Socceroos deja vu
Marco Monteverde From: Sunday Herald Sun May 30, 2010 12:00AM
MARK Viduka out, Tim Cahill in. The Socceroos side to meet Germany in their World Cup 2010 opener could include 10 of the 11 players who started against Japan in Australia's first clash at the corresponding tournament four years ago.
The Socceroos' long-held "four years older, four years wiser" theory will be put to the test on June 14 in Durban, where you could easily be forgiven for thinking you were back in Kaiserslautern.
The team that strode out for Australia's first World Cup finals match in 32 years was: Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, Craig Moore, Scott Chipperfield, Vince Grella, Jason Culina, Brett Emerton, Luke Wilkshire, Mark Bresciano, Harry Kewell and Viduka.
Cahill entered the fray in the 53rd minute as a replacement for Bresciano, scoring twice in Australia's 3-1 come-from-behind win.
Four years on, barring any injury disaster, the influential Cahill will be involved from the start against a German side perhaps vulnerable without injured skipper Michael Ballack.
The powerful Viduka won't be there this time. The former Socceroos skipper is all but retired, and the search for a player of his ilk and strength up front in national team coach Pim Verbeek's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation continues.
But if injuries don't intervene, there's every chance the other 10 who started against Japan will play from the opening whistle next month against the Germans.
Having overcome a sprained thumb, 37-year-old Schwarzer is the surest selection bet alongside Cahill and skipper Neill.
Schwarzer has not been wearied by age and has reached new heights partly due to the faith shown in him by Verbeek.
Certain to be stationed in front of him against Germany is Neill, whose January move to Turkish club Galatasaray ensured him of the regular football he needed leading into the World Cup.
But who partners Neill in the centre of defence is causing some conjecture.
Moore remains the favourite but, at 34, the former Rangers and Newcastle United star has been criticised in some quarters for a loss of pace and his decision to quit his Greek club in March rather than see out the season.
Michael Beauchamp's good second-half performance against New Zealand last Monday has increased the pressure on Moore, but Verbeek's faith in the former Brisbane Roar skipper should see the Moore-Neill partnership continue.
If Wilkshire was a surprise starter four years ago, it is no longer any shock that the Dynamo Moscow star will start at right fullback this time.
On the left side of defence it could be a different story. Veteran Chipperfield is the long-term first choice, but an ageing frame could result in him replaced by David Carney, who was part of the FC Twente squad that won the Dutch first division title.
You can bet your house on Verbeek's holding midfield pair to be Blackburn Rovers hardman Grella and the technically gifted Culina.
Where there is great debate is further forward. Cahill is assured of the central attacking midfield berth, but who flanks him will depend on fitness and form.
Emerton, a favourite of Verbeek, would be an automatic selection on the right if not for a calf injury.
Former Roar prodigy Dario Vidosic could be the wildcard. Another option is Hull City's Richard Garcia despite concern over a knee injury.
On the left it's anyone guess, with fitness and who Verbeek elects to start as the lone striker to influence his decision.
Will Kewell be fit? And if he is, does he start despite being underdone? And if he starts, will he be hugging the sideline, or playing one-out up front?
If Verbeek decides to use Kewell on the left, the towering Josh Kennedy, a substitute against Japan four years ago, is set to be used as the target man.
It will present Kennedy, now playing in the J-League for Nagoya Grampus, with another opportunity to prove he's capable of replacing Viduka.
But if Verbeek prefers Kewell up front instead of Kennedy, Bresciano is likely to start on the left, having seemingly overcome a back complaint that ruined his Italian Serie A season with Palermo.
And if Kewell isn't fit enough to start, expect Kennedy and Bresciano to be in Verbeek's XI.
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