Stupid Aussies have no national pride 
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Harry Kewell, John Aloisi and Josip Skoko have joined Brett Emerton on the injured list and have withdrawn from this week's Socceroos clash in Venezuela while Mark Viduka failed to turn up in Caracas as scheduled.
Frank Farina's plans have been thrown in to chaos ahead of Wednesday night's (Thursday morning AEST) game at the Olympic Stadium but the Australian national coach took the news on the chin.
"There is always last minute hitches because players are involved in matches on the weekend before mid-week internationals," Farina told the Australian media from Caracas.
And he confirmed that the Australian Soccer Association would take care of the matter regarding Viduka's absence.
"Mark was due to arrive today [Sunday local time] and he hasn't arrived. But as you all know he's an important member of the squad. I've spoken to Mark and ASA has spoken to him but that is now in the hands of ASA."
It appears that Leeds forward Viduka has elected to stay at Elland Road rather than fly to meet up with his Australian teammates, which he hinted at doing last week before Farina announced his squad.
While Viduka missed the flight from London, eight British-based players were on board and have arrived in Venezuela to join Parramatta Power pair Ahmad Elrich and Simon Colosimo in camp. Those players are Stan Lazaridis, Craig Moore, Kevin Muscat, Lucas Neill, Tony Popovic, Mark Schwarzer, Tony Vidmar and David Zdrilic.
The remainder of the squad is expected to arrive in Caracas no later than Monday evening (local time).
Aberdeen striker Zdrilic was one of three players called-in by Farina to cover the loss of Kewell, Aloisi and Skoko.
1860 Munich striker Paul Agostino has also been recalled to the national set up while Marconi Stallions' Nick Carle has been promoted from the Olyroos.
Liverpool ace Kewell was substituted during the 1-1 FA Cup fifth round clash against Portsmouth while Aloisi suffered a heavy knock in Osasuna's loss to Deportivo La Coruna in the Primera Liga. Skoko has been carrying a knee injury for while.
All three players contacted Farina following their respective matches on Sunday and advised him that they are injured and would be unavailable for this match.
"Kewell came off against Portsmouth but we haven't received the medical documentation from any of the clubs yet but we are chasing that up," Farina explained.
"When I spoke to Harry he was flying out to see a specialist and we'll know more then. But apparently it's the ankle still that has been troubling him for about four weeks or so."
"John Aloisi came of after 60 minutes when he got a heavy knock so again we are waiting on the documentation."
"Josip has had an ongoing problem with his knee where he has obviously struggled through but like I said we are waiting to receive word from his club."
Meanwhile, Vince Grella made the trip to Caracas after missing Empoli's Serie A game against Lazio on Saturday due to injury.
He is currently a 50-50 proposition but Farina is confident that he will be fit enough to start the game in the centre of midfield despute his knee and calf problems.
"Grella has not been ruled out. We are monitoring him as each day goes by and hopefully he will continue to get better," Farina said. "But he definitely does have an ongoing problem. He said he was struggling but he is hoping to be fit for the game."
Emerton pulled out of the game late last week after suffering an injury playing for Blackburn against Newcastle United in the Premier League.
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I have no idea how this match will turn out. Just have to wait and see
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Harry Kewell, John Aloisi and Josip Skoko have joined Brett Emerton on the injured list and have withdrawn from this week's Socceroos clash in Venezuela while Mark Viduka failed to turn up in Caracas as scheduled.
Frank Farina's plans have been thrown in to chaos ahead of Wednesday night's (Thursday morning AEST) game at the Olympic Stadium but the Australian national coach took the news on the chin.
"There is always last minute hitches because players are involved in matches on the weekend before mid-week internationals," Farina told the Australian media from Caracas.
And he confirmed that the Australian Soccer Association would take care of the matter regarding Viduka's absence.
"Mark was due to arrive today [Sunday local time] and he hasn't arrived. But as you all know he's an important member of the squad. I've spoken to Mark and ASA has spoken to him but that is now in the hands of ASA."
It appears that Leeds forward Viduka has elected to stay at Elland Road rather than fly to meet up with his Australian teammates, which he hinted at doing last week before Farina announced his squad.
While Viduka missed the flight from London, eight British-based players were on board and have arrived in Venezuela to join Parramatta Power pair Ahmad Elrich and Simon Colosimo in camp. Those players are Stan Lazaridis, Craig Moore, Kevin Muscat, Lucas Neill, Tony Popovic, Mark Schwarzer, Tony Vidmar and David Zdrilic.
The remainder of the squad is expected to arrive in Caracas no later than Monday evening (local time).
Aberdeen striker Zdrilic was one of three players called-in by Farina to cover the loss of Kewell, Aloisi and Skoko.
1860 Munich striker Paul Agostino has also been recalled to the national set up while Marconi Stallions' Nick Carle has been promoted from the Olyroos.
Liverpool ace Kewell was substituted during the 1-1 FA Cup fifth round clash against Portsmouth while Aloisi suffered a heavy knock in Osasuna's loss to Deportivo La Coruna in the Primera Liga. Skoko has been carrying a knee injury for while.
All three players contacted Farina following their respective matches on Sunday and advised him that they are injured and would be unavailable for this match.
"Kewell came off against Portsmouth but we haven't received the medical documentation from any of the clubs yet but we are chasing that up," Farina explained.
"When I spoke to Harry he was flying out to see a specialist and we'll know more then. But apparently it's the ankle still that has been troubling him for about four weeks or so."
"John Aloisi came of after 60 minutes when he got a heavy knock so again we are waiting on the documentation."
"Josip has had an ongoing problem with his knee where he has obviously struggled through but like I said we are waiting to receive word from his club."
Meanwhile, Vince Grella made the trip to Caracas after missing Empoli's Serie A game against Lazio on Saturday due to injury.
He is currently a 50-50 proposition but Farina is confident that he will be fit enough to start the game in the centre of midfield despute his knee and calf problems.
"Grella has not been ruled out. We are monitoring him as each day goes by and hopefully he will continue to get better," Farina said. "But he definitely does have an ongoing problem. He said he was struggling but he is hoping to be fit for the game."
Emerton pulled out of the game late last week after suffering an injury playing for Blackburn against Newcastle United in the Premier League.
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I have no idea how this match will turn out. Just have to wait and see
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