World Cup qual - Viduka Australia future in balance

Eurosport - Wed, 27 May 10:43:00 2009

Australia coach Pim Verbeek has given former captain Mark Viduka a week to decide whether he wants to continue playing internationally.

FOOTBALL Australian striker Mark Viduka, seen here playing in the 2006 World Cup. Viduka, 33, was left out of the Australia squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers, signalling the possible end of his international career. - 0

Verbeek named an expanded 30-man squad for the Socceroos' remaining three World Cup qualifiers against Qatar (June 6), Bahrain (June 10) and Japan (June 17) but Viduka's name was missing.

Verbeek said he had decided to give the striker an extra week to make up his mind whether he wanted to make a full commitment to the Australia side.

"I still have one spot open and that's a spot for him, so it's up to him," Verbeek said.

"He is not on the list because I had a deal with him that he has this week to make up his mind and to decide if he will be part of the Socceroos for the upcoming games.

"For us, he is more than welcome, and if he makes the decision not to play any more then we have to respect his decision."

Australia need just a single point from their remaining matches to ensure their place at the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa and will have all their European and English-based players available.

Viduka, who captained Australia at the 2006 World Cup in Germany but has not played in any of the qualifiers this campaign because of injury, was expected to return to the side after his English club Newcastle were relegated from the Premier League.

Australia squad - Mark Bresciano, Jacob Burns, Tim Cahill, Nick Carle, David Carney, Scott Chipperfield, Chris Coyne, Jason Culina, Bruce Djite, Richard Garcia, Vince Grella, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Brad Jones, Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell, Adrian Madaschi, Scott McDonald, Mark Milligan, Lucas Neill, Jade North, Michael Petkovic, Mark Schwarzer, Matthew Spiranovic, Shane Stefanutto, Mile Sterjovski, Carl Valeri, Dario Vidosic, Luke Wilkshire, Rhys Williams.

Reuters

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  1. Errrr, is that the sort of humility that makes you call­ people 'saddos' and change their name to­ 'jokejo'? Oh, and if Sunderland had gone down­ with boro you would be sadly shaking your head and­ saying what a pity it was....by the by, remember­ 'let's laugh at Sunderland', yeah, it came­ around all right...

    From JojO, on Wed 27 May 3:48PM

  2. JoJoke
    Oh do change the record please . . . that gag­ has been cracked a zillion times.
    They'll change it­ in due course; there does that make your life a lot­ easier!
    Why don't you get a petition up with all­ the other saddos.
    I was always told that to show­ humility is to show class - you Jokejo, have no­ class.
    Oh and Jokejo, do remember that what goes around­ ALWAYS comes around . . . sooner or later!

    From cameron w, on Wed 27 May 2:51PM
  3. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Why is this club still being flagged on the premier­ league section? Get it moved to the CCC please!

    From JojO, on Wed 27 May 12:45PM
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