Young Jets sweating on World Cup squad selection
By JAMES GARDINER
May 13, 2014, 10:30 p.m.
JETS Adam Taggart, Mark Birighitti and Josh Brillante are confident they have done everything possible to press their claims for a place in the Socceroos’ preliminary squad for the World Cup.
Now their fate lies in the hands of coach Ange Postecoglou, who will announce a 30-man squad in Sydney this morning for a two-week training camp in Terrigal that culminates with the Socceroos’ send-off match against South Africa at ANZ Stadium on May 26. The final squad of 23 for Brazil will be named on June2.
The Jets trio joined fellow A-League-based hopefuls Eugene Galekovic, Osama Malik, Tom Rogic, Mark Milligan and James Troisi at a six-day training camp under Socceroos assistant coach Aurelio Vidmar in Adelaide last week.
The camp focused on conditioning to ensure that the participants, who are in strong contention for the preliminary squad, were at a similar fitness level to those whose leagues have just ended.
Birighitti was dropped for the Jets’ final four games and travelled to Adelaide a week early to work with Galekovic and Adelaide goalkeeper coach Peter Blazincic.
Taggart and Brillante have not played since the Jets beat Adelaide 2-0 in the final round on April 11.
‘‘It is always good to be involved in the national team set-up,’’ Birighitti said.
‘‘To get called into a mini camp in Adelaide and be one step closer to going to a World Cup. Even to make the preliminary squad would be a dream come true.
‘‘I’m pretty sure there are five keepers they are looking at – myself, Eugene, Mitch Langerak, Matt Ryan and Brad Jones.
‘‘Four will be named in the 30 and will also travel to Brazil. They are taking an extra as a back-up.
‘‘At least I am in the picture. Fingers crossed I am one of the four picked, have a good couple of weeks in camp and prove myself.’’
Up front, Tim Cahill, Tom Rogic, Matthew Leckie and Josh Kennedy are almost certain to be picked.
Taggart is in a bunch with Dario Vidosic, James Troisi and Ben Halloran fighting for a place.
The Jets striker is fresh from a breakthrough A-League campaign in which he scored a club-record 16 goals to claim the A-League Golden Boot and Young Player of the Year awards.
‘‘I did all I could in the season,’’ Taggart said.
‘‘It is pretty exciting, but even if I get in the squad, there is still a long way to go.
‘‘The squad gets cut to 23 and there are a lot of great players available.
‘‘It was good to get in camp [in Adelaide] early, get a feel for things and understand what is expected.
‘‘You have to be ready. A lot of players are still in their domestic leagues.
‘‘For myself I felt like I needed it and got a lot of benefit from it.’’
Brillante said selection in the preliminary squad would cap an amazing season.
‘‘It is good to be in and around the national team, knowing that you are not far off and they are keeping an eye on you,’’ he said.
‘‘Just being involved in the mini camp. If I am lucky enough to be in that 30, it would be incredible.’’
World Cup selection would also increase the trio’s chances of a move overseas.
Birighitti has been in talks with German club Bayer Leverkusen, which he said were progressing.
‘‘A new coach has come in, but that hasn’t affected my chances,’’ he said.
‘‘They had a lot of stuff going on and I was last on the list of priorities. Now that the season is over and they have qualified for Champions League, hopefully in the next few weeks something will be concrete.’’
Meanwhile, the Jets are continuing talks with David Carney. Former skipper Matt Thompson is also interested in a return to the Hunter.
In New Zealand, Wellington released Carlos Hernandez from his A-League contract the same day he was named in Costa Rica’s provisional squad for the World Cup.
Perth have signed Western Sydney striker Youssouf Hersi for two seasons.
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