Australia coach Pim Verbeek says striker Mark Viduka has given him no
indication that he won't be playing for the Socceroos again.
Verbeek watched Viduka seal Newcastle United's 3-0 English Premier League
win over Reading by scoring the third goal at St.James's Park on Saturday.
The Dutchman, who has steered Australia to the top of their FIFA World
Cup qualifying group after a scoreless draw with China in Kunming last
month, said he will talk with Viduka this week about his international
future.
The 32-year-old Viduka has not given a clear indication about his future
for Australia, and talked after last year's Asian Cup about being unsure
whether he would continue for the Socceroos.
Troubled by injuries for much of his first year at Newcastle, Viduka has
hit scoring form in partnership with English international striker Michael
Owen.
Verbeek was in Holland last week to check on Dutch-based Socceroo players,
but he plans to meet those European-based Socceroos that he has yet to
encounter face to face, with Viduka at the top of his list.
"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."
Although Viduka has only scored 11 goals in 43 internationals for his
country, his experience is considered vital for Australia.
The Socceroos are due to face Ghana in Sydney on May 23 in a warm-up to
their next FIFA World Cup qualifier against Asian Cup champions Iraq in
Brisbane on 1 June.
,
7 April 2008
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