Socceroos Wrap

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek will be watching anxiously over the next few weeks, as he plans for Australia’s next 2010 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying game against Uzbekistan on April 1.

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek will be watching anxiously over the next few weeks, as he plans for Australia-s next 2010 FIFA World Cup™ qualifying game against Uzbekistan on April 1.

Australia is in prime position to qualify and a win over Uzbekistan will almost certainly cement their place at the finals in South Africa next year.

It was the battle of the Aussies in the FA Cup quarter final action in England, with Tim Cahill-s Everton coming away with a 2-1 win over Brad Jones Middlesbrough, while Fulham with Aussie No.1 Mark Schwarzer in goal suffered a 4-0 defeat to Manchester United.

Cahill played the full 90 minutes carving out the equalising goal for Everton, his cross finding Marouane Fellaini, whose header beat Jones, who was caught in no man-s land after initially coming for the cross. Everton eventually won the game late on.

Schwarzer was unable to prevent the Manchester United juggernaut at Craven Cottage, as Argentina-s Carlos Tevez scored twice in the opening 35 minutes to have United well on track for the win.

In Scottish FA Cup action, Scott McDonald had a goal ruled out for offside, as Celtic was upset 1-0 by St Mirren. McDonald, who scored two fantastic goals midweek, to keep his good recent run of goals going, was unable to break down the determined St Mirren defence.

Mile Sterjovski managed to start another game for Derby County, playing 87 valuable minutes and setting up the opening goal in a 2-1 win over Bristol City.

David Carney came off the bench in the last 14 minutes, as Norwich lost 2-0 away at Blackpool, while Adam Federici played a full game in a 2-2 draw at Plymouth Argyle. Nick Carle was serving the second game of a three game ban after being sent off two weeks ago.

Harry Kewell continued his good form after returning from injury, setting up a goal in Galatasaray-s 2-1 win over Buraspor. Elsewhere in Turkey, James Troisi scored a late goal in a 2-0 win for Genclerbirligi against Ankaragucu, with Mile Jedinak enjoying another 90 minutes, although Bruce Djite only came on with a minute to go. Michael Petkovic played a full game as Sivasspor drew 1-1 with Ankarspor, which means their lead at the top of the table has been cut.

Marco Bresciano and Jason Culina were suspended from their games on the weekend, while Carl Valeri and Josh Kennedy were not part of their squads. Brett Holman remained on the bench for AZ Alkmaar in their 1-0 win, while Scott Chipperfield helped FC Basel to a 3-1 win over FC Aarau.

Tickets for the Socceroos match against Uzbekistan are still on sale and can be purchased from Ticketek. Click on this link for more information - Ticketing.