FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Asia - 06/02/08

[Napoleon Solo]

08:30 Australia v Qatar 1.32 4.56 8.35
10:20 Japan v Thailand 1.16 6.08 13.17
11:00 Republic of Korea v Turkmenistan 1.16 6.08 13.17
11:30 Iran v Syria 1.32 4.56 8.35
12:30 Iraq v China 1.73 3.29 4.65
14:00 Jordan v DPR Korea 1.62 3.32 5.55
14:30 Oman v Bahrain 1.93 3.24 3.85
15:00 Lebanon v Uzbekistan 3.39 3.24 2.02
15:15 United Arab Emirates v Kuwait 1.67 3.23 5.25
17:15 Saudi Arabia v Singapore 1.26 5.06 9.10

[Napoleon Solo]

Socceroo starting line-up
EXCLUSIVE: The mystery surrounding Pim Verbeek's starting line-up for tonight's crunch World Cup qualifier against Qatar can be revealed by au.fourfourtwo.com.
To see behind the scenes at the final Socceroos training session...

It's understood that Verbeek will select the following starting team: Schwarzer, Neill, Moore, Emerton, Carney – Culina, Wilkshire, Bresciano, Cahill – McDonald, Kennedy.

From what our sources are telling us, Verbeek will employ a four man defence which in reality will be a two-man backline with Neill and Moore looking after Qatar's expected lone striker.

This means that wide “defenders” Brett Emerton (right) and David Carney (left) will have licence to push up in wide areas to support the midfield diamond and the strikeforce.

That diamond will consist of Eredivisie star Jason Culina at the base with Mark Bresciano, Luke Wilkshire and Timmy Cahill in front of him. The Everton talisman is likely to play in behind the front two in order to utilise his renowned ability to drift into the box and score.

The other two midfielders will be floating around the left and right channels and getting wide when they can.

Up front will be the Victorian duo of Karlsruhe beanpole Josh Kennedy and Celtic hitman Scott McDonald, forming a striking combination of height and pace across the deck.

It's also understood that Italy-based Carl Valeri may be on the bench and could come on as a replacement for Jason Culina later in the game.

With kick-off later today, we'll soon find out if au.fourfourtwo.com got this one right.

From Home - FourFourTwo Australia - The Ultimate Football Website

[Napoleon Solo]

What should be a straight-forward treble to start the day, combined odds of 1.82 at Expekt. May well throw the lot on Saudi Arabia as they should beat Singapore.

Australia v Qatar
Japan v Thailand
Republic of Korea v Turkmenistan