Five Conclusions From The Confederations Cup

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The 2009 Confederations Cup just finished up on Sunday with Brazil taking out the big prize in a dramatic 3-2 win over the United States, with skipper Lucio grabbing a late winner.

All in all, the tournament was a big success on-the-field, with plenty of decent football played and plenty of quality drama-filled matches witnessed, breathing new life into the continental competition.

Off-the-field, there were a few issues with crime, security, public transport and low crowds. But mostly everything went rather smoothly by all reports, which is good news for South Africa ahead of the big one in 2010.

But focusing on the football side of things, I thought I’d collaborate a short list of five conclusions from the 2009 Confederations Cup.

1. Brazil Are Favourites For The 2010 World Cup

After all the talk of Spain’s beautiful football at Euro 2008 and their unbelievable unbeaten run since, it was the Brazilians who really stole the show, despite being slightly ignored by many onlookers prior to the Confederations Cup.

The Brazilians really are the heavyweights of international football as they consistently challenge for top honours and with the World Cup less than a year away, it would be hard to discredit them as favourites after their latest success.

With 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year Kaka returning to regular football after a couple of injury-interrupted years, the signs are good for Brazil. Captain Lucio had a fine Confederations Cup and FC Sevilla’s Luis Fabiano showed his class at the top level taking out the Golden Shoe with 5 goals.

And while the Brazilian class of 2009 may not seem as strong as Selecao sides of the past, they somehow seem to keep getting the job done in style.

2. Landon Donovan Is World Class

A lot is made of Landon Donovan in the USA, but until now, not many outside North America really understood what all the fuss was about. But the 27-year-old American’s performances at the Confederations Cup showed his true class as a top player as he almost took the USA to an unprecedented title victory.

After the US emphatically lost their first two matches, coach Bob Bradley changed his formation to a 4-4-2 with Donovan roaming free in behind the front two and it was no coincidence that after that move, the Americans began to make inroads.

Indeed, it was Donovan’s ability to play end to end football, helping out in defence before setting up attacks which enabled the Americans to stun Egypt, Spain and almost Brazil.

Donovan has tried his luck in Europe twice without success, at German Bundesliga clubs Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, and has had varied success at World Cups in the past so the Confederations Cup was arguably his finest hour to date on the world stage.

Now he needs to take that form into next year’s big one for the Americans to have any chance of recreating their heroics in South Africa.

3. The World Champions Need To Move On

Without doubt, Italy were the flop of the Confederations Cup. It seems ever since the Azzurri’s success in Germany in 2006 they’ve been trying to recapture that glory with an ill-fated stint in charge by Roberto Donadoni before their World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi was re-installed as boss in mid-2008.

Lippi, with all respect, returning to the helm is indicative of where Italy are at.

National team veterans like Gennaro Gattuso, Luca Toni, Mauro Camoranesi, Gianluca Zambrotta, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Alberto Gilardino (all part of the 2006 squad) didn’t impress at the Confederations Cup and may need to move aside and make way for the new talent.

Indeed, Italy need to learn to move on and put their faith in the new breed. Giuseppe Rossi impressed in South Africa while others including Riccardo Montolivo, Antonio Cassano, Antonio Di Natale, Claudio Marchisio, Sebastian Giovinco and Mario Balotelli should get more opportunities.

4. South Africa Need Benni McCarthy

For all of the achievements made by Bafana Bafana at the Confederations Cup, it seems clear they could have gone further with a finisher. Indeed, 31-year-old former UEFA Champions League winner Benni McCarthy fits the bill perfectly, except for the side issue of a dispute between him and the South African FA.

South Africa showed good signs ahead of 2010, with Itumeleng Khune, Tsepo Masilela and Teko Modise, amongst others, all impressing.

But their big problem was scoring goals, considering prior to Katlego Mphela’s dramatic late brace against Spain, the Bafana Bafana had managed just 2 in 430 minutes.

With better finishing they would have beaten Iraq in the opening game, thrashed New Zealand by more and perhaps knocked off the Brazilians when they had them in trouble.

But the answer could be right there for South Africa, with accomplished Blackburn Rovers striker McCarthy waiting in the wings. African football has been hurt by politics in the past, but with the continent’s first showcase World Cup event on their soil next year, surely the SAFA and McCarthy can put their differences aside and reconciliate for the good of the nation.

5. New Zealand’s Quest For World Cup Qualification Is Going To Be Very Tough

The All-Whites came into the Confederations Cup hoping to gain some quality preparation ahead of their World Cup intercontinental playoff later in the year against either Bahrain or Saudi Arabia. But after barely half an hour of the Confederations Cup, New Zealand would’ve realised they’ve got a long way to go as they were torn apart by European champions Spain in a 5-0 rout.

Putting the Spanish result aside, New Zealand did break their Confederations Cup duck and claim their first point ever in the tournament. But it was against a very ordinary Iraq side. Realistically, New Zealand didn’t look up to the required level to compete in South Africa next year.

They’ll need a lot of change, and perhaps a lot of luck, if they’re going to get the better of either Bahrain or Saudi Arabia. The return from injury of experienced skipper Ryan Nelsen will help them, but they’ve got a long way to go.

Aussie Kasey Back In Favour

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Former Socceroo Kasey Wehrman continued his form resurgence with a goal as Fredrikstad FK drew 2-2 with Bodo/Glimt on Sunday in the Norwegian Tippeligaen.

