Australian Squad named for Holland Match

Emerton has not played a full game since damaging his knee while playing for Blackburn in the Premier League last January.

But after breaking back into the Rovers' first team the last month, Emerton has reached his stated target of being selected for the Netherlands match in his home town.

He will form part of a 24-man squad by Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek for the friendly match against the Dutch in Sydney on October 10 and the Asian Cup must-win qualifier against the Omanis in Melbourne on October 14.

"Emmo is back after a long time away," Verbeek said.

"For us it is great to have him back after what he's been through.

"I was with him a few weeks ago in Blackburn and he's looking very, very fit and ready to go.

"He is so fit that he could play two games in a row. In fact I'm sure he would like to play two games in a row."

Another player selected who has had very little game time since June is captain Lucas Neill, who resolved his transfer saga by signing for Everton last month.

Verbeek said he never doubted that the 2006 World Cup star would find a club to his liking and he had no qualms about starting him against the Dutch and Oman.

"Lucas is fit enough to play and he will play," he said. "He's been playing in the reserves and picking up his match fitness so for us it is good to have him back.

"I was never worried about him not having a club at the start of the season because I know that a player of his quality would always find a club."

Verbeek said that Socceroos fans had every right to look forward to the Netherlands game but they should not lose sight of the fact that the more important game in the forthcoming 'Octoberfest of football' is the one against Oman.

The Omanis nearly pulled off a shock win over Australia in the 2007 Asian Cup before Tim Cahill saved the Socceroos' blushes with a last-gasp goal for a 1-1 draw in Bangkok.

"Holland are bringing a top-class side and it will be a good test for us but it will be only a test. Oman will be the real challenge for us," Verbeek said.

"They are very well prepared by an experienced coach (Claude Le Roy) who knows what to do to get results. They are physically and technically strong and there is no doubt in my mind that it will be a tough game.

"But we have to win that game because we need the points to qualify for the finals in 2011."

NO ALOISI!!!?