SOCCEROO'S vs Kuwait Tonite.....

[TOPGUNJIMMYAUFC]

eager to seize big chance



TOM SMITHIES
January 05, 2010 12:00am
SOCCEROOS' boss Pim Verbeek has turned the screw on his second-tier squad, putting the A-Leaguers through a "ferocious" day on the park ahead of tomorrow night's Asian Cup qualifier away to Kuwait.

Sydney striker Alex Brosque said the players were fired up to avenge March's humiliating 0-1 loss to the same opponent in Canberra.

"Today was probably the toughest it's been to be honest," Brosque said.

"We did a lot of hard work and it's been a long camp for everyone.

"It's been a lot about getting to know each other on the field and there's a lot of A-League boys here so we're all fighting for those starting positions.

"It's been tough, it's been quite ferocious, but enjoyable at the same time."

A win or a draw in Kuwait City would be enough to see the Socceroos qualify, despite the 1-0 loss to Kuwait that left Australia at the bottom of their group.

The result - and as pertinently the performance - seemed to justify Verbeek's denigration of the A-League, and Brosque said there was motivation in the memory of how they played.

"After the last game down in Canberra, everyone wants to make amends for that and reverse the scoreline," he said.

"We all think we've got the ability within the squad to perform at this level and that's what we're aiming for."

Brosque is seen by many observers to be playing for higher stakes still, for a possible berth at the World Cup.

The Sydney striker, who has steadily become increasingly consistent, laid the credit at the door of the Blues' own impressive season - and drew comparisons between Verbeek and his club coach, Vitezslav Lavicka.

"Right through pre-season we worked really hard and as a squad everybody lifted. I guess as individuals that makes this a lot easier," he said. "The fact that everyone around me is doing so well makes it easier for myself. That's what I've worked on most this year - consistency, trying to play well week to week.

"I never gave up hope (of a Socceroos recall), but as the years went by it was further and further from my mind. I was happy to be part of the last camp (against Oman) and get a chance to train with the boys, and now this.

"As soon as I got back to Sydney it lifted my confidence a lot and coming into this squad knowing all the A-League players, I've fitted a lot more easily.

"I think (Verbeek and Lavicka's) philosophies are pretty similar. In formation and how they like to keep solid defensively, attack with real venom, they are very similar in their styles which is good because having been involved with Vitezslav all year, it's made it a little bit easier coming into the camp."

[Wayne Rooney's Elbow]

SOCCEROO'S vs Kuwait

eager to seize big chance

Australia lost 0-1. It was almost a year ago.

[Tony Adams]

-------------galekovic----------------
kemp---moore---spiranovic--jamieson

------wilkshere-----valeri-------------

--------------carle----------------------

vidosic----------------------rukyavitsya
----------------djite---------------------

[Red-4-Life]

Sounds like Eugene will get a start but Heffernan will start at LB for Jamieson.

1-0 win in a less than entertaining game is my opinion. Thompson to do the honours

[Bomber]

1-1

[DOC]

i'll take a point or a scrappy win in the heat of kuwait, just got to seal qualification, thats all that matters

[rooboy1986]

i'll take a point or a scrappy win in the heat of kuwait, just got to seal qualification, thats all that matters

Apparently it is low 20s and fairly mild...

[Red-4-Life]

looking forward to the game. Havent watched any football since the xmas period.

LETS GO AUSSIES!!

[born_wanderer]

What time is kick off?

[TOPGUNJIMMYAUFC]

What time is kick off?

1am

[Red-4-Life]

anyone seen the pitch conditions for tonight??

bloody terrible...not good enough

[simoo3]

goal already!
wilkshire good goal
1-0 cmon aussies!

[simoo3]

another goal!!!!
heffernan!
only 4 minutes into the game :D

[sacred_june (GrooveChild)]

Great start!!
But it's like watching ants! Seriously could the camera be zoomed any further out??

[simoo3]

Great start!!
But it's like watching ants! Seriously could the camera be zoomed any further out??

bit ridiculous isnt it
i wouldnt imagine there being many good spots there to put the camera seen as the stadium is poor

[the_gun]

the stream im watching has got audio from the lazio game.

[m o o k s]

i love Mel McLauglan

[Baptista]

what stream can u post the link please!

[the_gun]

http://www.iraqgoals.net/ch1.html

[sacred_june (GrooveChild)]

i love Mel McLauglan

my god - same! She looks sexy tonight!

[the_gun]

2-2.... bunch of loser, how do you let that happen? awful

[m o o k s]

Heffernan particularly keeps getting caught way too high.. rush of blood to the head after his early goal?
Eugene looks like his boots are bogged in that farce of a pitch.. better surface at Enfield High..

[Tomas Brolin]

Defence is a mess. All four of them (Colosimo, Moore, Heffernan and Kemp) constantly out of position. Also Sterjovski has been bad, i'd take his overrated ass off he belongs on the bench.

Wilkshire and Jedinak doing a masterful job so far.

[m0nty]

Need to sort out Kemp, Colosimo and Galekovic, they have all been at fault for the goals... The pitch condition (although shocking) is no excuse...

This is a second rate team we are playing, and struggling to put them away.... NO EXCUSES!

[m o o k s]

would have loved to have seen Brucey come on a few minutes earlier for Archie..

I still love Mel McLauglan.. more than at the start of the telecast even..

[born_wanderer]

Craig Moore was absolutely woeful tonight. Come to think of it he hasn't had a great season. Maybe we should look elsewhere for a defender. I could not stand to see that type of performance in the world cup.

[BADA BING]

anyone seen the pitch conditions for tonight??

bloody terrible...not good enough

Terrible hey

[BADA BING]

2-2.... bunch of loser, how do you let that happen? awful

i think you call it Complacency

[Hosovac]

2-2.... bunch of loser, how do you let that happen? awful

i think you call it Complacency

How can you be complacent against an opponent who beat you at home last year?

Not good enough, end of. Just proves how poor the standard of the A-League is.

[Bomber]

Well I was half right with my 1-1 prediction.

Anyway, only need a point at home to Indonesia which should be relatively simple, even with A-league players making up bulk of side. If they dont for some reason, then they dont really deserve to qualify anyway.