Wehrman had been out of favour at Fredrikstad earlier this season but has started the club's last two league matches helping them collect four points from a possible six to move away from the drop zone.

The former Perth Glory man stepped up to convert a penalty on 38 minutes after Bodo/Glimt had gone ahead through Mounir Hamoud.

Anders Agnes Konradsen restored Bodo/Glimt's lead just prior to the break, before FFK's Costa Rican international Celso Borges scored a deserved equaliser with less than a quarter of an hour to go after Fredrikstad had dominated the game with the visitors defending deep.

Wehrman admitted to FFK-TV after the game that it was good to be back in favour, saying: "It's great to be back in the side."

The 31-year-old Australian, who was played in a number of roles for FFK early in the season, added: "Midfield is my best, so that's where I want to play."

The 2-2 draw leaves Fredrikstad still in danger down in 11th spot in the Tippeligaen, but having finished second in the league last season, Wehrman believes FFK can turn around their slow start to 2009.

"This year we've had a lot of teams sit back on us and play deep on the field and that's normally what we'd do to teams. Sit back a little bit further, take the pressure with a good defence and then play counter-attacking football," he said.

"And teams are doing that against us now and it's just experience but we're going to get there sooner or later against these teams and start working out that getting the ball wide and getting more crosses in the box is probably the key to stretching them."

Elsewhere on Sunday in the Tippeligaen, Socceroo Shane Stefanutto started and played 80 minutes for FC Lyn Oslo as they crashed to a 4-0 loss at second-placed Molde FK. Lyn are currently bottom of the Tippeligaen with just one league victory this season.

Schwarz 'EPL's Best Stopper'

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Fulham's number two stopper Pascal Zuberbuhler has labelled his club goalkeeping teammate Mark Schwarzer 'the best in the Premier League'.

The experienced former Swiss international, who has played second fiddle to the Australian since arriving at Craven Cottage, praised Schwarzer after taking Fulham to an unexpected European spot last season.

"Petr Cech, Pepe Reina, Edwin Van der Sar, they're all very good goalkeepers. But for me Mark Schwarzer is the best - the real number one," he told the Fulham official website.

"He had a fantastic season and I think he deserves all the recognition he gets, because he was one of Fulham's most important players last year. We won quite a few points and games thanks to Mark's form between the posts.

"Some of the saves we saw were truly world-class. If a team wants to be successful on the pitch they need a strong keeper and Fulham have that with Mark."

Schwarzer was recently named Fulham's player of the season for 2008/2009 along with FFA Australian Footballer of the Year.

Hull: No Macca Move

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Hull City manager Phil Brown has rubbished speculation linking Celtic's Australian striker Scott McDonald with a move to the Tigers.

Scottish newspaper The Daily Record claimed on Thursday, Hull were ready to make a £6m swoop for the Socceroo after 'behind-the-scenes inquiries'.

But Brown quelled such speculation claiming the Tigers had not been in contact with McDonald.

"We will only bring strikers in that will improve the situation and, although Scott has been doing well up there, it is not one we are in contact with," Brown said.

McDonald is contracted with the Hoops until 2013, having signed a five-year-deal with Celtic in June 2008.

Japan Welcomes Okubo Back From Bundesliga

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Enigmatic Japanese striker Yoshito Okubo has just made a massive decision to swallow his pride and quit German Bundesliga champions VfL Wolfsburg to return home and chase a national team spot ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Okubo, 27, only joined Wolfsburg in January but after a difficult six-month stint in Germany, he has decided to return to his former J.League club Vissel Kobe.

On face value Okubo’s time at Wolfsburg seems a success, having joined the club during the German winter break when the Wolves sat ninth on the league table, before they stormed home in the second-half of the campaign, equaling a Bundesliga record 10 consecutive wins on their way to their first ever league title.

But it couldn’t be further from the truth as Okubo’s arrival had little influence on Wolfsburg’s title success with the revelation of front pairing Edin Dzeko and Grafite providing the spark for their league charge and in doing so they relegated the Japanese star to the bench.

In fact, Okubo made just eleven appearances for Wolfsburg, nine in the Bundesliga and two in the German DFB Pokal, and didn’t manage score once.

Basically, Okubo failed to impress, won few opportunities and ended up watching Wolfsburg claim the title from the stands.

So despite the fact Wolfsburg will be playing UEFA Champions League football next season, Okubo has made the tough decision to return month after just six months in Germany.

Indeed, such a decision requires some strength, especially considering Okubo had a contract at Volkswagen Arena until 2011. And Okubo will cop plenty of criticism from pundits from afar who may label his European journey as a complete failure.

But Okubo knows he needs to put pride aside because what’s important for him is a place at the World Cup next year with the Blue Samurai.

What makes the decision to return to Japan all the more difficult for Okubo, is the fact that it is the second time in his career he’s retreated from a stint in Europe.

Three years ago, Okubo returned to the Land of the Rising Sun after an underwhelming two-year stay in Spain at Real Mallorca.

Upon his return to Japan then, Okubo fired in 27 goals in two seasons with Vissel Kobe before winning his opportunity at Wolfsburg.

Perhaps that was Okubo’s mistake, joining a club with players already established in his position, but you can’t blame a man for trying.

Now though, Okubo is back in Japan and eager to play the regular football he was starved of at Wolfsburg.

“I have come back, hoping to restore my intuition for playing matches,” Okubo told reporters after he sealed his move back to Kobe in June.

