Will it matter for Australia if Tim Cahill and Tony Vidmar can't play in World Cup?
488584
It will not be good for Australia if they both can't play - and it will be particularly sad for Vidmar as he has been waiting for years and years for the Socceroos to make the World Cup final.\nThey can still make it to the second round, and maybe the quarter finals without them though! We've got Guus on our side!
1061476
Australia only really cares because the socceroos are doing well. Interest will die down after the World Cup. However i think the rest of the world will remain soccer mad.
1036184
maybe in america.. they are OK but on the world stage.. they are worthless.. not fit to stand on the same field as the 'real' players
417124
Well i wish this issue was put on discussion long time ago, the football fields lost a very talented player who was one of the best in the world but the problem is that he was from wales and they never qualified to the world cup.. he was the great goerge best, he was so talented and nowadays we r missing important players like keane who never qualified to the world cup and therefore i think yes they should do a combined team and this will be better for all, they can all play under the name of the unied kingdom..
1050899
why? Australia can play. They have a good coach, the best in the world.
417363
Schwarzer has a fractured cheekbone and will miss middlesboroughs remaining games but he should be fit for pre world cup matches and ready for the world cup. So dont worry he will be defending the Aussies goal in Germany.
352043
NIL is my bet. Unless they strike a last minute alliance, which I doubt.\n\nWhat good ground they have lost, havent they.
1163153
Of course they have a chance. Nesta is still out I believe and Totti's fitness for a full 90 minutes can not be guaranteed.What a fantastic job the Ukraine have done. A poor country does not make a poor team as implied above. Many poorer nations have great players and teams. It is a way out for them so they are committed. They will have to play as a team and create the opportunity for Shevchenko to be used at his deadliest. He is for me one of the top 3 players in the game and someone like that can not be under estimated nor can his ability to motivate and drive his side. As with Australia, the Ukraine have nothing to lose so I'm sure they will go out there with that in mind and have the game of their lives. I love to see sides like this succeed. They have worked hard for this opportunity. My money is on them and I hope they take Italy to the cleaners. It would just be fantastic for world football to see an under dog have such great success. Good luck to them and lets hope Shevchenko is on his game. If they get past this game anything is possible for them. Their confidence and belief in themselves will be unshakable. Confident teams will play well.
497144
Tim Cahill\nAustralia!!!!
1092980
don't jinx us PLEASE!!!\n\nGO AUSSIES!!!
680808
they don't play in the position so,it is difficult to say who is better...\nboth of them are great players and England can base on them any hopes for world cup...
1109934
The way its set up, i dont think Australia & Brazil cannot play in the final at the same time. They will probably meet in the semi finals.
1082392
Michael Ballack\nGermany, the pundits declare, has just one world-class player going into the 2006 World Cup. But considering that man is Michael Ballack the hosts will feel anything is possible. \nBallack faces two huge challenges this year: to lead Germany to victory in the World Cup and then proving his star qualities all over again in England after he moves to Chelsea. \n\nAt 29, the man from Goerlitz in the old East Germany has matured into the sort of midfielder every coach wants. \n\nHis influence may not always be obvious over 90 minutes, and the German media can be harsh in its criticism of him, but there is no player quite like him when the clock is ticking down and nothing but a goal will do. \n\nSimply put, he thrives on pressure and when his team desperately needs a goal it is inevitably Ballack throwing himself into the penalty area to make the decisive header or provoke the foul that will bring it.
989094
Yesterdays Australia game proves that refs need help on important decisions like last minute penalties.\nNow Australia are heading home ...and that is wrong.\nRefs need more help and less interference from FIFA.\nWe sure need video help,  and it's gonna come sooner or later, the sooner the better.
551528
Michael Vaughn has a knee problem and isn't fit to play. He isn't featuring in the current series against Sri Lanka either.\n\nMarcus Trescothick cited 'personal problems' for his withdrawl - although he later said he had a virus.\n\nThe strength in depth of the current England team was ably demonstrated by the call up of Alastair Cook who averaged 61 through the test series.\n\nEngland were also without key strike bowlers - although I have a theory that England want to keep Jones away from prying eyes before unleashing him in the World Cup.
1091677
Before the world cup starts,in the practice matches and in the WINDIES tour,India shuold give chance to AASHISH NEHRA and LAKSHMIPATHI BALAJI.If they succeed,they should be given a chance in the world cup.I fnot,my five bowlers are:AGARKAR,ZAHEER KHAN,SREESANTH,PATHAN.
1046785
Hey there Clive,\n\nI agree with you. The Australian side has gone through many years of flatness but has also undergone a period of growth and development which now seens to be coming together. Their attitude of it's not over till it's over saw an incredible rise in determination in their game against Japan. They continued to play and perform as a team. Add to those you mentioned Brett Emerton and John Aloisi and there is definite potential there to put up an acceptable challenge to Brazil and Croatia, who are both great sides. A win against Brazil would be fantastic but if they can contain them from not scoring goals well that is positive also. I think the key will be for Guus to play them in positions they excel in. Changes or corrections can't be made against Brazil as late in the game as they were V's Japan. When players were played back in their accepted positions the team performed far better. They are no walk overs anymore. They have talent and loads of untapped potential.\n\nCan I just add losing to Brazil, if that is the outcome, is nothing to be ashamed of and I will be proud of them no matter what happens. They could just provide a couple of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Let's hope so anyway.