Aus Players for Non-FIFA Asian Cup Games?
Permalink
Permalink
hmmmmmmmmmm...
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/neill-and-co-to-help-or-crucial-kuwait-clash/2009/11/19/1258219925384.html
Neill and co to help oil the wheels for crucial Kuwait assignment
Michael Cockerill
November 20, 2009
ASIAN CUP
SOCCEROOS skipper Lucas Neill could be joined by up to half a dozen overseas-based players when Australia try to wrestle back top spot and possibly wrap up a place in the 2011 Asian Cup when the qualifying campaign resumes in Kuwait City early in the new year.
A seesawing battle in Group B swung back the way of Kuwait late on Wednesday night after they escaped from a hostile atmosphere in Jakarta with a 1-1 draw against 10-man Indonesia - a point that edged them past Australia at the top of the group on goal difference. The Socceroos head to Kuwait on January 6 knowing victory could well guarantee qualification with a game to spare. Australia's final qualifier is in Brisbane against Indonesia on March 3.
Immediately after last weekend's gutsy win in Oman, Neill flagged his intention to play in Kuwait, while veteran keeper Mark Schwarzer indicated his willingness to play in Brisbane if the Socceroos still required a result to qualify.
With both matches falling on non-FIFA dates, the overseas-based players would need dispensation from their clubs, but despite this obvious hurdle, it seems increasingly likely coach Pim Verbeek will be able to call on a handful of his expatriates.
Significantly, the next match in Kuwait City falls during mid-season breaks in several European leagues, and in the off-season of competitions in Japan, South Korea, and China. Players such as Luke Wilkshire, Scott Chipperfield, Mark Milligan, Jade North and Josh Kennedy are all likely to make themselves available, while others such as Neill, Bruce Djite and Carl Valeri are options if they can't nail down regular first-team football with their clubs.
Meanwhile, coach Benny Dollo has refused to give up on Indonesia's chance of qualifying despite a third draw in four matches leaving the Merah Putih at the bottom of the group. Striker Budi Sudarsono had given the home team the lead before 36,000 fans at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, but after defender Ismed Sofyan was sent off early in the second half, Ahmad Ajab equalised for Kuwait with 18 minutes remaining. The match was marred by several scuffles, including one that spilled over from the dugout into the grandstand.
''Although our chances of qualifying are small, anything can happen,'' Dollo said. ''I regret the quick decision of the referee to send off Ismed so early in the second half. We were controlling the game before it happened, and the dismissal shifted the momentum towards Kuwait.''
Kuwait coach Goran Tufegdzic was left to wonder how the visitors did not leave with a third win of the campaign, saying: ''Indonesia played very well, but we are to blame for not scoring more as we had several chances to claim all three points.''
Elsewhere in a busy night of Asian Cup action, Uzbekistan secured qualification with a 3-1 win against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, while Singapore breathed new life into their hopes with a surprise win against Thailand in Bangkok. In other games, Bahrain bounced back from the crushing disappointment of losing last weekend's World Cup play-off against New Zealand with a routine win against Yemen.
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/neill-and-co-to-help-or-crucial-kuwait-clash/2009/11/19/1258219925384.html
Neill and co to help oil the wheels for crucial Kuwait assignment
Michael Cockerill
November 20, 2009
ASIAN CUP
SOCCEROOS skipper Lucas Neill could be joined by up to half a dozen overseas-based players when Australia try to wrestle back top spot and possibly wrap up a place in the 2011 Asian Cup when the qualifying campaign resumes in Kuwait City early in the new year.
A seesawing battle in Group B swung back the way of Kuwait late on Wednesday night after they escaped from a hostile atmosphere in Jakarta with a 1-1 draw against 10-man Indonesia - a point that edged them past Australia at the top of the group on goal difference. The Socceroos head to Kuwait on January 6 knowing victory could well guarantee qualification with a game to spare. Australia's final qualifier is in Brisbane against Indonesia on March 3.
Immediately after last weekend's gutsy win in Oman, Neill flagged his intention to play in Kuwait, while veteran keeper Mark Schwarzer indicated his willingness to play in Brisbane if the Socceroos still required a result to qualify.
With both matches falling on non-FIFA dates, the overseas-based players would need dispensation from their clubs, but despite this obvious hurdle, it seems increasingly likely coach Pim Verbeek will be able to call on a handful of his expatriates.
Significantly, the next match in Kuwait City falls during mid-season breaks in several European leagues, and in the off-season of competitions in Japan, South Korea, and China. Players such as Luke Wilkshire, Scott Chipperfield, Mark Milligan, Jade North and Josh Kennedy are all likely to make themselves available, while others such as Neill, Bruce Djite and Carl Valeri are options if they can't nail down regular first-team football with their clubs.
Meanwhile, coach Benny Dollo has refused to give up on Indonesia's chance of qualifying despite a third draw in four matches leaving the Merah Putih at the bottom of the group. Striker Budi Sudarsono had given the home team the lead before 36,000 fans at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, but after defender Ismed Sofyan was sent off early in the second half, Ahmad Ajab equalised for Kuwait with 18 minutes remaining. The match was marred by several scuffles, including one that spilled over from the dugout into the grandstand.
''Although our chances of qualifying are small, anything can happen,'' Dollo said. ''I regret the quick decision of the referee to send off Ismed so early in the second half. We were controlling the game before it happened, and the dismissal shifted the momentum towards Kuwait.''
Kuwait coach Goran Tufegdzic was left to wonder how the visitors did not leave with a third win of the campaign, saying: ''Indonesia played very well, but we are to blame for not scoring more as we had several chances to claim all three points.''
Elsewhere in a busy night of Asian Cup action, Uzbekistan secured qualification with a 3-1 win against Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, while Singapore breathed new life into their hopes with a surprise win against Thailand in Bangkok. In other games, Bahrain bounced back from the crushing disappointment of losing last weekend's World Cup play-off against New Zealand with a routine win against Yemen.
Permalink
Permalink