The 27-year-old forward was part of Japan’s recent trio of World Cup qualifiers when the Blue Samurai became the first nation to confirm their place in South Africa next year with a 1-0 win in Uzbekistan.

Japan backed that result up with a 1-1 draw with Qatar in Saitama before a 2-1 loss to Australia in Melbourne.

Okubo started the Uzbekistan game before being substituted just past the hour mark and wasn’t included in either of Japan’s other matches after qualification was sealed. Japan management put his absence down to conditioning.

In simple terms, Okubo’s fitness wasn’t up to scratch so there’s no doubt his return to the J.League with Vissel Kobe will give him the regular football he needs to secure a spot in the Japanese national team.

Nevertheless, Okubo claims playing for the Blue Samurai isn’t the only reason he has returned home.

The Fukuoka-born forward returns to the club who he enjoyed two seasons with in 2007 and 2008 and he’s ambitious about their future.

“I hope I can get some goals and assists in the J.League. I want to help the team move up the table and qualify for the Asian Champions League. I want to win a title at this club,” Okubo claimed.

Considering Vissel finished tenth last season and are currently languishing in 14^th on the J.League table, Okubo’s claim is a bit rich.

But he’s trying to win over the Kobe public, who didn’t totally warm to him in his previous free-scoring stint at the club.

Some Vissel fans labeled Okubo a show-off and believed at times he can be over the top. But they won’t deny his signing is a great acquisition.

Indeed, on his J.League return last weekend, he received a hero’s welcome. He went onto score from the penalty spot in an entertaining 4-3 loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

That result leaves Vissel just two points out of the relegation zone and avoiding the drop is their main concern this season, let alone chasing Champions League football.

Indeed, Vissel, like Okubo, have got plenty of catching up to do. But for Okubo, the difficult decision has been made and now it’s all about scoring goals for Vissel so he can secure, not only their J.League status, but himself a seat on the plane to South Africa next year.

Are NQ Fury The New NZ Knights?

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You often hear people say that you shouldn’t read too much into pre-season results. It’s a fair point: coaches and managers often experiment with tactics and youngsters, while the players are testing out their fitness.

But the goings on at new Hyundai A-League franchise North Queensland Fury in their pre-season should cause alarm.

And the reason for concern isn’t the fact that the Fury have lost all three of their pre-season matches against A-League opposition.

Nor is it that they have failed to score in four of their five pre-season matches, with their only goals coming against Queensland State League side Capricorn Cougars.

The real worry is Fury coach Ian Ferguson’s decision to play 39-year-old assistant coach Stewart Petrie on three separate occasions in pre-season matches.

Petrie won’t be signing an A-League playing contract with the Fury and actually ended his Australian domestic playing career back in 2007 with the Central Coast Mariners. He has moved onto management after a brief coaching stint in his native Scotland with Ross County.

So why would Ferguson be playing Petrie? What is the point of the exercise?

The immediate response from Fury management would be that they are short on options and have been forced into the situation due to a number of problems, including injuries to Robbie Fowler and Ufuk Talay, national team duties for Jeremy Brockie, and the recent unexpected defection by Brazilian Felipe.

But Fowler and Talay have been injured for some time now, and Brockie, as a regular All Whites international, was always going to the Confederations Cup with New Zealand, so they had time to organize suitable replacements such as trialists or youngsters.

Also, while the Felipe situation is unfortunate, it’s a concern that a similar thing has happened to the Fury twice before with Cassio and Jade North. Perhaps the Fury could take a leaf out of fellow new boys Gold Coast United’s book after they forced All Whites striker Shane Smeltz to stay at the club despite the lure of a contract in Turkey’s Super Lig.

But returning to the original point, as I previously mentioned, isn’t the pre-season all about the coach experimenting?

So why experiment with someone who you are not going to sign? Why not trial a youngster or a potential injury-replacement player?

Again, the Fury might respond by saying they have been trialling goalkeeper Paul Henderson and Fijian striker Roy Krishna, and recently had a long list of young trialists at the club, including Ramone Close and Kieran Gonzalez, but opted to let them move on as they didn’t think they were up to the standard required and were looking for other players with 19 of their 23 squad spots already filled.

Fair enough, but why close the book on the youngsters? Why not move onto the next budding talent?

There’s plenty of promising young Australian footballers who are out there dying for an opportunity at A-League level and who would’ve loved a crack at one game with the Fury, let alone the three Petrie has played.

Another cause for concern at the Fury is that I’ve been reliably informed the club won’t be fielding a National Youth League side in their inaugural season.

Perhaps this is the reason Ferguson has seemingly ‘closed the book’ on the youngsters with only one under-20 player, 18-year-old attacker Osama Malik, signed in his current squad.

The fact of the matter is the Fury should be looking at their options, such as youngsters or potential injury-replacement players.

Again, they need to look at the example of rivals Gold Coast United, who fielded a number of young trialists in the friendly between the two sides in Robina which the hosts won 2-0 earlier this week.

United seem to unveiled a couple of gems during their pre-season in 19-year-old Ivory Coast defender Adama Traore, African-born Gol Gol Mebrahtu, young Aussie midfielder Mitch Bevan (who turned the game against the Fury as a substitute) and Steve Lustica (who scored United’s second goal against the Fury).

As much as it would anger the Fury, they need to take heed of Gold Coast’s example with youth.

Indeed, North Queensland, as a brand new franchise, are four years behind the other A-League clubs, so in assessing the Fury’s progress it’s natural to compare them with fellow new boys Gold Coast United.

