Hiddink says No, Viduka says Yes

June 6th, 2006 | by: Matt |

After missing yet another penalty against Holland, Viduka has said that he still wants to take them for Australia.

“I’ll take another 100 if that’s what it takes for me to score,” he said.

In regards to the penalty itself, Viduka had this to say.

“I didn’t (think I would take it),” Viduka said. “Craig Moore said he’d take it. Then I said, ‘No, I’ll take it’.

“I made a decision. I’ll take another 100 if that’s what it takes for me to score.”

“I’d rather put my name up to take a penalty and miss than not step forward at all. It was so noisy I couldn’t even hear the whistle of the referee (to take the kick). I had to look over to him. I was unlucky and lucky at the same time because Timmy scored afterwards.”

Funnily enough, when asked if Viduka would take a penalty at the World Cup, Hiddink’s words were:

“No. That is my spontaneous reaction. We’ll have to think about it and talk about it.

“But I’m not sure. I think my spontaneous reaction was the truth.”

Viduka mate, for the sake of the nation, do not take another penalty!

Article here

Tags: Australia, Hiddink, Penalties, Viduka

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Comments

By Adrian W. | June 6th, 2006 at 2:20 am

Hehe. I mean, he even admits, that he’ll ‘take another 100 if that’s what it takes for me to score’. He seems to have a huge amount of confidence, if he thinks that he can score if he takes another 100 penalties!

But it was not only the missed penalty that was not ok with Viduka’s performance in the last two games.

Posted from Australia

By enzo | June 6th, 2006 at 2:35 am

Whose interest is Viduka thinking of? Can one imagine the horror of 0-0 against Japan, and Australia is awarded a penalty in the last minute and Viduka wants to take because “I’ll take another 100 if that’s what it takes for me to score.” and he misses. So what, right, Viduka? You’ve got another 99 penalties to take before it sinks in that the team comes first rather than your desire to rid yourself of the nervousness when taking penalties.

Posted from Australia

By Jack | June 6th, 2006 at 3:09 am

I’m hoping he meant more that he’s not afraid to step up and take a penalty if called upon to do so. Not that he thinks he’s gonna miss again and again. It wasn’t a badly taken pen. He didn’t blast it over the top, he hit the bar with the ‘keeper beaten.

The bigger question is why doesn’t Australia have a designated penalty taker? So there’s not two guys deciding between them at that moment. The whole team should know which guy is going to take it before the match starts. It’s as much about mental preparation as it is about the physical action of taking it.

Posted from Germany

By Troy | June 6th, 2006 at 4:48 am

sorry viduka i would rather the pope take a penalty for australia than you. you should live at the penalty spot this week at training with kolac and schawrzer in the goals so you get your aim right. untill you beat both of them i’ll take my chances with everybody else.

Posted from Australia

By DT | June 6th, 2006 at 4:50 am

I don’t think a selfish person like Viduka deserves to be the captain of the Socceroos.

He doesn’t even deserve to be in the starting line up.

Posted from Australia

By Matt | June 6th, 2006 at 5:22 am

I think with Kewell coming back in he will likely be the new penalty taker.

Posted from Australia

By elAdi | June 6th, 2006 at 5:23 am

lol. Despite my first post, I think we’re a bit harsh on Viduka. I’m pretty sure he meant it the way enzo hopes he meant it.
As for ,designated penalty taker’, often that is not the best idea. I’ve read several statments of very experienced penalty takers that there are moments where you just don’t feel confident about taking it. Gut feelings, I reckon.
But yeah, Viduka will have to feel VERY confident on the next one he takes!

Posted from Australia

By Troy | June 6th, 2006 at 5:59 am

kewell or aloisi should be our kick takers. no question. but hey. it was only a trial match anyway against the dutch so its not a big deal that he missed.

Posted from Australia

By Josh | June 6th, 2006 at 8:47 am

It will be a cold day in Australia when they win the world cup.

Posted from United Kingdom

By Matt | June 6th, 2006 at 9:10 am

Josh, its winter and 3 degrees outside at the moment. Its already cold.

Posted from Australia

By matilda | June 6th, 2006 at 10:05 am

Hee hee… that comment came out of nowhere.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand …penalties.

No to Viduka – he’s got a penalty monkey on his back now. Aloisi would be a good choice but his injury doesn’t seem to be healing – which is weird because I thought Kewell and Cahill were the real worries and Aloisi’s foot was just a niggle? Moore and Neill are pretty reliable too.

Posted from Australia

By Jessica | June 6th, 2006 at 10:09 pm

We got kewell now, boiiii!
Your loss!
By the way, it’s already cold!

Posted from Australia

By Clare | June 6th, 2006 at 10:10 pm

In regards to Josh from the UK it is very cold right now in Australia so are you trying to say we have a good chance of winning the world cup then? Because we do! We’ve got so many good players and we just had a draw with the Dutch the world number 3 team.
Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

Posted from Australia

By Anthony | June 6th, 2006 at 11:01 pm

If Viduka does not score in the 1st half against Japan Hiddink must take him off and bring on Aloisi or Thompson. Sure Viduka will be a handful for the Japanese but when is the last time you have seen him score for the Aussies. Can anyone remember? He is too busy interlocking arms with his opposite number rather than finding himself some space. He relys on the midfield to place the ball at his feet. This requires too much skill for some of our midfielders. Viduka !!! create some space and put one in the net…..its long overdue.

Posted from Australia

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