Friedel optimistic of a place in last 8 for US

Melbourne: Goal-keeper Brad Friedel has put worries about his stalled career at Liverpool aside as the United States eye a place in the Olympic soccer tournament quarter-finals.

Friedel, 29, has not played for the English club for 11 months. Liverpool battled to get him a work permit to play in Britain three years ago but have now relegated him to third choice at Anfield.

Despite his uncertain future, however, he is savouring his role with the American team.

"I can say, if I was starting every match for Liverpool it would still be an honour to play for the national team in the Olympics," he said after training on Monday ahead of the vital final preliminary-round match against Kuwait on Tuesday.

A win will see the Americans through to the last eight and Friedel is optimistic of victory against the all-amateur Kuwaitis after draws against Cameroon and the Czech Republic.

"It is completely different playing for your national team. It is playing for your country and you should always be honoured to play."

Friedel played in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and two World Cup finals and was brought into this squad as an over-age player to replace injured Colorado Rapids keeper Adin Brown.

He has been with Liverpool for three seasons but made only four appearances last season.

He has not figured at all in this season's campaign and is now considered as a back-up for Dutchman Sander Westerveld and Frenchman Pegguy Arphexad.

"Last year was the first time it happened to me and it was a bit frustrating, but you've got to get through it. You just keep on training and working hard. I feel I've played well when I've gone in the national sides," he said.

Friedel said he expected his Liverpool future to be resolved soon, adding: "I will either be staying there or I'll be going to a new team, but right now I am concentrating on the Olympics."

The 1992 US Olympic soccer team was largely amateur but the goal-keeper said this team, packed with professionals, was far superior. "We all felt very confident about ourselves, and we still do," he said. "We are holding our own, plus some."



(c) Reuters Limited.