Socceroos vs. Ireland

[serious14]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/three-newcomers-in-socceroos-squad/2009/08/04/1249350541833.html

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has named three newcomers in a 22-man squad for next week's friendly against Ireland.

Oliver Bozanic, Aaron Mooy and Nikita Rukavytsya have all been named in a Socceroos' squad for the first time for next Wednesday's match in Limerick.

It will be Australia's first match since completing their successful qualifying campaign for next year's World Cup in South Africa.

The squad also includes captain Lucas Neill and fellow stars Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, Mark Schwarzer and Mark Bresciano.

Dario Vidosic and Rhys Williams have kept their places in the squad, after making national debuts in the Socceroos' final qualifier, against Japan at the MCG in June.

This will be the second time the Socceroos have played Ireland, having lost 2-1 in Dublin in 2003.

They have two more friendlies scheduled in the next two months, against South Korea in Seoul in September and the Netherlands in Sydney in October.

Squad: Oliver Bozanic, Mark Bresciano, Tim Cahill, Nick Carle, David Carney, Ante Covic, James Holland, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Harry Kewell, Patrick Kisnorbo, Adrian Madaschi, Scott McDonald, Aaron Mooy, Lucas Neill, Jade North, Nikita Rukavytsya, Mark Schwarzer, Matthew Spiranovic, Dario Vidosic, Rhys Williams, Luke Wilkshire

  (with the exception of Lolman and Kisn00bo)

 

[Part_Timer]

gah i toorn toi toi toi

 

[serious14]

gah i toorn toi toi toi

Wonder if McGeady will be playing.  ;D

 

[Marquee]

Wow Bozanic made it. Good on him!

Another Mariner makes the Socceroos. 

 

[midfielder]

Still no Troisi

 

[mariners4ever]

Wow Bozanic made it. Good on him!

Another Mariner makes the Socceroos. 

not exactly a mariner, but a local

 

[Marquee]

Wow Bozanic made it. Good on him!

Another Mariner makes the Socceroos. 

not exactly a mariner, but a local

Well technically he has played for us in a preseason game, but yes not actually an official player. lol

 

[FFC Mariner]

So thats 2 CC juniors and an ex Mariner in that squad huh?

Even if one is a Judas c**t, thats not too shabby really

 

[serious14]

Bump.

4.30am kickoff on Thursday morning.  Keep an eye on this page closer to kickoff - http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=45706&part=sports - if you're Foxless and need a stream.

 

[kanewillow]

james is kool

 

[serious14]

james is kool

tyvm.

You're cooler though.

 

[goingtoadisco]

So thats 2 CC juniors and an ex Mariner in that squad huh?

Even if one is a Judas c**t, thats not too shabby really

Makes you wonder if small sided games are actually effective.

 

[Part_Timer]

irish got this one in the bag......fark yeah

 

[Jesus]

Anyone know anywhere streaming the game tomorrow morning?

 

[priorpeter]

Bump.

4.30am kickoff on Thursday morning.  Keep an eye on this page closer to kickoff - http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=45706&part=sports - if you're Foxless and need a stream.

 

[Jesus]

cheers

 

[serious14]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25918422-5014539,00.html

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek does not intend to change his lone-striker strategy any time soon.

With Josh Kennedy left out of Australia's European-based squad to face Republic of Ireland in a friendly on Thursday morning EST, Verbeek plans to start with Scott McDonald as the only man up front.

"If you don't have Josh, then you have to find other players in that position or change your strategy a little bit," Verbeek said.

"I think you should not change too many things that are good ... sometimes probably I will change, but I'm not going to use too many friendly matches for changing the system because I think we're doing well with the system we are playing.

"We have the players to play 4-2-3-1, so why should I change that? It's up to Scotty and all the other players to to pick up a spot in that selection."

McDonald has thrived in a two-striker formation for Celtic, but with Kennedy spared the travel from Japan, the diminutive 25-year-old led the attack on his own in an 11-versus-11 hit-out at Limerick's Thomond Park on Tuesday.

The practice match indicated Mark Bresciano, Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell will start the game behind McDonald, with Luke Wilkshire and Mile Jedinak in midfield in front of an inexperienced defence of Rhys Williams, Jade North, Patrick Kisnorbo and David Carney, and veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Despite a heavy bandage round his head, Kisnorbo trained apparently unaffected by a wound requiring 12 stitches sustained in Leeds United's win over Exeter on Saturday.

Captain Lucas Neill, who is still without a club after his contract with West Ham expired, appeared likely to come off the bench.

Verbeek said he and Neill had discussed his club prospects, but would not be drawn on which way his player was leaning and the defender has said he remains undecided.

"He's a fantastic player," Verbeek said.

"I am not worried at all. I would be worried if it was two months before the World Cup.

"Lucas, I am 100 per cent sure he will find an interesting club for himself and for his career and if you see that even without having a club he looks so fit, he is ready and has trained very hard for himself."

Midfielder Danny Invincibile, a late inclusion in the squad, was ruled out because of an injury picked up playing for Kilmarnock at the weekend, although he was expected to be fit for the Scottish club's next fixture on Saturday.

Tottenham captain Robbie Keane, who will lead a full-strength Ireland side in an important match ahead of next month's World Cup qualifier against Cyprus expected Australia to be "a good test for us".

"By no means is it going to be an easy game," he said.

 

[northernspirit]

well McDonald needs to step up now if he is any chance to get a regular NT spot

 

[serious14]

-----------------Schwarzer-----------------
Williams-------North---Kisn00bo----White Pele
-----------Jedi-----------Ratboy------------
Bresciano---------Timmy C-------------Harry
--------------Fat Little Macca---------------

 

[Forum Phoenix]

McDonald to have a blinder.
:-*