To see the Socceroos training session at Parramatta...


 Holman, of Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, is likely to come up against a number of players he's pitted wits against in Holland's Erediviisie when Holland walk out against the Socceroos at the SFS for Saturday's friendly. 

And both coach and star player have stressed the qualities the 25-year-old brings to the Socceroo game plan.

"He's definitely someone who can make a telling pass in a game. He can play behind a striker, as a striker and he can play as a right winger," Cahill said today at the final press conference before Saturday's clash.

Cahilll played alongside Holman in the 2004 Olyroo side at the Athens Olympics where the former Parramatta Power player made a good impression on the Everton star.

"I know his character and he's one of those players who keeps us on our toes. There are no certain players to start and this is a long campaign for the World Cup," added Cahill.

"I'm very happy he's playing regularly [at club level] and I was very happy when he wasn't playing regularly [at club level]. With Australia he trains really hard and he's very committed and is a great footballer."

Holman has received criticism in some quarters for his effectiveness and some have questioned his place in the side.

But the Bankstown-born Socceroo's work off the ball has become vital in allowing the more creative elements such as Cahill and Kewell to work their magic in Verbeek's 4-3-3 formation.

Verbeek said Holman - who's coached by Ronald Koeman at AZ - had already gone to another level with his performances for club and country.

"Brett is improving a lot and is coming in with a lot confidence," said Verbeek. "Normally he plays behind the striker but at AZ he's a right winger. He's played almost every game [this season] and he's very important for their team.

"And he's always been very important for our team."

Verbeek also hailed the success of Dario Vidosic in the Bundesliga, who he first saw up close in a Socceroo training camp a year ago.

He added: "A year ago he came into camp and was like a junior player. Now he is very good, again another player who can play in that [Holman] position.

"There is a lot of competition in the group."

In team news ahead of the game against Holland on Saturday night at the SFS and Verbeek said skipper Lucas Neill will start but hinted he may take him off after 60 or 70 minutes to conserve his energy ahead of the more important Asian Cup qualifier against Oman four days later.

"He's fit, he's ready, the question is, 'can he play two times 90 minutes?'" said Verbeek of his captain.

Verbeek will assess Brett Emerton's condition at training later today (Friday) but the coach confirmed he definitely will not play 90 minutes [on Saturday].

"But he will be ready for Wednesday's game," he added. 

Mark Bresciano has been ruled out of both the Holland and Oman match because of a knee injury and McDonald is in doubt for the Oman game after a back injury excluded him from tomorrow's Dutch tie.

Tim Cahill and the FFA also announced that the FFA will donate $1 to Samoan relief funds for every fan in total from both crowds at the Holland and Oman matches. Cahill's Samoan family home was one of those lost in last week's tsunami.

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Fresh from pulling off a PR coup in London which drew props from Jack Warner the Australian World Cup bid will be, quite literally, taking centre stage at the SFS with a huge "Come Play" banner accompanying the players on to the pitch tomorrow evening. Our snapper got this cheeky picture during a rehearsal this evening at the stadium.

To see the Socceroos training session at Parramatta...