Socceroos' Vince Grella brands injury claim unprofessional

By Doug Conway
May 20, 2010

Socceroos hard man Vince Grella has branded New Zealand's Rory Fallon's suggestion that players could get injured in next Monday's friendly as "unprofessional"

With both teams expected to rely heavily on their first choice squads during the South African showpiece, neither can afford the loss of players during the match at the MCG.

But Fallon suggested it would be game on when the two traditional sporting rivals meet.

"When it comes to playing Australia, all bets are off,'' a combative Fallon said as the All Whites squad assembled in Auckland.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there are a few injuries.

"I don't think anyone is going to hold back against them. I'm certainly not going to hold back.''

The comments by the Kiwi striker, whose goal against Bahrain last November booked his nation's World Cup berth, took the Socceroos by surprise.

"I am disappointed,'' said Grella, a veteran of Italy's Serie A and one of the toughest players in football.

"It's a man's game and it should be played in a man's way.

"But I would never wish it upon any of the New Zealand players to get injured.

"That would be something shocking.

"For him even to be thinking about things like that I think is very unprofessional. "

Grella has had his share of injury dramas over the past two seasons, while the likes of Mark Bresciano and Harry Kewell - the latter a definite non-starter against the Kiwis - have also struggled to get to full fitness.

Monday's Socceroo farewell at the MCG marks the start of three build-up matches for both Australia and New Zealand ahead of next month's World Cup in South Africa.

The Kiwis then head to Europe while the Socceroos play two further friendlies in South Africa against Denmark and the USA before meeting Germany in their World Cup opener on June 13.

Grella said he was surprised by Fallon's comments.

"I know there's a rivalry there and both teams want to win and play well before going off to the World Cup.

"But the last thing I would want is for players to be getting injured.

"Maybe what he said was twisted around. I hope he didn't mean it that way.''

Fallon said Australia wouldn't want to suffer a defeat at the hands of what they might consider to be a lesser soccer nation.

"They probably say they have a lot better pros and they won't want to lose this, and we want to win it,'' he said.

"It's going to be one of those games where everyone is going to get stuck in.''

Central defender Craig Moore was another surprised by Fallon's attitude.

"Let's hope there are no injuries,'' said Moore, "because it's a game that is part of both teams' build-up to the World Cup.

"I certainly don't want to miss my last World Cup because of an injury I pick up in that game."