Kennedy blames Verbeek after exit
Reuters - Friday 25 June 2010, 10:47
SYDNEY - Australia striker Josh Kennedy
said their Dutch coach Pim Verbeek had got his tactics wrong at
the World Cup as they arrived back home after their exit.
He added that he was shocked at being left out of the team
for the 4-0 defeat by Germany in their Group D opener.
"Definitely I expected to play but it didn't turn out that
way," Kennedy told reporters at Sydney Airport on Friday.
"We lost 4-0 so obviously those tactics for that game plan
didn't work."
The Socceroos went out of the World Cup on goal difference
despite a subsequent 1-1 draw with Ghana and a creditable 2-1
win over Serbia.
Kennedy came off the bench against Ghana and started in the
surprise victory over Serbia.
"Me up front with Timmy (Cahill) behind, it's always
worked," the Japan-based forward said. "He's always scored or
I've always scored goals when we've played together.
"At times it's not the prettiest football but it works. We
showed it worked against Serbia."
Cahill insisted Australia could holds their heads high after
Germany and Ghana advanced from their group to the last 16.
"People see it as somewhat of a failure but I look at it as
we've achieved something, because it was a bad start but we
picked it up and did really well," said the attacking midfielder
who helped Australia reach the knockout stages in 2006.
"I'm definitely gutted but, the thing is, it is what it is
and you've got to get on with it.
"It's probably one of the weirdest experiences for me as a
footballer, having such a weird start in the World Cup and
nearly being over, to finishing on a high.
"I think there are so many positives, the young guys that
came through. Yes, we might have a few older players retiring,
but I'm positive for Australian football.
Cahill added: "It's not going to be easy but, the thing is,
we've got potential."
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