Podcast talks finals fever

Mitch Langerak doesn't listen to the Nearpost...or else he'd have got their first on the weekend.

John Aloisi, The Cove, Steve O'Connor, Sydney FC Melbourne Heart, Westpac, Tommy Oar, Lucy Zelic, Con Stamocostas, Gold Coast United, Wellington Phoenix, Terry McFlynn, Graham Arnold and Terry Henry..it's all here.

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NEARPOST LOCAL PODCAST can be found at www.nearpostlocal.blogspot.com

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Beijing Olympics: An Aussie football success.

Arnie speaks the truth

"I take all the responsibility," concluded Arnold of the Beijing Olympics. "I was the coach. I'll tell you honestly, and people might not believe it, but we got the maximum out of that playing group.

Speaking in FourFourTwo Graham Arnold discusses the Beijing Olympics and the disastrous Asian Cup campaign 2007....although compared to Pim Verbeeks 2009 Asian Cup campaign Arnie's looking like a wizard.

Everyone knows Arnie only got the Socceroos job because he was on a three year contract and the FFA had no money after the World Cup.

That said his team in Beijing upset many. Although the performances were good on the whole.

I know I know we all wanted to turn the telly off...but they were good given the team we put out.

Yes Arnie has to live and die by his selections, and leaving Bruce Djite out still confuses me.

The Olympics disappointed many.

Not me.

Look at what Trent McClenahen, Ruben Zadkovich, Archie Thompson, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Neil Kilkenny and co have achieved since the Olympics...look at where the whole squad are now..compared to say Argentina....

And yes Arnie is right we massively over-achieved at the Beijing Olympics.

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Graham Arnold challenges former Telopea High Student.

FourFourTwo have a story on Canberra's Nikolai Topor-Stanley.

GRAHAM Arnold has challenged Nikolai Topor-Stanley to prove he is the solution to Australia’s left-back puzzle.
The Perth Glory defender earned his first senior Socceroos cap in the goalless draw with Singapore and was part of the squad which emerged from China with a priceless point in the pursuit of World Cup qualification.

Now his Olyroos coach wants him to build on that opportunity and progress to the point where he is really banging on the door for a regular spot.

While Pim Verbeek has plenty of options in certain areas of the pitch, he does not have an endless procession of left-backs to choose from.

Although Topor-Stanley is also comfortable as a central defender, it is at full-back where Arnold wants to see the 23-year-old really nail down his international future.

It has been a contrasting year for Topor-Stanley. He was part of a Perth Glory side that avoided the wooden spoon by the skin of its teeth but recently scooped the club’s player of the year award.

He was also a regular member of Arnold’s Olympic side that triumphed in its pursuit of Olympic qualification.

The recent trip to Singapore and then China was his first taste of the bigger international stage and now he’s had a taste, he’s hungry for more.

Topor-Stanley told au.fourfourtwo.com: “It was a great experience and invaluable for my development, just to be part of the group and to have another opportunity to learn.

“It’s a massive stepping stone for me to be alongside the best that Australia’s got.”

While happy to be alongside the big names, Topor-Stanley is in no-one’s shadow.

He said: “Arnie (Graham Arnold) has told me there’s a scarcity of left-backs out there and I should really strive to improve my game and really cement that position as my own.

“At the moment I’m just happy to be staying fit and getting as much game time as possible. Obviously the Olympics is coming up and I’m looking forward to that. The draw is coming up soon and I’m sure we’ll either get Brazil or Argentina, as always.”

Topor-Stanley was joined on the Socceroos trip by several A-League colleagues and he feels that one player in particular has helped the domestic league’s cause tremendously.

He said: “Jade (North) did really well and it just proves that the A-League has the talent to step up.”

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Arnie: Do you need my help?

Three and a half hours to go, I'm in the hot seat.

Full scale security for the Australian game but with small frame I nipped in unnoticed.

And there was Arnie's seat. And it is hot.

Reckon Arnie could do with my help, so if you're reading this Arnie just three hours before the game it's not too late to ask.

My advice:

Play Mark Milligan at right back..and push Brett Emerton forward. Left back...maybe play Mark Milligan there as well. I know he's a right back, but Luke Wilkshire isn't a full back on anyside.

