Holman Reserved On Cup Draw

as seen on au.fourfourtwo.com

Socceroo Brett Holman has admitted he is coy about Australia’s hopes at next year’s World Cup after examining this morning’s draw.

Holman missed the live coverage of the World Cup draw on Friday as he was part of the AZ Alkmaar side which lost 2-1 at home to Vitesse in the Dutch Eredivisie.

Speaking to the AZ website, Holman revealed he'd taken a look at the draw after Friday's Eredivisie match - but he was hardly overjoyed.

"I've just seen the draw. Am I satisfied with opponents Germany, Serbia and Ghana? All teams are good at the World Cup," Holman said.

"It's just fun to be selected and part of it. Germany has a great history in terms of World Cups, so that might be a nice meeting. About our chances I can say little but everything looks rosy and we will enjoy South Africa."

Meanwhile, AZ's loss to Vitesse on Friday means the champions have now lost seven games this Eredivisie season and are 16 points off the pace, down in sixth.

AZ had taken an early lead through Moussa Dembele in wet conditions in Alkmaar but the hosts were left to rue missing a number of first-half chances as Vitesse scored twice early in the second stanza to claim the points.

Holman admitted after the loss: "This is a very bad feeling. We were simply not bright enough, in my opinion anyway.

"We wanted it more, but couldn't manage it because of the circumstances. The field was slippery. Therefore it was difficult to play good football.

"We seemed to have more difficulty with the wet ground than Vitesse. I struggled to stay upright. It was definitely not my shoes as I wear big spikes, yet often I slipped out. That was very annoying."

Holman acknowledged Ronald Koeman's men were frustrated by their failure to double their advantage in the opening half.

"At 2-0, it's game over. We could've made it easier for ourselves," he said. "Jeremain Lens had a great chance to make it 2-0 after an excellent throughball from Rasmus Elm.

"If that chance goes in, the battle is over. That is very sour."

Holman and AZ now must turn their attention to the UEFA Champions League where they meet Belgian champions Standard Liege this Wednesday.

While AZ are out of contention for the next phase of the Champions League, a midweek victory in Liege would enable the Dutch champions to claim third spot in Group H and a shot at the Europa League.

Holman added: "On Wednesday we must turn it around. It's all or nothing. This duel with Vitesse, we must forget as soon as possible."
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