By Thomas Rooney
Experienced goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has revealed that he is extremely excited by the depth of talent in the current Australia squad. The Fulham man believes that the quality of the players right now is stronger than at any other time in his international career.
Schwarzer has been encouraged by how the team has coped without the likes of Josip Skoko, Tony Popovic, Tony Vidmar, Stan Lazaridis and Zeljko Kalac – who have all retired from international football. Australia have recorded memorable victories over Nigera, Ghana and the Netherlands in the last year and as things stand, the football odds suggest that they are all set to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The new era of players have received encouragement from Schwarzer who says that they have ‘come a really long way over the last year’ and that the ‘attitude and commitment’ of this Australian team is second to none. Most significantly though, there is still two years to go until the World Cup and should the improvement continue at its current speed, many online betting sites will be tipping Australia to have a successful tournament – much like they did in 2006.
All in all, Schwarzer is right to be encouraged by what he has seen unfold in front of him. Tim Cahill and Brett Emerton have been the shining lights and provide much valued experience. However, it is the emergence of players such as Scott McDonald, Chris Coyne and Josh Kennedy that has really improved things. They are all determined to achieve great things for their national team and it is good to see them establishing themselves in the squad.
As for Schwarzer himself, he is settling into life at Fulham. The 36-year-old made the switch from Middlesbrough in the summer and even though his new team sit 17th in the Premier League – Schwarzer has put in a number of fine displays. Fulham haven’t lost a game by more than one goal so far this season and this has a lot to do with the form of the Australian.
Schwarzer has certainly established himself as one of the better keepers in England in recent years. After spells at Bradford City, Middlesbrough and now Fulham he will go down as a very reliable goalkeeper.
As for what the future may hold, well I expect him to carry on playing in England for at least a couple more years. Physically, he is very fit and mentally, he is determined to succeed. That’s a winning formula when you get to the latter stages of your career.
One thing for sure is that Schwarzer would love to be involved in the World Cup squad for 2010, where he would be amongst a group of players that he believes have an excellent chance of achieving great things for Australia.
