Source: Team_Talk
Schwarzer relishing new lease of life
Two years ago Mark Schwarzer was written off after quitting ambitious Middlesbrough for struggling Fulham.[LNB] The veteran Australia goalkeeper was accused of lacking ambition for joining a club that had only survived relegation from the Premier League after one of the most extraordinary escape acts in top-flight history.[LNB]After two outstanding seasons for the Cottagers, and with Middlesbrough stuck in the Championship, few are questioning the Sydney-born 37-year-old's judgement now.[LNB]Fulham have been revitalised since Roy Hodgson took over as manager in December 2007 and Schwarzer has enjoyed a new lease of life under him.[LNB]Last season he kept 15 clean sheets as the Londoners finished a club-best seventh and qualified for the Europa League.[LNB]This term he has built on that and again been outstanding in a remarkable run to the final in Europe's second-tier competition that, after beginning in July, has included wins over Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Wolfsburg.[LNB]Now Schwarzer hopes to maintain that form into the summer as he rejoins the Australia squad for the World Cup in South Africa.[LNB]"From day one I have enjoyed my time at Fulham," Schwarzer told www.fifa.com.[LNB]"I have been fortunate enough over 13-14 years to have some pretty fantastic seasons, and definitely the last two seasons at Fulham have been very special for a number of reasons.[LNB]"The longer my career has gone on the more I have relaxed and enjoyed things and savoured the moment.[LNB]"This season is turning out to be pretty special and I hope it continues into the World Cup. That would really cap off a memorable season."[LNB]Schwarzer, who had won 73 Australia caps heading into the pre-tournament programme, is firmly established as his country's number one.[LNB]In 2005 he made himself a national hero with two penalty shoot-out saves against Uruguay to take Australia to Germany for their first World Cup in 32 years.[LNB]He then conceded just four goals in 14 matches in a comfortable qualification for South Africa 2010.[LNB]The Socceroos' reward for those performances was a tough draw against Germany, Serbia and Ghana but Schwarzer believes they can make an impression.[LNB]"If you look at our group it is very, very tough," said the former Kaiserslautern and Bradford player.[LNB]"We are going in again as underdogs, but the difference now is that we are not the unknown quantity we were last time.[LNB]"I'm quietly confident we will go to the World Cup in the best possible shape and condition and hopefully give it a real shake like we did last time.[LNB]"We definitely have more experience than four years ago and statistically experience helps you more so than anything else.[LNB]"This time around we also have a larger pool of players to call on.[LNB]"Hopefully that will keep us in very good stead throughout the World Cup."[LNB]With German parents and having first moved to Europe to play for Dynamo Dresden, there is little doubt which of the World Cup group fixtures has captured Schwarzer's imagination the most.[LNB]Australia open their campaign against three-time winners Germany in Durban on June 13.[LNB]Schwarzer said: "Nothing beats playing in a World Cup as you are representing your country, you're playing on the biggest stage on the planet and there are hundreds of millions of people watching around the world.[LNB]"To have the opportunity to play against Germany, and hopefully get a good result, would be a dream come true."[LNB]Looking beyond the summer, Schwarzer has one year remaining on his Fulham contract but, in the form of his life, he has no intention of hanging up his gloves yet.[LNB]"I would like to stay beyond that," he said. "Obviously at this time of your career it's a case of staying on top of your game and performing week-in, week-out.[LNB]"I want to keep playing at the highest level as long as possible."
