Walter Pless on Football

By Walter Pless

Tasmania beat Queensland 2-1 on the opening day of the Under-14 National Soccer Championships at Coffs Harbour on Saturday.

Hugh Foley put Tasmania ahead with a fine 18-metre left-footed shot to give his side a 1-0 lead at half-time.

Substitute Ethan Engel made it 2-0 with 15 minutes to go before Queensland pulled a goal back in the 84th minute.

“We played a 4-4-2 in hot conditions and didn’t panic and kept our discipline,” said Tasmania’s coach, Dale Itchins.

“They pumped high balls at us and scored six minutes from the end, but we defended well and held out for the final few minutes.”

Tasmania’s Under-15s took the lead against Western Australia but trailed 4-1 at the interval and eventually lost 7-2.

Sam McIntyre gave Tasmania the lead after only two minutes with a free-kick, but Western Australia recovered and scored three quick goals and then another before the break.

Western Australia piled on three more goals after half-time to lead 7-1 before Brayden Mann netted Tasmania’s second near the end.

On Sunday, Tasmania’s under-14s went down 4-0 to Victoria after trailing 2-0 at the break.

The Under-15s trounced the Northern Territory 7-0 after leading 4-0 at the interval. Brayden Mann hit a hat-trick and Jamie Singleton, Will Abbott, Ben Phillips and Sam Jacob netted a goal apiece.

Darby’s side beaten in Lebanon

By Walter Pless

Former Tasmanian coaching director Steve Darby was devastated when his Malaysian side Perak were beaten 5-0 away in Beirut by Lebanese team Safa in the second-leg of the Asian Cup-Winners’ Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Safa won 7-0 on aggregate, having beaten Perak 2-0 away in Ipoh two weeks ago.

Safa, who led 2-0 at the interval in Beirut, scored twice through Rony Azar and once each through Hussein Tahan, Mohammad Kassas and Mahmoud El Zoughbi.

Speaking from Dubai airport on the way home to Malaysia, Darby said everything had gone against his side.

“We played well for 40 minutes and we hit the post four times,” said Darby, who also coached Devonport City and New Town Eagles during his Tasmanian stint.

“Then, they hit two quick goals just before the break and we ran out of petrol.

“I only had 14 players as five had walked out because they hadn’t been paid.

“On top of that, the players went 14 hours without food and drink because of Ramadan fasting, and after nightfall, when they could eat, they broke their fast only with dates and noodles.

“They were also suffering from a lack of sleep.

“In the second half, it was like watching Michael Jackson moon walking.”

Darby said he was close to the end of his three years with Perak but had no new club lined up as yet.

Beachside v Christian United Match Report [Division One Knock-out Cup, Wellesley Park, Saturday, 20 September 2008]

By Walter Pless
________________________________________________

Beachside 1 (Direen 50)
Christian United 2 (Page 15, T Wierenga 39)

HT: 0-2 Att: 50 Ref: N Mele

Beachside: Smee - Frost (Chadwick 60), Grzinic, Box - Depino, Direen, Ikin,, McCarthy, Evans (Christian 64) - Reason, Brown (Gardner 90)

Beachside

Christian United: Nicholson - Noble, T Wiernga, J Wierenga (Dolliver 87) - Walter, Manasseh, Lumago, Livingston, De Deuge (Whayman 60) - Page, Arnold (Dixon 81)

Christian United
_________________________________________________

Christian United celebrated their 10th anniversary in style on Saturday by winning the Division One Knock-out Cup with a 2-1 victory over Beachside at Wellesley Park.

Christian had finished second-last in the league and Beachside third, but one wouldn’t have known it in this clash.

Referee Nino Mele tosses the coin for the two captains

Christian were under the pump in the opening stages against a keen and spirited Beachside outfit that was looking to salvage something from the season.

Brad Evans should have done better than to shoot wide for Beachside in the 8th minute as he was well positioned and not under pressure.

In the 14th minute, Christian were again let off the hook when Daniel Frost headed over the bar from close range while unchallenged.