And such comparisons have gone on to stir a fierce rivalry between the two new clubs, with Gold Coast seemingly ‘bullying’ their northern enemies, which has in turn meant neutrals have developed a ‘soft-spot’ for the Fury.

But the reality is, ignoring the cushion of the neutral’s ‘soft-spot’, the signs aren’t good for the Fury.

The New Zealand Knights, the A-League’s only failed franchise, began in similar circumstances to North Queensland, with an uninspired transfer crusade (bar Fowler) followed by a poor pre-season which led them to fail to capture the imagination of their local market with uncompetitive football.

But again, it would be wrong to suggest the Fury could follow in the Knights’ footsteps based on pre-season results, but the signs aren’t good for a club, four years behind the rest, wasting time playing around with retired 39-year-olds.

Let The All Whites Enjoy Their Moment In The Sun

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The All Whites have been on the wrong end of some stinging criticism after overzealously celebrating the 0-0 draw with Iraq at the Confederations Cup in South Africa.

When the final whistle went against Iraq on Sunday, it was as if the All Whites had qualified for the next phase of the tournament. But instead they hadn’t even won a match, nor even scored a goal, and in fact, had just finished last in their group.

But what they had done, was create New Zealand football history by claiming a point in the Confederations Cup for the first time after fruitless campaigns in 1999 and 2003.

It actually ended an eight-game losing streak in the continental tournament too.

And considering New Zealand’s underdog status coming into the Confederatons Cup and the criticism the All Whites had received following emphatic losses to Spain and South Africa earlier in the tournament, it was a moment to rejoice for the players and coaches alike.

So there’s no denying that achievement for the modest New Zealanders.

But where the latest criticism of the All Whites has been aimed at is that their celebrations suggest they believe the tournament was a success when in fact their performances in the losses against the Spanish and the South Africans were woeful.

SBS commentator Craig Foster claimed he thought the 0-0 draw meant the New Zealanders would ‘gloss’ over their failures in the tournament ahead of their difficult World Cup qualifying intercontinental playoff later in the year against either Bahrain or Saudi Arabia.

But the All Whites should be ‘cut a little slack’ and be allowed to enjoy their moment in the sun.

As All Whites coach Ricki Herbert put it, “I think tonight was another milestone for the country. We proved a few doubters wrong with the way we played.”

Indeed, it is an easy assessment to scoff at New Zealand’s ‘breakthrough’ when you compare it to the recent exponential success of the Socceroos.

And in some ways it is fair, considering both nations were in similar circumstances a decade or so ago when we were battling it out in Oceania.

But while Australia, with more talent and resources at it’s disposal, has been able to kick on and achieve a number of ‘breakthroughs’, New Zealand hasn’t.

But that’s no fault of the eleven or so players on the pitch who faced Iraq on Sunday night and that’s why the attack from the critics is ill-directed.

On paper, and upon considering recent form, those All Whites players would have known they were up against it when they lined up to play Iraq but they battled hard and created history.

While claiming a scoreless draw against Iraq, a team ranked 77th in the world, shouldn’t be viewed as the world’s greatest achievement, the fact that the All Whites were able to end their own Confederations Cup drought should be viewed as the breakthrough.

Now though, the focus should be on achieving the next milestone, World Cup qualification.

What Is Mark Viduka's Future?

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A year out from the 2010 World Cup Australian striker Mark Viduka has a massive decision on his hands. Put simply, Viduka, 33, must decide if he wants to go and play with the Socceroos next year in South Africa.

On the surface it’s a no-brainer but typically there’s more to it.

Viduka, who skippered the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup, hasn’t actually played for Australia since the failed 2007 Asian Cup campaign. Nevertheless, he’s still a wanted man by the Socceroos with national team boss Pim Verbeek publicly stating he’d welcome the big striker back with open arms.

But following an awful club season ravaged by injuries with English side Newcastle, Viduka’s future is unclear. Indeed, with Newcastle’s eventual relegation from the English Premier League it seems highly unlikely the North-East club will exorcise a third-year option on Viduka’s lofty contract and instead allow the Australian to move on from St James’ Park.

Besides for the prospect of being without a club, Viduka must also weigh up the question marks which remain about his ability to remain injury-free at the demanding top level.

But a run of decent games late in Newcastle’s Premier League campaign showed glimpses of the Viduka-of-old and that has given the Australian public renewed hope that the man dubbed the ‘V-Bomber’ would don the green and gold again.

Amongst all the uncertainty one thing is clear, Viduka is still undecided about his future.

Just last month, Viduka was invited by Verbeek to be part of Australia’s last three World Cup qualification matches against Qatar, Bahrain and Japan, but the big striker declined the offer.

At the time Verbeek told reporters, “He told me that after a difficult season that he needed a break from football to consider his future plans.

“Mark is currently out of contract and, while he is deciding what to do next, it would be difficult for him to fully concentrate on these important matches for Australia.

“We respect his decision and wish him all the best over the coming weeks as he makes his next important decision.”

And while Viduka turned down Verbeek’s offer then, the Socceroos boss went onto admit he hadn’t shut the door on the 33-year-old’s international career just yet.

“Definitely not. I have left another spot open for him. So it’s up to him, the ball is completely in his court,” Verbeek emphatically stated.

In fact it seems the Australia boss is eager to have Viduka on board in South Africa because of what the big striker offers to Verbeek’s preferred 4-5-1 formation.

