Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: New head coach Graham Arnold will be backed by strong support team as he plots Australia's defence of the AFC Asian Cup as well as build a formidable U-23 structure.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) announced several additions to the Socceroos staff on Thursday as Australia’s senior men’s national football team transitions into a new era under one of the A-League’s most successful managers.
Highly experienced Dutch coach René Meulensteen has been appointed as an Assistant Coach to Arnold, while Andrew Clark (High Performance Coordinator (Sports Science), Phil Coles (High Performance Coordinator (Physiotherapy), and Doug Kors (Senior Technical Analyst) have also joined the Socceroos set-up.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/australia_rejoice.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/rené_meulensteen-australia-afp.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Socceroos legend and Australia's all-time leading goalscorer Tim Cahill has confirmed his retirement from international football.
After 107 national team appearances and 50 goals, Cahill confirmed on social media his appearance off the bench against Peru at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia was his final for his country.
"Today’s the day that I’m officially hanging up my boots on my international career with the Socceroos," Cahill wrote.
"No words can describe what it has meant to represent my country. Massive thank you to everyone for the support throughout all my years wearing the Australian badge."
Football Federation Australia Chairman Steven Lowy praised Cahill’s immense contribution to football.
“Tim Cahill is a football great in Australia. As a player and as a person he has had an enormous impact on the game,” said Lowy.
“Tim’s performances on and off the pitch and his feats at FIFA World Cups and AFC Asian Cups have inspired millions across the globe, but it is in Australia, where Tim is a household name, that his influence is most profound. He has our very best wishes for whatever new challenges he takes on. We hope to continue to work with Tim to promote football in Australia.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: There was success, disappointment and lessons learned as the five Asian teams concluded their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaigns. They will all now turn their attention to the UAE 2019 with a continental crown up for grabs.
Asia's champions will have been disappointed with their showing at Russia 2018, with just one point from the three Group Stage ties and no goals scored from open play.
There were many who felt the Socceroos would be among the continent's favourites to progress to the knockout stage under coach Bert van Marwijk, but it proved to be a challenge too far.
With a new man at the helm coming in for the build-up to AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019, there will be much work needed to ensure they can successfully defend their title.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Australia’s new head coach Graham Arnold will lead the Socceroos to defend their AFC Asian Cup title, believing that he can end their goalscoring woes on the back of an early exit from the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
Australia suffered defeats against France and Peru, and drew 1-1 with Peru, ending their Russia 2018 campaign at the bottom of Group C.
Replacing Bert van Marwijk immediately after the World Cup, Arnold anticipates a better performance now that he is at the helm for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup next January in the United Arab Emirates, revealing that he would first tackle the psychology of his players.
“A lot of it these days is about the mind and what the mind tells you,” said the former Sydney FC head coach.
“I think that’s the big improvement that you’ve seen in England. A lot of the top sides now use sports psychologists for the players; there’s a lot of negativity in social media around players and what they read. It can affect people.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s last-gasp elimination to Belgium in the Round of 16 ended Asia’s hopes at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, but the Continent’s five sides produced some excellent performances on the global stage.
As the competition now enters the latter stages, the-AFC.com looks back to highlight that stats and facts that stood out from our teams' thrilling contribution to football’s biggest showpiece.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman Steven Lowy on Wednesday paid tribute to the Socceroos for their skill and courage in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia over the past three weeks.
“Although the results didn’t go our way, the Socceroos have made Australia proud with outstanding performances against France, Denmark and Peru,” said Lowy.
“The team showed the world that they were able to match it with some of the best football teams at the tournament and have won support from around the globe as a result.
“This group of players led on and off the pitch by senior players Mile Jedinak, Tim Cahill, and Mark Milligan will definitely provide inspiration for young footballers around Australia who will hopefully also aspire to represent Australia at future World Cups,” said Lowy.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sochi: Australia's outgoing coach Bert van Marwijk was left with mixed feelings after seeing the Socceroos bow out of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 with a 2-0 defeat against Peru in Sochi on Tuesday.
Van Marwijk's team were again made to pay for their lack of a cutting edge and succumbed to goals from Andre Carrillo and Paolo Guerrero for the already-eliminated South Americans in this group finale.
They go home without a win, joining Peru in being eliminated in Group C as France and Denmark - who drew 0-0 in Moscow - both went through. Indeed, that result confirmed that even an Australian win here would have been in vain.