Christian’s David Noble holds off Beachside’s Andrew Reason

Having survived these early scares, Christian hit back and only a fine and brave save by Beachside goalkeeper, Daniel Smee, who plucked the ball from the feet of Ashley Page, prevented Christian from taking the lead.

It would have been an injustice, however, as the referee appeared to hesitate in making a decision and then ignored the Christian foul in midfield which had led to the attack.

Seconds later, Beachside went behind to a goal that looked suspiciously off-side. Page’s shot was blocked by Smee and the ball rebounded to Jesse Arnold, whose pass found Page and he knocked the ball into the net.

Beachside keeper Adam Smee catches a corner

Beachside protested, but it was to no avail. To their credit, they rolled up their sleeves and got stuck back into their task.

They were almost rewarded in the 23rd minute when Adam Direen’s looping header bounced back into play off the right-hand post.

Beachside knew they were in trouble when Christian netted a second goal six minutes before the interval.

Brian Roberts presents the Cup to Tim Wierenga

Beachside blocked a corner from the left, but the ball fell to Arnold, who slipped it inside to Christian captain, Tim Wierenga, who turned and volleyed a magnificent strike into the far corner of the net to make it 2-0.

That was truly a goal worthy of winning a cup final.

The heavens opened up at half-time and the rain was still bucketing down as Christian kicked off the second half with a strong wind behind their backs.

But, it was Beachside who reduced the arrears five minutes after the resumption when Direen’s shot bounced just in front of goalkeeper Scott Nicholson and the ball sneaked past him and into the net.

Christian’s Tim Wierenga closes down Beachside’s Andrew Reason

Beachside should have taken the game to a penalty shoot-out when Michaelangelo Depino was presented with a simple chance at the far post from a corner, but he nodded tamely wide from close range.

Christian created few chances of their own, but they managed to hold on for a satisfying 2-1 win.

Brian Roberts, a former Football Federation Tasmania official, was handed the trophy by FFT’s Kenneth Hansen and Roberts presented it to Christian captain, Tim Wierenga, amid great jubiliation.

__________________________________________________

• Beachside’s Daniel Gardner said:

“It was a hard-fought game and we had a lot of possession and probably could have got over the line.

“But, like the whole season in Division One and the Reserves, we don’t put the goals in the back of the net when we have the chance.

“We’ll grab a striker or two next year and we’ll make sure we get them in.”

• Christian United’s Angus Livingston said:

“It was a great win for the boys.

“We had a pretty slow season and we’ve just really worked hard in the last half of the year and put it together.

“We got a bit of momentum and beat the first and second teams on the ladder and today we got a good win, so we’re pretty happy.

“It’s a great way to celebrate the tenth anniversary. It’s good to see the club is still going strong ten years after we started.

“We’ve got a good young group of guys and, hopefully, we can build on this next year.”

• Christian United president, Trevor Catherall, said:

“I thought it was fantastic.

“We had a really rough season. It’s been slow, we’ve been unlucky, and we’ve beaten the top three teams.

“It couldn’t get much better than that.

“It’s just a chance to get out there and say, ‘Yes, we can do it’.

“It gives the boys a bit of confidence, and the girls, too, because they won.

“Yeah, we’re rapt.”
____________________________________________________

STATISTICS

BEACHSIDE CHRISTIAN UNITED
18 Goal Attempts 10
7 Shots on Target 7
7 Corners 2
8 Fouls Committed 13
4 Off-Sides 4
2 (Box 12, Reason 35) Yellow Cards 2 (Arnold 64, Manasseh 80)
0 Red Cards 0

Beachside:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Box 1 1
Direen 4 3
Evans 2 0
Brown 6 2
Reason 3 1
Frost 1 0
Depino 1 0

Christian United:

PLAYER GOAL ATTEMPTS SHOTS ON TARGET
Page 3 2
Arnold 2 2
Livingston 1 0
T Wierenga 1 1
Manasseh 1 0
Walters 1 1
Whayman 1 1

Match Summary for Saturday, 20 September 2008

By Walter Pless

North beat South 4-1 in the second leg of the intrastate men’s series on a wet and windswept Windsor Park in Launceston on Saturday.

