Farina Decides Not To Risk Viduka Against The Kiwi

Socceroos coach Frank Farina has decided not to name Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka in the starting side to play against New Zealand tomorrow morning (AEST), with Swiss-based Mile Sterjovski surprisingly getting the starting strikers role.

Socceroos coach Frank Farina has decided not to name Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka in the starting side to play against New Zealand tomorrow morning (AEST), with Swiss-based Mile Sterjovski surprisingly getting the starting strikers role.

Farina opted for Sterjovski after Viduka-s most likely replacement Archie Thompson rolled an ankle and was not able to take part in the final training session.

Viduka (pictured right) is making steady progress in his return from a severe hamstring and back injuries, which has seen him play just 10 minutes of football so far this year. However Farina will start him on the bench and he may get a run later in the game, although he doesn-t want to take any risks with the Confederations Cup just a week away.

The likely line-up is: Mark Schwarzer (gk); Kevin Muscat, Craig Moore, Tony Popovic, Lucas Neill, Jon McKain, Josip Skoko, Tim Cahill, Brett Emerton, Scott Chipperfield, Mile Sterjovski.

Sterjovski, who last played as an out and out striker some five years ago when at Parramatta Power, will split his FC Basel teammate Scott Chipperfield (left) and Blackburn Rovers Brett Emerton (right) in a three-pronged attack, aimed at putting a lot of pressure on the Kiwi defence.

The troublesome left back position will be filled by regular right back Lucas Neill, with Farina opting for the experience of Kevin Muscat on the right.

Jon McKain-s performances during the two-match PowerAde Series games in Australia in March has seen him win the holding midfielders role in Mark Bresciano-s and Vince Grella-s absence.

Farina has decided to stick with his most experienced central defensive pairing of Craig Moore and Tony Popovic, with Ljubo Milicevic having to bide his time, despite an impressive debut against Indonesia in the Socceroos last start.

The match, to be played at Fulham-s Craven Cottage ground, will act as the final preparation for the Confederations Cup, which kicks off five days later with a clash against football superpower Germany.

New Zealand have injury problems themselves, in what is there first international since last years ill-fated Oceania World Cup qualifying campaign just over a year ago.

Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Nelsen is out, while Dutch-based defender Ivan Vicelich is also out, leaving Danny Hay to lead a fairly inexperienced line-up.

The match kicks-off at 5.00pm (AEST) with SBS showing a live telecast of the match from 4.30pm. There will also be a live match update of the game on www.footballaustralia.com.au from 5.00pm.