IT'S another sunny pleasant morning here in Manama, Bahrain, and along with the many travelling fans, we look forward to the Socceroos doing the quick “smash and get out quickly” job with another three points towards qualification.
To see Pablo's snapshots...
The Bahrainis have already proved to be good hosts, with great hospitality extended by the local community to our fans in their brush with Aussie culture.
With approximately one million people living on the largest island of about 700 square kilometres in the Arabian Gulf, it's not just glitzy high rise, land reclamation and new developments.
Walking through local neighbourhoods reveals the subtleties of a diverse fascinating culture and more traditional Arabian lifestyles and living.
At yesterday evening’s media conference at the national stadium, Pim Verbeek once again projected a very positive approach concerning Australia’s chances, yet with measured respect for his opponents and their coach.
“The preparation is like we had before - not the best, players dropping, coming in Sunday, Monday and Tuesday,” he said.
“Of course there are no easy games any more in international football, and so it will be a hard game for us also. We try everything to win the game tomorrow.
“Today we have 18 field players and three keepers on the training field and they are all fit and ready to play.
“We are all looking forward to playing in this beautiful stadium.”
Pim stressed how important the game was for both teams and that he will try everything to win the game.
As usual though he was not prepared to enter speculation about or reveal his line-up, even when questioned about Tim Cahill.
He spoke of 18 points being enough for qualification, though four or five wins might also be enough.
“We don’t spend energy on things we cannot change," he said. "It’s not the best preparation but our players are confident, and I’m confident that they can do the job tomorrow.
“I have 18 field players and still have to disappoint some players that will not even be sitting on the bench.”
Pim revealed he had expected more progression from the recent Olympic generation to push for Socceroos selection.
And he suggested a possible “post Olympic depression” phenomena for those players but said the door is still open for them, especially for the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Verbeek was also non-commital on the return of Mark Viduka to the Socceroos.
He added: “Mark Viduka is on my list, like so many other players. We are looking forward to seeing him back on the field.”
Pim once again acknowledged the “12th man”; the fans and the expected large turn-out of Aussie expats them here similar to Dubai and Doha.
“It’s fantastic to have your own fans on the stands," he said. "The players like it very much.
"We try to give them three points to make them happy for everything they did to get over here to Bahrain.
"We are looking forward to see them all in the stadium tomorrow. Brings in a very interesting atmosphere.”
No matter how early the Socceroos can qualify for the 2010 World Cup, Verbeek has no plans to rest anyone.
In the meantime, he's simply focussing on the next game: "The “sooner the better (to qualify)," he said. "So we'd like to win tomorrow.”
At the subsequent 80 minutes training session from 5pm last night at the stadium, the Socceroos squad looked sharp, focussed and yet relaxed with Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill (who had been under an injury cloud) both impressing.
Interestingly a Japanese media reporter and cameraman were at the session and will be at the game, which again emphasises something about the maturity of their football coverage.
Earlier in the day at the World Trade Centre complex, I caught up over coffee with Marko Andjelkovic who is deputy chair of the Australian Business Group Bahrain.
They are today holding a corporate networking luncheon and pregame/after game drinks at the Diplomat Radisson Hotel.
This luncheon is also a fund raiser for the local Bahrain Junior Football Development Program/Bahrain Junior Football Association with special guest speaker, FFA CEO Ben Buckley.
The event has drawn big interest and participation from the Australian expat community with a range of exciting benefits for those involved.
Marko spoke with pride about the ABG’s goal to promote Australia on a business front.
He is excited of hearing about the future of Australian football from Ben Buckley and spoke with enthusiasm about the direction of FFA and introduction of a north Queensland team in the A-League.
With a strong football background, Marko recalled how “...Craig Moore and I played together for the Queensland state side (youth) and I was selected for the Joey’s (under 17s) national squad.”
This was prior to Marko’s serious knee injury and subsequent reconstruction which helped curtail a promising career. Craig went on to play in the World Cup Youth Cup a year or so later in 1993, and then of course the rest is history.
Marko expressed his confidence in a victory for the Socceroos: “Either 3-0 or 3-1 win.”
He hopes to go to the three further games for the Socceroos in the Gulf region “if work allows me.”
And in terms of using his business and legal skills, he does not rule out the possibility of future professional involvement in football, especially given his previous experience as a player, coach and manager.
At least 500 expats are expected at the game tonight and so the Australian fan base consolidates and grows as our footballing place in Asia strengthens.
For these expats football once again proves to be a catalyst for opening up more opportunities to do business.
Meanwhile at the grass roots level, preparations are well underway by the travelling fans and the Green and Gold Army with a pub style pregame meet up at Warbler bar, another well known meeting place for expats to enjoy live sports.
Buses are being provided to ferry fans to the national stadium, and help transport the very many new banners that as of early today were still being prepared using local paint and materials.
Look out for some special tributes and iconic messages on the Fox Sports coverage back home.
Temperature around kick off time is expected to be around 22-23 degrees, the pitch surface looks okay and humidity levels have dropped.
Almost everyone expects a Socceroos victory, including most of the Bahraini media and fans I’ve spoken with.
Upsets can of course occur though a home win or even draw would be big surprise, indeed shock.
