Emerton puts country before club
Brett Emerton is prepared to miss Blackburn's European exploits
Saturday, 19, May 2007 01:45
Blackburn midfielder Brett Emerton has admitted he may be in trouble with his club for putting his international duties ahead of Rovers' European ambitions.
The Australian has revealed that he will be a part of the Soccerroos' Asian Cup campaign this summer, regardless of whether that clashes with Blackburn's Intertoto Cup.
Australia are due to face Iraq, Oman and Thailand in the group stages of this summer's competition in south-east Asia and are strongly tipped to progress.
If Graham Arnold's side make it all the way to the final in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 27th then it is likely to clash with Rovers' European campaign but Emerton is under no illusions as to where his loyalties lie.
"I will definitely be at the Asian Cup and I may miss the Intertoto Cup which won't make Blackburn happy," Emerton told The Sydney Daily Telegraph.
"It's always a difficult situation because clubs obviously aren't always happy when we go away to represent the national team.
"I'm really looking forward to the Asian Cup and after the World Cup it will be great to go into a tournament once again and we'll have a real chance of going there and winning it and achieving something."
One player who will not be featuring in the tournament this year is released Newcastle United defender Craig Moore.
The 31-year-old has struggled with injury while at St James' Park and has been released from his contract and is now setting his sights on getting back to full fitness.
"I'm not going to the Asian Cup," Moore told The Daily Telegraph.
"I've experienced the cut-throat situation of a tournament and I've struggled with injury this season so it won't be of any benefit to me. It's far more beneficial for the younger lads."