The Socceroos got through the final round of World Cup qualifiers with a solid pragmatic approach built on defence and limited risk-taking. But such an approach sacrificed Australia’s attacking edge, leaving strikers often isolated and forward attacks regularly aimless. The fact that the Socceroos managed just two goals away from home in the fourth round of World Cup qualifying is evidence enough to support that claim.

But Viduka is someone who can play isolated. In fact, Viduka’s natural game is with his back to goal, holding up play and bringing other players into the game.

Socceroo Tim Cahill recently sung Viduka’s praises saying, “Playing off Dukes in the last World Cup, people question that he doesn’t get his goals, but he does all the ugly work, holds the ball up, makes us look good, makes me look good.”

That frontman role is something incumbent striker Joshua Kennedy has struggled to fulfil, so there’s no doubt about Viduka’s potential value to the Socceroos.

Nevertheless, while Viduka’s been mulling over a decision on his future, Australia went onto comfortably secure qualification for South Africa recently.

And while the ball is still in Viduka’s court, as Verbeek puts it, the clock is ticking.

Viduka’s Australian compatriot and former Middlesbrough teammate Mark Schwarzer eloquently put it last week that the big striker has got to decide whether he’s ‘fit, determined and hungry’ enough to return to the Socceroos frame.

Schwarzer said, “You’ve got to be crazy to say you don’t want a fit Mark Viduka, an enthusiastic, determined Mark Viduka in your squad.

“But they are the key words, he needs to be fit, to be determined and hungry, to want to still play.

“There’s no point having any player that doesn’t want to be there. You need players that are 100 per cent committed to the cause.”

And that’s exactly what Viduka will be weighing up, whether or not he’s committed enough, physically and mentally.

Footballers often testify that playing at the World Cup is the greatest honour a player can achieve.

After years of trying and failing with the Socceroos, Viduka finally achieved that honour in 2006 in Germany when he proudly wore the captain’s armband. But Australians still feel a sense of injustice about those finals after dramatically being knocked out by Italy in the last 16 after a harsh late penalty.

Perhaps that’s reason enough to inspire Viduka to end his self-determined national team absence and have another shot at the World Cup.

One thing Viduka will have to assess is his fitness after an injury-plagued season with Newcastle which saw him start just six games. By the time the World Cup rolls around next year, Viduka will be 34 and he would surely be questioning his ability to be at his best for the national team he loves.

And in the meantime, before the World Cup kicks off, there is the other important question of where Viduka will play his club football.

There has been some speculation of a potential to move to Croatia, where he started his European career and, of course, has links with through his family heritage.

There has also been hype about Viduka returning to his homeland to play in Australia’s A-League with his hometown club Melbourne Victory the suitors.

But whether or not playing at such a level in the lead-up to the World Cup would suffice remains to be seen and ideally Viduka would continue playing in one of Europe’s top leagues, but after a season where he was labelled ‘the Duke of Pork’ by his own fans, he may struggle to find potential suitors.

In saying that, the big Australian has carved such a great career for himself and thus created a good enough reputation to persuade a club to take a punt on him. And his performances with Newcastle late in the Premier League suggest he’s not done with just yet despite his injury troubles.

But as Verbeek puts it in his own Dutch way, the ball is in Viduka’s court, but he needs to make a decision soon.

Sure, for the first time in Australia’s history, the Socceroos have a full year to prepare for a World Cup. But also for the first time in Australia’s history, the Socceroos are expected to do well at the World Cup and thus adequate preparation is of paramount importance and issues like this needs to resolved quickly so the team can focus on it’s job of playing football.

For Viduka though, surely he must be attracted by the dangling carrot of World Cup and think that there couldn’t be a better hurrah to end his career.

The question is whether or not Viduka is willing to put his body and mind through another season at the top level to get there?

Hopefully, we’ll find out soon.

Schwarzer: Viduka Must Show Commitment

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Roos keeper Mark Schwarzer admits he wants Mark Viduka back in green and gold - but only if his former Middlesbrough teammate is fully committed to the cause.

Schwarzer, who guided Australia to 2010 World Cup qualification, claims he would only welcome Viduka back into the Socceroos frame if the 33-year-old former Melbourne Knights hitman was 'fit, determined and hungry'.

"You've got to be crazy to say you don't want a fit Mark Viduka, an enthusiastic, determined Mark Viduka in your squad," he said.

"But they are the key words, he needs to be fit, to be determined and hungry, to want to still play.

"There's no point having any player that doesn't want to be there. You need players that are 100 per cent committed to the cause.

"That's what the key's been throughout this whole campaign, that every single player that's ever played for the national team and been involved in any of the camps has been 100 per cent committed to the cause."

Viduka didn't play any part in Australia's successful World Cup qualifying campaign and actually hasn't featured for the Socceroos since the failed 2007 Asian Cup tournament.

And Schwarzer believes Australia's success in qualifying for the South Africa without Viduka is evidence enough to suggest the Socceroos don't necessarily need the big striker.

"We've got players that are more than capable of scoring from anywhere on the park," Schwarzer said. "There's obviously a lot of debate about what sort of system we play and what the best system is to play.

"If you can have a player of the calibre of Mark Viduka in your squad, you'd take it with open arms. But if you don't you've got to get on with it and move on."

Schwarzer, 36, also admitted he was keen to play beyond the 2010 World Cup, with a spot in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup seemingly increasingly realistic.

