Queensland Roar captain Craig Moore and his Newcastle counterpart Jade North will be playing for a little more than pride when they clash at Suncorp Stadium this Friday night.
With the Socceroos scheduled to take on Qatar in a World Cup qualifier at Suncorp Stadium next month, both defenders will be hoping to show off their wares in a bid to gain selection for the national squad.
North was in Tashkent for Australia’s 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan, but illness ensured he would stay on the sidelines.
He returned to A-League action last round in the Jets’ 0-0 draw with Sydney, but only played a minor role, coming off the bench in the 73rd minute.
It was thought Moore’s international swansong was the Socceroos 3-0 win over Qatar in February this year, but he recently brought himself out of international retirement.
“I spoke to Pim a couple of weeks ago and all I’ve done is put my hand up for selection,” Moore said.
“What his thoughts are on the national team (are I don’t know), he may feel he has a settled team, they’ve come off the back of two really good results.”
“The decision is in his hands. I’m available for selection, if he feels that he needs it.”
Adding further to the drama of Friday night are media reports that national coach Pim Verbeek will be in the crowd to watch the match.
Moore said he would not be fazed by Verbeek’s presence.
“I’ve heard that he’s up to watch the game, but I’ve been around for a while, I’ll just go out there and concentrate on my game and most importantly concentrate on trying to get a result for our boys.”
Moore can expect to have his hands full trying to contain Jets playmaker Joel Griffiths.
“He’s tough, he’s done well. He had an exceptional season, last season.”
“Strikers like Joel are always going to put themselves in a position where an opportunity may come their way, sometimes there’s not a great deal you can do about it.”
“You do your job, you try and defend well and hopefully Friday night is a quiet night for him.”
Moore’s former Rangers team-mate and in form Roar recruit Charlie Miller has the chance to set an Australian football record on Friday night.
Miller has already slotted a goal in every one of the first four games of the 2008/09 A-League season, becoming the first man to do so in A-League history.
A goal against the Jets would see him become the only player in an Australian national competition to score in five consecutive matches to start a season, having already matched Alun Evan’s efforts for South Melbourne in 1978.
