02/03/2008 11:25 AM
Pim Verbeek has enjoyed an extended honeymoon period since taking over in December but he faces his first major test as Socceroos' boss when his team faces China in Kunming on Wednesday afternoon.
The Socceroos not only have to face China on home soil but the game will also be played at altitude (1900 metres) and unlike during the opening World Cup qualifier against Qatar, the Australian side very much has a second-string look to it.
A win on Wednesday would see the Socceroos take a giant step towards progressing to the second and final stage of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in what is their first attempt to qualify for the world's biggest sporting event through the much tougher Asian confederation after decades of dominance in tiny Oceania.
The 2010 campaign and Verbeek's reign could not have got off to a better start when the Socceroos whipped Qatar 3-0 in their opening qualifier before a packed house at Telstra Dome in early February.
That result took Australia to a clear early lead in its group on three points with China and 2007 Asian Cup champions Iraq on one point - following their first-up draw - in equal second place, with only the top two in each of the five initial groups advancing to the final stage of qualifying.
But to highlight just what a difficult task the Socceroos are facing on Wednesday night; only one of the players that scored in the win over Qatar - midfielder Mark Bresciano - will be available on Wednesday.
The other goal-scorers in that win - giant striker Josh Kennedy and Everton star Tim Cahill - are unavailable due to injury as is Celtic striker Scott McDonald - who teamed so well with Kennedy against Qatar.
The loss of the Socceroos' three most potent attacking weapons - combined with the continued unavailability of Mark Viduka - means Verbeek will be forced into selecting an inexperienced attack against China.
In fact Verbeek is likely to go with a 4-5-1 formation meaning just a lone striker and this could be either Mark Bridge or Bruce Djite - two A-League players who are yet to play at international level.
However Bridge, who scored the winning goal for Newcastle in this year's A-League grand final, and Djite - who has been performing well for Adelaide in the Asian Champions' League - are two established members of Australia's Olyroos team which has qualified for this year's Beijing Olympics.
But while Verbeek's striking options are limited on Wednesday; he does at least have the services of Harry Kewell - who missed the 3-0 win over Qatar.
However Kewell, Australia's highest-profile player and one of the stars of the Socceroos' 2006 World Cup campaign, is suffering from a lack of recent match fitness having barely featured for Liverpool recently.
But his sheer presence and his wealth of experience will be a huge asset for the Socceroos in front of what is sure to be a partisan Chinese crowd.
The other advantage Verbeek has on Wednesday is at least he has most of his first choice defence available, with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, captain Lucas Neill, his central defensive partner Michael Beauchamp and wing-backs David Carney and Luke Wilkshire all making the long journey from Europe for the match, although Blackburn star Brett Emerton is another who is out injured.
That should ensure the Socceroos are difficult to break down for a Chinese side that is also missing its star striker - Manchester United's Dong Fangzhuo.
Australia defeated China the last time it played them - 2-0 in Guangzhou in March last year - but with the limited striking options available this time it would be a bit much to ask of the Socceroos to repeat that result this time.
But a draw is well within reach - which would be an excellent result and one which most likely keep Verbeek's team on top of the table after two games and leave the Socceroos ideally placed for the last four games which come within a three-week period in June when the Dutchman is certain to have his best team available as those matches fall after the end of the European club season.