Williams injury a win for Vidosic
MICHAEL LYNCH
June 6, 2010

ONE man's misfortune is another man's opportunity.

While there was great sympathy for injured defensive utility Rhys Williams when he had to pull out of the Australian squad because of injury, there was elation for versatile attacker Dario Vidosic.

Pim Verbeek would not say which was the lucky player who got the last-gasp reprieve to be part of the Australian set-up, but most commentators and analysts believe that it was the German-based Vidosic who might have been the unlucky player to have been cut had Williams passed the fitness criteria.

Certainly, if the numbers worn by the players in the first week of training and for the Denmark match were any guide that would have been the case, as Vidosic, Shane Lowry, Tommy Oar and James Holland all had numbers higher than 23: the other three were dropped when Verbeek named his squad, minus Williams (No. 22) and including Vidosic.

Not that Vidosic was buying into that shortly after the squad announcement. He was more interested in pushing his claims for a spot in the starting line-up. Who knows how far he can go: in every World Cup most countries have a a bolter, a player who breaks into the team unexpectedly and goes on to make a name for himself. Vidosic is hoping that will be him.

''I was definitely confident about being in the squad. Every footballer has to have confidence in their ability and I think I could help the team a lot and I feel as through I have been doing well in the last two week's training. It was unfortunate for Rhys that he has had the problems and I wish him all the best but it's definitely great to be part of the team.''

Vidosic was coy when asked if he thought his equalising goal against New Zealand at the MCG might have tipped the scales in his favour.

''You would have to ask Pim. It was good to get minutes against Denmark [in last Tuesday's 1-0 warm-up win]. They are a good European side.

''We used it as a training game. At half-time Pim said to warm up and told me after 15 or 20 that I might come on.''

Vidosic is usually employed as a winger or as an attacking midfielder, although he has also played some club football this season as a right back. He says the consistency of the Australian set up - a 4-2-3-1 structure - makes it easier to fit in when called upon to do a job.

''Once you go out you don't have to worry. We are sort of like a robot … the whole team knows what we are doing defensively. We are well organised. We still have plenty of time to work on our attacking. When we reach the Germany match we will be 100 per cent there.''

Another player delighted to make the cut is Richie Garcia, the winger from relegated Premiership club Hull City, who started against Denmark. He is looking to build his fitness and make a case for a starting berth himself.

''It was good to get 45 minutes under the belt and get some match practice. I am finishing training stronger and stronger every day. It's about finding my legs at this altitude … my hand is always up for a start. I was always confident in my ability to make the squad, it was just a matter of whether I was going to be match-fit enough.''

■''When we move to that new training venue you start to get really excited about the World Cup,'' said Mark Schwarzer.

''We know from now on we have to do our job.''

The goalkeeper admitted moving from Johannesburg's safe haven of Sandton to the impressive Kloofzicht Lodge came at the ideal time ahead of the World Cup proper.

''Being in any one place for too long can become quite demoralising at times, because you do get sick of it,'' Schwarzer said. ''It's nice to have a change of scenery - it's as good as a holiday.

''And we know that once we do move there, we are in that final phase before that first game.

''That's what we've all been working so hard for - to be 100 per cent fit and raring to go for the first game and thereafter.''

The players will travel to and from Kloofzicht Lodge to the venues of their three group D matches.

Verbeek admitted the team needed to spend much of the week leading into the Germany match working on transition from defence through midfield to attack.

With AAP

http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-2010/world-cup-news/williams-injury-a-win-for-vidosic-20100605-xlx0.html

Certainly, if the numbers worn by the players in the first week of training and for the Denmark match were any guide that would have been the case, as Vidosic, Shane Lowry, Tommy Oar and James Holland all had numbers higher than 23: the other three were dropped when Verbeek named his squad, minus Williams (No. 22) and including Vidosic.