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New worries for Australia 2010 World Cup bid

May 3, 2008

Australia have been hit by fresh injury problems ahead of a crunch batch of FIFA 2010 World Cup Qualifying fixtures in June. Manager Pim Verbeek was already without key men Mark Viduka and Tim Cahill but has now been hit by further concerns over a number of players.

West Ham United defender Lucas Neill and German-based forward Josh Kennedy’s wifes are both due to give birth next month, casting doubts over their availability for the Socceroos. Verbeek said two other players - Derby County winger Mile Sterjovski and midfielder Jacob Burns - are in the same situation.

“They all are expecting babies with their partners during June, so I won’t know for certain when they will able to play,” Verbeek told a teleconference from The Netherlands on Thursday.

Australia take on Ghana in Sydney on 23rd May, their final warmup before they reach make or break time in their bid to reach the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa, with four games during June.

These include a double header with Iraq before a trip to Qatar and a home game with China.

Verbeek confirmed that Newcastle United striker Mark Viduka will not feature in any of those games as he is still struggling with an Achilles problem.

“Viduka is positive about playing in the World Cup and has a club contract running through until 2010, but he has been struggling with an Achilles problem and it’s not getting any better,” Verbeek said. “Viduka won’t be selected for the World Cup qualifiers next month as he considers whether to have end-of-season surgery.”

Everton star Tim Cahill will also be unavailable as he is currently undergoing surgery for his broken metatarsal. He is expected to be fit for the start of the 2008-09 Premiership season but will miss Australia’s qualifying bid.

In better news for Australia, Liverpool winger Harry Kewell and Middlesborough keeper Mark Schwarzer have declared themselves fit.

“The question with the European-based players is how fit they will be after their club commitments are completed later this month,” Verbeek said. “If everybody is fit I will have no problems at all, but I’ll just have to wait until the final games of the Euro leagues to be sure.”

Australia’s next FIFA World Cup qualifier will be against AFC Asian Cup champions Iraq in Brisbane on 1 June.

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Syria on course for South Africa 2010

May 1, 2008

In world football terms, Syria have made next to no impression on the game, but they entered the third qualifying round for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa with high hopes. Opening day draws with Iran and United Arab Emirates - the two favourites to qualify from Group 5 - has left them in a good position to achieve the impossible and qualify, yet they have still opted for a change of manager.

A goalless draw with Iran proved a great start to the qualifying campaign and when it was followed up with a 1-1 draw with UAE, Syria allowed themselves to dream of a possible place at South Africa 2010, especially as their next two games feature a double header against group outsiders Kuwait.

Manager Ebrahim Fajer will not be there to continue the progress of the Syrian National Team however, with Mohamed Kwid being given the task of reaching the 2010 World Cup Finals.

Kwid has already made a major impact in Syrian football, having lead the unfancied Al Karama to a silver medal in their debut in the AFC Champions League in 2006 and his stock has continued to rise as Al Karama have enjoyed further successes in both domestic and continental competition.

Their victory over Al Majd on Sunday leaves them just once victory from a third consecutive Syrian Championship with just four games to play. Meanwhile, victory over Al Wahda in their penultimate Group C fixture on 7 May will send them through to the last eight of the Champions League 2008.

As a result of the considerable success of his club team, the Syrian Football Association have struck a deal which will enable Kwid to continue his work with Al Wahda whilst leading the national team, a structure also operated by Iran legend Ali Daei and Kuwait coach Rodion Gacanin.
” Since coaches Daei and Gacanin have been doing well with both jobs, I think I can at least follow the examples set by my Asian counterparts,” Kwid said. “I am grateful for this appointment as it is always a great honor to serve your country. And I also thank the club for their massive support in allowing me to take on this double duty.”

Kwid’s first game is on June 2nd against Kuwait, knowing a victory will move them into the top two positions of Group 5 and giving them a reach chance of reaching 2010 South Africa.

“The priorities are enhancing the team’s self-esteem and fighting spirit,” added the gaffer, whose Al Karama side stunned the likes of two-time Asian kings Al Ittihad and Al-Qadisya en route to the Champions League final in 2006.

“Every game will be decisive for us and we have to feel strong again our opponents. Although we are in the primary stage of football professionalism we are happy to see the good progress made by the clubs, which has brought about positive changes at national team level. We believe we will be able to break new ground as long as this momentum keeps going,” Kwid concluded.

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