The result means North won the series 8-1 on aggregate, having beaten the South 4-0 in Hobart the previous weekend.

With surface water an impediment to both sides, North shrugged off the conditions and showed more commitment and better team-work than their southern counterparts.

North striker, Chris McKenna, was man-of-the-match.

Alex Holmes could not subdue him and McKenna scored twice and made the other two goals following corners, which caused all sorts of difficulties for the South defence, including keeper Ben Peter.

David Cooper put South ahead in the 6th minute, but McKenna made it 1-1 three minutes later with a pile-driver from 25 metres.

A McKenna header from a corner in the 18th minute put North in front, while Bobby Eaves made it 3-1 for the home-side on the half-hour after a knock-down by McKenna from a corner.

South had little to offer in the second half and Todd Hingston’s goal, following yet another corner, made it 4-1 with 11 minutes remaining.

In the women’s second-leg intrastate match, a penalty by Kendall Brazendale 10 minutes from the end gave North a 1-0 win over South, who had been victorious 2-0 in Hobart the previous weekend and so took the series 2-1 on aggregate.

Christian United with the Division One Knock-out Cup

In Saturday’s Division One Knock-out Cup final at Wellesley Park, Christian United celebrated their 10th anniversary by collecting the trophy with a 2-1 win over Beachside.

Beachside squandered several good chances and trailed 1-0 to a goal which looked suspiciously off-side by Ashley Page on the quarter-hour.

Christian’s Tim Wierenga (right) shuts down Beachside’s Andrew Reason

Only good goalkeeping by Adam Smee denied Christian another couple of goals in the first half as Page and Jesse Arnold threatened.

Christian’s second goal was magnificent and came from a volley on the turn by captain Tim Wierenga in the 39th minute after Beachside failed to clear a corner.

Brian Roberts hands the trophy to Christian captain, Tim Wierenga

The heavens opened up in the second half and, together with the strong wind, made conditions difficult for both sides.

Christian had to fight hard but hung on for victory, despite Adam Direen pulling a goal back for Beachside in the 50th minute.

Beachside’s Cup Final squad

INTERVIEW WITH CRAIG FOSTER (19 September 2008)

Craig Foster

Walter Pless: You must be pleased with the way the Socceroos are going?

Craig Foster: The results have been excellent and Verbeek, the coach, I think he’s done an excellent job of managing the way through what is a very tricky qualifying campaign.

Often - I’d say roughly fifty per cent of the time - the football has been excellent, and fifty per cent it hasn’t been brilliant. Of course, as football fans, we’d love to see them play outstanding football every time.

I think some of that is probably down to the fact that he came in very late. He only had a couple of months to get hold of the team. He had very little time to prepare them and to get into the campaign itself, so he’s really managed, his management of the campaign strategy and logistics has been unbelievably good.

The win against Uzbekistan, I would probably rate it at least as one of the top ten World Cup qualifying away performances ever, so it was exceptionally good in almost all regards and they’re set up now beautifully. Seven games to go, and if they win their home matches, basically, they’re through.

WP: Do you think they will qualify?

CF: Well, I’m a typical fan. I go from extremely positive to extremely negative, all in the space of a day, basically. ‘I don’t know’ is the simple answer, because it’s not easy. It’s extremely tough.

Japan are strong, Qatar are improving. Bahrein is the team, really, we should have their measure fairly comfortably.

What I can say is that they couldn’t possibly be in a better position to qualify. They’re extremely strong at home, Australia. I think the China game, only a couple of months ago, was basically the Olyroos and that was the first time we lost a home World Cup qualifier for many, many years, maybe twenty years or something.

So, at home, we have to be extremely confident. We’re very tough to beat. The Aussie players love to play in front of their home crowd. They’ll get fantastic support from Australia now, all walks of life, so, we’ve got to be really confident about getting those home results and that will see them through.

