Verbeek welcomes decision to play games

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has welcomed FIFA's decision to allow the two matches against Iraq to go ahead, starting with Sunday’s clash at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has welcomed FIFA's decision to allow the two matches against Iraq to go ahead, starting with Sunday-s clash at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. An FFA press release confirmed that FIFA had given them advice for the two games to proceed, much to the relief of everybody concerned.

“Yes, especially for the FFA and the fans and everybody in Brisbane who was looking forward to the game,” Verbeek said prior to training, when he was asked whether he was relieved the games were going ahead as scheduled.

“We ourselves always thought the game was going on, so we trained hard; we are ready, but of course I am very happy that we are going to play.”

Asked if he thought it had affected the players at all, Verbeek didn-t believe it had and praised their professionalism.

“They have been very good, because of course you read it in the newspaper and probably they were thinking about it, but they never showed it; they were very professional.”

The Dutchmen also believes this whole episode will have bonded the Iraqi team closer together for Sunday-s game.

“This is definitely not in our advantage, what has happened,” he said adamantly. “They will show everybody that they deserve to be in the World Cup, and I can understand, because if it was our situation, we would do the same. So we have to be very alert; it-s not an easy game already and it will be more difficult now.”

“The players that played Iraq before, the result was negative and we know they were the Asian Cup winner one year ago. They are in a difficult situation and they will come for one point.

“They think one point here is enough and then beat them (Australia) in 45 degrees and then they have five points in total; it-s our job to beat them here.”