Schwarzer happy to play on

13 March 2009 08:53
Veteran Fulham and Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has no plans to call time on his career just yet.[LNB] The 36-year-old former Middlesbrough shot-stopper is poised to become the longest serving Australia international and has set his sights on featuring at the 2010 World Cup finals.[LNB]If, as expected, the Cottagers No.1 takes to the field in the qualifier against Uzbekistan in Sydney on 1st April, it will be 15 years and 244 days since his debut against Canada on 31st July, 1993, breaking the record held by Tony Vidmar.[LNB]Schwarzer wants to focus on qualifying for the tournament in South Africa before making any firm decision on his future. [LNB]High standardsHe said: "I haven't really put a timeframe on it, I'm just going to take it as it comes.[LNB]"My main aim is to qualify for the World Cup and then go to the World Cup and have a successful tournament again like we did in 2006.[LNB]"I'd like to set ourselves a goal to even better that.[LNB]"It's one thing saying it and another thing doing it, but you've got to set yourself high standards and I believe that we can achieve those goals.[LNB]"First, let's get there and once we get there we can talk about what the future holds for us as a team or for me as an individual."[LNB]JonesSchwarzer believes his compatriot Brad Jones, who is in competition with Ross Turnbull for the No.1 spot at Boro, has the talent to become a star for club and country but still has areas of his game he needs to improve.[LNB]He added: "It's one thing having the ability and the next thing is going out there and performing week-in, week-out.[LNB]"If he can overcome the mental side of things he's going to give a great shout of becoming a very good goalkeeper and staking his claim to be Australia's No.1."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports