Griffiths still in reckoning

Griffiths, who questioned his exclusion from the largely A-League based squad that faced Indonesia last week, shot Beijing Guoan to a 1-0 victory over Melbourne Victory in its ACL opener with a stylish finish.

And the former Johnny Warren Medallist will be out to grab Verbeek's attention again by starring for the Chinese champion in its Group E matchday two duel against Kawasaki Frontale on Tuesday night at the Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium.

The in-form striker, back at Beijing on a two-year deal after his acrimonious split from Newcastle Jets, has just two caps for his country and is incredulous at failing to get more of a look-in.

But Verbeek kept the door ajar when he told The World Game: "I don't say no, why should I? If he is going to score 20 goals and shows he has the qualities, the fitness and the desire and is better than my other strikers then of course he has a chance.

"I will make sure we see him more than one time (in the coming months) and keep track of how he is performing.

"It's no secret to me that he wants to be a part of the Socceroos. I have known that for a long time and it's good that he did well and scored against Melbourne.

"It’s not about me it's about what's good for the national team and what's best for them. So if he proves he's good enough, then why not. There is time enough for him do that still."

Griffiths, 30, expressed his exasperation at being overlooked when he told the World Game in February after the squad for the Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia was announced: "When I look at the players getting call ups, I have to say, without being big-headed, that I am better than a lot of them.

"It's disappointing when you see some of the players who are being picked."

While offering Griffiths a pathway back to the national team, albeit an unlikely one, Verbeek underlined how difficult it will be for him to move alongside the likes of Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell, Scott McDonald and Nikita Rukavytsya in his World Cup reckoning.

"I am not going to select a player on the strength of one good game (against Melbourne). That's probably the only game you have seen him play also in the last year," he added.

"I have also to compare to the Chinese League with the European League and see whether he can bring something for us."