Wednesday, April 17, 2006

By JAMES MULLIGAN

Staff writer

Australia vs. Japan June 12, Kaiserslautern, 10 p.m. kick off Australia vs. Brazil June 19, Munich, 1 a.m. kick off Australia vs. Croatia June 23, Stuttgart, 4 a.m. kick off (kick off Japan time)

Road to Germany: As champions of the Oceania qualifying group, Australiia played South America's fifth-placed team, Uruguay. It lost 1-0 in Montevideo before reversing the scoreline in Sydney and going on to win 4-2 on penalties. Revenge complete, as the Aussies had lost to Uruguay at the same stage four years earlier.

Manager: Guus Hiddink. The man with the World Cup midas touch and one of the most in demand coaches in the world. Led South Korea to the semifinals in 2002 and Holland to the last four in 1998. Inspires utter devotion among his players.

Captain: Mark Viduka. The Middlesbrough striker has been criticized in the past few seasons as a mercenary, picking up his huge wages while doing very little to justify them. But since Australia qualified for the finals he has been rejuvenated, an important part of 'Boro's UEFA Cup. If he's up for it in Germany, Australia will reap the benefits.

World Cup resume: Qualified once before, in 1974, but didn't score in three games and were quickly on the way home.

One to watch: Marco Bresciano. Has made a name for himself playing for Parma in the Italian League and shouldn't feel out of place at the finals.

Strengths: Apart from the brilliant Hiddink at the helm? Well, Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka are the perfect foil for each other up front: a strong targetman with a eye for goal, with a more nimble and creative counterpart. They work well together on the pitch, which is more than can be said off the pitch. Apparently they are not on speaking terms.

Weaknesses: Pace is lacking throughout the team, especially among the defenders. And with a dearth of options on the bench, Hiddink will be down to his bare bones if there are any injuries.

Japan vs. Australia: Zico obviously is desperate to win all games, but he has been adamant about this one and sees it as the vital game of the group. Japan's defenders cannot allow Viduka to bully them, while the Japan strikeforce won't have an easier defense to play against in Germany. If goals can be scored anywhere, it's against the Aussies.

JTO tournament prediction: Viduka (he has Croatian roots) and co. will be fired up to beat the Croats and will finish above them in the group, and so will fight it out with Japan for second place. If they progress, one thing you should never do is bet against Hiddink.

Possible starting lineup: 3-4-3 formation
Position	Player	Club
Goalkeeper	Mark Schwarzer	Middlesbrough (England)
Center back	Lucas Neill	Blackburn Rovers (England)
Center back	Craig Moore	Newcastle United (England)
Center back	Tony Vidmar	Cardiff City (England)
Right midfield	Brett Emerton	Blackburn Rovers (England)
Left midfield	Scott Chipperfield	FC Basel (Switzerland)
Center midfield	Jason Culina	PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands)
Center midfield	Vincenzo Grella	Parma (Italy)
Forward	Marco Bresciano	Parma (Italy)
Forward	Harry Kewell	Liverpool (England)
Forward	Mark Viduka	Middlesbrough (England)

We welcome your opinions. Click to send a message to the editor.