Now I don't watch the English Premier League because I'm an Aussie football fan through and through.
But I'm amazed to see you can now choose one of five EPL games on your TV in Australia.
And if Chelsea are boring you to death, you can switch to Derby or Birmingham or Everton or Middleboro.
No thanks, technologically it's amazing, but I'd rather watch the Aussie A-League.
Matildas star Caitlin Munoz took time our from her World Cup preparations to Coach the Majura Leopards Under 11 girl's side on Wednesday night this week.
Apparently the girls have never trained so hard in their life! They were inspired. So were the parents.
And now the girls will be able to watch their special coach live on SBS in the World Cup from China in September.
What a marvellous way to encourage the young girls.
Well done Caitlin. And thanks from all the girls, parents and Majura Soccer Club.
for the game against David Beckhams LA Galaxy in November.
Amazing for a friendly.
Should be Sydney's biggest ever home attendance!
Hopefully many of these fans will turn up for Sydney's first real game of the season against the Mariners on Friday week.
John Aloisi had signing talks with Sydney FC and Queensland Roar recently.
According to Sydney Coach Branko Culina, Aloisi wanted a three year deal and more money than Robbie Fowler.
Then we heard Swansea were interested. Presumably as his agent tried to entice Sydney back to the table.
Now its a Scandinavian club.
And so Aloisi will not come back to Australia for love nor money.
Imagine. He chose Swansea or a Scandinavian team over Sydney FC.
Once again the Australian players show their desperation to come back and help the game in Australia.
This time Sydney did the right thing and now we have Juninho.
But where will Aloisi end up? I'd still like him to stay and add to the quality of the league.
Matildas Star Sally Shipard discusses the Matildas pre-World Cup preparations
Sally Shipard writes:
The squads been announced and yes I have been selected. How exciting.
You can never assume or be certain of your position within the team until it’s officially announced. I along with two other local Canberra girls, both Lydia Williams and Caitlin Munoz will be off to compete at the World Cup Finals in September.
Those who were selected received the squad list via email. Those who were not selected were contacted by Tommy(Sermanni).
What a tough gig, I’m glad I’m a player and not the coach.
It must have been terribly hard to cut the squad down.
We head up to Coffs Harbour today. We have our final Olympic Qualifying match against Chinese Taipei on Sunday.
Now this may confuse some but we have to play the game even though we didn’t qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games.
We will be using the game to prepare for the World Cup.
On Sunday we fly out to China for two games against the Chinese National team, arriving back in Australia on the 21st of August. This trip is short but the games against China will provide us with some competitive matches before our first game at the World Cup on the 12th of September.
We will be flying back to China on the 5th of September, after our final camp in Sydney which begins on the 1st of September.
I won’t be paying a visit to university any time soon. I will be able to access lecture notes via the internet and will complete several exams upon my return. This is the situation for most of the girls at university, I’m assuming a few textbooks and lap-tops will be coming along for the ‘ride’.
I will be keeping you guys posted while we are over in China over the next couple of weeks. Will chat more about the actual World Cup in my next blog. Stay tuned
Cheers Sal.
Socceroo Carl Valeri's Grosseto season kicks off this weekend when his newly promoted side take on Genoa in the Italian Cup.
Carl has had some difficulties with his internet connections. But he will be writing each week from Italy just as soon as the net gets sorted.
Who is Canberra’s most successful male footballer?
He speaks three languages, has business investments, and has played in two World Cup finals, a European Championships and week to week plays his football in the German Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin.
Joe Simunic. For my money he is the best Canberra has ever produced. He started life, like many other locals, local side Canberra Croatia, now called Canberra FC. Simunic, 29, currently has a five year contract with Hertha Berlin in Germany.
For many young players, Simunic is living the dream. A European football contract in a beautiful German city. It sounds ideal.
With the German league about to start, Simunic spoke from his home in Berlin.
“I loved my time at the AIS, with Ron Smith in Canberra. I’d come home from school and couldn’t wait to go training. That was maybe my best time,” reflects Simunic.
