Carney can cope with 'big names' challenge

Australian national team coach Graham Arnold has told Sheffield United winger David Carney to prepare for a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity when the Socceroos host some of the biggest names in world football in the Argentina team on September 11 in Melbourne.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Aug 2007, 08:29 BST
Updated 31st Aug 2007, 13:38 BST

The rescheduled friendly match is expected to draw a near sell-out crowd of over 80,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and if selected Carney will be up against a star-studded side including Barcelona superstars Lionel Messi and Javier Saviola, Manchester United’s Carlos Tevez, former Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo, and Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano.

Arnold said Carney and his Socceroos teammates faced a massive challenge against the No.2-ranked team in world football.

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“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of the players to come up against some of the best in the world and to test themselves.”

Carney made his debut for the Socceroos in Bahrain last year but missed out Australia’s world cup squad in Germany. The former Sydney FC was left on the fringes of the national team but came to prominence during the Asian Cup this year.

The 23-year-old is expected to be named in Australia’s starting 11 and his chances of playing the full 90 minutes have increased after Arnold revealed that Liverpool winger Harry Kewell and Newcastle striker Mark

Related topics:Graham ArnoldSocceroosLiverpool