Viduka's the missing piece

Acutely aware of the Socceroos' shortage of goal power, and lack of a born leader of the front-line, Culina wants Dukes to be at the vanguard of the push for success in South Africa.

While the injury-prone striker, out of contract at Newcastle United, ponders whether to put his body through one more year of top level football – be it in England or elsewhere – Culina has no doubt that the attacking alchemy is still there.

“Mark is a great player, he something’s different for the team. His mere presence on the field will deter opponents and inspire us,” he declared.

“If he were to put his hand up it would galvanise the entire camp because we all know what he’s capable of and that he’s a big occasion player.”

Not seen in a green and gold jumper since captaining Australia at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup finals, Viduka's intentions have provoked a will he won’t he guessing game, which has left his team-mates on tenterhooks.

While Culina would love to have him back fending off defenders with his strength and subtlety and creating chances of audacious back-heels and deft flocks, he isn’t holding his breath.

“His main priority now will be to sort his club situation out first and then go from there,” he added.

“Maybe we have to plan for life without him because there is a degree of uncertainty over whether he will return. Obviously we’ve got to the World Cup without him and we have people like Josh Kennedy and Scott McDonald who can do a job.

“But how could you ignore somebody like Dukes if they were available. He is sheer class, and has been a giant of the Australian game and is also one of its big characters.

“The way he holds the ball up and gets others involved is something few people can do. He’s a once in a generation sort of player.”

Paul Okon, who is now the assistant coach at Gold Coast United with Culina playing under him as the club’s inaugural marquee star, believes the Viduka era is all but over.
“I think it’s unlikely he’ll pull on the shirt again,” the former Socceroos skipper predicted. “The longer he stays away, and it’s been two years now the less likely it is we will see him again.

“He is a superb player but you have to question, with all the Achilles problems he’s had whether the desire and drive is there to do it all again.

“But I can say one thing: Mark is a very stubborn and resolute character and if he decides his body is up to it, and if the hunger for hone big final fling is there inside him, he will move heaven and earth to get to South Africa.

“I personally feel we are going to need him.”

Culina also launched an impassioned defence of Pim Verbeek, who has failed to win the ardour of the public because of his safety-first football.

“The criticism of him is really a disaster,” he said. “He doesn’t deserve to be kicked like that. He’s a great coach who has done an unbelievable job. He’s got us sorted out and he knows what he wants.

“All the mud thrown at him is just crap. Anybody who knows anything about football knows how good he is and we, the players, can’t understand why he’s been the target of so much flak.”