Verbeek shields injured Kewell from media

Australia coach Pim Verbeek decided to spare ex-Liverpool star Harry Kewell from the media because he wants to wait until the attacker is fully fit. Turkey-based Kewell is recovering from a persistent groin injury and had been due to speak after the Socceroos completed the latest training session at their northern Johannesburg base.

Verbeek, assistant Australia coach to fellow Dutchman Dick Advocaat at the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, will see his side take on fellow qualifiers Denmark on Tuesday before facing USA next Saturday in their last warm-up. He is hoping for a vastly-improved performance from a 2-1 home win over New Zealand last week as they prepare to tackle Germany, Ghana and Serbia in Group D.