Relaxing might be the wrong word, but senior Socceroos such as Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill can at least be safe in the knowledge World Cup qualification has been achieved. But a battle still looms for many of their national mannschaften as they bid to shore up a spot in the 23-man squad for South Africa.
One of the more intriguing battles is likely to be the race to partner captain Neill in defence for the finals.
Like a swaying pendulum, the struggle has been a interesting side-story to the ‘Roos qualification campaign.
Verbeek has been like a Roman emperor, content in letting his gladiators slug it out for his affection.
Michael Beauchamp, Craig Moore, Jade North, Chris Coyne, Mark Milligan, Matthew Spiranovic and Rody Vargas have all spent time in the centre of defence since Australia’s first qualifier against Qatar on February 6, 2008.
Vargas can in all likelihood be discounted here. Despite his good form for A-League champion Melbourne Victory, his only two caps in that time have come as part of domestic-based squads.
But that still leaves six candidates to fill one spot next to Neill.
Guus Hiddink took five players capable of playing in central defence to the World Cup finals in 2006, but at least both Milligan and Neill were capable of slotting into other positions.
How many Verbeek will take could also depend on the versatility some of his players offer.
Many believe Moore would be the standout choice, but his lack of match practice since club side Queensland’s last match of the A-League season has opened the doors for others to stake their claim.
Still, it is hard to envisage Australia going to South Africa without Moore. So, with Neill, that is two spots down.
The battle can possibly be separated at this point. Hypothetically, it would be hard to imagine Verbeek taking both the inexperienced Milligan and Spiranovic to the finals, but he does rate both highly enough to potentially take one.
The other fight may be for one spot from Coyne, Beauchamp and North.
After starting and performing solidly in Australia’s past two qualifiers, Coyne has the upper hand. A latecomer on the national scene, Coyne has made a living out of marshalling defences in England’s Championship and League 1.
But having already dropped behind Beauchamp earlier in the campaign only to regain favour, Coyne knows he has to shore up his club future after a inconsistent time of it with Colchester United.
He has been heavily linked with a move to the A-League with Sydney FC and Perth Glory, but has already signalled a desire to discuss his options with Verbeek before making a decision.
The man he ousted in the pecking order, Beauchamp, is fighting his own club battles but may find it hard to find a new home due to a persistent knee injury.
Verbeek has given the Aab defender plenty of chances at national level, though Beauchamp’s heartening performances have been tempered by the occasional brain fade.
North has not been afforded many chances in the latter stages of the qualification campaign, but has been a squad member without fail. His big-money move to Korean club Incheon United has not worked out quite as he would have planned, but Verbeek appears to still have faith in him.
All of the aforementioned have 363 days in which to further their claims.
It will be an intriguing battle as the Socceroos build on their preparations for South Africa.
In a race this close, it might come down to very little at all.
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