Soccer: Shin pad saves Bertos from World Cup heartache

Leo Bertos gets airborne after a vicious tackle by Australia’s Tim Cahill in Melbourne last night. Photo / Getty Images

MELBOURNE - Leo Bertos never used to be sold on the protective qualities of a soccer player's shin guards - but now he wouldn't be going to the World Cup without them.

The All Whites midfielder was eternally grateful for the extra padding on his right leg after he escaped a serious injury during last night's friendly international against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The 28-year-old left the field on a stretcher in the 30th minute after Vince Grella and Tim Cahill both zeroed in on his shin with almost disastrous consequences.

Grella left Bertos writhing in agony when he slid in with an ugly two-footed lunge. Play had barely recommenced before Cahill had the New Zealander airborne after another crude challenge.

Bertos initially feared the worst when he was poleaxed by Cahill.

"As soon as I went down after the second challenge I was pretty nervous," Bertos revealed after New Zealand succumbed 2-1 in injury time.

"My leg went numb, I couldn't feel anything. Thankfully once I stood up the blood started flowing and I got the feeling back again.

"The doctor examined me and gave it the all clear. I can walk around on it fine now."

Not quite. Bertos limped towards the team bus - though that was preferable to joining fellow midfielder Tim Brown (shoulder) in hospital for scans.

"Thankfully my shin pad was there to take the brunt of it," Bertos said.

"I didn't use to rate them, but, after that, thank God I'm wearing them."

Grella and Cahill were both yellow carded for their indiscretions, though irate Australian coach Pim Verbeek felt they could have been sent off.

Bertos would not be drawn into what would have been an appropriate sanction for two opponents who might have ruined his chances of making today's pre-Cup tour of Europe - and ultimately the World Cup in South Africa.

"I don't think I was targeted, it was a spur of the moment thing. It's part of the game now I suppose," he said.

"I haven't seen them (tackles replayed) but everyone said they were pretty nasty.

"At the time I don't really know what happened, I just felt pain when I was going for the ball after both challenges.

"The second one hit me in exactly the same spot. I thought I was in a little bit of trouble but it's going to take more than that to keep me out of the biggest tournament of my life."

Grella said he apologised to Bertos on the pitch, not that it registered.

Asked if he had received - and would accept - an apology Bertos replied: "Not right now. It will probably take me a day or two to get over it."

Grella agreed his tackle was harsh but baulked at suggestions he should modify his technique.

"I went like I always would and unfortunately I mistimed the tackle. I wouldn't do anything differently."

There was a touch of irony in Grella turning villain after he took umbrage at New Zealand striker Rory Fallon's "take no prisoners" attitude in the lead-up to the game.

Grella branded Fallon "unprofessional" for suggesting injuries were inevitable when the transtasman rivals clashed for the first time in five years.

The midfielder was on the defensive last night, saying he interpreted Fallon's comments as predicting pre-meditated aggression.

"Pre-meditated is different to reacting to something on the football pitch," Grella said.

"Mine was more of a reaction - I didn't think about doing it before the game."

- NZPA