Socceroos skipper believes in winning ugly
By MICHAEL LYNCH - Sydney Morning Herald
Last updated 10:59 22/05/2010
While the requirement to entertain is one the World Cup-bound Socceroos take seriously, it is not a course they will adopt to the detriment of their ultimate aim - as captain Lucas Neill makes clear as he prepares to lead his team to a second successive tilt at the top prize.
''It's a big ask when winning is not enough,'' he says when quizzed about Australia's chances against Germany, Serbia and Ghana in South Africa.
''I just think, unfortunately, rightly or wrongly, we are judged on results. That's something as a professional that you learn to live with, especially in Europe. Managers especially.
''Maybe [the expectation that all games will be thrilling goalfests] comes from a crazy 15 minutes against Japan [in 2006] when we looked like losing and then won 3-1, and the Croatia game that was end to end full of chances ... people want to be entertained.
''Me, personally, I would rather send the message out this way: 'Would you rather be in the quarters, semi or final of the World Cup, or would you rather play three amazing exciting games and lose 5-4 in the group stage?' I know which one we would rather take.''
Relaxed after some time off and fresher and settled for sorting out his future after his move to Turkish giants Galatasaray earlier this year, Neill is very much up for it as the team prepares to take on New Zealand on Monday as a prelude to its huge challenge in group D in South Africa.
Now 32, he is nearing the twilight of his career - like the bulk of his teammates who all experienced the highs and lows of that landmark campaign in Germany 2006. Critics have been quick to suggest the Socceroos are not just older but slower, and less likely to be the sort of wildcard they were four years ago. Neill argues the contrary.
''I think we are a better team because we are four years older and have learnt a lot at both club and international level in the time since Germany,'' he says. ''I think the biggest change for the good has been that there is a real belief - and a real reputation that we are getting now - that we are hard to beat. When you take that style into tournaments it's going to work well for you, because if you don't lose games at tournaments then you usually progress ...
''I think we are in a good position. The right players are scoring goals or threatening to score goals. We have just been here in camp for a few days but you can tell that everyone is determined.''
While teammates such as Vince Grella have intimated that this tournament will be a last hurrah for one of the most talented generations of Australian players, Neill insists he will carry on.
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The move to Galatasaray has reinvigorated him, and he is determined to play a pivotal role in Australia's next Asian Cup campaign in Qatar.
There are doubts over the availability of several senior Socceroos for this tournament next January - it falls right in the middle of the European season - but Neill hopes his commitment to the cause will help persuade a few of his most experienced contemporaries that the premier Asian competition is worth trying to win.
And asked whether he can see himself stretching to the next Cup, he is equivocal. ''I can, but I would rather get this one out of the way first. I will be 36 next time and that is a big ask ... If not as a player then I would hold my hand up to be taken along to be on the sidelines.''
Meanwhile, AAP reports goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has a thumb strain and is in doubt for Monday's match against New Zealand. He did not train with the Socceroos in Melbourne last night after injuring the thumb in training the previous night. The injury is not considered a threat to the Cup campaign.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/football/3727851/Socceroos-skipper-believes-in-winning-ugly