And the other thing is we’ve been quite fortunate, really, because we have the weaker of the two groups. The other group is, I think, a bit stronger than us.

What I’m very confident of is that we will absolutely, or should, absolutely, make the top three, and that keeps us alive. But, at the moment, we’re right in the box seat to make the top two automatic qualification for 2010.

Naomi Hannaford of Tasmanian Sports Camps with Craig Foster

WP: Are you happy with the A-League?

CF: I’m happy in a lot of ways and I’m unhappy in some. That’s just the nature of the beast, the nature of the sport, and it’s the nature of a football lover.

I’m extremely pleased with the traction that the A-League has gained in the sporting landscape in this country, which is an extremely tough one, and in the hearts and minds of Australians.

The crowds have been excellent. This season is a bit of a challenge at the moment, partly because of the Olympics, and the finals in the other codes, but that’ll come good.

The clubs have already, after only three seasons, there’s two clubs already out of eight, making a profit. That’s an extraordinary result in only three years for a fledgling professional league. So, all of the indicators are brilliant.

I’d like to see some of the technical side change, but that’s a matter of evolution, I think, in terms of the coaching, in terms of some of the play, and all those types of things. They’re all points up for discussion for change over the next five years to better support our national teams.

But, you know, we’ve all got to be very pleased with the way the league’s grown.

Craig Foster signs a Socceroo shirt

WP: Is there a place for Tasmania, possibly, eventually?

CF: I’d love to see Tasmania in. I think these areas, such as, for instance, North Queensland, I like, but Canberra, Tasmania, even perhaps in future, Darwin, for instance, they’re very important, because the simple reason is this, that it capitalises on one of the strengths of our code, and that is, we are the strongest nationally, right across the country.

We all know that AFL in the southern States is extremely strong, but they struggle in many of the other ones. We know that the same applies for Rugby League, and the same applies for Rugby Union.

Our code may not be the strongest in all of them, yet it is the strongest across all of them. That’s why it’s important, because we are the only really true national football code, and we have to take advantage of that.

Tasmania has a very strong history in football. It has a strong development system, and it has the right to participate in a national football competition. I’d love to see a team come from here.

WP: SBS was the flagship of Australian football. Do you think it’s been side-lined a little bit by pay TV and, if so, are you disappointed?

CF: Well, I’m not sure it’s been side-lined, but, my view on the issue is simply this, that I’m not a huge fan of sporting rights, of sporting competitions, being pay-per-view.

I just don’t, philosophically, I don’t really agree with that in the sense I’m from Lismore, which is a country area. Many of the people there, and in country and regional areas, cannot afford to pay monthly sums just to watch the sport that they love. So, there are many, many kids missing out.

Now, if the A-League has to be on pay TV because of the revenues, it needs the money, then okay, we can accept that. But I can never accept the Socceroos, the national team, being on pay TV.

I think it’s a disgrace. I think that the government was wrong in not having it on the anti-siphoning list and, to me, to think that Indigenous populations in central Australia, regional and country areas, and this huge population base of Australian kids can’t see the Socceroos play because they can’t pay, I think it’s disgraceful.

In terms of SBS, the game is growing and SBS has to remain relevant. This is the beauty of the growth of the game. Pressure is on everyone to perform, to maintain a role. That’s the nature of growth in the sport. I think it’s fantastic for the sport and there’s no problem whatsoever.

WP: You mentioned the Indigenous factor. Do you think Australian football taps into the Indigenous population enough?

CF: Well, no. We’ve always neglected it and Australian football has neglected many, many things, and it’s all starting to come around now.

I know there are concrete plans at the governing body, at the FFA, to put some programs in place to start to really support Indigenous kids. We’ve had some wonderful success in the last year with Travis Dodd and Jade North both being captains of their respective A-League teams and Jade North, the first Indigenous captain of a football team to win a national league title. It was wonderful stuff. Those two are great ambassadors and the game needs to utilise them more as well.

But, I often say to people, okay, well you tell me which Indigenous area in central Australia has FOX? You tell me which Indigenous community, you know, can pay $80 or $100 a month to watch the A-League?

