Australia’s World Cup Stars Get Back To It

August 27, 2009

With the 2010 World Cup happening in South Africa next year this year’s domestic season takes on extra meaning. Players will be looking to sure up their spot in the side and also find that they arrive at soccer’s ultimate showcase in peak form.

One player who should be ready and firing at the World Cup. He has been in great form for both Everton and the Socceroos. He led Everton to a fifth place finish in last year’s English Premier League and the FA Cup. He also always seems to be scoring when representing Australia. Most recently he scored twice in Australia’s 3-0 win against Ireland.

Another player who Australia will be expecting great thing of is Fulham’s Mark Schwarzer. The shot stopper was Fulham’s player of the year and was responsible for helping guide them into Europe.

There has been a lot of speculation about the future of Lucas Neill. The Socceroos captain is currently at West Ham but one can only speculate how long that will remain for. He has been linked with a number of teams and it is important for his long term career that he settles down and puts this behind him. He doesn’t need to be worrying about off-field distractions.

One player who can demonstrate the benefit of this is Harry Kewell. The former Leeds United and Liverpool star left England for Galatasaray and seems to be thriving in the Super Lig under the guidance of former Dutch star Frank Rijkaard. Kewell has developed a great understanding and partnership with Milan Baros and they have won a perfect three from three games. Kewell and Baros have both scored two goals as has Arda Turan.

Bruce Djite is also in Turkey and plying his trade there for Genclerbirligi. They have three draws from three games and sit mid-table. Djite is exactly the kind of player who is explosive and could break out at the World Cup and thus attract the attention of the bigger clubs from England, Spain, Italy and Holland. Don’t be surprised if he makes a name for himself in South Africa.

Someone who probably won’t be in South Africa is Mark Viduka. He isn’t playing club football and this is going to weigh heavily against his chances of World Cup selection. Most recently he was playing soccer for Newcastle United but he was released following their relegation from the English Premier League.

David Wiseman writes about the Socceroos. When not doing that, he is thinking about the upcoming Caulfield Cup.

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