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Schwarzer set for quick return

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23 June 2006 | 11:01 - AAP

Mark Schwarzer looks certain to return to the Socceroos' starting XI for the round of 16 clash with Italy after coach Guus Hiddink's experiment with understudy Zeljko Kalac nearly sent Australia tumbling out of the World Cup.

 

Kalac, surprisingly selected by Hiddink instead of Schwarzer, produced a howler for Croatia's second goal, which nearly had dire consequences for the Socceroos and for Hiddink.

At 1-1 and with the Socceroos well on top, Kalac conceded what he admitted was 'a shit goal', making a meal of an innocuous long-range shot from Niko Kovac and letting it bounce off his hands over his body to give Croatia the lead.

But Harry Kewell's late equaliser which earned Australia the draw it needed to qualify for the second stage left both Kalac and Hiddink relieved after a selection blunder which could have undone all the master coach's good work in the past 11 months.

"I'm more relieved than happy now. I really didn't have much to do - I've taken a world-class goal, I've taken a shit goal," Kalac said afterwards. "He put me in because Schwarzy made a few mistakes in previous matches. I've come in and made a mistake."

"You're looking at the ground to eat you up. Obviously for me, it's very relieving to get that result."

Doubtless it was for Hiddink too, who has been itching to test Kalac at the highest level and decided to go with him after being unhappy with aspects of Schwarzer's performance in Australia's past two World Cup matches.

Kalac's first touch of the match was picking the ball out of the net following Darijo Srna's second-minute wonder free-kick he could do little about, but he also nearly dropped a regulation corner over his own goal line under no pressure in the first half.

When asked whether Schwarzer would return for the Italy game, Hiddink said: "I'm considering that in the upcoming hours."

"Let's face the facts - we were not happy with some performances of both goalies in the past, and we have to make a decision."

"I think we learn now very fast, and the goalkeepers also, to concentrate at the highest level in this World Cup. We've made some little mistakes with some big consequences."

Even Kalac was less than enthusiastic about his chances of retaining his spot for the Italy game.

"I don't know. I'm hopeful, but I wouldn't put my life on it," he said about his chances of starting that match.

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