Schwarzer urges Socceroos to 'wake up'

Updated October 16, 2012 06:44:20

Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is expecting Australia to lift significantly for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Iraq in Doha.

Australia must beat Iraq to stay within reach of automatic qualification for the 2014 showpiece in Brazil.

Schwarzer says the Socceroos will rebound from their previous qualifier loss to Jordan.

"A very big reaction [is needed]," he said.

"We talked about it at the beginning of the week and also at various points throughout the week about how important it is, particularly the older players, the more experienced players to step up and not only lift their own performances but also demand it from the other players as well."

Schwarzer has called on his team-mates to 'wake up to themselves' after a disappointing start to the qualifying campaign, saying he was disgusted with the 2-1 loss to Jordan in September.

"Obviously I wasn't happy and I made sure that everyone was aware of that," Schwarzer said.

"They shouldn't be happy with anything that went on in that game and we need to do a lot better.

"We need to take a hard look at ourselves, otherwise we're going to be looking at the exit."

Midfielder Matt McKay says players are feeling the pressure ahead of the Iraq clash and that they recognise the significance of the match.

"Obviously with the opening games that we've had so far in this group, the build up, the pressure on this game - it's a massive fixture for all of us and we all know that," he said.

"We need to get three points out of it really to push our campaign back on track."

Tags: socceroos, soccer, sport, qatar, iraq, australia

First posted October 15, 2012 11:52:20

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Schwarzer to stay at Fulham until 2013

Updated January 19, 2012 07:49:40

Australia international Mark Schwarzer has signed a one-year extension to his Fulham contract which will keep him at the club until 2013, it was confirmed Thursday morning.

The 39-year-old goalkeeper, widely regarded as one of the most reliable shot stoppers in the Premier League, joined the Cottagers on a free transfer in 2008 following a long stint with Middlesbrough.

Schwarzer said he hoped to prolong his club career at least until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

"I love playing and want to continue for as long as possible as long as the performances are there," he said.

"I like to set myself targets and the 2014 World Cup is my goal without a doubt.

"I'm enjoying my football as much as ever and I try to maximise every opportunity I get. The saying I use is 'I'll be a long time retired', so I want to do the best job I can.

"There's plenty of time to feel tired when you're retired - now is the time to enjoy it."

Schwarzer, who is currently injured, said he had taken inspiration from Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel, the 40-year-old US international earning plaudits for his performances at Spurs.

"I look at Brad Friedel and he's older than me so I'll keep going as long as he's going!" he told Fulham's official website.

"He said to me he's going to play for at least another two seasons so I've got at least that."

AFP

Tags: english-premier, soccer, sport, england

First posted January 19, 2012 07:49:40

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Schwarzer out for six weeks

Updated December 17, 2011 17:42:36

Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer faces up to six weeks on the sidelines after suffering a neck injury, his English Premier League club Fulham confirmed.

Schwarzer, 39, sustained the injury during the Cottagers' defeat against Swansea last weekend and after consulting a specialist has been told to rest until late January.

The initial diagnosis should see the 39-year-old be fit to face Saudi Arabia in the vital World Cup qualifier in Melbourne on February 29.

"Following an assessment by a specialist consultant on Tuesday evening, the club can confirm that he has sustained a compression injury to his thoracic spine and that he will be unavailable for four to six weeks, and is expected to return to play towards the end of January," Fulham said in a statement.

Schwarzer said in a post on Twitter that he was "devastated" by the injury.

"Thanks for your well wishes, I'm devastated to be out for 4-6 weeks. After speaking to the specialist, it was very clear I needed a rest," he wrote.

Fulham has recalled loaned out goalkeeper David Stockdale from Ipswich to cover for Schwarzer.

AFP

Tags: socceroos, soccer, sport, english-premier, australia, england, united-kingdom

First posted December 15, 2011 06:48:04

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Schwarzer wants fresh Fulham success

Updated July 13, 2011 09:03:32

Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has said Fulham cannot afford to stand still but must build on its impressive achievements of recent seasons if they are to enjoy future success.

Although one of London's smaller top-flight clubs, in terms of ground capacity and tradition, Fulham have twice finished in the Premier League top 10 over the past three seasons and also made it to the Europa League final in 2010.

Schwarzer has been a cornerstone of the Cottagers' team in that time.

"We've just got to keep backing up what we've been doing over the last few years," he told Fulham's website on Tuesday.

"The last three seasons have been -- for Fulham Football Club and a lot of us personally - fantastic.

"It's possibly been the best three years in a lot of our careers. We need to continue that run.

"We believe that we belong in the top half of the Premier League and we like to think that we can mix it in Europe every couple of seasons.

"The expectation levels are always higher. When I first came here, the club had just avoided relegation with 15 minutes to spare so anything above that was a bonus.

"To then finish seventh, then have such a great run in Europe and finish eighth last year means the expectations are there.

"We, as players, acknowledge that and we know that we need to live up to them.

"So far it's been a great challenge. If you look at the history of the club and how much has been accomplished, particularly in the last three years - it's been outstanding."

Schwarzer also praised the contribution of Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed, the former owner of London's Harrods department store.

"The chairman's been 100 per cent supportive and the club wouldn't exist in the position it is now without the support of the chairman," he added.

"He's always been there and he's always been rock-solid for the club. He's always looked to progress.

"In the years that I've been here, I've seen a lot of progression."

- AFP

Tags: socceroos, sport, soccer, english-premier, england, australia

First posted July 13, 2011 06:50:39

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I'm not next Schwarzer yet: Langerak

Posted June 2, 2011 19:08:00

He is tipped by some as the most likely to succeed Mark Schwarzer down the track for Australia but young gun Mitch Langerak is keeping his feet firmly on the ground ahead of a likely Socceroos debut.

The 22-year-old has emerged as one of Australia's brightest goalkeeping prospects after making an encouraging switch to German champions Borussia Dortmund from Melbourne Victory last season.

Langerak is vying with Adam Federici and Nathan Coe for game time in Sunday's friendly against New Zealand in Adelaide and Tuesday's clash with Serbia in Melbourne, in the rare absence of 38-year-old Schwarzer due to groin surgery.

And while some believe it could be the start of a bright international career, the down-to-earth shot stopper insists the race to replace the legendary Schwarzer, when he eventually calls time on his career, is wide open.

"It's only words, it doesn't mean anything," Langerak said of talk he could be Australia's next first-choice No.1.

"It still comes down to how I perform and things like that.

"Australia's got such good goalkeeping depth, it's going to be a big battle for the job between the sticks over the next five to ten years.

"It's a privilege to be here in the squad, it's not a given, and everyone's here on merit.

"Whoever plays will do a great job and hopefully I get the chance."

Langerak would appear likely to play at least 45 minutes against the All Whites on Sunday with Federici only joining the Australian camp late on Wednesday night after his English club Reading lost out in the promotion play-off to Swansea on Monday.

He acknowledged any game time in the friendly matches would provide an opportunity to enhance his credentials but played down the games as a showdown with Federici and Coe.

Langerak impressed on debut for Dortmund in a 3-1 win over powerhouse Bayern Munich and said he was willing to bide his time to get more first-team action in the coming campaign.

He earned a place in the squad for Australia's friendly win over Germany in March and said he was keeping in contact with Schwarzer.

"We exchange a few texts ... He told me I can give him a call, ask him questions, it's good to have his number if I need to," he said.

-AAP

Tags: sport, football, socceroos, australia

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