“I left for Ajax in Holland when I was 16. After three or four days I was home sick. After playing with Melbourne Knights I eventually went to Hamburg. I was better prepared because of my Ajax experience. But it was still a huge culture shock.”
“I’m Australian. Australian born. I love Australia. Aussies are so down to earth. Going to Hamburg, there was no more fun and games. Football is a business. You’re paid well, but it’s hard. There is a lot of criticism, no-one likes that, and if you don’t perform there is always someone else ready to take your spot.”
“If I could go back ten or eleven years and know what was ahead I would think long and hard about my decision to go and play overseas. “
“You have to be tough to survive.”
And they don’t come much tougher than Joe Simunic. World Cup games for Croatia in 2002 against Chirstina Vieri’s Italy, European Championship games in 2004 against Theirry Henry’s France and In Germany 2006 he was up against a Ronaldo led Brazil attack. He’s played at the highest level.
And of course there was that never to be forgotten day when Simunic lined up against his Australian friends in the 2006 World Cup. Croatia v Australia. 2-2. A great game.
Many people criticised you at the time in Australia for choosing Croatia, how did you see it?
“I am Australian, I’m proud of that. But I also feel Croatian. My Grandparents and Parents had a very tough time in Croatia. It was a long time ago. My parents came to Australia for a better life. I am so glad they came to Australia.”
“But I had to make a decision when I was young. Financially I would have been better to choose Australia, but my heart told me Croatia. There is no right or wrong decision.”
“I was criticised by some media, but I think it was overboard. I’d like them to say it to my face. But my family had no problems within Australia. People are respectful in Australia. Australia is an open society and I’ve always valued that.”
“The game against Australia was hard. Mark (Viduka) is a very tough opponent. Australia were fitter than us. They deserved to go through. I went to congratulate Ron Smith immediately the game was over. Then I went to the Australian dressing room and congratulated each player.”
“I was very disappointed to go out, but if a team had to beat us, I would want it to be Australia.”
International football never stops for Simunic. Simunic has just played against Gus Hiddinks Russia as Croatia attempt to qualify for Euro 2008 through a group that contains England. A side Croatia defeated 2-0 last year.
“We played 0-0 v Russia in June, and next up we have a friendly against Bosnia in September.”
Advice for young Canberrans?
“Well you need to stay healthy. Train and always have fun. It’s important to study and finish school. And try to get into the Representative sides, maybe the AIS. From there the A-League is a good way to go before you go overseas."
Will you stay in Germany?
“I’ve had offers form England before. All the players in Europe want to play in England at the moment. I’ll stay in Germany unless I could move to England, Spain or Italy. I’d like to play in England one day. But Berlin is a beautiful city so it’s good.”
Do you see yourself playing in Australia again?
“I’d like to. I have business investments in Canberra. My family are there. So I’d like to come home. The A-League is going well, so if there was an A-League side in Canberra, maybe. I’ll stay in football. It’s my life. Maybe I can give something back to younger plays when I finish.”
But before all that Simunic has at least four more years in one of the toughest leagues in the World. Not bad for a boy from Canberra FC.
Interesting times at Sydney Fc.
With David Carney going and Mark Milligan on a flight to England, things were looking bleak.
Now with Milligan back, Brazilian Juninho signed, two new major sponsors signed up this week, and Memberships expected to increase to a record level for Season 3; things are buzzing.
No doubt the A-League need a competitive Sydney and Melbourne Victory.
Watch the AFL Grand Final TV ratings plummet if Sydney aren't in this years final.
Similarly an A-League Grand Final without Sydney or Melbourne would not be expected to break TV viewing records.
Caitlin Munoz, Sally Shipard and Lydia Williams have made the Matildas World Cup squad.
Congratulations to them.
The team have one final Olympic qualifier against Chinese Taipei in Coffs Harbour this weekend before they start to focus on next month's World Cup in China.
All Matildas World Cup games are live on SBS.
Lots of players. From Under four to Under Eighteens and increasing all the time.
Across Australia there has been 100,000 more female players this year alone.