"I'm enjoying my football more than I have at any time in my career and these last 12 months, 18 months for me has been a dream come true. I won't hide that fact," Schwarzer enthused.

"At this moment in time I want to play as long as I can and as long as I'm physically fit, as long as I'm still feeling fresh and as long as I'm still doing the business on the park."

Burnley: No Move For Aussie Rhys

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Burnley boss Owen Coyle insists he hasn't made a move for Middlesbrough's Australian international defender Rhys Williams.

Williams, who made his Socceroos debut on Wednesday against Japan, spent the second-half of last season on loan at Burnley before returning to the Riverside prior to the Clarets successful playoffs campaign.

The 20-year-old impressed during his loan stint at Turf Moor but Coyle claims he hasn't lodged a bid for the Australian despite reports to the contrary.

"I've not spoken to Middlesbrough about him," Coyle told the Burnley Citizen.

"He's a player I like, there's no doubt about that, but I'm not going to get involved with the speculation about you're after this, that and the next thing.

"What I would say is that I've already put a couple of offers in for players at different places and they were initially rejected.

"Then you move on or else you revisit it. That's where we are and Rhys Williams wasn't one of the players we made an offer for."

Sterjovski's Fond Rams Farewell

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New Perth Glory recruit Mile Sterjovski has admitted he'll miss Derby County despite leaving the club on less than ideal terms.

The Socceroo, who scored for Australia last week against Bahrain, spent a difficult 18 months at Pride Park but claims he'll be a lifelong Rams fan after describing he and his family's stay in Derbyshire as perfect.

Sterjovski told the Derbyshire Daily Telegraph, "I'm going to be a Derby County supporter for life because it's a great club and I loved my time there.

"My family was very settled in Derby and we love the city and the friendliness of the people and the way they made us so welcome.

"Everything off the field was perfect and we were only talking about this the other day when we said, as a family, that we couldn't have asked any more from the club and the local people."

Despite being settled in Derby and contracted for next season, Sterjovski felt he needed to leave Pride Park to keep his 2010 World Cup dreams alive after being told by Rams boss Nigel Clough he couldn't guarantee him game time.

"I just didn't suit the style of player that Nigel Clough wanted at the club," Sterjovski said having made just 18 appearances for the Rams in the 2008/2009 season.

"Nigel never told me how I could play more games or if there was something specific I needed to work on to improve my technique.

"It was disappointing because I felt I deserved more but I don't have any hard feelings because everything was very positive for me and my family at Derby.

"Sometimes, I guess it happens at all clubs, managers don't pick certain players for whatever reason.

"Nigel made a professional decision that I didn't fit in with the team's requirements but these things happen and everyone has to move on.

"I was also concerned, with next year being a World Cup year, that if I didn't play enough games, it could impact on my chances of playing for the Socceroos, which is another part of the reason why I signed a contract with Perth Glory."

Fulham Award Adds To Mark's Haul

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The accolades keep coming for Australian shot-stopper Mark Schwarzer after it was announced he had been voted Fulham's 2008/2009 Player of the Season.

The 36-year-old Socceroo, who joined the Cottagers from Middlesbrough in May last year, enjoyed a wonderful campaign helping Fulham surprisingly qualify for Europe.

Schwarzer played every minute of Fulham's Premier League season, keeping an outstanding 15 clean sheets including shutouts against Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.

The Australian goalkeeper won the award by just six votes from Fulham's Norwegian defender Brede Hangeland who also had a fine term helping the Cottagers record the fourth best defensive record in the Premier League.

It caps a fantastic season for Schwarzer, who just last week claimed the Australian Footballer of the Year award.

Next season, Schwarzer will not only look forward to a Europa League campaign with the Cottagers, but also the 2010 World Cup with the Socceroos having helped Australia clinch qualification for the tournament recently.

Carle Targets Double Dream

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Nick Carle is dreaming of a memorable 2009-2010 season by setting himself the goals of promotion with Crystal Palace and a World Cup spot with the Socceroos.

The popular 27-year-old Australian midfielder made a breakthrough first Socceroos appearance in over 18 months as a late substitute against Bahrain before an extended run against Japan last Wednesday.

And now the Crystal Palace man is setting his sights on a dream year in the build-up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"Making the World Cup squad is a goal of mine for next season but at the moment I am just more of a squad player and it is up to me to make sure I do the best I can to stay in the squad," Carle told the Crystal Palace website.

"I would like to go up with Palace and then a World Cup squad place to follow, but there is a lot of hard work needed to be done between now and then."

Carle, who has struggled for opportunities with the national team since Pim Verbeek took over, admitted he was hungry for more Socceroos action.

"There's no better feeling and it's the biggest aim you could have when you are with your national side and being part of the squad is brilliant," Carle said.

"I have been working really hard and got straight into training in Sydney after the season finished and then went to Doha and Qatar with the squad.

"It's been excellent to be around the squad when we qualified for the World Cup and I just need to get some game time under my belt."

Cisak's Second Chance At Foxes

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Young Aussie goalkeeper Alex Cisak has been given another chance by newly promoted Championship club Leicester City after signing a new contract with the Foxes.

The 20-year-old Polish-born stopper has penned a six-month deal keeping him at Walkers Stadium until December 31.

Cisak, who joined Leicester as a scholar in 2005, was promoted to the Foxes' first-team last season and seems to have done enough to have impressed manager Nigel Pearson into offering him a new, albeit short-term, deal.

