PIM Verbeek is backing his own footballing judgement ahead of Sunday morning's Qatar clash in Doha and isn't losing any sleep over criticism.
To see the Socceroos in training...
He told the Sydney Morning Herald: "I don't care what the people in Australia say. They are sitting on the beach, or windsurfing and surfing and here it is 35 degrees and we are all sweating when we don't do anything. I don't care what the people in Australia say, I just care what my players feel, how we feel, how we think we can win the game.
"I don't read anything. I am 25 years in football. It's easy to sit on the beach and say, 'Why didn't you attack?".
"I don't care so much about that. I know enough about football to pick up the best selection and team, and that's my responsibility. I am not so worried, I don't have sleepless nights."
Australia and Qatar are equal top of the group on seven points and a win for either would put them through to the final phase of qualifying. A draw would leave both still firmly in contention but looking anxiously at the result between between China and Iraq, who have three and four points respectively.
A draw would suit Australia more, as the Socceroos finish their campaign at home against China, while Qatar could face a winner-takes-all showdown with Iraq next Sunday.
He told the Sydney Morning Herald: "I don't care what the people in Australia say. They are sitting on the beach, or windsurfing and surfing and here it is 35 degrees and we are all sweating when we don't do anything. I don't care what the people in Australia say, I just care what my players feel, how we feel, how we think we can win the game.
"I don't read anything. I am 25 years in football. It's easy to sit on the beach and say, 'Why didn't you attack?".
"I don't care so much about that. I know enough about football to pick up the best selection and team, and that's my responsibility. I am not so worried, I don't have sleepless nights."
Australia and Qatar are equal top of the group on seven points and a win for either would put them through to the final phase of qualifying. A draw would leave both still firmly in contention but looking anxiously at the result between between China and Iraq, who have three and four points respectively.
A draw would suit Australia more, as the Socceroos finish their campaign at home against China, while Qatar could face a winner-takes-all showdown with Iraq next Sunday.
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