Socceroos include newcomers

By Ken Kramer

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

AUSTRALIA coach Pim Verbeek continues to test out his options ahead of next year’s World Cup after naming three newcomers and recalling Ante Covic and Patrick Kisnorbo to the squad for the friendly against the Republic of Ireland on August 12 at Thomond Park in Limerick.

Verbeek has given plenty of players a chance to impress in his 18-month stint in charge of the national team, but is apparently still testing out his depth with the inclusion of new faces Oliver Bozanic, Aaron Mooy and Nikita Rukavytsya as well as giving another chance to Kisnorbo, Covic and James Holland.

Scott Chipperfield, Vince Grella and Brett Emerton are absentees from the squad which features European-based players only, ruling out the likes of Josh Kennedy and Craig Moore.

Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill and Harry Kewell are named in the squad for the match which takes place just three days before the start of the English Premier League season, but there is no Mark Viduka, with the former Socceroos captain still searching for a club.

Bozanic plays for Cheltenham Town in Coca Cola League 2 in England, while Rukavytsya has been with FC Twente in Holland since leaving Perth Glory in January. Mooy has spent time with Bolton Wanderers’ Academy side.

Kisnorbo hasn’t played for Australia since the Asian Cup in 2007, while Covic was part of the last World Cup squad and has moved back to Europe after leaving the Newcastle Jets last year. Holland last played for Australia against China in Sydney last year.

Dario Vidosic and Rhys Williams, who made their debuts against Japan at the MCG in June, are also in the squad.

Australia squad (v Ireland): Schwarzer, Covic; Kisnorbo, Neill, Williams, North, Spiranovic, Madaschi, Wilkshire; Bresciano, Holland, Vidosic, Cahill, Carle, Mooy, Kewell, Bozanic, Carney, Jedinak; McDonald, Holman, Rukavytsya

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, August 05, 2009