PIM Verbeek says set-piece specialist Shannon Cole has earned his shot at national selection following an impressive start to his Hyundai A-League career.
Cole, who only signed with Sydney FC on the eve of the Hyundai A-League season, is the undisputed bolter of the Dutchman's provisional 35-man squad for his side's upcoming World Cup qualifier in Brisbane against Qatar.
The shock selection caps a whirlwind two months for the 24-year-old who was still plying his trade in the NSW Premier League for Sydney Olympic two months ago.
"He's a right-footed player, very skilful and (he has been) taking all the free kicks and all the corner kicks, that says enough about his touch," Verbeek said in Sydney on Wednesday.
"(He has) come more or less out of the blue, playing every game in a good squad with Sydney and if John Kosmina has confidence in this player, just bringing him in and letting him play every week, he must have something special.
"And that's what I saw last Saturday and I saw him on DVD so I thought it was a good moment for us to see how he's doing."
Verbeek conceded the ability to score from dead-ball scenarios has become increasingly important on the world stage but said Cole's free-kick prowess would not be enough alone to earn an international cap.
"It's always a bonus if you have players who can score out of dead-balls," he said.
"Tall players are always an advantage for a coach and for a team (as are) players who can serve the ball of course.
"But it's not that I make my schedule and just say okay, he is a good server of the ball and I take him in the final XI."
Verbeek is likely to reduce the size of his squad early next week with veteran Harry Kewell almost certain not to take his place in the squad after suffering a groin injury playing for Galatasaray on the weekend.
The revised squad will assemble in Brisbane on Wednesday ahead of the October 15 clash at Suncorp Stadium.
The shock selection caps a whirlwind two months for the 24-year-old who was still plying his trade in the NSW Premier League for Sydney Olympic two months ago.
"He's a right-footed player, very skilful and (he has been) taking all the free kicks and all the corner kicks, that says enough about his touch," Verbeek said in Sydney on Wednesday.
"(He has) come more or less out of the blue, playing every game in a good squad with Sydney and if John Kosmina has confidence in this player, just bringing him in and letting him play every week, he must have something special.
"And that's what I saw last Saturday and I saw him on DVD so I thought it was a good moment for us to see how he's doing."
Verbeek conceded the ability to score from dead-ball scenarios has become increasingly important on the world stage but said Cole's free-kick prowess would not be enough alone to earn an international cap.
"It's always a bonus if you have players who can score out of dead-balls," he said.
"Tall players are always an advantage for a coach and for a team (as are) players who can serve the ball of course.
"But it's not that I make my schedule and just say okay, he is a good server of the ball and I take him in the final XI."
Verbeek is likely to reduce the size of his squad early next week with veteran Harry Kewell almost certain not to take his place in the squad after suffering a groin injury playing for Galatasaray on the weekend.
The revised squad will assemble in Brisbane on Wednesday ahead of the October 15 clash at Suncorp Stadium.
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