Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and striker Harry Kewell are all set to miss the upcoming friendly match against New Zealand. The match will take place on 24 May at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Schwarzer, who plays for English club Fulham, picked up a thumb injury last week. It has been confirmed that the keeper would sit out for the New Zealand game, but coach Pim Verbeek assured that his no.1 would be available for the friendly matches against Denmark and United States.
Star forward Harry Kewell, who is currently playing for Turkey giants Galatasaray, is another injury casualty Verbeek needs to deal with ahead of the New Zealand match. The former Liverpool striker is yet to fully recover from his groin injury.
With world cup 2010 knocking at the door, coach Verbeek is naturally reluctant to take any risk on these two important members of the squad.
The friendly match is considered by both teams as part of their preparations for South Africa. Both sides have health rivalry in sports, even though Australia always has an edge over the All Whites when it comes to football.
However, history shows that Australia slipped to New Zealand on a number of occasions in the past. This is going to be the first time Australia and New Zealand are taking part in the same world cup tournament.
New Zealand was drawn in Group F alongside Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia, while Australia would face Germany, Serbia and Ghana in Group D. Australia will face Germany in their world cup opener on 13 June, while New Zealand faces Slovakia on 15 June in their first group match.
our two best players not on the aprk.
ReplyDeletedissapointing.
umm... cahill is our best player by far...
ReplyDeletei agree cahill is the best player and he is playing thank goodness i think tommy oar will do good as well
ReplyDelete