As featured on NewsNow: Football news

Australia coach Verbeek fears for all A-League squad

Australia national team coach Pim Verbeek has expressed his worry that his team of all A-League domestic players may struggle to beat Qatar in February's World Cup qualifier.

On Wednesday, Verbeek announced his first Socceroos squad that comprises entirely of A-League players.

Since being appointed Socceroos coach last month, Verbeek has attended a number of A-League games.

And, if the A-League players want to feature in the 2010 World Cup qualification campaign, Verbeek insisted it is now left to them to prove themselves at the training camp held at Sydney next week.

"I enjoyed every game I've seen, the stadiums are fantastic, the crowds are unbelievable," Verbeek said of the A-League matches. "I saw great goals, but I saw also unbelievable mistakes.

"It's up to me to find out if the players make that same mistake too many times because then I cannot use them."

The former South Korea coach also said that Australia's European-based players had indicated their availability - should Verbeek require their services.

The match against Qatar, however, is a mid-week game on a Wednesday that could see players from Europe arriving back home as late as 48 hours before the match.

"They are all available. They are all very willing to come, but the only problem is they can arrive a few days before the game and that's the biggest issue," Verbeek said.

"It's possible (it could be an A-League based team). It's also possible that I select every player from Europe. It's too early now to make up my mind."

Video of the day:

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free