HULL CITY: Garcia set for ultimate stage with Australia
Wednesday, June 02, 2010, 06:43

RICHARD Garcia was today set to be granted the chance to create history by becoming the first Hull City player to feature in a World Cup finals.

The 28-year-old winger was set to be named in Australia's final squad overnight after allaying fitness concerns over a knee injury sustained in the final weeks of the season.

A 45-minute run-out in Australia's penultimate friendly – a 1-0 win over Denmark in Roodepoort, South Africa yesterday – looked like being enough to sway national boss Pim Verbeek.

And barring a shock late omission by the Socceroos, Garcia looks all set for a magical end to a stop-start season with the Tigers.

Garcia, who already has six caps to his name, was one of eight England-based stars expected to make the cut for Australia and should be able to look forward to an unforgettable month in South Africa.

The Socceroos begin their fourth World Cup campaign by facing three-times winners Germany in Durban on June 13 before finishing off their Group D commitments against Ghana and Serbia.

Depending on qualification, a match-up with England could then await in the final 16.

Garcia has recently been linked with a move away from the KC, with Coventry reportedly keen on a £500,000 switch. But any move would have to wait until after Australia's exit from the World Cup and, for now, Garcia is keen to focus on international football.

Garcia, who became the Tigers' first Australian international when debuting for his country in August 2008, yesterday won his first cap in almost a year when starting against Denmark.


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