Massive November for Culina

Wife Terri has timed the delivery to within eight days of the November 20 (AEDT) Group A clash in Manama, allowing the midfielder the opportunity to spend some precious bonding time with the baby before jetting off to try and help the Socceroos nail down a third successive group win.

Gold Coast United target Culina feared he might miss the game until doctors decided on a delivery date.

"There was a danger for me that it (the birth) might cross paths with the game, which would have been both good and bad but now it’s coming it a bit earlier," he said.

"And that means I’ll definitely be able to play.

"It’s a big game for us. We’ve started really well (with wins over Uzbekistan and Qatar) and now we have a chance to really push on and take a hold on the group."

Ever-present for his country since emerging as one of Guuis Hiddink’s prime movers during the 2006 World Cup, Culina is convinced Australia is on track for a stop two berth – which would secure automatic qualification for South Africa 2010.

"We’re looking good to qualify at this stage," he added. "Without being cocky I feel it’s going to be down to us and Japan.

"While we still have work do, if we continue the way we’re playing we’ll be okay."

With 35 Socceroos caps since his debut four years ago, Culina has made himself all but indispensable with his ability to shoe-horn himself into multiple roles across the midfield, quick thinking, intelligent passing and non-stop motion.

“I’m loving my football with the national team,” he added. "We all know what we have to do, you come in do your job and you enjoy it.

“We have an excellent squad. It’s hard to compare with 2006 but perhaps this one will turn out to be even better because we might have a little more depth, even if we don’t have quite as much experience.

“I’m sure we can do at least as a well as 2006 (where Australia reached the last 16 before falling to eventual champions Italy 1-0).

Even PSV coach Ronald Koeman has been beguiled by Culina’s qualities, after deciding earlier in the season to punish his refusal to sign a new contract by leaving him out of games.

However, Culina has started the last three for the defending Dutch champions and is an almost-certain starter again on Wednesday morning (AEDT) in the UEFA Champions League duel against Marseille.

Though he has decided to quit the Netherlands at the end of the season after nine years (his other clubs were Ajax, De Graafschap and FC Twente), Culina is still mulling over whether to sign for the Gold Coast or remain in Europe.

“Officially I’m not allowed to talk to anybody (under FIFA rulers) until the January window,” he explained. “But of course I’m aware of the Gold Coast’s interest.”

The former Sydney United and Sydney Olympic ace doesn’t want to short-change local fans when he decides to return to the local scene.

“I’m 28 now and it’s important not to come back home when you can no longer perform at your peak,” he declared.
“People in Australia only get the chance to see us (Socceroos stars) when we play for the national team.

“They don’t get too see me week-in-week-out and see what quality players we are.

“Coming back at the end of your career when you can’t run much anymore and can’t go past players anymore is a disappointment for yourself and also for the fans.

“Maybe coming back a bit earlier would be a good idea. It would be nice for fans in the A-League to say, ‘hey this guy is pretty good, I didn’t know he was that good’.”