Valeri hopeful of Cup start
DAN SILKSTONE
June 11, 2010 - 9:36PM
Carl Valeri and Vince Grella challenge Denmark's Soren Larsen during their friendly soccer match in Johannesburg last week. The two are battling for the one spot in Pim Verbeek's first 11.
Carl Valeri and Vince Grella challenge Denmark's Soren Larsen during their friendly soccer match in Johannesburg last week. The two are battling for the one spot in Pim Verbeek's first 11.
Fresh and relaxed, Carl Valeri has declared himself ready to step into Pim Verbeek’s opening match starting 11.
But the man who many observers think is the Australian team’s last chance of springing a surprise selection said he has no more idea than anyone else of the coaches’ plans.
"There’s been no discussion," he said.
"Pim makes the decisions .. I’ve made Pim’s job hard and I think that’s a good thing."
Verbeek faces a generational choice between stalwart defensive midfielder Vince Grella and Valeri - the man who has modelled his game on Grella’s manic chase and intensity and represents a younger and fresher version but with less big-match experience.
Grella had an injury-interrupted season at Blackburn and has since been let go by the Premier League club.
He has struggled to impose himself in Australia’s warm-up games, his passing range deserting him as he turned the ball over repeatedly against the United States and his customary vigour looking like a potential liability as he launched into blood-curdling tackles against New Zealand and Denmark.
Valeri has heard the talk about a possible swap but said Verbeek had told him only to be ready for anything.
"Whatever happens happens and I’m confident that whoever plays will do a great job for Australia," he said.
"Everyone hopes they’ll play and is preparing to play. I’m ready to come on if need be but I’m pretty sure we won’t find out (the starting 11) until the day of the game."
The 25-year-old has played some eyecatching cameos coming off the bench to relieve Grella in the friendly matches, impressing the coaching staff with his energy and endeavour and also deftly setting up a quality goal in the win over New Zealand.
He believes he has done all he can to put pressure on Grella, whose experience is still likely to win him the nod against Germany, but said Verbeek had given him little indication.
"He just said 'well done’," Valeri said of the Australian coach.
"I’m my own harshest critic - I know the mistakes I made. I’ve just got to keep on going. We’ve got some great midfielders here."
Valeri said the opening game against Germany loomed as the biggest of the tournament for the Socceroos.
"It’s a final for us," he said.
The Italy-based midfielder is yet to learn if he will remain on loan with Serie B side Sassuolo or return to his club Grosseto in the top flight.
"Personally I hope I can make the move to Serie A," he said.
"But I don’t want to look too far forward. I’ve got a job to do with Australia and I’m going to do it."
The mood was relaxed among the Australian camp on Friday as the entire 23-man squad clowned around with Hollywood star John Travolta.
Instead of signing autographs, Valeri and other members of the squad were asking for them and the self-declared Pulp Fiction and Face Off fan admitted aterwards to being starstruck.
Seldom has the group looked so contented and nerveless in recent weeks and though a circus, Travolta’s presence further lightened the mood.
Valeri said the entire team had relaxed since moving to more remote digs at the luxurious Kloofzicht Lodge, 40km outside of Johannesburg.
"Ever since we got here it’s been a lot more relaxed," he said.
"We’ve backed of the training a little bit, the view is beautiful. It’s great."
Source: watoday.com.au
http://www.smh.com.au/world-cup-2010/valeri-hopeful-of-cup-start-20100611-y3kk.html