Goalscorers looking for better 'club' fortunes
It was quite ironic that the two players that secured the Qantas Socceroos a solid 2-0 win over Bahrain, have struggled to win a lot of game time when it comes to their club football.
It was quite ironic that the two players that secured the Qantas Socceroos a solid 2-0 win over Bahrain, have struggled to win a lot of game time when it comes to their club football.
Mile Sterjovski and David Carney both scored second half goals for the Qantas Socceroos and were two of Australia-s better players in the win over the Bahraini-s at Sydney-s ANZ Stadium.
However both Sterjovski (Derby County) and Carney (Sheffield United) are likely to seek a change in their club fortunes, in an attempt to ensure they will be on the plane to South Africa next year.
The pair both struggled for regular game time at their respective clubs, with Carney even loaned out to Norwich City, where it was on marginally better for the left-sided flyer and they know that Pim Verbeek will be looking closely at players form with their clubs in determining who will be on the plane.
Sterjovski has been linked to several Hyundai A-League clubs including Gold Coast United and Perth Glory making strong offers, with the latter deemed the most likely destination if he is to come back home after a decade playing overseas.
His man-of-the-match performance against Bahrain certainly helped his cause and he has said we will find out in a couple of days what his situation will be.
“I will know more in a few days, so hopefully I can tell you then,” Sterjovski told waiting journalists after the game.
“I-m still waiting to hear back from Derby, but everything should be sorted in a few days, so you-ll know what is happening then.
The former Sydney United and Parramatta Power striker was delighted with his performance and was pleasantly surprised given he hadn-t played in some time.
“I was pleased, especially when you consider that I hadn-t played in six weeks and to get 90 minutes under my belt was good and to score was even better.
“I love playing in front of my home crowd, it was a good game and I thought we could have won by more, so that was pleasing.
As for the goal, Sterjovski accepted there was an element of luck, but the fact he was in the right place to take advantage was what pleased him most and the fact that it lifted everybody.
“I anticipated it to go there and I was quite lucky that it did,” he admitted. “I was quite happy with the finish as well.
“The motivation is always there; we want to finish at the top of the group as that is the goal of ours and we want to keep a clean sheet for Schwarzie (Mark Schwarzer).
“I thought we were pretty determined today, especially in the second half and it was good to get the result.
Carney said he will have to seriously think about moving away from Sheffield United with manager Kevin Blackwell seemingly not interested in the Australian.
At this stage, Carney is not contemplating a return home and wants to continue his career in Europe. Performances like last night will help in that regard.
Of the pair, Carney is the more certain of the two to retain his place in the starting side against Japan at left fullback, with several first team regulars coming back into the side.