Viduka still part of 2010 World Cup

April 7, 2008

Australia coach Pim Verbeek has declared himself confident that star striker Mark Viduka will return to bolster the Socceroos chances of reaching the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa. Verbeek admits the Newcastle United forward, who scored in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Reading, has given him no indication his international playing days are over.

The Dutchman will meet the former Leeds United and Celtic striker later this week about his international future.

The 32-year old striker has not played for Australia since the 2007 Asian Cup, when Australia were eliminated by Japan in the quarter finals and had previously declared himself unsure if he would play again for the national team. He has suffered an injury interrupted season, however is not regaining his top form, forming a prolific three pronged attack with Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins at Newcastle.

“It’s up to him to give me the final answer, but so far he has never told me that he definitely wasn’t going to play anymore,” Verbeek told Sydney’s Daily Telegraph newspaper.

“He never gave me a hint that my going to England would be a waste of time. A player with his qualities and experience you can always use, and we have another 12 games.

“I’ll tell him what I expect from him, what I expect from all the players, then it’s up to him.”

Australia are on coruse to qualify from their 2010 World Cup qualifying group after a 3-0 victory over Qatar and a 0-0 draw in China leaves them top of the group. However, the face four games in a one month spell this summer which will determine their 2010 South Africa fate.

The experience of Viduka, who has scored 11 goals in 43 appearances for his country, is considered vital to the success of the national team in reaching South Africa in 2010.

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