Socceroos likely to be heavy-legged against Denmark

Marco Monteverde From: The Courier-Mail May 30
ANOTHER heavy-legged performance looms from a Socceroos side that won't be tapered ahead of their World Cup warm-up clash with Denmark.


Coach Pim Verbeek admitted he might have pushed the Socceroos too hard in training before their lethargic effort in last Monday's 2-1 win over New Zealand at the MCG.

But despite cancelling his side's scheduled second daily session on Saturday (South African time), Verbeek has vowed he won't ease off heading into the clash against the Danes at Ruimsig Stadium on Tuesday night.

"The Denmark game is for me an extension of the (World Cup) preparation," the Dutchman said.

"Normally you should take some energy off the players just before a game - we don't do that, we'll go full.

"For me, the Denmark game is a training session."

However, it will be a different story come the June 5 warm-up match with the US, Australia's last hit-out before the start of their World Cup finals campaign against Germany in Durban on June 13 (June 14 AEST).

"It's more important that against USA we have to be 100 per cent," Verbeek said.

"Against Denmark we will probably be around 90 per cent - that's good enough for me."

While Verbeek may accept tiredness creeping into his players as the 90 minutes unfold against the Danes, he won't tolerate another unorganised display similar to what was produced in the come-from-behind win over the All Whites.

"Better communication, better organised, playing more compact ... we have a few things to improve," he said.

"But that's why you play friendly matches - so you can improve."

Verbeek has been pleased with his players' ability to cope with the time difference and altitude since arriving in Johannesburg last Thursday morning (AEST).

However, he played down suggestions that the Socceroos would have an advantage over other teams because they were the first foreign outfit to land in South Africa.

"The other countries have a very good preparation also. They go to the Alps, and they go to France and Italy, so they train at altitude also," Verbeek said.

"I don't know if we have an advantage. We had no other choice than go to Australia to play a farewell game and then come over here.

"So far it's (been) a great decision. The (training) facility is fantastic, the hotel is fantastic, the boys feel very well and they are ready."

Veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer said the players fully supported the decision to venture to South Africa earlier than rival teams and suggested the good harmony within the squad made the length of the camp a non-issue.

"I think it's the right thing to be here as early as we are," the Fulham custodian said.

"We travel from all over the world, we come from all parts to join up with the national team - it's not as if we're all based in Australia and it's just one commute.

"We've had to go from Europe back to Australia and from Australia to here, so physically and mentally it's a big challenge, so it's nice to come here and get over all that, and to really get out on the pitch and work hard and graft as much as we have been.

"The atmosphere in the squad and the relationships among all the players is very strong, so to come together this closely and this early is easier because of the relationship the players have with one another."


http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/soccer/socceroos-likely-to-be-heavy-legged-against-denmark/story-e6frepmf-1225873117715