Qualification for the 2010 World Cup is all but assured after the Socceroos’ 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan on Wednesday and coach Pim Verbeek took the opportunity to make a sideways swipe at his critics. You can’t really blame him either. After his achievements at the helm over the last year, he has the right to gloat in the wake of this latest victory.

Elsewhere, Carl Valeri hopes his Italian club Grosetto sells him over the European summer and the Socceroos will play a friendly against Holland in either Sydney or Melbourne on Saturday October 10.

This weekend is also the final chance to take part in our readers' survey. Tell us what you do and don't like here and you could win a Sony Bravia TV worth $4399.

Trevor Treharne
Deputy editor, Australian FourFourTwo

PS : The May issue of FourFourTwo is on sale now - or subscribe now. This month is a South American special as we uncover the best, most bizarre and truly shocking stories from the world’s greatest football continent. Locally, the A-League’s two newest clubs are showcased as we speak to North Queensland Fury’s marquee star and the man known as “God” by Liverpool fans, Robbie Fowler. We’re also on the Gold Coast to go behind the scenes to see how billionaire Clive Palmer is spending his money at the league’s new “glamour” club.