And yet very little media coverage. And I'm not just talking about the Matildas. With SBS and newspaper coverage they are getting their best coverage ever.
How to promote your girls or women's league or State Leagues. How do you get your information out? No longer do we have to rely on a local journo, or space in the paper.
What do teenage girls want to know about football. Where do they get their information from?
Any ideas, any questions or thoughts. Let us know. Maybe you've seen something from another female sport. Lets nick it!
With Youtube, Flickr, blogs and webpages there are many innovative ways to get the news of the women stars in your league out.
Anyone started?
In Canberra we're looking at new strategies to reach our growing number of female players.
Capital Football is looking to find the best striking partnership for each junior age group in the ACT.
The 4v4 play is a fast flowing game with only one mindset "TO SCORE GOALS"
Capital Football would like to see all clubs represented and enjoy the fast, fun goalscoring action.
Please see www.capitalfootball.com.au for more details
Or call Capital Football Technical Director Ian Shaw on Ph:6260 4000
“The Government should fund the next Socceroos Coach!” I stated.
“Are you a communist Eamonn?” came the reply from my Legal Eagle, and Melbourne Victory friend.
I realised this was going to be a harder sell than I thought.
But take a moment.
I believe the Australian Government should fund the Socceroos Manager Position.
Radical? Not really.
Government gets involved in sports in so many ways. Look at the Australian Institute of Sport. Does Mark Viduka pay his scholarship back? Want more Olympic Gold medals? Need better swimming facilities?
The answer is the same. The government provides sports funding.
And what about business? Should they stand on their own two feet?
Subsidies to the Australian Car Industry, Private Health Companies and Australian Military Companies are widespread. No-one’s complaining.
So why not fund the Coach of the most important job in Australian sport.
Now before the League, Union and AFL fans jump up and down, just hear me out.
Australia is desperate to tie our future to Asia. China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Which Australian team has made huge in roads into these countries in recent months? Football.
We’ve only been in Asia 18 months and already Socceroos, Matildas, Olyroos, Sydney FC and many more have played in or against these countries or major clubs from these countries.
Come back in 5 or 20 years and what bridges could or will be built?
Will our Coach be slamming the “Asians?” Will Vince Grella, or Lucas Neill or their equivalents be calling our latest nemesis cheats?
Will our players be wandering around half clad in hotels full of Muslim women?
I am not criticising the current squad. I’m looking to the future to ensure the Socceroos job is seen for what it is.
The foremost link of any community or sporting organisation with this huge populated region called Asia.
What goes in Saudi Arabia doesn’t follow in Japan. The region is diverse. The people are diverse.
When Australian businesses trade with China certain cultural norms are attended to to by the Aussie business men and women.
Football fans, and players, coaching staff and media need to aware of that they are the biggest face of Australia in Asia.
They are not just football fans and followers. Asian people will learn more about Australia and its image through football over the next twenty years. Which other sport or community group will bring you into Qatar, Japan India, China and Indonesia?
So we need a leader with football and tactical nous. Of course. But more importantly we need a coach and staff who make this nation proud.
We need a man who is culturally aware, a media legend across the continent, and a football manager extraordinaire.
You don’t get that from the current A-League list. You don’t get if from the current AIS staff.
What current Australian has such sensitivity, such awareness and such football knowledge?
Our football manager could improve our relationship with our Asian neighbours dramatically.
Imagine Iraq playing Australia in the Asian Cup Final in Jakarta last month. Who would the crowd have cheered? And why?
The football authorities need to appoint someone more than just a Coach.
The reason Graham Arnold is still there?
Clearly the FFA has no money. Rumours abound that the new manager will come one year out from the World Cup! Too late surely.
The Federal Government needs to sort this mess.
Fund the job. To promote our image, our nation.
Howard and Rudd. Towards Asia is a term often heard in business circles in this country.
It’s time to get strategic and serious. Football isn’t just a sport; it’s much more serious than that.
Female participation in Australia has grown enormously in recent years with females comprising nearly 20 per cent of the registered players.
There are now just on 100,000 registered players in Australia with numbers having grown by over 16 per cent in just one year between 2005 and 2006.
