Pim Names Squad For Japan Game

A niggling leg injury has meant that Harry Kewell has been left out of the 22-man squad to face Japan in Yokohama next Wednesday. Despite rejuvenating his club career after a move to Galatasaray, Harry has failed to convince Pim that he is over his recent leg troubles. Reports are that he might still be with a look in, but the chances are slim.

This is of course on the back of news that Brett Emerton is also out of football for nine months following a twisted knee he suffered while playing for Blackburn.

I expect a 4-5-1 from Pim, as he has immense respect for the Japanese and he knows that the onus is on the Blue Samurai to attack.

As predicted, after the tame showing against Indonesia, the only A-League based player to be named is veteran defender Craig Moore. He should be joined in the center of defence by Lucas Neill, with Luke Wiltshire on the right and either Scotty Chipperfield or Dave Carney on the left (Chipperfield is also a 50/50 with an injury).

With Kewell and Emerton out, the midfield will be reshuffled, and I fancy a centre midfield pairing of Vinny Grella and Jason Culina as the holding midfielders, with a deep lying Tim Cahill making his late runs into the box. Mile Sterjovski should be a straight forward swap for the injured Emmo, and I think Mark Bresciano will start the match off on the left flank – on paper anyway – and then drift inside as Cahill pushes up.

Josh Kennedy’s height and aerial ability will be our greatest weapon, and because of this, it’ll be a tough (but sensible) call of leaving Scotty McDonald on the bench. Jesus, along with Cahill, will no doubt give the Japanese defence a tough day at the office. But I’m sure McDonald will get his chance sometime during the match, as he is currently one of the hottest strikers going around Europe (big call?!).

The full squad:
Mark Bresciano (Palermo, Italy)
Tim Cahill (Everton, England)
David Carney (Sheffield United, England)
Scott Chipperfield (FC Basel, Switzerland)
Chris Coyne (Colchester United, England)
Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Holland)
Adam Federici (Reading, England)
Richard Garcia (Hull City, England)
Vincenzo Grella (Blackburn Rovers, England)
Brett Holman (AZ Alkmaar, Holland)
Mile Jedinak (Genclerbirligi, Turkey)
Josh Kennedy (Karlsruher, Germany)
Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland)
Craig Moore (Queensland Roar)
Lucas Neill (West Ham, England)
Jade North (Incheon United, Korea)
Michael Petkovic (Sivasspor, Turkey)
Mark Schwarzer (Fulham, England)
Shane Stefanutto FC Lyn Oslo, Norway)
Mile Sterjovski (Derby County, England)
Carl Valeri (Grosseto FC, Italy)
Luke Wilkshire (Dinamo Moscow, Russia)

GP W D L GS GC GD P
Australia 3 3 0 0 6 0 6 9
Japan 3 2 1 0 7 3 4 7
Qatar 4 1 1 2 4 8 -4 4
Bahrain 3 0 1 2 3 5 -2 1
Uzbekistan 3 0 1 2 1 5 -4 1