Tim Cahill urges Pim Verbeek to use youngsters

* Marco Monteverde in Johannesburg
* From: Herald Sun
* June 05, 2010

THE competitor in Tim Cahill has the Socceroos star desperate to play 90 minutes against the US in tomorrow's friendly at Ruimsig Stadium.

But Cahill's belief that Australia will delve deep into its 23-man squad during its World Cup campaign, unlike four years ago, has him hoping game time is shared around during the Socceroos' final hitout before their Group D clash against Germany on Monday week.

"It's important that as many of us play a part as we can in the USA game because it's not going to be about 11 players in this tournament," Cahill said.

"Come the back end, there's going to be a few surprises and maybe some youngsters coming through the wings and flying the flag."

At Germany 2006, Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink was reluctant to use some of his squad, with experienced pair Josip Skoko and Stan Lazaridis, as well as Mark Milligan, Michael Beauchamp and Archie Thompson, seemingly there just for the ride.

But this time it's different. Cahill is urging coach Pim Verbeek to share the load against the US.

"A lot of boys need to play, a lot of players need to get the fluency with each other," he said. "The best thing is everyone's trying to get as many minutes under the belt, regardless of whether it's 45 or 90, or even 10.

"Pim says it's not about the results (in the warm-up matches) ... but come the first game of the tournament, that's when everyone will be judging us."

Seemingly at long odds to play a part tonight are Harry Kewell (groin) and Brett Emerton (calf), while Brett Holman (groin) and David Carney (shoulder) could also be in doubt.

The US has injury problems, with Jozy Altidore, the Villarreal striker who spent the past season at Hull City on loan, damaging his ankle this week. With Altidore a potential non-starter, it leaves the US short of experienced options up front, but the Socceroos are banking on a tough contest.

Veteran defender Scott Chipperfield said despite wins against New Zealand and Denmark, the side needed to lift another level.

"The Denmark game was good," Chipperfield said.

"But we still need to improve. Defensively we were pretty well organised, but we need to do a little bit more offensively and also need to keep possession a little bit better.

"For me, it'll be good to get another 60 or 70 minutes under the belt."

Again the Socceroos will go into a match carrying fatigue from a gruelling week's training at altitude.

But Vince Grella said he was enjoying the rugged sessions and regular matches.

"I feel good. I haven't trained this many days in the last two years," joked Grella, who has battled a succession of niggling injuries at Blackburn Rovers.

"For me, I'm enjoying the football, I'm enjoying training.

"(The US game) is an important part of the preparation. We want to make sure we perform well, and it's good to get that confidence before we get ready for the Germany game."

The US will use the match to fine tune preparations for the Group C clash against England on Sunday week.

"What I can say is that the team is ready to get started here," coach Bob Bradley told FIFA.com. "This World Cup is in the winter months, and that means it's going to be cold.

"That is good for football, because that means teams are going to play at a high pace and tempo."

- with AAP

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/tim-cahill-urges-pim-verbeek-to-use-youngsters/story-e6frf9if-1225875691313