For fans of the A-League take the challenge for your club
One for Sydney FC fans
One for Melbourne Victory fans
One for Central Coast Mariners fans
One for Canberra football fans
Yes I know in he's in an Adelaide shirt. I'm waitingfor some kind Victory fan to send an update.
Melbourne Victory’s Matthew Kemp discusses his recent move from Adelaide United, the technical side of the game and what it takes to become a professional footballer.
Former Belnorth junior and Canberran born Matthew Kemp is enjoying life in the A-League with his new club, Melbourne Victory.
Having joined the Victory after two seasons with Adelaide United, Kemp is keen to make a good impression.
He’s already been to China with Victory on their pre-season tour and has started all pre-season games at right back. Clearly Coach Ernie Merrick sees him as a straight replacement for Simon Storey who has headed off to Scotland.
“I’m enjoying it at Melbourne. Ernie’s got me playing right-back. Last year I was left-back at Adelaide and centre midfield in the Asian Champions League. I’m happy to play anywhere. It’s been a very positive environment so far.”
Any changes you’ve noticed after changing clubs?
“Victory is a little more professional in their set-up. So that’s good. It was great to meet all the boys. I knew Ljubo (Milicevic) from our time together at the AIS, other than that I knew no-one,” said Kemp.
“Pre-season results haven’t been the best but you can see we’re getting going. With Archie (Thompson) coming back we’ll be ready for the start of the A-League.”
How is your fellow Canberran Kaz Patafta going?
“Kaz is doing really well. He’s good on the ball, got a good touch. Like all young players he needs to develop, and get stronger, but he’s going well.”
Kemp started at the AIS, played in Italy, the National Soccer League, and with Adelaide United in the A-League and the Asian Champions League. Australian footballers are often criticised for a lack of technique, in this how you see Aussie players?
“Well of course technique is important. First touch, and how accurate you can pass are very important. Funny but when you play in Australia you can often tell the players that have been through the AIS and those that haven’t.”
So are Aussies behind their Asian counterparts?
“Not necessarily, I don’t think so. In last years ACL the Vietnamese side weren’t as good as us. And the Korean and Chinese side were not much ahead of us. Remember Adelaide has some excellent touch players. Nathan Burns, Bruce Djite, Jason Spagnuola and Bobby Petta to name a few.”
“Obviously the less you give the ball away the better for your team. But physical qualities and speed are also important. I’ve seen many players with far better technique than me but they never made it. Why? They didn’t have the right attitude.
Kemp adds, “I’d put attitude as the most important characteristic. All the skill in the world, if you don’t have the right attitude you won’t make it.”
So what do the young players of Canberra or Melbourne need to do as a teenager to make it? Is it football, football, football?
“For me I played and trained each week of course. But I never took it seriously or thought about it as a career until I went to the AIS. That made me realise what I could achieve.”
“At the AIS, it was training three times a day. Before school, and in between lessons. It was hard.”
“My parents always supported me. I went through Kaleen High School in Canberra. And I wished I’d studied more,” Kemp laughs.
“In fact I’m just starting to think about life beyond football. I’m 27 now. Clubs help you with career advice these days. The Football Federation are pretty good on this. I’d love to Coach; give something back maybe start with juniors.”
“I’m not sure what I’ll do beyond football. Perhaps my own business. At school I always wanted to be a fire-fighter. I won’t be deskbound I know that.”
“For now I’m looking forward to the new season, hoping Victory can win another Grand Final. That’s what I’ve come for.”
QANTAS YOUNG SOCCEROOS WIN SIX-TEAM WEIFANG CUP
The Qantas Socceroos have won the Weifang Cup in China overnight after recording a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in their match finishing the tournament one point ahead of hosts China.
Australia won four of their five matches winning the tournament ahead of second-placed China with Iran in third position. The only defeat for the Qantas Young Socceroos was against China who scored a late winner from the penalty spot.
The match, again played in stifling heat and humidity, was a fairly lacklustre affair with little in the way of goal scoring opportunities.
