Audio By Carbonatix
Moore, the linchpin of the team's defence for more than a decade, will retire from international football after South Africa 2010 but is suspended for Australia's last group game against Serbia in Nelspruit on Wednesday.
And with the Socceroos facing an enormous task to finish second in the group and make it through to the knockout stages, Moore knows his Australian career could already be over if the team fails to pull off a second round appearance at South Africa 2010.
To do that Australia not only need to beat Serbia but also hope Ghana beat Germany - which is considered unlikely - while if Germany beat Ghana the Socceroos need to make up five goals in goal difference to finish ahead of Ghana in second spot or if that match is drawn they then need to make up seven goals to finish ahead of Germany in second spot on goal difference.
But Moore, a veteran of 52 caps for his country over 15 years and also a former Australian captain, has far from given hope of again getting the chance to play for the Socceroos.
"Are you saying we can't qualify (for the second round), don't give up on us yet," was his typical fighting reply when it was put to him that he may have played his last game for Australia.
"Why would you give up, we have one (group) game left and in football we have seen a lot of things happen so anything is possible."
"We have been criticised for un Australian performance (against Germany in losing 4-0 in the first group game) and it will be un Australian going into that last game giving up and we will certainly won't be doing that."
"The feeling in the squad is we have one game remaining and we can't focus on anything but that game."
"Our aim is to go out and try to win that game and while there is a lot of ifs and buts (as to what needs to happen elsewhere for the Socceroos to qualify) anything can happen but the only thing we can control is to try and win our game against Serbia."
Moore was suspended after picking up a second yellow card for the tournament during the game against Ghana, which he admitted was for "not the best of tackles" but he has no regrets.
"Of course (I am disappointed to be missing the Serbia game) but I didn't leave anything out there (against Ghana) - I gave everything I had and I am happy."
The absence of the courageous Moore, who previously retired from international football in early 2008 only to return after bravely beating testicular cancer, leaves a huge hole in the centre of Australia's defence for the must-win game against Serbia.
His replacement will be either Michael Beauchamp or Mark Milligan, who were the two shock selections for the last World Cup in Germany, but neither of whom has featured in South Africa 2010 to date.
Coach Pim Verbeek has yet to make up his mind on which of the pair will replace Moore as he admitted it was a big blow to lose Australia's most experienced defender for the Serbia match.
"Craig is a very experienced player of course and whenever he has played with Lucas Neill (in the centre of the Australian defence) they have always done a great job."
"But we have enough possibilities (in terms of replacements) - I have Michael Beauchamp who can play in that position and Mark Milligan who can play in that position so I have to think about it."
The inclusion of either Milligan or Beauchamp for the Serbia game will bring to 19 the number of players in the squad that have seen game time for the Socceroos in this tournament under Verbeek with the only other players yet to see action being young midfielder Dario Vidosic and back-up goalkeepers Adam Federici and Eugene Galekovic.
This is a big increase on four years ago when then manager Guus Hiddink used just 15 of his 23 man squad as the Socceroos reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time.
Source: Soccerway.com
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Photos: Democracy Is Not For Sale forum in Savannah region
5 minutes -
GNFS launches 2026/27 National Anti-Bushfire campaign in Atebubu, records 62.8% reduction in bushfire cases
23 minutes -
I’ll vote for a female president; women are less likely to steal from the state – Okyeame Kwame
24 minutes -
More public education needed to stop vote-buying – Savannah Region MP
33 minutes -
Absa Bank commissions new head office, commits to strengthening operations in Ghana
36 minutes -
Republic Bank-JoyNews Habitat Fair clinic: Day 1 ends on positive note as patrons explore housing solutions at Junction Mall
39 minutes -
Vanderpuye: NDC welfare system needed to support former officials, cadres
44 minutes -
Chamber of Mines extends support to Akropong, Mampong Special Schools
47 minutes -
Tumu chiefs, MP back clearance of road corridor for Ghana-Burkina road corridor
52 minutes -
‘Democracy Is Not For Sale’: Monetisation of elections could lead to wrong people entering Parliament – UDS lecturer
1 hour -
COCOBOD increases cocoa producer price to GH¢42,400 for 2026/27 season
1 hour -
Atebubu College of Education receives GETFund boost after years of infrastructure neglect
1 hour -
64 arrested over alleged unlawful possession of firearms at Achimota lounge
1 hour -
Savannah Regional Minister calls for clear rules to distinguish generosity from vote-buying
1 hour -
TOR secures 950,000 barrels of Sankofa crude from GNPC
2 hours