Vidmar out of World Cup

Vidmar out of World Cup
May 9, 2006 - 6:20PM

The Socceroos have lost experienced defender Tony Vidmar for the World Cup finals because of a career-threatening heart irregularity.

On the eve of the 23-man squad being named in Sydney tomorrow, the 35-year-old veteran of four World Cup campaigns announced his withdrawal after he was found to have an irregular heart rhythm.

Vidmar broke his ribs during a match earlier this season for his Dutch club NAC Breda and has been sidelined since, but went for further tests recently after experiencing shortness of breath during a training session.

He will return to Australia at the end of the week for more examinations before deciding whether he will continue his playing career.

A key member of the team which defeated Uruguay in the World Cup playoff last November, Vidmar is Australia's third most capped player of all-time with 75 appearances for his country.

His demise has virtually ensured Central Coast Mariners defender Michael Beauchamp, who can cover Vidmar's role as centre-back and fullback, will be selected in the final squad for Germany named tomorrow.

"It's something that has come as a real shock but due to the seriousness of the situation I had no other choice in the interests of my own health and the team that I withdraw from being considered for the World Cup squad," Vidmar said.

"When I return to Australia I'll have some further examinations and once I have that information I'll decide if I will play on but in the short term it would be too much of a risk.

"Of course I would love to play in the World Cup, it's been a dream of mine and I have been in four campaigns but until I am fully aware of my health situation I can't risk playing."

Vidmar made his Socceroos debut in 1991 and has enjoyed a distinguished career playing in Australia, Belgium, England, Scotland, Wales and Holland.

He will be best remembered for his tears shed on the MCG after the Socceroos' heartbreaking World Cup playoff defeat by Iran in 1997.

He also scored one of the Socceroos' penalties during the winning shootout against Uruguay at Telstra Stadium last November.

His club highlight came during a five-year spell at Scotland's Glasgow Rangers, where he won two league titles and three Scottish FA Cups as well as playing in the European Champions League.

In a Socceroos squad expected to contain few surprises, Vidmar's withdrawal opens the door for several fringe candidates to grab a spot.

Twenty of the places look formalities, with Beauchamp likely to be Vidmar's direct replacement and regular skipper Craig Moore certain to be picked in central defence after recovering from injury which kept him out of the Uruguay playoffs.

The other three spots will depend on how coach Guus Hiddink wants to structure his troops for Germany.

Swiss-based centre-half Ljubo Milicevic and perennial Socceroo fringe player Luke Wilkshire, both part of the Uruguay squad, and Dutch-based striker Brett Holman appear the most likely to make the cut.

Holman has been instrumental in helping his club Excelsior win the Dutch second division title with 14 goals this season, and made an encouraging senior Socceroos debut in the 3-1 Asian Cup win over Bahrain in February.

He has played in Holland for the past five years, knowing well the system employed by Hiddink.

Defender Michael Thwaite and utility Joel Griffiths, both members of the squad which beat Uruguay, appear set to miss out because of a lack of match practice.

Thwaite has been locked in dispute with his Romanian club Nacional Bucharest after signing for Polish club Wisla Krakow for next season.

He hasn't played in months and has been forced to train alone.

Griffiths has made just two substitute appearances since joining English club Leeds in January from Swiss side Neuchatel Xamax, where he played regularly.

Possible squad: John Aloisi, Michael Beauchamp, Marco Bresciano, Tim Cahill, Scott Chipperfield, Ante Covic, Jason Culina, Ahmad Elrich, Brett Emerton, Vince Grella, Brett Holman, Zeljko Kalac, Harry Kewell, Stan Lazaridis, Ljubo Milicevic, Craig Moore, Lucas Neill, Tony Popovic, Mark Schwarzer, Josip Skoko, Archie Thompson, Mark Viduka, Luke Wilkshire.

AAP

Terrible news for Vidmar. I still remember the game against Uruguay last WC campaign were he had to be pulled off the ground in tears after defeat. Been a real role model for Aussie football during his career. Im sure the rest of the squad will step up an extra notch for Vidmar.