While Australia had the better of play for the much of the game, Uzbekistan often looked dangerous on the counter, especially early in the match.
Despite its importance Mullen’s goal will not be remembered for its execution with the ball deflecting off his back into the goal after a goalmouth scramble following an Ante Cicak free kick.
“I’m very pleased with the performance of the team throughout the tournament especially considering the conditions which were challenging to say the least,” said Qantas Young Socceroos coach Steve O’Connor.
“We had some excellent results against some quality opposition, with our only loss in the five matches coming against the host nation after a somewhat controversial penalty.
“The conditions were extremely difficult with temperatures reaching the high 30’s and it has shown the boys they need to be prepared mentally as well as physically.
“Overall it was a very valuable experience and a great opportunity to play against good opposition in a different environment.”
The tournament is the first international outing for the current generation of Young Socceroos. Qualification for the 2009 FIFA World Youth Cup will commence in October with the first stage of qualifying to be followed next year by the AFC U-19 Championship.
Match Details
Australia 1 (Matt Mullen 31’)
Uzbekistan 0
Australian line-up: Andrew Redmayne (gk), Luke De Vere, Sebastian Ryall, James Holland, Matt Mullen, Isaka Cernak-Okanya, Tahj Minniecon (James Brown 60’), Dane Milovanovic (Richard Greer 83’), Milos Lujic (Jason Hoffman 70’), Ante Cicak (Alex Sunasky 78’), Daniel Mullen (Matthew Theodore 62’)
Cautions: Nil
Other Results
Australia v Korean Republic 1-0 (Matt Mullen)
Friday 27 July
Australia v Iran 4-1 (James Holland 8’/76’, Milos Lujic 26’/89’)
Sunday 29 July
Australia v China 0-1
Tuesday 31 July
Australia v Shandong Luneng 5-3 (James Holland 2’, Isaka Cernak-Okanya 18’, Bonel Obradovic 57’, Jason Hoffman 72’ Richard Greer 76’ pen).
Thursday 2 August
Australia v Uzbekistan 1-0 (Matt Mullen 31’)
Saturday 4 August
The Qantas Young Socceroos squad at the Weifang Cup:
Luke De Vere, Dane Milovanovic, James Holland, Ante Cicak, Daniel Mullen, James Brown, Richard Greer, Tahj Minniecon (AIS/Queensland Roar), Jerrad Tyson, Bonel Obradovic, Milos Lujic, Sebastian Ryall, Andrew Redmayne (AIS/Central Coast Mariners), Matthew Mullen (AIS/Adelaide United), Alex Sunasky, Matthew Theodore, Isaka Cernak-Okanya, Matthew Jurman, Matthew Harper, Jason Hoffman (uncontracted
From the FFA:
YOUTHFUL MATILDAS LINE-UP TOO STRONG FOR HONG KONG IN OLYMPIC QUALIFIER
A youthful Australian line-up was far too strong for Hong Kong as the Matildas recorded a comprehensive 8-1 win in their penultimate Beijing Olympic qualifying match at the Hong Kong Stadium this afternoon.
The Australian team adapted well to the extremely hot and humid conditions and secured a 4-0 lead at half time in a match played on an artificial surface.
Australia showed their dominance from the opening with midfielder Ellyse Perry scoring in just the second minute. Perry, who a fortnight ago became the youngest male or female cricketer to represent Australia, completed a unique double scoring for Australia on debut with a looping shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Their were further first half goals for Renee Rollason, Caitlin Cooper and Tameka Butt with Australia dominating their opponent.
Australia added a fifth through a Hong Kong own goal soon after the interval before Wing Sze Chan scored from close range after a rare foray forward by the home team.
Australia went on to score a further three second half goals courtesy of a second from Rollason, a second own goal and a final strike from substitute Jenna Kingsley.
The Matildas will play their final Beijing Olympic qualifier against Chinese Taipei in Coffs Harbour next Sunday (12 August).
