i think signing in december is a bit late. still better than neva.

yeah better than never

Wilkshire looking to Make Amends

If Socceroo Luke Wilkshire is sick of talking about July's disastrous Asian Cup campaign, he did a good job of hiding it.

Wilkshire was the subject of a teleconference to promote next month's Australia versus Argentina blockbuster at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and was speaking from the Netherlands, where he's just started his second season with FC Twente.

But the interest is more on his recent past than the future.

Wilkshire was peppered with questions about Australia's early exit from the Asian Cup and he answered them all with good humour.

Asked if he'd learnt any hard lessons ahead of next year's World Cup qualifying matches he said: "Every day you're learning about football and yourself."

"A tournament like that... I think everyone would have learnt, the players, the coaching staff, everyone," he said.

Eventually, attention shifted to the Argentina match and Wilkshire seemed suitably relieved.

He said the event would help bring supporters back on board the Socceroos bandwagon.

"Hopefully we're going to get a massive crowd, it's something everyone can look forward to, both the spectators and the players," Wilkshire said.

"Every team you play you play to win and you play to play well and this is going to be no different."

"After the disappointment of the Asian Cup you want to get back... and it's important we do that."

Wilkshire said no matter who Argentina sent it would be a rough and rugged battle.

"The depth in their squad is phenomenal so no matter who they bring out it's going to be a touch match," he said.

And he suggested Australia's big name players would all be coming home.

"I'm guessing that anyone who's not injured would probably be there," he said.

"Anyone who knows the players knows that everyone loves to represent Australia, especially in games like these big games."

The Socceroo star also commented on his former Middlesbrough teammate Juninho Paulista's up-coming A-League debut, and the possibility of Dutch legend *** Advocaat taking over the reins of the national team.

"There's no question (Juninho's) a very talented player and I've got no doubt he'll do well in Australia," Wilkshire said.

As for Advocaat, Wilkshire said he'd only heard good things in the Netherlands.

"A lot of the people here have been saying `Oh you've got a new trainer' and things like that. People speak highly of him here (and) if he is the coach then I guess it'll be a good boost for Australia."

The Socceroos play Argentina at the MCG on September 11.

Australia Announce Argentina Squad

Australia have announced their first squad since the Asian Cup for the September 11 friendly clash with Argentina in Melbourne.

The Socceroos are treating the high-profile clash as a first step in preparations for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers after a disappointing quarter-final exit at last month’s Asian Cup.

Temporary coach Graham Arnold will be without high-profile stars such as Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, John Aloisi and Brett Emerton.

At least Lucas Neill, Mark Bresciano, Jason Culina and Mark Schwarzer will head home and they will be joined by Josh Kennedy. The Nuremburg striker has been recalled to the squad which includes five A-League players.

"The challenge that we will face taking on Argentina is one that our players are looking forward to," coach Arnold told reporters.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of the players to come up against some of the best players in the world and to test themselves at this level."

Argentina squad: Mark Bresciano (Palermo, Italy), Vincenzo Grella (Torino, Italy), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Nick Carle (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Josip Skoko (Wigan, England), Michael Beauchamp (Nurnburg, Germany), Luke Wilkshire (Twente, Holland), Josh Kennedy (Nurnburg, Germany), Brett Holman (NEC Nijmegen, Holland), Carl Valeri (Grosseto, Italy), David Carney (Sheffield United, England), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Michael Thwaite (Wisla Krakow, Poland), Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland), Clint Bolton (Sydney FC, Australia), Alex Brosque (Sydney FC, Australia), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester City, England), Simon Colosimo (Perth Glory, Australia), Lucas Neill (West Ham, England), Dean Heffernan (Central Coast Mariners, Australia)  

What do you think of the sqaud? I think its a good squad. I goods to see josh kennedy (jesus) back in the squad whether he plays or not. Well done to clint bolton, he wont play but getting in the socceroos squad is a great. Where is milligan? I would of put milligan infront of brosque but australiua without kewell, viduka are low on forwards.

Do the men from down under play even in the Serie A ?

This surprises me, as I thought, most of 'em play only here. It is good for them as a team, unlike the english squad, they will get much better exposure and will be able to deal with variety of teams in major tourneys.

But don't expect much from the argentina game, will ya?

Liverpool owner George Gillett, 28th May 2007 : "Chelsea are perhaps the greatest club in the world. And They're not going to get any worse."

GO THE SOCCEROOS! good luck to the boyz tonight and lets see if they can get an upset over messi and the rest.

villainkrishna:

Do the men from down under play even in the Serie A ?

This surprises me, as I thought, most of 'em play only here. It is good for them as a team, unlike the english squad, they will get much better exposure and will be able to deal with variety of teams in major tourneys.

But don't expect much from the argentina game, will ya?

mark bresciano - palermo

vincenzo grella - parma

we lost 1-0. pretty good performance all round. graham arnold can now piss off.

di.ck advocaat has announced he will not be manager of australia and stay with zenit st petersburbg. so we are still manager less. lippi, do u need a job?

i really dfound it odd for Lippi to coach Australia...

Dont you think???

And he surely wasnt themain reason for the Azzuri's World Title..

The referee Mistakes were!

The Soldier:

i really dfound it odd for Lippi to coach Australia...

Dont you think???

And he surely wasnt themain reason for the Azzuri's World Title..

The referee Mistakes were!

lippi is gr8 in my opinion. he turned an italian side that was taught to play defensive football into a side that was playin attacking football. plus if he is manager of australia, the players like viduka, kewell, neill, cahill etc. will stand up and take notice of a great manager and learn. when we had graham arnold u could almost tell that players were laughin @ him...

Capello has been linked to the vacant australia position. hope this comes true!!!

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,22837959-23215,00.html