Failing that just do it, for Australia, for yourself.

It's all a bit tense but don't lose Australia not tonight.

It's a bit cooler today at the moment but it could change. Bangkok is that sort of place.

I can't bare it....but we're going to win.

We are, aren't we?

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Bruce Djite, Nathan Burns and Mark Bridge in Singapore

Bruce Djite: Aussie on the rise

OLYMPIC TEAM PLAYERS GIVEN CHANCE TO LEARN FROM THE QANTAS SOCCEROOS

The Qantas Socceroos have commenced preparations for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup with the majority of the squad arriving in Singapore and Head Coach Graham Arnold has boosted the depth of the team by adding Bruce Djite, Nathan Burns and Mark Bridge for training purposes.

The trio, all members of the Qantas under 23s squad that are currently in the process of seeking qualification for the 2008 Olympic Games, will return home after the team moves from Singapore to Bangkok ahead of the start of the AFC Asian Cup.

"The opportunity for these young players to mix and train with our best players is a unique experience that will continue to assist with their development," said Mr Arnold.

"It is important for Australian football that we continue to expose our young players to the environment of the national team and the knowledge they will pick up will be a huge benefit to them."


"With the Olympic qualifying program moving into the final stage soon the experience these players and Mark Milligan will get will help them enormously when they face the huge challenge awaiting them to get to Beijing."

Great move Arnie, I reckon this really aids the development of our next generation. Interesting three attackers were chosen as well.

Did Arnie pick the right players?

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Blog off Arnold:)

Socceroos want to blog, no really they do!

Football Federation Australia have sent out a message saying no players can write diaries, newspaper columns or blogs during the Asian Cup.

The FFA want to ensure team morale is maintained throughout the tournament.

All very good I'm sure. Didn't stop Zeljko Kalac getting his message out during the last World Cup campaign

As far as we are concerned Carl Valeri is not allowed to write for us during the Asian Cup but we can interview him.

You work it out, because I'm struggling.

Come on, we're a little good time blog, not the Daily Telegraph!

Okay Arnie, it's your way for now, but we'd better win the Asian Cup or I'll be leading a campaign for a change of coach....

You can see the headline:

Blog off Arnold:)

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Socceroo players miss pre-season for Australia

Graham Arnold asks for understanding

Socceroo players will miss pre-season training with their clubs to play for Australia.

Speaking by teleconference today, Arnold said, "Asian league's all have a mid-season break. Apart from a couple of Japanese or Korean players in Europe the rest are all in Asian leagues. We have a lot of players in Europe and they all miss their clubs pre-season. They are very committed to playing to Australia, and this shows their commitment."

Fair point Arnie.

Take Mark Viduka, about to play for Newcastle. He will miss most of their pre-season.

If you were paying an employee a rumoured $400,000 a week, you'd want him there for the pre-season period.

Or Harry Kewell. He missed all of last season after playing at the World Cup.

Not easy for the players, but the turn-out for the Asia Cup is very impressive.

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Arnold needs to win the Asia Cup to keep his job