Match Statistics:
Australia 8 (Ellyse Perry 2’, Renee Rollason 19’, 56’, Caitlin Cooper 33’, Tameka Butt 45’, 50’ O.G., 74’ O.G., Jenna Kingsley 83’)
Hong Kong 1 (Wing Sze Chan 52’)
Australian line-up: Rachel Cooper (gk); Clare Polkinghorne (c), Rachel Doyle, Caitlin Cooper (Jenna Kingsley 66’), Lyndsay Glohe; Tameka Butt, Teresa Polias, Renee Rollason; Ellyse Perry (Grace Gill-McGrath 56’), Victoria Balomenos (Kyah Simon 39’), Elise Kellond-Knight
The squad for the match in Hong Kong on August 4 is:
Goalkeepers – Casey Dumont (Gold Coast), Rachel Cooper (Sydney)
Defenders – Caitlin Cooper (Sydney), Stacey Day (Adelaide), Rachel Doyle (Sydney), Grace Gill-McGrath (Canberra), Clare Polkinghorne (Brisbane)
Midfielders – Tameka Butt (Gold Coast), Lyndsay Glohe (Sydney), Ella Mastrantonio (Perth), Ellyse Perry (Sydney), Teresa Polias (Sydney), Elise Kellond-Knight (Brisbane), Renee Rollason (Sydney)
Forwards – Victoria Balomenos (Adelaide), Ashleigh Connor (Sydney), Jenna Kingsley (Sydney), Kyah Simon (Sydney)
(current home city)
Manley United striker Robbie Cattanach is to trial with Sydney FC.
The 22-year-old has been granted a trial with the A-League club in the same week that Socceroo David Carney left for Sheffield United in England.
He was due to drive to Canberra to see family yesterday but instead trained at Parramatta Stadium and will play against the Newcastle Jets at the same venue tonight.
Cattanach, a former Belconnen striker, is confident he's better prepared this time around.
Good luck Robbie
Last time the Socceroos really just had two game against Uruguay, and a few penalties, and we were off to the World Cup. It was that easy.
I know, I know about Oceania, but who saw the games. And who attended? Not many.
Four years before that it was a couple of games against Uruguay and before that two games against Iran.
This time the Aussies will play SIXTEEN games to secure qualification. See games below.
The first group will probably include easy beats like Oman and Thailand.
Second group would include teams like Iraq, Japan and Korea Republic.
Anyone for Uruguay, anyone?
From SBS:
The Socceroos have been given the number one seeding for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Despite exiting the competition following defeat to Japan in the quarter-finals of the AFC 2007 Asian Cup, the Socceroos will enjoy a bye in to round three of qualifying alongside semi-finalists Korea Republic, Japan, quarter-finalists Iran and Saudi Arabia who was defeated by Iraq in the final.
The seedings were based on results at the 2006 World Cup not as expected on the recent Asian Cup.
From AFC:
Round 3:
Eleven qualifiers from round 1 and four qualifiers from round 2 are joined by five highest ranked countries. These 20 teams are split into 5 groups of 4. First and second in each group qualify to next round
Match Day 1: 6 Feb 2008
Match Day 2: 26 Mar 2008
Match Day 3: 7 Jun 2008
Match Day 4: 14 Jun 2008
Match Day 5: 6 Sep 2008
Match Day 6: 10 Sep 2008
Round 4:
10 remaining teams split into two groups of 5 teams
Teams finishing first and second in each group automatically qualify
Match Day 1: 15 Oct 2008
Match Day 2: 19 Nov 2008
Match Day 3: 11 Feb 2009
Match Day 4: 28 Mar 2009
Match Day 5: 1 Apr 2009
Match Day 6: 6 Jun 2009
Match Day 7: 10 Jun 2009
Match Day 8: 17 Jun 2009
Match Day 9: 5 Sep 2009
Match Day 10: 9 Sep 2009
Any thoughts.
Great for me. More football, more often. Win or lose, we no longer have to wait four years for a couple of games of decent football.
I love Asia!
So you think you know your Canberra Football?
Winners MUST donate all monies to a Canberra A-League Bid:)
Click to take the quiz.
Hope you enjoyed it. Too easy? No worries mate,
Watch out next week for the A-League Quiz, that'll sort ya!
