North rates Socceroos chances
Defiant Jade North has not given up hope of selection in Australia’s World Cup squad, despite failing to nail down a regular starting spot with Norwegian league leader Tromso.
The defender, who last played for the Socceroos seven months ago against Korea Republic in Seoul, is sweating on the May 11 announcement of the preliminary 27-man squad for South Africa, hoping that past performances rather than his current predicament will sway Pim Verbeek in his favour.
The centre-back, who signed for Tromso in February after a frustrating stint in Korea with Incheon United, is competing with the likes of the Japan-based duo of Mark Milligan and Matthew Spiranovic and Leeds United’s Shane Lowry as one of the back-ups to the first choice pairing of Lucas Neill and Craig Moore. The season-ending injury to Patrick Kisnorbo has also enhanced his prospects.
”My fitness is good, my sharpness is there and I’m staying hopeful,” said the 28-year-old.
“I know I’d have a better chance of forcing myself in to the line up if I was playing regularly but it’s definitely not a lost cause for me.
“There are few other players who are also not playing regularly with their club sides, so you never know which way Pim will do.
“My situation has improved a lot from Korea where I wasn’t even featuring in squads and was totally out of the picture. That’s not the case now.”
Having played just four times for Tromso, including stints at left and right back, North is convinced he can still do enough in camp to secure a World Cup boarding pass, should Verbeek decide to take a punt on him ahead of the May 24 farewell match against New Zealand in Melbourne.
“Our coach Per-Mathias Hogmo has said he has faith in me. It’s more a question of when the team is leading the league it’s hard to make too many changes,” North explained.
“He says he likes what he sees. I have a contract until the end of the season and he says he wants me to stay on, so the signs are encouraging in the longer term.”
North has runs on the board with Verbeek, who has been a long-time advocate of his sharp-tackling, anticipation and durability.
“It will also come down to fitness levels in the end I feel,” he added. “That’s something I’m working really hard on right now. I just have to hope I get a call and then show in camp that I am ready to go.
“We all know that we are a bit short at the back at the moment in the national team.
“Pim knows I can do a job. I like to think I’ve played my part before and if I get the opportunity I will certainly take it.”
North, whose deal with Tromso is up in November, is keeping thoughts of his future career direction hold.
"The big thing for me is trying to get to the World Cup. If I was to go there and do well, then that could change everything.”
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/socceroos/news/995392/North-rates-Socceroos-chances