Australia NewsCoyne Poised For Shock Start |
PIM Verbeek could hand defender Chris Coyne a shock start for the Socceroos against Iraq overnight on Saturday/Sunday.
To see the Ross training yesterday...
Coyne, who plays his club football with English third tier side Colchester United, has made a big impression on coach Verbeek since coming into the squad.
Speaking to AAP after a training match which saw Coyne utilised in a back three Verbeek said: "He's a leader. He's a tough defender, he's a very good header, he's never in panic, somebody we don't have so far in the backline.
“I think he's one of the best headers we have in the squad, and he's not afraid to go into duels. I think he can do a job for us."
For 29-year-old Coyne, a junior international at all levels, it is a chance he thought had slipped away.
Verbeek sent assistant coach Henk Duut to watch Coyne play for Colchester two months ago, but the defender broke down in the pre-match warm-up with back spasms.
Coyne said: “When my back went, I thought 'well that's done and dusted'. I was aware Henk was coming over. At the time I
thought it wasn't meant to be.
“You set goals and it's something I always wanted to achieve - the honour of representing my country.
“If this is my time, it's my time. It's not something that's going to daunt me, the fact it's an international.
“Given that opportunity, I'd like to grab it with both hands if it comes. If it doesn't, I'll keep trying. I'll keep grafting away because that's the sort of person I am."
To see the Ross training yesterday...
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