Pim Verbeek has done a great job: Dick Advocaat
* David Davutovic
* From: The Australian
* June 17, 2010
ALMOST Socceroos coach Dick Advocaat has blasted Australia's unrealistic expectations in the wake of criticism of coach Pim Verbeek.
Advocaat also revealed he had to compensate Football Federation Australia for reneging on his Socceroos contract, though he wouldn't reveal the figure.
It was his 11th-hour backflip in November 2007 that paved the way for Verbeek to assume the top job.
But last night Advocaat backed his former deputy in the wake of Australia's 4-0 loss to Germany.
"The expectation was so high in Australia but I don't know why," he told The Australian.
"It seems like people expect Australia to come in the last eight or the last four, but you need to be a little bit realistic, in my opinion.
"Verbeek qualifying the team for the World Cup was a really remarkable job and now what I heard they started saying about Verbeek is a nonsense.
"But this happens not only in Australia but all over the world.
"With all due respect, Verbeek is a top-class coach and he has proven this in Holland and Korea and now Australia qualifying so you must give him the credit.
"Watch what sort of players Australia has, they are not from top clubs in the world."
Advocaat and Verbeek are good friends, having had a close working relationship for several years.
Verbeek was Advocaat's assistant with Borussia Monchengladbach, United Arab Emirates and then Korea at the 2006 World Cup, where it was bundled out in the group phase despite finishing with four points.
The more experienced Advocaat then took charge of Russian club Zenit St Petersburg, leaving the seat vacant for Verbeek to take charge of Korea for the 2007 Asian Cup.
Advocaat, who has again followed in the large footsteps of Guus Hiddink by taking charge of Russia, has told the Australian public to reserve judgment until after the Ghana and Serbia matches.
"There are still two games to go so if you want to make a judgment do it after three games, not after one," he said.
"It's not so easy to play against the top teams and in football matters Australia is not so big."
Advocaat, who has been locked in a legal battle with FFA after reneging on his Socceroos deal, revealed he had to compensate FFA. "Because I broke my contract I had to pay for that at a certain moment and it was quite a bit -- I will reveal that later."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/world-cup-2010/pim-verbeek-has-done-a-great-job-dick-advocaat/story-fn4l4sfy-1225880610658