I mean, you need to also promote your game whilst you need to show the kids, you know, and then give them an opportunity, and, you know, I’d question how much we’re doing that when you’re charging also for people to be watching it. I think, you know, there’s a bit of mismatch there.

Craig Foster supports Tassie A-League push

By Walter Pless

Former Socceroo and SBS football pundit, Craig Foster, would love to see a Tasmanian side in the A-League.

Foster, 39, was in Hobart on Friday to join former team-mate and one-time Socceroo captain, Paul Wade, in conducting junior coaching clinics.

Craig Foster at Ogilvie High School

“I’d love to see Tasmania in [the A-League],” said Foster, who earned 29 caps for Australia and scored nine goals, and who also played for Portsmouth and Crystal Palace in England.

“I think these areas, such as, for instance, North Queensland, Canberra, Tasmania, and even perhaps, in future, Darwin, are very important.

“The simple reason is that it capitalises on one of the strengths of our code and, that is, we are the strongest nationally, right across the country.

Craig Foster signs a shirt

“We all know that AFL in the southern States is extremely strong, but they struggle in many of the other ones.

“We know that the same applies for Rugby League, and the same applies for Rugby Union.

“Our code may not be the strongest in all of them, yet it is the strongest across all of them.

“That’s why it’s important, because we are the only true national football code, and we have to take advantage of that.

Craig Foster…29 caps for Australia

“Tasmania has a very strong history in football, it has a strong development system, and it has the right to participate in a national football competition.

“I’d love to see a team come from here.”

Foster also said he was not a huge fan of television sports coverage being pay-per-view.

“Philosophically, I don’t really agree with it,” he said. “I’m from Lismore, which is a country area.

Craig Foster fields a question

“Many of the people there, and in country and regional areas, cannot afford to pay monthly sums just to watch the sport they love.

“Many, many kids are missing out.

“If the A-League has to be on pay TV because of the revenues it needs, okay, we can accept that.

“But I can never accept the Socceroos, the national team, being on pay TV.

“I think it’s a disgrace.”

Division One Knock-out Cup Preview

By Walter Pless

The stage is set for an exciting Division One Knock-out Cup final at Wellesley Park at 12.30pm on Saturday when Beachside take on Christian United on neutral territory.

Beachside finished third in the league and Christian United second-last, but the form displayed by both sides in reaching the final has been impressive.

“We may be coming into the final slightly underdone as last week’s match against Nelson did not provide the level of competition we expected,” said Beachside’s stand-in coach, Andrew Reason.

“However, we have had a big week at training, concentrating on physically imposing ourselves and playing fast-paced football.

“We have made a couple of squad changes, bringing in Daniel Gardner to help deal with Christian’s speedy attack.

“Gardner, together with Daniel McCarthy and Dave Ikin in defence, should give us sufficient cover at the back to enable us to push six or seven players forward, allowing us to go for an all-out attack on Christian’s goal.”

Christian are worthy finalists.

They go into this game with a strong self-belief, having downed league champions Hobart United 2-0 two weeks ago and runners-up New Town Eagles 6-1 last weekend.

“Having not only defeated the top two teams in the league, but scoring eight goals and only conceding one in the process, one would be foolish to write this team off,” said Christian’s Jesse Arnold.

“The last two weeks have seen them produce some exciting passages of play, particularly in the areas of midfield and attack.

“Brodie Whayman and Oliver Walters have shown nothing but class and genuine ability in their recent games.

“An unchanged team will take the field, but classy mid-fielder Angus Livingston will be added to the bench, giving Christian even more depth in what is an already strong squad.

“David Nettlefold will again be missing from the line-up as he is on holiday in Melbourne.

“Brodie Kirkpatrick will also be expected to return to his left-wing position after suffering an ankle injury during last weekend’s fixture and having to leave the field and be replaced.”

Extra-time and a penalty shoot-out may well be required to decide the destination of this trophy.

