Kewell and Emerton warned after Socceroos call
Reuters - Wednesday 02 November 2011, 01:32
Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton
were recalled to the Australia squad for two World Cup
qualifiers on Wednesday with coach Holger Osieck warning he
expected "a lot more" from them than they had showed in their
club outings this season.
Two of Australia's most experienced internationals, forward
Kewell and midfielder Emerton missed out on the win over Oman in
October after returning home to play their club football in the
A-League at Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC respectively.
"I thought they had to get settled in their new environment
but now with a couple of games having been played, I thought I
want to include them again," Osieck told a news conference in
Sydney.
"Although I have to admit, and I want to make this very
clear, that I expect a lot more of them other than they have
produced so far.
"But knowing of their value and what they bring to the team,
I invited them to be part of our trip to Oman and Thailand."
Australia are scheduled to play Oman in Muscat on November 11
and Thailand four days later in Bangkok as they look to maintain
their perfect start to their campaign to qualify for a third
straight World Cup finals in 2014.
Osieck said there was "no guarantee at all" that Emerton,
who has played 89 times for his country and Kewell, who has won
54 international caps, would play in either fixture.
"Whoever shows the right performance in training has the
chance to be nominated for the game," the German added.
Aston Villa defender Chris Herd, who is also eligible to
represent Scotland, was the only uncapped player included in the
squad, while Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer could win his 93rd
cap after his recall.
With five players on yellow cards and one further caution
away from a suspension after the three victories in three games,
Osieck said he would be "calculating" about which players he
picked from the 23-man squad.
One thing that was not up for debate, however, was the way
the Socceroos would be expected to approach the two away
fixtures.
"We go there to win the games, don't ask me about how many
points are necessary or whatever, we go there to win," Osieck
said firmly.
Squad: Alex Brosque, Nathan Coe, Brett Emerton, Adam
Federici, Chris Herd, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Josh Kennedy,
Harry Kewell, Neil Kilkenny, Robbie Kruse, Matt McKay, Lucas
Neill (captain), Mitch Nichols, Sasa Ognenovski, Adam Sarota,
Mark Schwarzer, Matthew Spiranovic, James Troisi, Carl Valeri,
Luke Wilkshire, Rhys Williams, Michael Zullo.