A-League golden boot Shane Smeltz has urged the Socceroos to field a full-strength outfit for their World Cup campaign springboard against New Zealand at the MCG.
Concerned Pim Verbeek may pick a second-string line-up for the May 24 encounter, All Whites striker Smeltz said it would be in everyone’s interest for the trans-Tasman friendly to be treated as a full-blown international.
The Gold Coast United star labelled the clash an ideal initial warm-up for the World Cup, kicking off June 11 in South Africa, particularly if both teams are at full-strength.
“I’m really looking forward to that one,” he said.
“It’s got everything – the mix of trans-Tasman rivalry and two teams going to the World Cup in different groups.”
Smeltz is set to oppose his United captain Jason Culina in an extra edge to the match but was worried about “a few excuses” the Socceroos midfielder was already making.
“Jason has been making a few little excuses already,” he said.
“I hope they do (play their best team), obviously there is a lot of talk about injury concerns and that sort of thing but we want to take on their best side for our preparation.
“I think it’s important to do well in your lead-up games.”
Harry Kewell is at the top of a list of fitness concerns for Verbeek who this week named an extended 31-man squad that needs to be trimmed to 23 by June 1.
It’s exciting times for Smeltz and the All Whites with New Zealand last making the World Cup in 1981.
While NZ are rank outsiders, the A-League’s leading scorer of the past two seasons is confident the united All Whites can spring an ambush of more-fancied rivals to make the knockout stages.
Drawn in Group F with Italy, Slovakia and Paraguay, the Kiwis start their tournament against the Slovaks on June 15.
The subject of much speculation he would head overseas since starting with the Coast last year, Smeltz denied he was looking to jump ship after the World Cup.
“My plan hasn’t changed, I’m focussing on preparation for the World Cup,” he said.
“You never know what can come of it but I’m just going there to do well and at this stage I’ll be coming back to the Gold Coast.
“I think every player in the team can take a lot out of what we achieved in our first season but at the same time we felt as though we missed out on taking an extra step an achieving something great.”
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