Preview of Intrastate Second-Leg Clash

By Walter Pless

The South will be without four key players when they take on the North in the return leg of the men’s intrastate soccer series at Windsor Park in Launceston at 2.30pm on Saturday.

Tilford Zebras players, striker Ben Crosswell, midfielders Aaron Brazendale and Ricky Self, and defender Andrew Telega are all with their club in Canberra this weekend for a match against a local ACT side.

South coach, Eamonn Kelly, said he would use players who were on the bench last weekend, as well as call up some members of the State Under-21 squad who are preparing for the games against the A-League youth sides next month.

North won last week’s first leg 4-0 and the South will be hard-pressed to win by five clear goals to clinch the two-match series.

“I think we can do it,” said Kelly. I’m not saying that to be smart.

“We probably played a couple of people out of position last week, but that was a necessity because if you haven’t got personnel you’ve got to persevere with what you’ve got.

“And that’s what we’ve done, and credit to the lads. I mean, we all copped a bit of a caning after last week, which is deserved, I suppose.

“But, we’ll bounce back this week.

“More than likely, I’ll be changing the keeper and Ben Peter may get a look in.

“We will be going back to playing two up front, and they will be Billy Gasparinatos and Danny White, and we might juggle a little bit with the midfield.

“The back-four will relatively stay the same, apart from the fact that David Cooper will be back in because he was away at a wedding last week, and that will give us a little more stability there.

“We don’t want to change things too much. We’ve been together long enough now to bounce back.

“The boys were all pretty devastated after last Saturday, as we all were, and as was I.

“We talked about it Saturday night and then we went to training on Monday and spoke about it on Monday and then, as far as we’re all concerned, it’s history, and it’s gone.

“We can’t change that. We can certainly build, and we will for Saturday’s game. We want to turn the result around.”

The North coach, Tom McGinn, was unavailable for comment and did not return calls.

The curtain-raiser will be the women’s match and South, which won the first leg 2-0, will need to be at its best to hold out North on its home territory.

North striker, Chelsea Smith, should have a greater impact this time and South will have to stop her if it is to have a chance.

Walter Pless: In which country have you enjoyed coaching the most?

Steve Darby: Probably Singapore as I had the best organised club I have ever been in with Home Utd. We won everything and even got to the AFC Cup semi-finals with a 16-man squad. We also got to the finals of the AFC team of the Year. It was superbly managed and I only left when the management changed as I knew it wasn’t going to work. They haven’t won anything since 2005, which is a pity as the potential was so great for the club. We even reached the knockout stages of the AFC Champions league in 2003.

WP: What has been your toughest coaching job, and why?

SD: Probably this one at Perak. Crowds of 40,000 plus who just want you to win and have no concept that teams with budgets 25% of others and small squads don’t win everything. We are working with great players, but no infrastructure and chaotic administration. We have no training ground and, at the moment, no money. Welcome to the real world of coaching.

When I lecture on AFC A-licence courses, I try to establish that you can coach better if the environment around you is organised and everybody is working in the same direction. In Malaysia, you are the best Coach in the world one week, and the worst next week when you lose.

WP: What have been the enjoyable things about coaching in Malaysia?

SD: The money! Also the fact that football is important in the country. Everybody knows about the game. The positive side of the passion is great.

Also, as a lifestyle, Malaysia is great, It’s safe and warm all year round. Sure beats coaching at Sheffield Wednesday in minus temperatures, the balls having ice on them and young players who didn’t want to learn. The Malaysian players want to learn and get better.

WP: Which system do you prefer, or does it depend on the players you have available?

SD: I have been using 3-4-1-2 for a couple of years as I have always tried to sign a “free player”, a “Number 10” who can do damage to your opposition. This can easily change to 3-1-4-2 when defending. But, you need great athletes out wide and an intelligent sweeper.
Recently, as I haven’t had a true number 10, I’ve been using 4-2-3-1, especially in away games in the AFC Cup when you need a result. Not pretty but effective. If it’s good enough for Germany. It’s good enough for me.

WP: What do you think of Australia’s entry into Asia?

