced to field a weakened side after striker Josh Kennedy (muscle soreness) and Richard Garcia (knee) were ruled out on Tuesday.
They join several other absentees including suspended captain Lucas Neill, injured Scott Chipperfield (foot) as well as Mark Bresciano and Carl Valeri, who were allowed to go home after the Qatar match.
It means Verbeek will bring in five new players who did not start against Qatar, most likely Scott McDonald, Mile Sterjovski, David Carney, Jade North and Luke Wilkshire, who returns from suspension.
Defender Chris Coyne is also in doubt, but completed training on Tuesday night and should be fit to play.
Verbeek said he would field the best possible team from his players who were fit enough to play 90 minutes, opting not to use the match as a chance to give some of his inexperienced players some valuable game time.
“We still have some friendly matches in the coming months so maybe I am going to use them at that time,” Verbeek said.
“The players want to win the game.
“We are desperate, so I don’t give favours, I just bring in the best 11.”
The cagey Dutchman justified that decision by recalling the Socceroos’ 1-0 loss to China in Sydney a year ago, when he was criticised for fielding an inexperienced team in what was a dead rubber after Australia had already booked a passage to the final stage of qualifying.
“Everybody said `fantastic’ before (the match),” Verbeek said.
“Then when we lost 1-0 and half the country was killing me, saying ‘How can you play a young team in such an important game?
“So what are we talking about? I’m looking at you all (the media), because it was you who said that.”
Verbeek said he was undecided as to who would replace Neill as captain but said it would be either Vince Grella, Harry Kewell or Mark Schwarzer.
AUSTRALIA v BAHRAIN
Asian Group A, World Cup qualifier
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: Wednesday 2000 AEST
Last meeting: November 19, 2008, Manama, World Cup qualifier: Australia 1 bt Bahrain 0Players to watch:
Australia
HARRY KEWELL: Kewell’s performance against Qatar showed he is getting back to the brilliant form he’s renowned for. A fine debut season with Galatasaray has him fitter than he has been in some time and full of confidence. A constant threat against Qatar and the Bahrainis can expect similar treatment.TIM CAHILL: A long domestic season and the disappointment of an FA Cup final loss did little to affect Cahill’s performance against Qatar. He was at his attacking best and was unlucky not to have scored on several occasions. Is the type of player who will always give his all for the national team and will be desperate to play again despite concerns over a hip problem.
SCOTT McDONALD: For all his goal-scoring feats at club level with Celtic, doubts still hover over McDonald’s effectiveness for the Socceroos. The fact he is yet to score in 11 appearances is clearly starting to play on his mind and affect his confidence. However, he is too good a player for that to carry on too much longer.
Bahrain
JAYCEE JOHN: Those that saw Australia’s 1-0 win over Bahrain in November will remember John was the best player on the park. The Nigerian-born striker is big, strong and deceptively quick. Sure to cause headaches for the Australian defence again.SALMAN ISA: The veteran wingback has been one of Bahrain’s most consistent performers. Astute in defence, creative in attack and gets himself into scoring positions. Is sure to pose a threat on the flanks.
SAYED JAFFER: Jaffer has been a solid performer in between the sticks for Bahrain in this campaign and will take some beating. Has only let in more than one goal once in his last nine matches for the national side.
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