During a press conference in Australia after being appointed as the new Socceroos coach, Pim Verbeek said that he is trying to convince Socceroos´ skipper Mark Viduka to prolong his international career as a top priority to play a position in Australia´s qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
The skilled Newcastle United front-man has been insinuating that he might focus on his football club after leading the Socceroos to their very disappointing Asian Cup campaign, where they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Japan.
According to Verbeek, the ex-South Korean national coach, he has spoken with Viduka over the phone to draw round his dream for the Socceroos. He said it turned out to be a good conversation with him and that he is just coming back from injury.
Verbeek will have to stabilize the needs of his club alongside the demands of the European clubs where most of Australia’s stars play their football. He says it is improbable that Viduka will play in opposition to Qatar during the opening qualifying match on February 6. Verbeek, who led South Korea to the semi-finals of the Asian Cup last July has been agreed largely according to his record in Asian football.
Viduka who is now 32 years old has on his record scored only six goals in 32 internationals but has been productive in club football with 158 goals in 302 leagues since 1995.
They are now in their most difficult World Cup group of all but must not be afraid. I personally think they’re good enough to win every game.