SD: The best thing for both parties, because it’s a definite win-win. Australia has superb organisation and infrastructure such as the AIS, and Asia has the passion of football being the number one sport. Combining the two, benefits everybody.

WP: What must Australia do to be successful in Asia?

SD: Win something. This continent is geared towards winning and nothing else. Also, let’s not be so arrogant. Some of the reports that Aussies have “supposedly” said are deemed very arrogant here. Win humbly, and the doors will open everywhere.

Also, try to show A league on TV. Nobody sees it here.

WP: How is the A-League regarded in Asia?

SD: To be honest, very little is written (or seen) about it. Australian performances in the ACL also haven’t been that great. The best Australian ambassadors are still the players who play in the EPL, such as Viduka and Schwartzer. The Asian region is flooded by EPL media coverage, so even the great players in Serie A such as Grella and Kalac are unheard of.

I think Adelaide have done a great job to get to the quarterfinals, but now they meet the big boys.

WP: Is there anything you would have changed in your coaching career in hindsight?

SD: Being in the right place at the right time. I honestly believe there are better coaches than me unemployed, and worse coaches coaching and conning a great living. I respect Mourhino a great deal. He was at the right place as a translator with Barcelona, but he went on to prove his ability once he was given the chance. But, I’ve coached in 7 countries and visited 23 through football, so I’m not complaining.

WP: Who are the five best players you have coached?

SD: Hamood Sultan, the Bahrain Goalkeeper in 1979. On a different planet. He was wanted by Santos of Brazil, but didn’t want to go. You had to see him to realise he was unbeatable when he wanted to be. He is the only keeper to win AFC Player of the Year.

Ned Zelic. Even at the age of 14 he was different class. People said he was slow. But, he kept going past people slowly! He could see things that nobody else could and was a great athlete. The best true libero I have seen.

Mark Viduka. The most gentle feet in the world for a big man. Only worked a few times with him at the AIS, but what a player, and so underrated.

J Surachai, the captain and legend of Thailand. I coached him when he was past his best, but the best passer of a ball I have seen and, for a small fellow, he could look after himself. When I was working with ESPN, we used to bring out EPL players who trained with me at Home Utd. They all asked who this player was. He could easily have played EPL.

Peres D’Oliveira. A Brazilian in Singapore. A true number 10 who could pass you to death, take free kicks, and score goals. I was told that he was too slow. I said that if he had pace as well, he would be in Italy, not Singapore.

All had the same characteristics. They were good lads off the pitch, worked hard on the pitch, and could produce results under pressure when it mattered.

I have often wondered how far players from Tasmania such as ‘Spider’ Lesczcynski and Ian Parker could have gone if they had moved on to higher levels. ‘Spider’ was a magnificent character for me at White Eagles and the game needs players like that. I’ve been lucky that in most teams I’ve had a leader and I encourage them to show leadership.

WP: Which is the best team you have coached?

SD: Home Utd in 2003 and 2004. We won the double in Singapore and got to the AFC Cup semi finals. A great team with marvellous characters. A good mix of Brazilians and Thaïs and tough Singaporean Internationals. I had two local lads who ran the dressing room and they led the team, letting the foreigners just play! It was a pleasure to work with them. They always wanted to get better.

I also had a great staff and management. Everything went right for two years. It could have been a dynasty. But salary cap restrictions stopped us getting better and a change in management destroyed the atmosphere and all the players (and myself) left the club.

WP: If you could have any coaching job in the world, which would it be and why?

SD: Liverpool! I was born 100 metres from Anfield and was indoctrinated by Shankly. I even had the honour to meet him, and it was an honour. He was top class. Liverpool is the dream job.

WP: Where do you want to coach next?

SD: As Liverpool haven’t phoned me lately, I would like to go to Japan or Korea as they are so well organised, and it’s easier to coach if there is organisation and well-financed systems. Or, maybe back to the Middle East. It’s hard work there and ruthless, but that’s the reality of coaching in Asia.

WP: Will you ever get sick of football?

