Japan-based defender Eddy Bosnar, considered by many unlucky to have been omitted from Pim Verbeek’s preliminary World Cup squad, called on the nation to stop criticising the Dutchman’s selection and claimed he hadn’t done enough to warrant a spot on the plane to South Africa.
“It’s disappointing for every player to miss out but I recognise that I don’t really have a right to be disappointed – I haven’t been involved in the squad before and I can understand Pim’s reasons for sticking with the players he’s used previously,” Bosnar said.

Bosnar, who has been in career-best form since arriving at Japanese heavyweight Shimizu S-Pulse this season, has helped the club to top spot in the J-league ahead of the competition’s summer break, but said a disappointing end to last season with relegated JEF United Chiba hadn’t helped his World Cup prospects.

“It was hard for me to make the squad because last year when I had a chance of a call-up I was at a club that was struggling and I wasn’t playing that well. This year I’m at a club that’s top of the J-League and my game’s risen by 50 per cent.

“I’m now at a club that’s challenging for trophies and I have to play and train differently. I have to be smarter, I have to be better on the ball and I can’t afford to make mistakes. If I make mistakes I’m out of the squad because it’s that competitive.

”I’m pretty sure if I had of been playing like this six months ago then I would have been in the frame.”

Bosnar, who has been a rock at the back for an S-Pulse side that’s only conceded 12 goals from as many matches this season, said he respects Verbeek for taking the time to contact him confirming his omission but fears that other elements within the coaching ranks may have harmed his chances.

“Of course I’d love to go to the World Cup but I’ve got no problem with Mr Verbeek," Bosnar said. "He took the time to call me a few days before the squad was announced and explain why I wasn’t selected.

"I really respect that he did that and I agree with a lot of what he said.

“Everyone should get off his back and focus on supporting the players that have been selected.

“The only thing that is a worry for me is some of the people around the squad have certain agendas and get in Pim’s ear; take Graham Arnold for example. I know for a fact that he’s never wanted me in the squad.

“When I was playing Holland my old coach, Ruud Brood, asked why I wasn’t in the national team and I said to call Arnold who he knew personally. The exact words that came back from Arnold were 'while I’m involved in the national team that guy will never play for Australia'."

Despite the latest setback Bosnar has set his sights on claiming a maiden J-League crown for Shimizu, qualifying for the Asian Champions and finally getting the chance to represent Australia at January’s Asian Cup.

“The Asian Cup is a definite motivation for me and I know you have to wait and earn your stripes but it does keep me focussed.

“If I keep playing well and am fit then I’m ready. I’m only 30 and I’m in my prime. Hopefully the new coach will give everyone a fair look in and hopefully I’ve done enough.”

Bosnar also claimed that the only Australian players who have a right to complain about their omission from the 31-man squad are Chris Coyne and a fellow defender he rates highly having seen him up close – Matthew Spiranovic.

“Chris Coyne was there for the whole campaign and maybe he was unlucky but it was especially tough for Spiranovic who made his J-league debut with Urawa Reds at the weekend.

“I’ve seen him play several Nabisco Cup games for the Reds and I tell you he’s a future Australian captain; he has the potential to be the next Ned Zelic and it’s only a matter of time before he’s playing at a top European club - he’s that good.”

Another player unfortunate to miss out on World Cup selection was Bosnar’s Shimizu teammate Shinji Ono, who narrowly missed the cut for the Japan squad with another S-Pulse star Shinji Okazaki getting the nod in Takeshi Okada’s 23-man group.

“The coach Kenta Hasegawa called all the players into a room to congratulate Okazaki on making the squad and said we’ll throw a dinner in his honour," Bosnar said.


“He then looked at me and Shinji Ono and said we’ll give you a dinner too for coming close – but it’ll be at McDonalds!”





good read ,very professional the way he has conducted himself with the issues concerning him and the national team