Adelaide coach Gerjtan Verbeek says playing A-League during FIFA international breaks is silly
Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek has threatened to withdraw all of his Australian under-23s if Central Coast play an injured Olyroo in Gosford on Saturday.
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Adelaide United coach Gertjan Verbeek said there would be “war’ if Central Coast played their injured Australian under-23 player today after he lost first team regular Al Hassan Toure to the young national team.
Toure, 19, and reserve keeper Daniel Margush are in China playing in an under-23 tournament during a FIFA international calendar break which Verbeek described as “silly” given the A-League competition hasn’t respected the mandatory breaks for the national team.
Mariners have lost Kye Rowles to under-23s duty but Daniel De Silva who was included in the recent Olyroos squad to face New Zealand in September has been ruled out of the China trip due to injury.
De Silva has been listed as “international duty – injured” on the official A-League ins and outs and Michael McGlinchey is also away on All Whites international duty after facing Ireland (1-3) away on Friday morning.
“I’m interested what’s going on with Central Coast because they have two player that also get an invitation from the Olympic team and they didn’t go because they were injured,’’ Verbeek said at Adelaide Airport on Friday.
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“So they can’t play, I think but we will see, it’s interesting.
“Then there is war (if they do play) because I don’t send Toure or Blackwood or Riley (McGree) also to the Olympic team, then they get something to hear from us, it can’t be done.
“They really have to think about to stop this playing during the FIFA break because it’s silly,’’
Jordan Elsey (knee) and George Blackwood (hip) travelled to Gosford after an extended absence but Verbeek said the pair wouldn’t start after training with the main group for the entire week.
Verbeek also welcomed back Louis D’Arrigo, 18, and Lachlan Brook, 18, from Australian under-20s duty.
The under-20s national team games cost D’Arrigo a spot in the first 11 during Adelaide’s emphatic 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar at Hindmarsh last weekend.
James Troisi, 31, started the game in what was previously D’Arrigo’s defensive midfield role but the Reds won the game when the Socceroo was shifted to No. 10 where he supplied the assist for Riley McGree’s winner.
“The level here at Adelaide is much better and more intense than the U-20s,’’ Verbeek said.
“I asked also the difference and they (D’Arrigo and Brook) said “yeah you can’t compare it because it’s more intense (Adelaide) and a higher level.”
“They need to get used to the higher level again because for more than 10 days they have been training and playing games at a lower level it’s too easy for them.”
Verbeek wouldn’t disclose whether D’Arrigo would win his spot back but declared Toure’s replacement could also be someone other than Norwegian striker Kristian Opseth.
After the Reds had beaten the Mariners in the semi final of the FFA Cup 2-1 before claiming the trophy Verbeek said coach Alen Stajcic’s side was well organised and would be an extremely tough opponent to dissect at home.
“They play better football now, the big striker (Matt Simon) is not a starter anymore they play a little bit different and I think it will be interesting as to how they developed over the last two games,’’ Verbeek said.
“And also my team we had two wins (consecutive) even three when you take the cup final so we’re in a good mood and getting stronger and stronger.”