SD: Never sick of football, but sick of some of the things that go with the job: crazy administrative decisions and inane journalism. I am a great fan of the internet, but I’m afraid the “blogger” has become a dangerous part of the game. People who have never played the game character assassinating professionals. I find it sad. If they want to contribute to the game, get off the computer and get out to the schools and clubs where they could apply their so called knowledge. They’d soon find out talking about coaching and actually coaching are two different issues, especially when the temperature is -2 degrees!

WP: Will an Australian team win the Asian Champions’ League any time soon?

SD: Not unless the attitude changes. I was amazed at some of the things I heard coming out of Sydney before they were eliminated. Some of the things were quite colonial! As Chonburi showed, a Thai provincial team finished ahead of Melbourne Victory. Australians have to learn that there are some excellent well-funded and well-run clubs at the elite Asian level. Also, they have top-class foreigners. Plus, when you go to places like Syria, it can be quite an education on how to win off the pitch!

Some of the things you have to put up with in away games in AFC tournaments are quite an experience.

WP: Can Australia qualify for the 2010 World Cup?

SD: I hope so, and I think they will. I felt China was their biggest obstacle and, once again, China let themselves down. Australia should have the ability to finish in the top two of their group, as long as they put out their best eleven. Away to Uzbekistan will not be easy.

WP: Where do you want to retire?

SD: Fern Tree in Hobart, Tasmania! Paradise. I really wish Tassie had an A-league team and I would return tomorrow.

WP: Would you encourage your son to pursue a career in football?

SD: I’ve met the best people in the world through football…and sadly some of the worst. But the good greatly outweigh the bad and the atmosphere of belonging to a great dressing room is something that money can’t buy and I will always cherish. You have to have been in one to understand what this means.

Interview with Paul Wade, former Socceroos Captain

By Walter Pless

Paul Wade, 47, the former Socceroos captain, was in Hobart this week to conduct junior coaching clinics, which now take up a large part of his life.

“I love coaching kids,” Wade said. “I don’t need all the pressure and all the other stuff that goes on at a higher level.

“I’ve always been interested in development, and these kids, a lot of them, are not going to become Socceroos or Matildas, but if they’re having fun, there’s a lot of satisfaction in that.”

Paul Wade coaching kids in Hobart

Wade made his debut for the Socceroos in Hobart against a Tasmanian XI in 1984.

He went on to win 84 full ‘A’ caps for Australia and represented his country at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.

Wade represented Australia 118 times in all.

Paul Wade…84 full caps for Australia

He is confident that the current Socceroos will qualify for the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

“After the win against Uzbekistan, I’m confident we can qualify,” he said.

“The first two out of our group of five go through and I think the key is our next game in Brisbane against Qatar.

“If we win that, I wouldn’t say we’re home and hosed, but I’d put my house on it.”

Wade still has the skills

Wade is impressed by the impact the A-League has had on Australian soccer.

“It’s a heck of a lot better than the old NSL and the crowds prove it,” he said.

“Many players from my era, and after that, could have got a game, no problems.

“But, I think if you threw a blanket over the whole generation now, you’d have to say they’re quicker, and their touch on the ball is better.

“Players such as Paul Trimboli and Oscar Crino would have just waltzed into the A-League and tore them apart.”

Wade said the people who ran Australian soccer when he played were doing their best, but they didn’t have the money that is available today.

“They had one person doing three people’s jobs, and you can’t do it,” he said.

“Yes, it was amateurish, but you can’t blame the people who actually tried to run it because I think that’s the way the game was.

“Today, money and advertising helps.

“You would never have known that the old NSL was playing in summer.

“People today know that Sydney FC are playing and they know who they’re playing.

“I heard an ad on TV and I heard an ad on radio and I’ve seen a big banner on the M4 that carries all the people out to the west of Sydney, a billboard, saying that Sydney FC are playing Melbourne Victory.

“You didn’t get advertising like that in the days of the old NSL.

“It’s all in the advertising and the perception is that this game in this country is big.

“Our crowds are equalling those of the National Rugby League.”