Fellow Australian goalkeeper Paul Henderson recently departed Walkers Stadium but Cisak will still have plenty of competition for a place in the Foxes side, as Leicester enjoy the services of young Irish stopper Conrad Logan, teenager Carl Pentney and new signing Chris Weale.

Cisak, who was part of Leicester's 2006-2007 FA Premier Academy League triumph, can represent either Australia or Poland.

Emerton On The Comeback Trail

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Brett Emerton's recovery from a long-term cruciate knee ligament injury continues to progress well with the Socceroo aiming for a pre-season return with club Blackburn Rovers.

The 30-year-old midfielder, who hasn't played for Australia since October's 4-0 win over Qatar, told BBC Lancashire Radio he wants to be fit and ready for the start of the upcoming Premier League season.

"Everything's going really well," Emerton said. "I've been running for quite some time now and I'll be looking to rejoin the team during pre-season.

"The former Feyenoord man also undoubtedly has an eye on being a part of the Australian squad for the 2010 World Cup with the Socceroos having recently claimed qualification for the tournament.

But for now, Emerton admits battling a long-term injury has proved to be quite the challenge.

He added: "The longest spell before this is probably two to three weeks so it's something I haven't encountered before during my career.

"I've been very lucky with injuries, so this is providing a different type of challenge for me. When I was injured I couldn't help thinking I'd like to be out there helping the boys."

Bolton Boss Backs Oz Teen

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Bolton academy boss Peter Farrell has earmarked exciting Australian teenager Aaron Mooy as a player for the future after an exceptional season with the Trotters youth side.

The 18-year-old, who was recently named the player of the tournament in the Terborg Toernooi tournament which the Young Socceroos competed in, progressed up the Bolton ranks last season finishing the campaign with the club's reserve side.

And Farrell believes there's more to come from the promising young Aussie.

"He came over here when he was 14 years of age after being spotted in Australia. He got his education here at Bolton School, but he is a tremendous footballer," Farrell told the official Bolton website.

"He still needs to work on his game, like the times when he hasn't got the ball, but ability-wise, he oozes class.

"He stands out because of his technical ability and his awareness on the ball. It doesn't surprise me that he has been selected for his country."

Farrell added: "Aaron has just been involved in a competition for the Australia U20s over in Holland and he won player of the tournament.

"There is even talk of him going into the full international team, which would be a great achievement.

Next season it is expected Mooy will get the chance to push for a place in the Bolton first-team squad as he works closely with Wanderers Assistant Head Coach Alan Cork in the reserves on a permanent basis.

Referring to Mooy as well as fellow youngster Danny Ward, Farrell added: "They will both be working with Alan Cork next year and in view of the manager (Gary Megson), so I'm sure Alan will look after them and give them the opportunities.

"When they get their chances then they have to be consistent because that's the problem with players at that age."

Confeds Cup Team Preview - Iraq

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Surprise 2007 Asian Cup winners Iraq head into the 2009 Confederations Cup with a repeat of their heroics of two years ago seeming unlikely.

The ‘Lions of Mesopotamia’ have experienced a tumultuous 12 months, having crashed out of contention for the 2010 World Cup along with a failed Gulf Cup campaign. In fact, Iraq haven’t won a competitive international in almost a year, their last victory coming against China way back on 14th June 2008. That poor run resulted in 2007 Asian Cup winning coach Jorvan Vieira being sacked earlier this year and replaced by enigmatic Serbian manager Bora Milutinovic.

In saying all that, Iraq went into their triumphant 2007 Asian Cup campaign without form on their side but were garnered as a group by the tournament and the sense of occasion. Also with ‘tournament specialist’ Milutinovic only appointed as recently as April, Iraq could loom as somewhat of an unknown danger.
COACH

Considering the limited time Iraq have to improve upon their poor form, the appointment of Milutinovic could be a masterstroke. The Serbian, once dubbed the ‘Miracle Worker’, is known as a tournament specialist, having famously guided five different nations to five different World Cups, with four of those sides progressing past the first round. And despite being at the helm barely two months, Milutinovic has already shaken things up in the Iraq camp by setting new standards of discipline with star pair Hawar Mulla Mohammed and Younis Mahmoud, two he’s taken issue with. He also ruffled the feathers of assistant Radhi Shenaishil, who dramatically quit the national team last month citing differences with the new boss.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nashat Akram is Iraq’s glamour boy and crucial to their success. The 24 year-old midfield playmaker, who has had spent his whole career playing in Arab leagues, won a dream move to UEFA Champions League-bound Dutch club FC Twente last month. Worryingly Akram has recently been battling a knee injury which could affect his output in South Africa.

Captain Younis Mahmoud is another key component for Iraq, with no more evidence needed than the fact the striker claimed the 2007 Asian Cup MVP award along with the 2007 AFC Player of the Year runners-up award.

Karram Jassin is the rising star of the Iraq team and definitely one to watch. The 22 year-old is a skilful midfielder who loves to get forward.

Wing-back Bassim Abbas is another one to look out for, if only just to witness his unorthodox trademark bicycle-kick clearances.

PROSPECTS

Iraq’s 2010 World Cup hopes are over so the Confederations Cup will take on extra importance for fans of the Middle East nation, especially following their miserable Gulf Cup campaign earlier this year in Oman. The fact they are the only nation competing in the tournament who are out of the running for next year’s big one, is another reason to want to show their best.

Indeed, having been drawn in the ‘easier’ of the two groups, alongside South Africa, Oceania winners New Zealand and European Champions Spain, Iraq may believe they could progress but a lot depends on their opening game against the hosts.

