SYDNEY (AFP) Coach Pim Verbeek has confidently backed the Socceroos to reach the knock-out stages of next month's World Cup, provided they can clear a worrying injury list including star forward Harry Kewell.
Verbeek named Kewell, who is battling groin problems, in a bumper 31-man preliminary squad alongside other injury-hit senior players such as Mark Bresciano, Brett Emerton and Vince Grella.
The Dutchman, Guus Hiddink's assistant during South Korea's miraculous run to the 2002 semi-finals, says he is confident the Socceroos can repeat 2006's round of 16 appearance provided everyone is fit.
"We can go to the last 16, I'm sure about that, if everybody's ready and everybody's fit. We still have four-and-a-half weeks to prepare," Verbeek told Sky News after a glittering ceremony to announce the squad.
"We can go to the last 16 - and in the last 16, anything can happen. It's a tough group but the players are excited about the group, they see it as a challenge."
Australia qualified for the knock-out stages in 2006 before controversially falling to a late penalty against eventual winner Italy.
It faces a tough Group D in South Africa starting with three-time champion Germany on June 13, with matches also against African threat Ghana and strong European prospect Serbia.
Kewell, 31, along with Everton's serial match-winner Tim Cahill, Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, Blackburn utility Brett Emerton and Galatasaray club-mate Lucas Neill, is seen as key to Australia's chances in Verbeek's last assignment before stepping down.
"Of course there are rumours, of course there are opinions, but Harry will be ready," Verbeek said.
"Medical staff, everybody, Harry himself informs me that he will be OK. We still have five weeks to prepare him for the first game against Germany so doesn’t worry about him, he will be there."
Last week Johan Neeskens, assistant coach at Turkey's Galatasaray, said it would be "very difficult" for the gifted former Leeds and Liverpool player to recover in time for the World Cup.
Verbeek gave a surprise call-up to 18-year-old Tommy Oar, who only made his international debut in March, as possible cover on the left wing for Kewell or Bresciano, who is battling a back problem.
Oar quickly caught Verbeek's eye playing for the Roar and since making his Socceroos debut has joined Dutch outfit FC Utrecht.
"[Tommy is a] left winger, very, very promising - I think it's great for Australian football that we have a player like him, just 18 years old," he said.
"I'm sure Tommy can be a great player in the future, so it was good for him to be part of this selection.
"You don't have so many left-footed players with his quality."
Blackburn duo Emerton and Vince Grella were also named despite injury concerns, while Archie Thompson and Patrick Kisnorbo were among those ruled out by more serious problems.
Verbeek included Adelaide United's Eugene Galekovic as a stand-by goalkeeper in case of further injuries, in addition to the FIFA-sanctioned preliminary squad of 30 players.
Veteran defender Craig Moore was named despite cutting short his stint with Greek club AO Kavala in March, while in-form Nagoya Grampus striker Josh Kennedy will lead the attack.
Aston Villa defender Shane Lowry, 20, and Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici both have a chance to earn their first full international caps on the sport's biggest stage.
The Socceroos have a friendly against fellow World Cup finalists New Zealand on May 24 before flying to South Africa, where they will face Germany, Ghana and Serbia in the group stage.
Australia: Michael Beauchamp, Mark Bresciano, Tim Cahill, Nick Carle, David Carney, Scott Chipperfield, Jason Culina, Brett Emerton, Adam Federici, Eugene Galekovic, Richard Garcia, Vince Grella, James Holland, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Brad Jones, Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell, Shane Lowry, Scott McDonald, Mark Milligan, Craig Moore, Lucas Neill (captain), Jade North, Tommy Oar, Nikita Rukavytsya, Mark Schwarzer, Carl Valeri, Dario Vidosic, Luke Wilkshire, Rhys Williams.
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