Coach heads off to ponder campaign
BERT van Marwijk will return to Europe today and may not be seen on Australian soil again as the Socceroos coach ponders the best use of limited time before the World Cup.
There are less than seven weeks until his first match in charge as Australia coach – a friendly against Norway in Oslo on March 24 – and about four months until the Socceroos kick off their tournament against France. And for that reason, the Dutchman has de- clared there isn’t a moment to spare. “I have to go back as soon as possible as I need all the time,” he said yesterday, ending his planning week in Sydney alongside Football Federation Australia.
It’s unclear whether he will be back.
The 65- year- old has a preference for time on the training track rather than friendly matches, which could mean the Socceroos forgo their recent trend of playing a send- off match before a World Cup.
And it’s unlikely he sees the benefit of spending more time in Australia, falling short of endorsing the quality of the ALeague after a weekend here.
“I saw four games, one ( youth league) and three in the A- League ... I saw one good game. I was positively surprised at the level of that game,” he said, referring to Newcastle’s 2- 0 defeat of Melbourne Victory.
He will personally head up scouting efforts in England and the continent to assess Australians plying their trade in Europe that could have claims to a World Cup berth.
Van Marwijk’s priorities reveal his key concern for Australia’s hopes in Russia – scoring goals.
“We are making plans ready to see where we going to scout, starting weekend already,” he said.
“I want to see as many players as possible but that’s diffi- alare this cult to see 30- 40 players in seven weeks, it’s not possible.
“I will watch players in England, in Switzerland like ( Tomi) Juric, in Germany. “( Robbie) Kruse is playing just over the border and ( Mat) Leckie is playing in Berlin.”
That England was the first country mentioned by van Marwijk first choice was obvious, given Mile Jedinak, Aaron Mooy, Mat Ryan and a host of others play in the Premier League and Championship.