- May 9, 2002
- 16,147
- 126
- AFL Club
- Brisbane Lions
- Other Teams
- North Adelaide Roosters
Mixed news for home talent
Andrew Orsatti
SBS's The World Game - Sun, Jul 31, 2005 04
There is great anticipation ahead of new Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink's first squad announcement, with the national team gathering in mid-August for a week-long training camp in the Netherlands. The World Game can reveal that veteran defender Kevin Muscat and Perth Glory midfielder Simon Colosimo both look set to miss out.
Ned Zelic's future remains up in the air, while Jade North and Archie Thompson are expecting call ups. Thompson has already scored twice for his new club Melbourne Victory in the A-League's Pre-Season Cup and the livewire striker looks in good touch since returning from a successful spell Belgium. The 26-year-old has an impressive international scoring record - 17 goals in only nine appearances, thanks largely to a world record 13-goal haul against American Samoa in a World Cup qualifier back in 2001.
Newcastle United Jets defender North is the other Australian-based player who is almost certainly heading for the Dutch camp. With 11 caps already under his belts and an appearance at the 2004 Olympic Games, the 23-year-old could be just the tonic for Hiddink, with a need to freshen up the Socceroos' much criticised defence.
Sadly though, North's recall to the full national team could spell the end of the international career of tough- tackling Muscat. The man who stepped up in front of a packed MCG to score the winning penalty in the World Cup play-off against Uruguay in November 2001 is turning 32 next Sunday. Muscat left English Championship side Millwall while still under contract, to join Melbourne Victory as its inaugural club captain. Part of the reason for that, he says, followed advice from former national coach Frank Farina that returning home would not affect his chances of playing international football.
There is also bad news on the horizon for Perth Glory midfielder Colosimo. He has been in and out of the squad, ever since representing Australia for the first time back in 1998. Despite his versatility, Colosimo - who spared the Socceroos blushes with a late winner in the clash against New Zealand in early June - appears to be surplus to requirements at the moment.
As for Ned Zelic, the man who walked out on the national team in late 1999 after his bust-up with Farina, there remains an outside chance of him making a comeback. However, he told The World Game that he will only play if he is central to Hiddink's plans, much like his stance while Farina was in charge. Zelic confirmed talks are continuing after he received a phone call this week from Socceroos Assistant Coach Graham Arnold, who has been busy over the past few days alerting those in line for selection.
Former Socceroos captain Paul Okon remains on the outer with his Sydney-based manager Leo Karis confirming that no approach has been made by Football Federation Australia towards his client. The last of Okon's 28 full internationals was against Jamaica in September 2003. The 33-year-old is now concentrating on preparing for the coming season with his new Cypriot club, APOEL.
Newcastle United Jets striker Ante Milicic (calf) and his Sydney FC counterpart David Zdrilic (back) were not considered for Hiddink's first camp due to injury.
Andrew Orsatti
SBS's The World Game - Sun, Jul 31, 2005 04
There is great anticipation ahead of new Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink's first squad announcement, with the national team gathering in mid-August for a week-long training camp in the Netherlands. The World Game can reveal that veteran defender Kevin Muscat and Perth Glory midfielder Simon Colosimo both look set to miss out.
Ned Zelic's future remains up in the air, while Jade North and Archie Thompson are expecting call ups. Thompson has already scored twice for his new club Melbourne Victory in the A-League's Pre-Season Cup and the livewire striker looks in good touch since returning from a successful spell Belgium. The 26-year-old has an impressive international scoring record - 17 goals in only nine appearances, thanks largely to a world record 13-goal haul against American Samoa in a World Cup qualifier back in 2001.
Newcastle United Jets defender North is the other Australian-based player who is almost certainly heading for the Dutch camp. With 11 caps already under his belts and an appearance at the 2004 Olympic Games, the 23-year-old could be just the tonic for Hiddink, with a need to freshen up the Socceroos' much criticised defence.
Sadly though, North's recall to the full national team could spell the end of the international career of tough- tackling Muscat. The man who stepped up in front of a packed MCG to score the winning penalty in the World Cup play-off against Uruguay in November 2001 is turning 32 next Sunday. Muscat left English Championship side Millwall while still under contract, to join Melbourne Victory as its inaugural club captain. Part of the reason for that, he says, followed advice from former national coach Frank Farina that returning home would not affect his chances of playing international football.
There is also bad news on the horizon for Perth Glory midfielder Colosimo. He has been in and out of the squad, ever since representing Australia for the first time back in 1998. Despite his versatility, Colosimo - who spared the Socceroos blushes with a late winner in the clash against New Zealand in early June - appears to be surplus to requirements at the moment.
As for Ned Zelic, the man who walked out on the national team in late 1999 after his bust-up with Farina, there remains an outside chance of him making a comeback. However, he told The World Game that he will only play if he is central to Hiddink's plans, much like his stance while Farina was in charge. Zelic confirmed talks are continuing after he received a phone call this week from Socceroos Assistant Coach Graham Arnold, who has been busy over the past few days alerting those in line for selection.
Former Socceroos captain Paul Okon remains on the outer with his Sydney-based manager Leo Karis confirming that no approach has been made by Football Federation Australia towards his client. The last of Okon's 28 full internationals was against Jamaica in September 2003. The 33-year-old is now concentrating on preparing for the coming season with his new Cypriot club, APOEL.
Newcastle United Jets striker Ante Milicic (calf) and his Sydney FC counterpart David Zdrilic (back) were not considered for Hiddink's first camp due to injury.
