Aussie Players On Fire Overseas
With the FIFA 2006 World Cup finals now just less than three months away, Aussie players are doing everything they can to win places or be in form for the finals.
With the FIFA 2006 World Cup finals now just less than three months away, Aussie players are doing everything they can to win places or be in form for the finals.
Leading the way, is current Socceroos captain Mark Viduka (pictured scoring his goal) who scored a brilliant individual goal in Middlesbrough-s 2-1 loss overnight to Charlton Athletic. With his back to goal and being pressed by his Charlton marker, Viduka instinctively flicked the ball over his marker, brought the ball down with his knee and slammed a 25 yard shot past the keeper. The goal looked as though it would earn Boro a point, but they conceded a late strike to lose the match.
Also on the money, was Uruguay goal scoring hero Marco Bresciano, who scored his second winner in as many weeks and keeping Parma clear of the relegation zone. It was Bresciano-s 5th goal of the season and he is hitting form at the right time for not only Parma but in preparation for the World Cup as well.
Scott McDonald is one player looking to force his way into the squad and did his chances no harm with a double on the weekend, as Motherwell won 3-1 against Falkirk. McDonald now has nine goals for the season and equal top scorer for Motherwell.
Other striking hopefuls, Brett Holman and Joshua Kennedy played full games for their respective clubs Excelsior and Dynamo Dresden. Excelsior is currently top of the Dutch 2nd Division, with Holman scoring 13 goals, while Kennedy is a key player in Dresden-s battle to avoid relegation from the German 2nd Division, although he has already secured a move in the off-season to Bundesliga club Nuremberg.
Defender Ljubo Milicevic, who has recently become FC Thun captain, went almost from hero to villain on the weekend. Milicevic scored in the 60th minute, but was sent off 15 minutes later after receiving a second yellow card. Thun however held onto win 1-0 over Yverdon and keep their hopes of a UEFA Cup place alive.
Stan Lazaridis got some much needed game time after a recent run with injury, playing a full game at left back for Birmingham City in their 1-1 draw with West Brom.
Jon McKain finally saw competition football once again after three months break, playing a full game for FCU Poli Timisoara.
Regular Qantas Socceroo squad members, John Aloisi, Jason Culina, Brett Emerton, Lucas Neill, Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell all saw significant game time. Injured Scott Chipperfield and Tony Vidmar were again absent from club duty.