Young Socceroos eye World Cup - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Young Socceroos eye World Cup

By Glenn Cullen 09/12/2002 10:16:03 PM Comments (0)

The Young Socceroos are two matches away from qualifying for next year's U-20 World Cup after a comprehensive 6-0 win over Papua New Guinea in Vanuatu on Monday.

After a tougher 2-0 victory over Vanuatu on Saturday, the Australians opened up a little today, securing a likely home and away series final against New Zealand later this month.

The Young Socceroos dominated throughout, the match highlighted by a hat-trick to Southampton-based captain Scott McDonald and an outstanding display from fellow striker Alex Brosque.

"It took a while to hit our straps but once we did, we did it pretty comfortably," said coach Ange Postecoglou from Vanuatu.

With the Cook Islands pulling out of the Oceania qualifying tournament Australia was left with just two matches to make the final.

New Zealand, which is expected to win its pool, will have had four games - something Postecoglou wasn't sure would work in his team's favour.

"It's hard to say. Obviously they are going to be match hardened," Postecoglou said.

"The most important thing for me is being able to get them out on the training park for a good five or six sessions next week."

Postecoglou rated McDonald and Brosque as two of his standouts but said he hadn't ruled out adding other players to his squad which is looking at playing a trial match in Melbourne this weekend.

The former South Melbourne coach said he'd try to get back to look at a New Zealand game but admitted with Soccer Australia's present financial constraints "now's not the best time to be doing that".

While there has been a push in the past to give players international caps just so they'd commit to one country, Postecoglou said it wasn't part of his gameplan and he'd always pick the best players.

"I just don't agree with it. I think once you start playing people just to stave them off playing for someone else you are sending the wrong message in terms of what your national team is about," he said.

"At the end of the day I think my job is to pick the best national team at that age level...sure we might lose a few but it's better we lose them now than down the road."

If New Zealand qualify for the final the first match will be played in Auckland on December 19 with the return leg at Melbourne's Bob Jane Stadium on December 22.

The World Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates from March 25 - April 16.

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

0 Comments about this article

Post a comment about this article

Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.

« All sports news