SOCCEROO'S vs Kuwait Tonite.....
Posted: Tue Jan 05, 2010 5:15 pm
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."
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."
