In my opinion, the Socceroos draw with China this week has solidified Verbeek's position as the man to take us to the 2010 World Cup.

The way the guy responded to the late injury dramas, his ability to think outside the box and utilise an otherwise pedestrian Brett Holman in such a way as to frustrate the Chinese shows he has the class and nouse to get us through.

Although we were impotent up front, that was not the point of the exercise; We clearly have a manager that can get a team to stick to a game plan and see the big picture, despite trying conditions.

3 goals for and zero against after two games, on top of the table and two points clear, with a round of two home matches and two away coming up in June.

Its looking good.

Australia 3 - Qatar 0

Best moments of the match tonight:

1. Pim returning an out of play ball with a curling pass from a right foot instep.
2. Forsatti sitting on his chair with his head in his hands.

The Socceroos played inspiring, entertaining, quick flowing, and pressing football (at least for the first half, after which they got tired and needed a biscuit.......fair nuff......it's a long plane trip.)

Thank you. Goodnight.

...when you take out the Kiwi Phoenix....

15,005 average for the home/away season.
14,610 average when you kick in the kiwi factor.

Very respectable.

[Thanks Ozboy]