Culina to Call the Shots
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SPORT National honours Culina to call the shots for Oar Gold Coast captain leads Socceroos From Back Page By MARCO The 29-year-old made up largely of talent, rather than fall by MONTEVERDE midfielder, who will earn A-League talent, to push the wayside. in Brisbane his 45th cap tonight, their cause for World won’t be shy in express- ‘‘It’s up to him now to A SEASON of barking Cup selection. ing his opinions to his be a really good player, at orders at Gold Coast ‘‘Obviously the players Australian teammates, the Dutchman said. all want to be a part of United has Jason particularly with the ‘‘We have had players Culina primed to lead the final (World Cup) Picture: GETTY IMAGES Socceroos still needing a like him in the past. Australia in tonight’s squad. They all want to point to ensure they will show what they can do,’’ Some have done exactly Asian Cup qualifier be in Qatar for next Culina said. what we expected and against Indonesia at year’s Asian Cup. ‘‘They’ve shown that at some we have never Suncorp Stadium. heard of (again). ‘‘I’ve been doing that training during the week pretty much all year with ‘‘That’s the final step Culina has won the and given the opportun- Gold Coast, now I’ve got for Tommy. He has all two-man captaincy battle ity (tonight), they’re go- the opportunity to do the qualities but it is not ahead of Dynamo Mos- ing to show that as well. cow star Luke Wilkshire, that with the Socceroos,’’ only about that, its also ‘‘Everybody has pride with Socceroos coach Culina said. about mentality.’’ in their performances.’’ ‘‘It’s a very important Indonesia has nothing Pim Verbeek preferring the Gold Coast skipper in game for us. We need to to play for but pride, but SOCCEROOS (probable): Eugene make the Asian Cup, and won’t be pushovers, hav- the absence of European- Galekovic (gk); Mark Milligan, Andrew I’m very confident we’ll Durante, Simon Colosimo, Matt ing held the Socceroos to based stars Lucas Neill, Harry Kewell, Mark get the desired result.’’ Thompson; Jacob Burns, Luke a nil-all draw in Jakarta Wilkshire; Mile Sterjovski, Jason last year. Schwarzer, Vince Grella A ‘‘privileged’’ Culina Culina (captain), Tommy Oar, Josh ‘‘They can play foot- and Craig Moore. also challenged his side, Kennedy. ball, they have skilful players and have nothing to lose, Verbeek said. ‘‘They are dangerous northern territory and its up to us to be ready for them.’’ With the match being the last chance for sev- eral fringe players to push for World Cup selection, Verbeek has put the heat on his side to perform. ‘‘That means they are not good enough for the World Cup if you can’t Dream Weddings handle a big game like this,’’ Verbeek said. Captain Jason Culina is tipped to play an at- tacking midfield role to- night rather than his usual holding role. “ Verbeek would not re- veal his starting XI, but it rides are walking through my is expected Perth Glory star Mile Sterjovski will Bshop doors holding the WISH start out wide on the right, with Luke Dream Weddings magazine!” Wilkshire and Jacob Burns to be used as the defensive midfield CAPTAIN’S ARMBAND: Gold Coast United skipper Jason Culina will lead Sarina – The Big Day pairing. the Socceroos against Indonesia in Brisbane tonight Guus may coach Africans 100-day countdown SYDNEY: Guus Hiddink could get the chance to DURBAN: Schoolchildren ditched their uniforms for weave some more World Cup magic, with the former football jerseys, while dancers took to the streets DON’T Socceroos coach reportedly set to take the helm of African powerhouse Ivory Coast in South Africa. yesterday as South Africa celebrated the 100-day The nomadic Dutchman’s contract as Russia coach countdown to the World Cup. expires in June and he has already agreed to a two- Top FIFA officials, including the world football year deal to lead Turkey through to August 2012 with body president Sepp Blatter and secretary general Jerome Valcke, marked the occasion in Durban with MISS OUT an option for two additional years. But last week’s sacking of Ivory Coast’s coach a press conference aimed at dispelling doubts about Vahid Halilhodzic has opened up an opportunity for South Africa’s readiness for the June 11 to July 11 Hiddink to coach at a fourth successive World Cup tournament. before taking up his next long-term posting. They also wound up a tour of the 10 stadiums that This is the Last Week Hiddink famously led co-hosts South Korea to the will host the matches, aiming to reassure naysayers semi-finals at the 2002 World Cup before taking that, despite some work being done on the pitches to secure your advertising in the Australia through to the knockout stages in and the surrounding grounds, all the venues are on Germany in 2006. track for the kick-off. Northern Territory's Largest Bridal Magazine Call for change to championship rules By PETER TIFFEN they will be making a decision but team should be built in to playing DARWIN Basketball Association that decision keeps getting pushed in the championships. BookingBooking Deadline: Deadline: F Fridayriday 5th5th MarMarchch 20102010 executive officer Allan Hilzinger back,’’ Hilzinger said. ‘‘In Queensland, if you don’t ArAtwrtworkork and and Mat Materialerial Deadline:Deadline: wants changes to the Northern ‘‘From a Darwin point of view it compete in the state champion- Territory Championships. would be nearly impossible now ships you can’t make the state Friday 5th March 2010 for us to put a Darwin team team,’’ he said. Friday 5th March 2010 The titles, run by Basketball NT together.’’ ‘‘You could pick your training and scheduled for Easter, are in Hilzinger had heard rumours squads for the nationals and then For more information please contact limbo after the withdrawal of For more information please contact about the championships going to you could say ‘we are going to Alice Springs. AMANDAMANDAA DEADEACONCON PUB: a club-based format but he did not choose our final squad at the NT NTNE-WS-3-M59KGE:MDA-TE: Y-C-CO-LO-R: The Centralians pulled their think it could work. championships at Easter’. P:P:08 08 89 894444 993 99311 F:F: 0808 89894141 03300330 senior and junior teams out, say- ‘‘It’s clutching at straws,’’ ‘‘Or, if you held the NT cham- ing there was better competition he said. pionships later in the year, say in E:E:deacona@ntne [email protected] in South Australia. ‘‘Let’s face it, you might get one October after the last Australian ‘‘There is no way you can have or two Alice clubs coming up and titles are held, you could select a an NT championships without then eight Darwin teams. Those squad with a view to next year’s Alice Springs,’’ Hilzinger said. kids are playing against each nationals. He said the DBA was in the dark other every single week anyway.’’ ‘‘But I think that incentive about this year’s titles. Hilzinger said the incentive of should be put in place for kids to ‘‘We keep being told by BNT that selection in a Northern Territory compete in the championships.’’ www.ntnews.com.au Northern Territory News, Wednesday, March 3, 2010 — 59.