No excuses for Australia

There will be no excuses for Australia, if they don’t get the desired win against Qatar, according to Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek at the official press conference in Doha on Friday.

Doha: There will be no excuses for Australia, if they don-t get the desired win against Qatar, according to Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek at the official press conference in Doha on Friday.

After viewing the Al Sadd Club Stadium in Doha, Verbeek was more than happy with what he saw and said there is no reason why his team cannot play as they are capable of and winning the game that would qualify them for the next phase of qualifiers.

Both teams sit atop of the Group A table, with seven points, with a win for Australia guaranteeing them a place in the 4th Round of qualifiers. Qatar could do the same with a win, but their inferior goal difference could still them caught by either Australia or Iraq, if they lose their final game.

Verbeek was last in Doha in late 2006, where he saw Qatar win the Asian Games, ironically against group opponents Iraq.

“First of all I am very pleased to be back in Doha,” he said from the immaculate 18,000 seat stadium. “I was here one and half years ago during the ‘Games of Your Life- as it was called or Asian Games in Doha.

“You have beautiful stadiums, I was here for the final; it was a great game and Qatar won that game.

“It-s our target; our aim to win this game tomorrow; I think it will be a great game; an interesting game and my players are looking forward. We-ve had a good camp in Dubai; we are ready for the game and we-re looking forward to it in this beautiful stadium.”

“It-s a beautiful field and cannot be better, so there are no excuses to not play a good game tomorrow.”

Verbeek was full of praise for his Qatar opponent, especially after the comprehensive loss they suffered against Australia in the opening game.

“Qatar is doing very well,” he said. “After the 3-0 in Australia, in the last three games they have picked up 7 points, so that-s a great result.

“We respect the Qatar team; they do well; they-ve got young players; experienced players, so it will be a tough game for both teams. May the best team win tomorrow.”

He also dismissed a suggestion from a Qatari journalist that Australia thought this would be an easy group to progress from and that they might now find it difficult to qualify.

“I think you are the only one that thought it was easy,” he replied. “I think the rest of Asia thinks it-s the Group of Death. Qatar, Iraq, China and Australia are four good teams and all four have the possibilities to qualify.

“We have four games played; we have seven points and we are leading the group with four games played. Before this started I thought, four games, seven points would be good and I am still very happy with my seven points.”