Socceroo Story

Adam.S · 04-30-2005, 03:05 PM

The Australia Soccer Federation today announced the departure of Frana Farina after a long stint as the nations manager. There was reportedly a dissagreement and Frank Farina reportedly said "i cannot work for these idiots" which effectively lead to his dismissal. Australia are currently searching for a new manager.

Adam.S · 04-30-2005, 03:18 PM

Australia Have announced Frenchman Luis Fernandez as the New Socceroo boss. Im delighted to come here and get the chance and im sure i will make the most of it. "Unfortunely we got knocked out of the OFC nations cup previously so we wont be in the confederations cup but im sure we can do well in the up coming olympics" Mr Frank LOWY said.

Luis has fantastic pedigree as a player and hes done it on a managerial level aswell im sure he will be a succes.

Adam.S · 04-30-2005, 03:20 PM

Fernandez keen to work with Arnold

Socceroos new boss Luis Fernandez has said he is keen to work with assistant manager Graham Arnold. "I feel he can offer us something posetive and he will be good for us as he is familiar with the current crop of lads" Fernandez said.

Also the warmup to the olympics continue and Australia have been drawed with Tunisia , Serbia and Montenegro and Argentina. The squad will be announced soon.

Adam.S · 04-30-2005, 03:53 PM

squad named for olympics -

Goal keepers -

Justin Pasfield - Sydney FC
Jess Van Stratten - Verona
Brad Jones - Middleborough

Defenders -

Patrick Kisnorbo - Leicester
Steve Laurie - Sydney FC
Shane Candsell Sherrif - AGF
Adrian Madaschi - Partick
Jonathan McKain - FC National Bucharest
Carl Recchia - Fawkner
Jacob Timpano - Sydney FC
Alex Wilkinson - Central Coast

Midfielders -

Nick Carle - Newcastle Jets
Billy Celeski - Buleen Zebras
Anthony Danze - Crystal Palace
Spase Dilevski - Spurs
Ahmad Elrich - Melbourne Victory
Massimo Murdocca - Queensland
Carl Valeri - Inter Milan
Luke Wilkshire - Bristol City

Strikers -

Brett Holman - Excelsior
Jay Lucas - Marconi
Scott McDonald - Motherwell

RedmanJB · 05-01-2005, 06:38 AM

Is it like real life where you get 3 overage players?

Adam.S · 05-01-2005, 06:41 AM

nope cant have any players over 23

Adam.S · 05-01-2005, 02:02 PM

Bonding Session Been good

New Aussie boss Luis Fernandez has siad that the leadup to the olympics has been the most enjoyable moment in his career. "Its just been great. Ever since we got on the plane to come to greece the lads have been great. Especially Ahmad Elrich hes such a character. Weve enjoyed it we got here 7 days ago and its been great. Playing and training on the beach and to top it off the Greek people have greeted as great. Its been awesome" explained Luis.

Serbia And Montenegro V Australia @ Pankritio Irakleoi 19:00

Australia - B Jones , S Laurie , S Candsell Sherrif , J McKain , J Timpano , P Kisnorbo , L Wilkshire ( c ) , C Valeri , A Elrich , S Mcdonald , N Carle.

Subs - A Madaschi , J Pasfield , A Wilkonson , S Dilevski , A Danze , B Celeski , B Holman

Adam.S · 05-01-2005, 02:51 PM

Serbia And Montenegro - 3 V Australia - 0

Australia were left dissapointed after their opening game in the olympics was all but over at half time. Goals by Igor Burzanovic (8), Nickola Grubjesic (11) and Bosko Jankovic (29) was all but enough to see off the struggling Australians. " Luck wasnt in our favour today and we started off slow and it cost us. Its a shame because our preparation was superb but unfortunely we werent up to it today. The second half we got stuck in and showed a bit of passion and it worried the Serbs which ultimately led them dropping more men behind the ball. The effort in the second half impressed me but the damage was already done". Luis Fernandez explaind.

Subs -
S Candsell Sherrif out for Adriano Madaschi (45)
C Valeri out for Brett Holman (45)
Ahmad Elrich out for Billy Celeski (72)

cards - Laurie , McKain , Kisnorbo , Elrich , Carle -(yellow carded)-

B Jones (7) - made a few quality saves late on
S Laurie (6) - Didnt really help out in attack and was invisible at times in defence
S Candsell Sherriff (6) - Competent
J McKain (6) - Effort was there but lacked pace on numerous occasions
J Timpano (7) - Was nervous at the start and started slow but the young lad is utter class and was cool on the ball and got better and better as the game wore on
P Kisnorbo (6) - One of our better players and we need him to perform but was out of sorts in the DMC position
L Wilkshire (5) - Effort was their but could not provide much needed drive in midfield
C Valeri (5) - Ordinary out of sorts and off the pace
A Elrich (6) - Faded in and out of the game
S Mcdonald (6) - Didnt stop running in the second half first class efford but did not recieve any creativity
N Carle (7) - Looked good on the ball but wasnt 100% fit and was shut down quick

Subs - A madaschi (6) - Settled in ok in the Central back position.
B Holman (7) - Looked good on the ball and provided pace up front
B Celeski (5) - Ran around like a headless chook for 20 minutes or so.

Adam.S · 05-01-2005, 02:51 PM

Argentina beat Tunisia 1-0 in the other group game.

Adam.S · 05-01-2005, 03:07 PM

Time to Fight Back

Luis Fernandez insists Australia will get better. " Ive had a chat to the lads and ive told them i will be ringing changes. They know what happened and some players will get a chance to perform better" Fernandez said.

Australia V Tunisia @ Pankritio Irakleoi 19:00

B Jones , J Timpano , J McKain , P Kisnorbo , A Elrich , C Recchia , L Wilksire ( c ) , N Carle , B Holman , S McDonald

Subs - J Lucas , M Murdocca , C Valeri , J Pasfield , A Madaschi , A Wilkinson , S Dilevski

Meanwhile Argentina defeated Serbia in the other group match earlier 1-0.