Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek will include Harry Kewell among the substitutes for Saturday’s final pre-World Cup hitout against the United States but remains unsure whether he will risk him.
Verbeek will field nine of his first-choice 11 in the friendly in Roodepoort – the same starting line-up from the 1-0 win over Denmark earlier this week.
But while Brett Emerton (calf) won’t play – and hasn’t trained for the past two days – Kewell is a surprise listing among the substitutes.
He has trained strongly for the past two days after being nursed through the two training camps in Melbourne and Johannesburg because of his groin issues.
“Harry is in the 10 players (substitutes) – maybe he will play, maybe not,” Verbeek said on Friday.
“I will make up my mind tomorrow.”
Emerton was not considered for the match, along with midfielder Brett Holman and defender David Carney.
Holman has been rested because of soreness, while Carney missed Friday’s session because of a shoulder knock picked up the previous day.
But Verbeek said all three would return to full training after the US match, and were in no doubt ahead of the World Cup opener against Germany in Durban on June 13.
“They are struggling a little bit but with some small injuries, but they will be ready after the game to be 100 per cent at training,” Verbeek said.
“I am not concerned at all (about their fitness).
“This (Friday) was not a normal pre-match training session – we tried to fix the last percentages of our physical fitness.”
Richard Garcia will again start on the right side of midfield, with Josh Kennedy leading the line as lone striker.
While Verbeek sees the Socceroos’ US clash as a pre-World Cup training session with an international cap attached, not so ultra-competitive midfielder Vinnie Grella.
“All top-level athletes want to win,” Grella said.
“You can’t play at this level if you’re not a strong competitor.
“We want to have a good game, sure. We know the legs won’t be as fresh as we want them to be – that’s part of the preparation.
“But we’re looking to have a positive game.”
Again the Socceroos will go into a match carrying fatigue from a gruelling week’s training camp at altitude, before they taper their preparation to peak for the Germany clash.
The United States will provide a stiff test for the Socceroos.
They are favoured to make the World Cup’s second stage, drawn in the same World Cup group as England.
The US also go into the tournament ranked above Australia at 14 in the world and off last year’s surprise appearance in the Confederations Cup final – which was also held in South Africa.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Of course we want them to score, but agree with Dave, the assignment will also be to keep a clean sheet. A nil all draw would be a great result especially if Ghana and Serbia draw. All teams would be level on one point with 2 games to play against Ghana and Serbia - you would give Australia a good chance to go on to play England.
billiris
Roar Rookie
Saying that we can't score against Germany is a little pessimistic mate. Tim Cahill is unpredictable and we have seen what he can do for Everton in big matches. He sneaks goals all the time. I think the Germans will rely on their power upfront through Podolski or Klose rather then sit back and defend. There will be opportunities in the match for the Aussies to score. If Cahill or Kennedy get a hold of one, anything could happen.
Australian Football
Roar Guru
Fantastic to see Harry striding out in some of the vision coming through from Sth Africa and should in my opinion start the game against the USA or come on for the last 20 min. Either way he has to get some time on the park for the games coming up against Germany and the other group opponents. The best strategy would be to give Harry and Josh 45 min in every game to ensure that they can put pressure on the defence of the opposing teams. In saying that, I hate the one striker system as it is a big ask of one player to battle it out against strong double centre back combinations alone for 90 mins. However with two fit strikers darting all out for 45 min each could rein havoc in the most organised defences. But the question remains---will Harry's groin hold up for 45 mins. ______ AF
MVDave
Guest
Would be nice to see Kool on the park...good for team morale. However realistically he wont start against Germany anyway. PV will be using his costomary 4-6 formation in that game (think Socceroos v Holland in Sydenee). A Kewell struggling in such a formation would be wasted...maybe a cameo in the last 15-20 then a start v Ghana (a game we are more hopeful of getting a result and actually scoring).