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Moving back to Australia may have come at a cost for Mile Sterjovski, Chris Coyne and Jacob Burns after all three missed selection in Australia’s World Cup squad.
The trio, who all returned to Australia from Europe to join Perth Glory at the start of the 2009-10 A-League campaign, were among several hopefuls to miss out on coach Pim Verbeek’s expanded 31-man preliminary squad named on Tuesday next month’s tournament in South Africa.
Verbeek’s warning to locally-based players to move overseas or miss the cup was realised on Tuesday with just two current A-League players – Gold Coast’s Jason Culina and Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic – named in the squad, which will be cut to 23 by June 1 and Galekovic is only an injury standby.
Sterjovski was the only member of Australia’s 2006 World Cup squad available for selection who didn’t make the cut, with Melbourne Victory striker Archie Thompson ruled out with a knee injury.
Shortly after Verbeek’s squad announcement 30-year-old Sterjovski announced his retirement from international football after 43 matches for Australia.
“I think I’ve had a good 10 years with the Socceroos and I’m really proud of my achievements but I think it’s time to concentrate on my family and also Perth Glory,” the former FC Basel and Derby County player said.
“I’m relieved I got to play in a World Cup because a lot of players don’t get that chance and at least I can step down with great memories from Germany,” he said.
Glory captain Burns, who has made 11 appearances for Australia, now seems set to never play at a World Cup having missed out on the 2006 and 2010 squads.
“I would’ve loved to (have) gone to South Africa but unfortunately it wasn’t to be,” the 32-year-old said.
Apart from Thompson, Victory fullback Matthew Kemp, Brisbane Roar defender Shane Stefanutto and Leeds United centre-back Patrick Kisnorbo were also ruled out from selection consideration with injuries.
Sydney FC duo Simon Colosimo and Alex Brosque also missed out despite both being considered possible selections after starring roles in the Sky Blue’s A-League premiership campaign.
Verbeek admitted the call was tough on Colosimo with so many central defensive options.
“There are quite some central defenders and that was the most difficult (area) to be honest,” Verbeek said.
Brosque said he hadn’t expected a World Cup spot and was just happy to be back in international consideration after a couple of years outside the Socceroos set-up.
The forward says he’s hoping to remain in contention going into next year’s Asian Cup in Qatar.
“It’s definitely in my mind now that I’ve got back into the squad towards the back end of last season,” Brosque told AAP.
“For me it was a bit of a goal of mine – I had a few years where I wasn’t involved – to try and get back into that squad and I managed to do so at the end of last season.
“Hopefully I can continue that. For now, enjoy the World Cup like everyone else, watch it on TV, but hopefully try and work my way into the Asian Cup squad.”
Others to miss out that were considered chances include former Newcastle Jets Joel Griffiths, Central Coast Mariners Dean Heffernan and youngster Matthew Spiranovic.
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