Bresciano axed, Valeri steps in for Socceroos' showdown with Germany

* David Lewis in Durban
* From: News Limited newspapers
* June 13, 2010 8:39AM

SOCCEROOS coach Pim Verbeek has sprung a late selection shock by axing Mark Bresciano and introducing midfielder Carl Valeri for the match with Germany.

The Dutchman decided to bench Bresciano amid fears the 30-year-old would be over-run by German speed merchant Philipp Lahm down Australia's left in Durban.

The tireless Jason Culina will be switched from his normal central role to try and snuff out the threat of the Bayern Munich bomber in a game where a point could put Australia on course for the last 16.

It's a major gamble by Verbeek, but he felt he had no choice. Bresciano - who has played in all thee of Australia's warm-ups against New Zealand, Denmark and USA - is considered not up to speed after several months battling a back injury.

It's a major blow for Bresciano, who started in Australia's opening World Cup game against Japan in Germany four years ago, only to be substituted for Tim Cahill, who went on to score twice for the Socceroos in a come-from-behind 3-1 win.

But it is a ringing endorsement for Gold Coast United's Culina, 29, who has showed at training during the week he can play anywhere across the midfield and is the go-to man when there is a hole to fill.

Vince Grella, who has also been under intense scrutiny after some wild tackles and less-than-stellar performances in Australia's friendlies, gets the nod to partner Valeri in a holding midfield role, while Brett Emerton has shrugged off his calf injury and will start on the right side of midfield.

As expected, Harry Kewell, whose groin injury has rendered him a spectator for most of the last five months, has to be content with a place on the bench.

And it's likely he will only see any game time if Australia is chasing the game late on, with Verbeek edging towards keeping his most fragile star up his sleeve for Australia's second Group D game against Ghana on June 19.





Australia versus Germany kicks off at 4.30am Australian Eastern Standard Time on Monday.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/world-cup-2010/bresciano-axed-valeri-steps-in-for-socceroos-showdown-with-germany/story-fn4ke53k-1225879006732