07/09/2008 12:28 PM
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has taken nothing but positives out of Australia's 2-1 win over the Netherlands in Eindhoven, but said that his players' focus remains on Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan.
Australia came from a goal down to defeat the Dutch, who had just 10 men for the entire second half after having their goalkeeper sent off. Harry Kewell converted a 44th-minute penalty and Josh Kennedy secured the winner with a well-directed header on 76 minutes.
However, this was a game about processes for Verbeek ahead of Wednesday's Group A opener in Tashkent, and he was pleased with how his side performed.
"I am very pleased with how we played the first half. After five minutes it was 1-0 for the Netherlands, and then you think, there's 85 minutes to go, it could be a tough evening. We recovered very well and created some very good chances and we deserved to equalise," he told Fox Sports post match.
The Dutchman admitted that the dismissal of Maarten Stekelenburg completely changed the nature of the match and that wasn't what he had in mind in terms of preparation. But he was happy the Socceroos were able to convert their personnel advantage into an historic win, even if it was a friendly encounter.
"Eleven against 10 is always a tricky game. But I'm very proud of the boys, it's a good result, it was very good organised, and nobody injured, so it can not be better," he said.
"In the end it was a friendly the match. The tackles were not 100 per cent, there was a lot of respect for both sides. That was good, but for us it was a great test."
Verbeek had the luxury of taking off two of his most important players in the second half, with Brett Emerton and Harry Kewell both kept fresh.
He admitted that he had his XI for the match in Tashkent basically settled with Chris Coyne likely to retain his spot in the centre of defence after a strong showing.
"I think Coyne and Lucas Neill did very well. They did well against South Africa. They did well today. It was good to see Michael Beauchamp, he hasn't played for a few months, and we have Jade North also, but I'm not worried at all for the defence," he said.
Scott Chipperfield appears set to come in for David Carney for Wednesday's match, with Verbeek likely to adopt a more defensive mindset.
"Scott is okay. But we didn't take any risk. He could have played today, but then there was maybe ten percent risk something could happen and we need him on Wednesday. It gave me a chance to see David Carney on the left side and I was pleased with what I saw," he said.
With Carl Valeri likely to keep his place with Vince Grella already ruled out again with his calf injury, the other selection question is whether Brett Holman or Mark Bresciano gets the third attacking midfield role.