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Australia's Grella unhappy with timing [Mon Sep 5th, 2005]
Australian international midfielder Vince Grella has slammed the scheduling of Australia's Oceania World Cup qualifier second leg against the Solomon Islands in Honiara, set to be played in searing 30 degree-plus temperatures in the middle of the day.
The multi-million dollar stars face the risk of heat-related health problems as they earn their passage to November's World Cup qualifier.
The Aussies hold an unassailable 7-0 lead from Saturday's first leg in Sydney and will advance to a playoff against the fifth-placed South American team for a spot at the World Cup finals once the formalities of the return leg are completed at the Lawson Tama Stadium.
But Grella, who has to back up for his Italian club Parma at the weekend, said the decision to play the game in the heat of the day was a ridiculous one.
"I'd like the people from FIFA to go out there in their shirts and ties and play at one o'clock for 90 minutes - one o'clock when it's going to be 45 degrees or something," Grella said.
"For them, what difference does (holding the match in the middle of the day or not) make? What difference does it make for the Solomon Islands?
"We go back to our clubs in shocking physical condition - it's not good for us."
Grella knows all about the difficult conditions in the Solomons and the risks to health and form players face when exerting themselves in severe heat.
He played in the Oceania Nations Cup match there in October last year, lasting an hour before being replaced on an oppressively hot day with temperatures in the high 30s.
The midfielder then returned to Parma and played injured before eventually losing his place in the club's starting lineup - Parma and the critical Italian football media blaming his international commitments for his form slump.
Despite Grella's concerns about the conditions, he is desperate for a starting role for new coach Guus Hiddink's second game in charge after sitting on the bench in the opener.
Grella is vying with Josip Skoko for the holding midfielder's role in Hiddink's 3-5-2 formation, with Skoko preferred for the first leg.
Australia have five midfielders - Tim Cahill, Marco Bresciano and Jason Culina the others - contesting the three spots.
But Grella is relishing the competition and says it can only augur well for Australia's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup finals.
"All five midfielders are different and can offer something different for particular games," Grella said.
"I don't think Skoko and I are the same players - we play the role in different ways - and that can only be an advantage for the coach.
"Mark (Bresciano) and Tim aren't the same players, and neither are Tim and Jason. Five different types of player for three spots - that's a big advantage to have."
AAP
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