The tactical switch Pim Verbeek must make
* Guy Hand
* From: AAP
* June 18, 2010 2:48PM
TIM Cahill's suspension for the World Cup clash against Ghana offers Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek the chance for a tactical masterstroke, and to get the critics off his back.
Play Harry Kewell - from the start - in Cahill's role behind a lone striker in the must-win match in Rustenburg on Saturday.
Not only would the move fit a proven match-winner into the side and satisfy those calling for Kewell's inclusion, it could prove Verbeek's tactical salvation.
Against Germany, the Dutchman delivered selections and tactics more like a rabbit in the headlights rather than a magician pulling one out of the hat.
Kewell has long been earmarked as a lone striker in Verbeek's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
But Kewell's best success has come either as a left-sided winger, or as a traditional No.10 - playing in the hole behind the strikers.
In this case, behind a lone striker - maybe Josh Kennedy - should Verbeek revert to his usual formation rather than the ad hoc arrangement unsuccessful against Germany.
After gathering splinters against Germany, Kewell has left no doubt he is ready to play - and for 90 minutes - in Australia's most critical World Cup clash.
"I'm as fit as I can be," he said.
"That's what I am here for. I have been training for four weeks now, and I feel good."
How to get his front third firing is Verbeek's main dilemma after a knee injury to out-of-sorts midfielder Vinnie Grella saved at least one tough selection call for the Ghana match.
Grella's medial ligament strain now clears the way for Carl Valeri to partner Jason Culina in the holding midfield role.
Teammate Scott Chipperfield said the pain of the Germany defeat and the fact they are now fighting for their World Cup lives will lift the Socceroos against Ghana.
"A lot of people are writing us off but it's not over yet," he said.
"We worked hard to get here. We don't want it to be all over after two games.
"You can't win a game in 10 minutes, so we have to be patient. It's a 90-minute game."
Ghana can secure a spot in the tournament's second stage by beating Australia, and is likely to bring Inter Milan star Sulley Muntari into the line-up after he was benched for the 1-0 defeat of Serbia last weekend.
Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill expects the Ghanaians, who also made the round of 16 in the 2006 tournament, to use their strength and power to unsettle Australia.
"What you do know is you're going to get physical presence," Neill said.
"On their home continent, they're going to be well supported, the whole of Africa will want to see them do well."
Kewell refuses to think that Australia's tournament hovers over the exit door, and believes that redemption will come after 90 minutes against Ghana.
"There are still two games to go, and we can win them," he said.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/world-cup-2010/the-tactical-switch-pim-verbeek-must-make/story-fn5c8scr-1225881429481