SOCCEROO coach Pim Verbeek fears a lack of preparation could work against his team when they open their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign against Qatar next week.
To see behind the scenes at yesterday's training session...
The Socceroos sit 40 places above their opponents on FIFA's official world rankings, but the Dutchman has warned insufficient training could make the task more difficult for his players next Wednesday.
"Guus Hiddink had three weeks preparation with the 20 European-based players before the 2006 World Cup finals, whereas I still have to make my mind up about 39 players in just five days without any friendly matches," Verbeek said.
"Qatar has already had five weeks in training and played three friendly matches so that makes it much easier for them."
Vince Grella and Mark Viduka are two big-name Socceroos who are unavailable for the clash because of European club commitments this weekend.
Grella's side Torino and Viduka's club Newcastle both play on Sunday and they will not have enough time to recover from the long trip to Melbourne in time for the meeting with Qatar at the Telstra Dome.
"They will not be here," said Verbeek. "If they can't arrive here until the Tuesday then it's too late."
However goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, the only other Australia player in action on Sunday, will still make the trip home with Verbeek planning to field the country's first-choice custodian on Wednesday night.
"For a goalkeeper it's different and it is possible for him to arrive on Tuesday and still be able to play," the Dutchman added.
Verbeek has been preparing his players for what he believes will be a defensive approach from a Qatar side which failed to score in three recent friendlies.
"They will come here for a point and they will be very happy if they keep a clean sheet even if they don't score a goal," Verbeek said.
"We know they will come here to defend and play on the counter attack so we have to respect that.
"They will probably defend with eight or nine players so space will be tight.
"We have to find players that can still find open spaces and we know we will not get many chances so we have to bring players in that can handle that kind of pressure."
To see behind the scenes at yesterday's training session...
The Socceroos sit 40 places above their opponents on FIFA's official world rankings, but the Dutchman has warned insufficient training could make the task more difficult for his players next Wednesday.
"Guus Hiddink had three weeks preparation with the 20 European-based players before the 2006 World Cup finals, whereas I still have to make my mind up about 39 players in just five days without any friendly matches," Verbeek said.
"Qatar has already had five weeks in training and played three friendly matches so that makes it much easier for them."
Vince Grella and Mark Viduka are two big-name Socceroos who are unavailable for the clash because of European club commitments this weekend.
Grella's side Torino and Viduka's club Newcastle both play on Sunday and they will not have enough time to recover from the long trip to Melbourne in time for the meeting with Qatar at the Telstra Dome.
"They will not be here," said Verbeek. "If they can't arrive here until the Tuesday then it's too late."
However goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, the only other Australia player in action on Sunday, will still make the trip home with Verbeek planning to field the country's first-choice custodian on Wednesday night.
"For a goalkeeper it's different and it is possible for him to arrive on Tuesday and still be able to play," the Dutchman added.
Verbeek has been preparing his players for what he believes will be a defensive approach from a Qatar side which failed to score in three recent friendlies.
"They will come here for a point and they will be very happy if they keep a clean sheet even if they don't score a goal," Verbeek said.
"We know they will come here to defend and play on the counter attack so we have to respect that.
"They will probably defend with eight or nine players so space will be tight.
"We have to find players that can still find open spaces and we know we will not get many chances so we have to bring players in that can handle that kind of pressure."
To see behind the scenes at yesterday's training session...
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