It is difficult to know what to expect from Iraq, especially considering Milutinovic has only had one full international match to stamp his influence on the side (a 1-0 loss to Qatar), but with the core of their Asian Cup winning side still in tact, it would be foolish to rule them out considering their heroics in South East Asia in 2007.

Confeds Cup Team Preview - New Zealand

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Oceania winners New Zealand come into June’s Confederations Cup at long odds to win a match, let alone progress through their group.

The All-Whites, as they are nicknamed, have competed in the tournament twice before yet have never claimed a point and expectations are it will be difficult again. A calf injury which has ruled out their most accomplished player, captain Ryan Nelsen, makes the task even harder.

Nevertheless, New Zealand will enjoy the experience of the Confederations Cup, as their main focus in 2009 is their intercontinental World Cup playoff against the fifth best Asian nation which takes place over two legs later this year. And because regular competitive football is a rarity for the All-Whites, due to reasons including geography and profile, the opportunity of competing at the Confederations Cup in a group including quality opponents Spain, Iraq and hosts South Africa, is seen as crucial preparation for their intercontinental playoff.

But there is still plenty of work to be done when you consider in the last 12 months the All-Whites have suffered defeats against the likes of Fiji, Thailand and Tanzania. The ‘Kiwis’ don’t really carry any form into the Confederations Cup considering their limited number of competitive matches and friendlies although a pair of recent results in warm-up games against Tanzania, a 2-1 loss, and Botswana, a 0-0 draw, suggest the All-Whites may be up against it in South Africa.

COACH

The All-Whites are coached by Ricki Herbert, a 61-time-capped former national team player, who also conveniently combines that role with the head job at New Zealand’s premier club Wellington Phoenix, who compete in Australia’s A-League. With the bulk of New Zealand’s squad playing in either Australia or New Zealand, Herbert knows his players well. Herbert is a popular boss and has done a good job with the Phoenix, but the question remains of his ability to inspire at a higher level considering his only coaching experiences have been in his homeland.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Striker Shane Smeltz is the All-Whites main-man having collected a truckload of honours at international and club level recently including the 2008-2009 A-League Player of the Year and Golden Boot awards. The German-born frontman, who netted in the recent 2-1 loss against Tanzania, has an amazing international record having scored 11 goals in his last 10 appearances for the All-Whites.

Former Bradford City and St Johnstone goalkeeper Mark Paston is an accomplished stopper who followers of the Confederations Cup are likely to get familiar with.

American-based defender Andy Boyens will be one to look out for, especially in the absence of Nelsen. The promising 25-year-old centre-back was part of the New York Red Bulls side which went to the MLS Cup last season.

Chris Wood is the rising star of New Zealand football having made a number of English Premier League appearances late this season for West Bromwich. The 17-year-old pacy forward may only be used off the bench in South Africa, but it’ll be exciting to see how he goes.

PROSPECTS

Herbert and the All-Whites realistically won’t expect to progress past the first round at the Confederations Cup, but putting in some decent performances will be important as preparation for later on this year. New Zealand see the match with Iraq as a key game as they believe the Middle East nation will be a similar opponent to that which they’ll face in the playoff.

Kiwi fans will also look forward to their match against the hosts considering their sporting rivalry from Cricket and Rugby Union.

Nevertheless, the All-Whites face many problems including the fact the bulk of their squad is out of season and thus short on match sharpness and fitness along with a lack of quality, familiarity and form.

So an improvement on previous Confederations Cup campaigns will be seen as a success, but that seems very unlikely. Realistically it is all about putting in some decent performances.

Trent's New Deal On The Table

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Beijing Olyroo Trent McClenahan has been rewarded for a good debut season at Hamilton Academicals with an offer of a new deal to stay at New Douglas Park.

McClenahan, 24, joined the Scottish Premier League club as a free agent last September on a one year deal and impressed the Accies over time becoming a first-team regular as the season wore on.

Hamilton boss Billy Reid said, "Trent has been offered a new contract and we're waiting to hear if he's accepting it.

"He merits a new deal because he was great for us.

"The Australian defender is currently back home having undergone double hernia surgery which he had been putting off since Christmas in order to be available to help aid Hamilton's relegation battle.

Reid added: "He showed a real commitment by playing on with an injury and made a significant contribution to helping us stay up."

According to the Hamilton Advertiser, the Accies have offered McClenahan another one-year-deal, but Reid admitted he wasn't sure if the former West Ham United youngster would accept such a contract.

"We're not 100 per cent certain if Trent is going to sign up with us for next season yet, so we'll be looking for a right-back, and a couple of defenders," Reid said.

Grella Admits His 'Rubbish' Season

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Socceroo Vince Grella has admitted he had a 'rubbish' first season at Blackburn but has vowed to improve ahead of his second campaign in the English Premier League.

The Australian midfielder made just 17 appearances for Rovers last season after his $10 million move from Serie A club Torino in August.

"It's been a rubbish year. I'm happy to see the end of it but I'm feeling good now," Grella revealed.

The Socceroo started life at Ewood Park poorly with a bad run of injuries ruling him out of action all too often, before a better run after the turn of the year.

He added "I played with niggles and was just making them worse until some big damage happened and then I had to stay out for while. I was a little bit naive in some cases.

"But at least in the long run I got back to full fitness at the end of the season, I did well and I was happy.

"I'm looking forward to next season and I think I can do a lot better."