I knew it would be Harry Kewell! What a player
ps. your banner is in the banners thread, i hope it does the job...
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Green and Gold Legend Grows
Socceroos Legend Tries His Hand at Managment
I'll be following this with interest, Viduka and Kewell both Leeds legends... happy Kewell got the job though, Viduka was never my favourite
ps. your banner is in the banners thread, i hope it does the job...
ps. your banner is in the banners thread, i hope it does the job...
Author Note: I'm going to start writing this story from the prospective of Harry, there will still be some new articles, but mostly Harry/my views.
January 2nd 2013
Well, hasn't it been a whirlwind 6 months for my family and I. I retired from a long football career only to be back on the scene within 7 days, albeit in my new role as Manager of Australia. I had always thought I would get into coaching or management once my career had ended but I had planned for it to be further down the track then 7 days into retirement. The phone call from Frank Lowy had caught me by surprise as I lay by the resort pool in Majorca with Sheree by my side and the kids mucking around in the water. It only took 10 minutes to convince me to take he job and as they say the rest is history.
My first squad selection came on the 10th of August before our game against Ukraine. I wanted to pick a strong side with a mixture of youth and experience that I could use for the World Cup Qualifiers and eventually the cup itself. I selected youngsters Tom Rogic, Ryan McGowan, Shane Lowry and new Australian; Uruguayan eligible Richard Porta to make their debuts at national level. Socceroo stalwart Brett Emerton missed the cut whilst I received a lot of criticism for my selection of legendary yet ageing Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. I don't believe his time on the international stage is over and he is still in the top 3 keepers in the country along with Adam Federici and Mitchell Langerak.
My first game in charge of Australia ended in a disappointing 4-2 loss where our defence was picked apart by hatrick hero Eugene Seleznyov as the squad as a whole failed to gel and adapt to new tactics. Pacy striker Nikita Rukavytsya scored his first two goals for Australia late in the half to add some competitiveness to the score line.
We then picked ourselves up to notch up my first 'W' in a solid display against lowly ranked Tunisia. Tom Rogic impressed as he got off his international goal scoring duck.
Next was my first game in charge of a non-friendly. A World Cup Qualifier against Iraq. We were well placed in the group after a 0-0 draw with Iran and 2-0 win over Bahrain under the tutelage of Holger Osieck. We easily accounted for Iraq in a 3-1 win with inspirational Tim Cahill scoring a brace and Socceroos stalwart Brett Holman opening the scoring.
Next we faced world champions Spain where we were lucky to come away with a courageous 1-1 draw; a great result!
Our next three results were pitiful displays of football; partly to do with my tinkering with tactics and formations and a lot to do with complacent attitudes from both or senior players and the more youthful. A 2-1 loss to Qatar was the lowest point; this combined with another 0-0 draw with Iran left us perilously balance in our World Cup qualifying group.
During the first week and half of December the side took part in the East Asian Cup qualifiers where despite a 1-1 draw with Chinese Tapei we easily progressed with Hong Kong, North Korea and Macau. I'm pretty sure I spotted Dennis Rodman in the crowd for the game against North Korea.
That wrapped up my first six months in charge of Australia; there were some positive signs in the development of several younger players, however our poor results against weak opponents is not encouraging. Our next game is a friendly against South Korea in February before our final three World Cup Qualifiers, the East Asian Cup and a string of friendlies.
January 2nd 2013
Well, hasn't it been a whirlwind 6 months for my family and I. I retired from a long football career only to be back on the scene within 7 days, albeit in my new role as Manager of Australia. I had always thought I would get into coaching or management once my career had ended but I had planned for it to be further down the track then 7 days into retirement. The phone call from Frank Lowy had caught me by surprise as I lay by the resort pool in Majorca with Sheree by my side and the kids mucking around in the water. It only took 10 minutes to convince me to take he job and as they say the rest is history.
My first squad selection came on the 10th of August before our game against Ukraine. I wanted to pick a strong side with a mixture of youth and experience that I could use for the World Cup Qualifiers and eventually the cup itself. I selected youngsters Tom Rogic, Ryan McGowan, Shane Lowry and new Australian; Uruguayan eligible Richard Porta to make their debuts at national level. Socceroo stalwart Brett Emerton missed the cut whilst I received a lot of criticism for my selection of legendary yet ageing Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. I don't believe his time on the international stage is over and he is still in the top 3 keepers in the country along with Adam Federici and Mitchell Langerak.
My first game in charge of Australia ended in a disappointing 4-2 loss where our defence was picked apart by hatrick hero Eugene Seleznyov as the squad as a whole failed to gel and adapt to new tactics. Pacy striker Nikita Rukavytsya scored his first two goals for Australia late in the half to add some competitiveness to the score line.
We then picked ourselves up to notch up my first 'W' in a solid display against lowly ranked Tunisia. Tom Rogic impressed as he got off his international goal scoring duck.
Next was my first game in charge of a non-friendly. A World Cup Qualifier against Iraq. We were well placed in the group after a 0-0 draw with Iran and 2-0 win over Bahrain under the tutelage of Holger Osieck. We easily accounted for Iraq in a 3-1 win with inspirational Tim Cahill scoring a brace and Socceroos stalwart Brett Holman opening the scoring.
Next we faced world champions Spain where we were lucky to come away with a courageous 1-1 draw; a great result!
Our next three results were pitiful displays of football; partly to do with my tinkering with tactics and formations and a lot to do with complacent attitudes from both or senior players and the more youthful. A 2-1 loss to Qatar was the lowest point; this combined with another 0-0 draw with Iran left us perilously balance in our World Cup qualifying group.
During the first week and half of December the side took part in the East Asian Cup qualifiers where despite a 1-1 draw with Chinese Tapei we easily progressed with Hong Kong, North Korea and Macau. I'm pretty sure I spotted Dennis Rodman in the crowd for the game against North Korea.
That wrapped up my first six months in charge of Australia; there were some positive signs in the development of several younger players, however our poor results against weak opponents is not encouraging. Our next game is a friendly against South Korea in February before our final three World Cup Qualifiers, the East Asian Cup and a string of friendlies.
A great draw against Spain there and losing to Ukraine is nothing to be ashamed off for sure!
You are reading "Green and Gold Legend Grows".
