No excuses for Australia


Australia coach Pim Verbeek said a tough qualifying road through Asia has sculpted a Socceroos squad which he believes will qualify top two in Group D and advance to the round of 16.

"My players love challenges and this is a big challenge for us," Verbeek said.

"The thing is my players never see problems, they only see challenges. They will be ready."

Australia's previously legitimate excuse of being underprepared for the World Cup is gone.

With 28 matches under Verbeek since the 2010 World Cup qualifying process began in early 2008, Australia sends in by far its best prepared group of Socceroos to any major tournament.

Fourteen of those games were World Cup qualifiers.

Virtually all were played under the pressure of needing a result - a far cry from previous paths in attempting to make the World Cup.

That involved giving Oceania's tinpots a good denting in the lead-up months, followed by a two-legged playoff for sheep stations against quality opposition - usually South American, usually without success.

This time around, Verbeek has had the chance for regular, meaningful matches, as well as to turn over his fringe players and settle on his best line-up.

"In two and a half years, I know what they can do, I know what they can't do," Verbeek said.

Lady Luck has ridden shotgun with the Socceroos at times during the two-stage qualifying campaign - their first through the Asian confederation.

After a stirring 3-0 win over Qatar in Melbourne to get things going, they rode a wave of Mark Schwarzer saves to a 0-0 draw with China in chilly Kunming, a lucky win away to Bahrain and Japan's inability to hit a target in another 0-0 away draw.

But mixed in were some excellent results - a brave 1-0 win against Uzbekistan in Tashkent, sensational 4-0 and 3-1 wins over Qatar home and away, and a brave 0-0 draw away against the Qataris which secured qualification.

The Socceroos finished top of both their qualifying groups - unbeaten in the second stage with six wins from eight matches.

Sometimes the football has been less than pretty, and the Socceroos will need to ramp up the quality if they hope to compete - let alone beat - Germany, Ghana and Serbia in South Africa.


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