Euro-stars must step up in Oman: Neill

Skipper Lucas Neill has declared Australia's return match against Oman a must-win
clash to avoid putting the pressure on a weakened Socceroos squad to qualify for the
Asian Cup.
The November 14 match in Muscat is likely to have a huge say in who qualifies for
the 2011 Asian Cup finals, with the winner almost certain to finish in the top two
in the group and advance.
But the Oman match will also be the last time in the qualifying stages that all of
Australia's European stars are available.
The remaining two group games, at Kuwait on January 6 and against Indonesia in
Brisbane on March 3, fall outside FIFA-sanctioned dates.
That is likely to mean squads of predominantly A-League players who failed to
flatter in the Socceroos' opening two group matches.
But the flatliners were replaced by the headliners for the 1-0 win over Oman in
Melbourne on Wednesday which lifted Australia to equal top of Group B with Oman on
four points.
"We must win because the two games after that will be non-FIFA dates, which means
the availability of certain players is going to be a test of the club versus country
situation," Neill said.
"We need to take ourselves to seven points and give ourselves a chance that, if it
was to be a blend of A-League players and European players, we have enough to see
off Kuwait and Indonesia."
The Socceroos can expect one of their more frosty welcomes in recent times for an
away clash after Oman coach Claude Le Roy's claims he was insulted by Australian
team official Gary Moretti during Wednesday's match.
Le Roy implied Moretti's comments were to do with his players allegedly feigning
injuries to waste time during the first half.
While Football Federation Australia immediately moved to quash the issue by
apologising "unreservedly" to Le Roy for any offence caused, the angry Frenchman
made it clear there would be extra edge to the qualifier.
"I can tell you that there will be a very interesting game on November 14 in Muscat,
you can be sure about that," Le Roy said.
"Australia is a very good team, with a lot of skilful players and we will be behind
them as part of Asia at the World Cup (next year).
"But before that they will come to Muscat. You can be sure we will be ready."