This article first appeared on www.theroar.com.au

Socceroo coach Graham Arnold has to win the Asian Cup in July to have any chance of keeping his job. Football Federation Australia president Frank Lowy has reiterated his desire to install a foreign coach after the Asia Cup. But what if Australia won? Surely then there would have to be a rethink.
Arnold took over from World Cup coach Gus Hiddink and has faced considerable problems. Tony Vidmar, Zeljko Kalac, Stan Lazaridis and Tony Popovich, have all retired. Craig Moore, Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Marco Bresciano and Scott Chipperfield are a just a few players who have missed recent games.
A horror defensive show against Denmark in February, in London, was followed by a strong performance by a Viduka led Socceroos in China. Uruguay won the game on Saturday, but with so many Aussie stars missing most football fans were delighted with the teams performance.
Arnold is clearly keeping with Hiddinks style. And why not?
Hiddink succeeded with South Korea in World Cup 2002, and club side PSV Eindhoven in 2005 and 2006, because his teams play a fast offensive game. This mobility, matched with technical skills, allows teams of lesser individual skill to out perform more able opponents.
Arnold, who was assistant to Frank Farina, and then Hiddink, has shown a desire and ability to keep a highly mobile Australian side.
Arnold produced a side good enough to beat China, in China in March. Although it must be said the Chinese side seemed in awe of Viduka. He inspired the team to a 2-0 win. Viduka’s dominant performance was exceptional even by his standards, but it contrasted sharply with tighter, less respectful, World Cup sides last June.
On Saturday against Uruguay there were promising signs. Carl Valeri was composed, Ryan Griffiths produced pace, and Nicky Carle gave us moments of real beauty. He also gave us one of the most bizarre moments any footballer in any code could produce. When attempting to cross the ball to square the game in the last minute, he tried the audacious and collapsed in a heap. It was almost worse than Brad Jones’ error at the other end.
Australia had mobility, and skill, and plenty of enthusiasm for the green and gold shirt. But it’s in the final third where games are won, and Australia showed little to encourage its fans.
Evidence suggests that Australia doesn’t have a Kewell or Viduka coming through its ranks, it can still perform strongly in 2010 World Cup qualification games against Asian sides
Interestingly, current Asia Cup champions, Japan, have already discarded almost of all of their 2006 World Cup side. They now have a youthful side who coach Ivan Osim will have running all day, whatever the heat. Osim seems prepared to sacrifice a historic third in a row Asian Cup win to ensure 2010 World Cup qualification.
Arnold has looked to the future also, but he also wants to win the Asia Cup. He knows beyond the Asia Cup, Australia may see strikers Viduka and Aloisi retire, but the chance for glory cannot be missed. The game in Australia could do with a win to continue its rise. Arnold could do with a win to keep his job.
Viduka cannot go to South Africa, he’ll be 35. Aging strikers have no place in a mobile team. But who would leave Viduka out of the Asia Cup. Not Arnold. Australia has a chance to win a major international tournament. Seeing Mark Viduka at the pinnacle of his career, maybe lifting the Asian Cup, would be a dream come true for all long-time football fans.
In Arnold’s favour must be his price. He’s cheap. Well compared to Hiddink and or Gerard Houllier he would be. And cost may yet be a factor. The FFA has nine international teams to run, and there is a lot of travel for all sides. Joining the Asia Confederation is a dream for Australian football, but it isn’t cheap.
Arnold has done enough to compete for his job. Lowy should see how he goes in the Asia Cup and then decide.
If he wins the Asia Cup with style, then surely Lowy should be confident Arnold has the ability to produce a side capable of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. Asia has four, maybe even five places for the 2010 South African World Cup.
Can we achieve at the 2010 World Cup with Arnold? Well, it’s a long way off, but clearly we have no new Viduka or Kewell coming through. And maybe Hiddink realised that when he shot through.
Changing the coach maybe required down the track, but for now if Arnold wins the Asia Cup Frank Lowy can find many other things on which to spend the game’s money.

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Chance to watch the Socceroos train in Sydney on Thursday

If you are in Sydney on Thursday the Socceroos will be holding an open training session at Telstra Stadium at 4.30pm

“The support the team has received from Australian fans recently has been tremendous and we are looking forward to giving our supporters a unique insight into how we prepare for a match,” said Head Coach Graham Arnold.

“Our international against Uruguay is an important part of our Asian Cup preparations and so every training session is crucial and the fans will enjoy seeing the players as they prepare.”

Fans can enter the stadium from 4.00pm onwards via Gate H at Telstra Stadium.

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Rob Baan happy with Olyroos win.

Coach Rob Baan had a tactical plan for the recent Olyroos game against Iran.

"We knew they wanted a draw, and they would sit and hit us on the break. So we practiced sending the ball wide, quick passes, quick switches and keeping the ball. The Iranian coach made a change early in the game because we were playing so well."

The Olyroos who had the exciting Mark Bridge sent off in the second half held on for a 3-1 win.

The Olyroos have one game left away to Jordan and providing they draw, which I reckon they will win, they then have more Olympic qualifiers to come later in the year.

Coach Baan steps down after the Olympic qualifiers with Baan hoping Graham Arnold will take over. John Kosmina, Lawrie McKinna and David Mitchell are all speculated to be in line for the Olyroos job.

Baan prefers a coach from Australia, "but if we have to go overseas we will, but I'd prefer a local coach.

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