In Season one of the A-League there was Brazilian Fernando Rech. And he'd been here for years.
With Juninho, the World Cup Winner signing today for Sydney FC there are now 11 Brazilians in the Season 3, starting in three weeks.
And who would have thought just three years ago we'd have a Brazilian World Cup winner playing in our domestic league.
No Guest appearances either. This guy is here for the whole season.
This could just about turn Sydney's season and future around.
With a few more thousand on the gate, a good start results wise, Branko to take a chill pill, and an ability to get rid of over priced players at the end of the year.
Sydney FC could finally be on the move in the right direction.
If Sydney can pull 20,000plus on a regular basis, the whole atmosphere of the place could change.
And success brings in more crowds, more money and the whole football show rolls on.
A lot of expectation on a little Juninho's shoulders....not to mention Chief Strikers David Zdrillic and Alex Brosque.
Could Juninho be the spark to move Sydney FC forward?
QANTAS YOUNG SOCCEROOS IN PRIME POSITION FOR TROPHY WIN
The Qantas Young Socceroos are one win away from claiming the six-team Weifang Cup after a 5-3 win overnight against top Chinese club side Shandong Luneng.
After four matches Australia are one point ahead of host nation China on the tournament table having recorded three wins and a loss. Australia meet Uzbekistan tomorrow in the final match with the Uzbeks on six points equal with Iran. Shandong Luneng came from two goals down to be level 2-2 at half time however Australia dominated the second half scoring three unanswered goals until the home side grabbed a late consolation to complete the scoring.
Australian goalscorers were James Holland, Isaka Cernak-Okanya, Bonel Obradovic, Jason Hoffman and a penalty from Richard Greer.The tournament is the first international outing for the current generation of Young Socceroos. Qualification for the 2009 FIFA World Youth Cup will commence in October with the first stage of qualifying to be followed next year by the AFC U-19 Championship.
Match Details:
Australia 5 (James Holland 2’, Isaka Cernak-Okanya 18’, Bonel Obradovic 57’, Jason Hoffman 72’ Richard Greer 76’ pen).Shandong Luneng 3 (28,’ 44’, 87’ pen)
Australian line-up: Andrew Redmayne (gk); Luke De Vere (Matthew Jurman 59’), Sebastian Ryall, Richard Greer, James Holland (Matthew Harper 69’), Isaka Cernak-Okanya (Tahj Minniecon 77’), Bonel Obradovic, Alex Sunasky, Milos Lujic (Jason Hoffman 50’), Matthew Theodore, Daniel Mullen (Ante Cicak 75’)
photo by Arthur Huggins, President CCSC
This week Sally Shipard, Matildas star, writes about World Cup selection, training and the dreaded injury.
Canberran Andrew Young is the strength and conditioning coach guiding the Socceroos in their quest to win their first Asian Cup. He’s also part of the management team at English Premier League side Fulham.
Taking time out from a hectic schedule to speak to the Canberra Times in the Socceroos hotel lobby in Bangkok, Young appeared calm and relaxed, despite the Socceroos worrying performance in the opening game against Oman.
“If we win I’ve done my job. If we lose I could be held responsible. Obviously there are many other factors, but people look to how the team were prepared if we lose.”
Australian has been marked as favourites by many, but Sunday’s performance was uninspiring.
“The players know it was a mediocre performance. They are a determined group of players who take nothing for granted. We knew the Omani’s were physically strong and very skilful,” said Young
“Somebody had written the schedule for the games until the final on our planning board in the hotel. One of the senior players rubbed it out. They have no illusions. They take a game at a time, and are aiming just to get through the group at this stage. There are some quality footballers in Asia. It was always going to be tough.”
“Our guys have all come in from a very short break after a long season in Europe. All have different levels of fitness. Marco Bresciano hasn’t had a break for three years. Tim Cahill has been out for four months. You can’t train all players the same. My job is to plan and prepare the programs to ensure these guys are as fit as they can possibly be.”
But Australia looked slow and lethargic on Sunday night.