Let’s hope that we make it three in a row to consolidate our domination of the group and another step to South Africa.
To see Pablo's snapshots...
The Bahrainis have already proved to be good hosts, with great hospitality extended by the local community to our fans in their brush with Aussie culture.
With approximately one million people living on the largest island of about 700 square kilometres in the Arabian Gulf, it's not just glitzy high rise, land reclamation and new developments.
Walking through local neighbourhoods reveals the subtleties of a diverse fascinating culture and more traditional Arabian lifestyles and living.
At yesterday evening’s media conference at the national stadium, Pim Verbeek once again projected a very positive approach concerning Australia’s chances, yet with measured respect for his opponents and their coach.
“The preparation is like we had before - not the best, players dropping, coming in Sunday, Monday and Tuesday,” he said.
“Of course there are no easy games any more in international football, and so it will be a hard game for us also. We try everything to win the game tomorrow.
“Today we have 18 field players and three keepers on the training field and they are all fit and ready to play.
“We are all looking forward to playing in this beautiful stadium.”
Pim stressed how important the game was for both teams and that he will try everything to win the game.
As usual though he was not prepared to enter speculation about or reveal his line-up, even when questioned about Tim Cahill.
He spoke of 18 points being enough for qualification, though four or five wins might also be enough.
“We don’t spend energy on things we cannot change," he said. "It’s not the best preparation but our players are confident, and I’m confident that they can do the job tomorrow.
“I have 18 field players and still have to disappoint some players that will not even be sitting on the bench.”
Pim revealed he had expected more progression from the recent Olympic generation to push for Socceroos selection.
And he suggested a possible “post Olympic depression” phenomena for those players but said the door is still open for them, especially for the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Verbeek was also non-commital on the return of Mark Viduka to the Socceroos.
He added: “Mark Viduka is on my list, like so many other players. We are looking forward to seeing him back on the field.”
Pim once again acknowledged the “12th man”; the fans and the expected large turn-out of Aussie expats them here similar to Dubai and Doha.
“It’s fantastic to have your own fans on the stands," he said. "The players like it very much.
"We try to give them three points to make them happy for everything they did to get over here to Bahrain.
"We are looking forward to see them all in the stadium tomorrow. Brings in a very interesting atmosphere.”
No matter how early the Socceroos can qualify for the 2010 World Cup, Verbeek has no plans to rest anyone.
In the meantime, he's simply focussing on the next game: "The “sooner the better (to qualify)," he said. "So we'd like to win tomorrow.”
At the subsequent 80 minutes training session from 5pm last night at the stadium, the Socceroos squad looked sharp, focussed and yet relaxed with Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill (who had been under an injury cloud) both impressing.
Interestingly a Japanese media reporter and cameraman were at the session and will be at the game, which again emphasises something about the maturity of their football coverage.
Earlier in the day at the World Trade Centre complex, I caught up over coffee with Marko Andjelkovic who is deputy chair of the Australian Business Group Bahrain.
They are today holding a corporate networking luncheon and pregame/after game drinks at the Diplomat Radisson Hotel.
This luncheon is also a fund raiser for the local Bahrain Junior Football Development Program/Bahrain Junior Football Association with special guest speaker, FFA CEO Ben Buckley.
The event has drawn big interest and participation from the Australian expat community with a range of exciting benefits for those involved.
Marko spoke with pride about the ABG’s goal to promote Australia on a business front.
He is excited of hearing about the future of Australian football from Ben Buckley and spoke with enthusiasm about the direction of FFA and introduction of a north Queensland team in the A-League.
With a strong football background, Marko recalled how “...Craig Moore and I played together for the Queensland state side (youth) and I was selected for the Joey’s (under 17s) national squad.”
This was prior to Marko’s serious knee injury and subsequent reconstruction which helped curtail a promising career. Craig went on to play in the World Cup Youth Cup a year or so later in 1993, and then of course the rest is history.
Marko expressed his confidence in a victory for the Socceroos: “Either 3-0 or 3-1 win.”
He hopes to go to the three further games for the Socceroos in the Gulf region “if work allows me.”
And in terms of using his business and legal skills, he does not rule out the possibility of future professional involvement in football, especially given his previous experience as a player, coach and manager.
At least 500 expats are expected at the game tonight and so the Australian fan base consolidates and grows as our footballing place in Asia strengthens.
For these expats football once again proves to be a catalyst for opening up more opportunities to do business.
Meanwhile at the grass roots level, preparations are well underway by the travelling fans and the Green and Gold Army with a pub style pregame meet up at Warbler bar, another well known meeting place for expats to enjoy live sports.
Buses are being provided to ferry fans to the national stadium, and help transport the very many new banners that as of early today were still being prepared using local paint and materials.
Look out for some special tributes and iconic messages on the Fox Sports coverage back home.
Temperature around kick off time is expected to be around 22-23 degrees, the pitch surface looks okay and humidity levels have dropped.
Almost everyone expects a Socceroos victory, including most of the Bahraini media and fans I’ve spoken with.
Upsets can of course occur though a home win or even draw would be big surprise, indeed shock.
Let’s hope that we make it three in a row to consolidate our domination of the group and another step to South Africa.
To see Pablo's snapshots...
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