Van Marwijk already has Roos squad in mind
FOOTBALL SOCCEROOS coach Bert van Marwijk already has a strong feeling who will make the cut when he shaves down his World Cup squad next week.
The Dutchman will slash his provisional 32-man squad to 26 ahead of a training camp in Turkey, where he will name his final group of 23 on June 3.
“I would be lying if I didn’t say that maybe in my head are 26 or 27 players,” he said.
“There are always players you are doubting a little bit, but there’s also a lot of players who you’re sure.”
Many in the initial squad make up the core group which went through much of the qualifying process under predecessor Ange Postecoglou.
Appointed in January for the whirlwind tenure before handing over to Graham Arnold, van Marwijk hasn’t had the luxury of scouting alternatives, although he did spring a surprise by picking Croatiabased right-back Fran Karacic.
By necessity it’s been a clinical, results-based approach for the former Holland and Saudi Arabia manager, who “likes to play fast football”.
He will use the three weeks at the Turkey base – taking in two friendlies against the Czech Republic and Hungary – to attempt to get his players in the best shape possible before their first group match against France on June 16.
How far the Socceroos can go is a question van Marwijk isn’t willing to address yet.
“I only think about the first game, that’s the most important for me,” he said.
“I already told the players I don’t want to hear anything about the other games, about what’s happening after.
“France is one of the best teams – maybe the best – so they have a big chance to become world champions.”