Young nods, “We had a short three week pre-season in some of the harshest conditions in the World for playing football. The players will get stronger as the tournament goes on. I’m absolutely sure of that.”
“We had players losing between 3-4kg against Oman, so we need to track each player, and we do.”
Young who started football with Woden Valley, was the first ever captain of the Australian Institute of Sport football programme.
“I went through with Frank Farina and Tony Franken (Socceroos Coach) and Ray Junna (AIS Coach). In those days we toured England for four weeks and nobody was offered a contract. Now if the AIS team went over, half the team wouldn’t come back!”
But Young has gone back to England. He is in the management group at Fulham in the English Premier League.
“I work alongside new manager Lawrie Sanchez (ex-Northern Ireland Coach); I have been here for two years and just extended for another year.”
“It’s a buzz. It’s tough, but I get to sit on the bench at Manchester United’s and Liverpool’s home grounds so that’s great.”
“Australian Sports Science is the best in the World, and English Premier League sides recognise that. With the Socceroos we are constantly measuring weight loss, hydration levels, and muscle fatigue. I’ve introduced a GPS tracking system for the first time so we can assess player’s performance.“
“I’m pleasantly surprised at how many Australian players got released by their clubs in England to play in the Asian Cup. It also shows the desire of these guys to play for Australia. Many of them have not won anything at club level and this is another opportunity.”
“Fulham weren’t excited about releasing me either. But I’m honoured to be involved in the National team. I’m representing Australia and it’s a tremendous experience.”
And the winner is the games not involving a Canberra team!
This site has all the crowds for the whole of the Canberra Cosmos seasons.
http://www.geocities.com/canberracosmos01/
Apart from one game where 9000 rocked up the two A-League Sydney FC pre-season games have had bigger crowds than every Cosmos game ever!
And of course the 9,000 rocked up because the Socceroos were playing Tahiti in a curtain raiser, but statistics don't show that.
Which is all good news to suggest that there is more support for football now in Canberra than ever before.
Plus summer over winter, watching football in Canberra in summer is fantastic.
Plus if we had a Canberra team maybe we could average 6-8,000 in our first season.
Providing we are competitive and well run, why not 10,000 each week if we can have a finals appearance and a couple of bumper gates.
If the Brumbies can do it, so can the football community in Canberra.
It's time!
Copyright: Michael West Matildas squad for the World Cup will be officially announced next Monday. It was originally going to be announced today.
Report from FFA
LATE CHINESE GOAL SINKS QANTAS YOUNG SOCCEROOS
The only goal of the match scored four minutes from full time by host-nation China has halted the Qantas Young Socceroos undefeated run overnight in the Weifang Cup.
The match was a tight contest throughout with the deadlock broken by the home side with a near post header direct from a corner.
Australia’s best chance to score came after eight minutes when Milos Lujic set up Matt Mullen who, with the goalkeeper out of position, put his shot wide of the post.
On the hour Australia Tahj Minniecon worked his way into the left side of the penalty box, playing a ball to James Brown who fed the ball back to James Holland, but with the goalkeeper exposed he failed to convert the chance.
The 1-0 loss follows a win by the same scoreline over the Korean Republic last Friday, and then a comprehensive 4-1 victory against Iran on Sunday.
The tournament is the first international outing for the current generation of Young Socceroos who will complete their schedule with further matches against Uzbekistan and top Chinese club Shandong Luneng.
Qualification for the 2009 FIFA World Youth Cup will commence in October with the first stage of qualifying to be followed next year by the AFC U-19 Championship.
Match Details:
China 1 (86’)
Australia 0
Australian line-up: Andrew Redmayne (gk); Luke De Vere, Sebastian Ryall, James Holland, Matthew Mullen (Matt Theodore 60’), Isaka Cernak-Okanya, James Brown (Bonel Obradovic 87’), Tahj Minniecon (Richard Greer 90'), Jason Hoffman (Matthew Harper 88’), Milos Lujic, Daniel Mullen
Cautions: M Mullen 25’, Hoffman 40’, Brown 42’, Minniecon 88’
