Socceroos won`t hold back against Dutch

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek and his players say they won't be holding back in
Saturday night's friendly against the Netherlands, despite next week's crucial Asian
Cup qualifier with Oman looming large.
The players have reiterated all week the fact that next Wednesday's match in
Melbourne is the main focus of this trip, with Australia badly needing a win after
claiming just one point from their first two qualifiers for the 2011 Asian Cup.
But that doesn't mean they will be treading carefully against the world No.3 Dutch
side, whom they beat last year in Eindhoven, with Verbeek promising to start his
strongest possible side at the Sydney Football Stadium.
That team will include the likes of Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill and Mark
Schwarzer, and Everton star Cahill dismissed any concerns the players would be
playing the friendly match in second gear.
"I don't think you can play a game in second gear," Cahill said.
"I don't think you can because of the way we are and the way we apply ourselves.
"We don't come over here and fly half way around the world just to relax.
"We've come back to play and prepare right, train right and try and produce the
right result on the football pitch."
Verbeek said he would decide during the game which players would not play a full
match and be given early marks ahead of the Oman match.
His starting side is set to be spearheaded by an in-form Josh Kennedy, with Brett
Holman likely to be rewarded for his good club form in Holland with a starting spot
in the midfield alongside Cahill and Kewell.
Neill will partner Craig Moore at centre back, despite getting little game-time
since joining Everton, with Luke Wilkshire on the right and David Carney likely to
edge out Scott Chipperfield at left back.
Brett Emerton is set make his long-awaited return to the national side after a year
out with a knee injury, most likely off the bench, while Scott McDonald and Mark
Bresciano have not travelled from Europe due to injuries picked up in club matches.
Verbeek said the clash against the Dutch was another chance for the 14th-ranked
Socceroos to test themselves against world-class opposition in the lead-up to next
year's World Cup.
"This is another big test for us to find out how good we really are and what we have
to improve, that's why these games are important," Verbeek said.
It will be the Dutchman's third match coaching against his home country, after he
did so with South Korea in 2007 and in Australia's 2-1 win last year.
"For me, of course it's an interesting game," Verbeek said.
"It's a special game, there's no doubt about that, but for me and for the boys it's
a big test and that's the way we look at it."
Likely team: Mark Schwarzer (gk), Luke Wilkshire, Lucas Neill (capt), Craig Moore,
David Carney, Vince Grella, Jason Culina, Brett Holman, Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell,
Josh Kennedy.