Pim slams reckless tackles

[the_gun]

Australia coach Pim Verbeek promised to give star midfielders Tim Cahill and Vince Grella a dressing-down over the X-rated challenges that marred the 2-1 victory over New Zealand at the MCG on Monday night.

Cahill and Grella were lucky to remain on the park after rash, ugly tackles on New Zealand winger Leo Bertos.

Grella launched a horrible two-footed lunge at Bertos midway through the first half.

Then Cahill followed up with a less vicious, but no less illegal challenge which led to Bertos being stretchered off with a leg injury.

Both received only yellow cards.

Verbeek labelled the challenges unprofessional following a win even he called fortunate - sealed by a last-kick winner from Brett Holman after the Socceroos had been played off the park by New Zealand in the first half.

"They know it was not good what they did. I don't have to tell them, but I'm going to tell them it's unacceptable," Verbeek said.

"I can only give the compliments to New Zealand that they behaved themselves.

"They were very professional. My players were not.

"You cannot afford to go into any game and make tackles like that. In the World Cup, it's probably two red cards."

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert felt Australia was lucky to keep all 11 men on the park and admitted Bertos' condition would be assessed on Tuesday to see if he was fit enough to continue on to the World Cup.

Defensive midfielder Tim Brown also popped a shoulder and was taken to hospital for scans.

Australia showed it has three weeks of heavy lifting to get in World Cup shape as some soft underbelly was exposed by the spirited All Whites.