Mark Schwarzer Is Key To Australia’s World Cup Glory

Veteran goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has emerged as Australia’s key to success in this year’s World Cup.

Despite the accolades players such as Tim Cahill, Harry Kewell, Mark Bresciano and Lucas Neill receive, it is Schwarzer who is always on form and consistently produces his best for the national team.

The 37-year old Fulham man would now have to be rated as Australia’s best-ever stopper and a solid contribution in South Africa will only reaffirm that.

Socceroos midfielder Vince Grella is well aware of the influence Schwarzer brings to the team and has labelled him as the most important player in Pim Verbeek’s squad.

“Schwarzy is the best keeper we have ever seen for Australia, no real doubt about that as far as I am concerned,” Grella said.

“He is the key for us. He knows where we need to be at every stage in a match.

“He has the total respect of the players and he’s one of those people that when he makes a rare mistake he always takes responsibility.

“He’s living proof that if you look after yourself and respect your talent you can keep playing at the top level for many years after your supposed use-by date.

“I see no reason why he can’t just keep on keeping on after the World Cup. It’s really up to him because the way he’s played for us and his club Fulham over the last couple of years has been miraculous.”