Socceroo_06
August 6th, 2006, 01:46 PM
Terry Butcher has been bowled over by Australians' passion for their national team and says it puts to shame England's approach under Sven Goran Eriksson.
Once again it's International fixture time. It seems only a moment ago that fans were dancing in the streets and celebrating their country's victory in Germany.
National passion and pride is a heady cocktail, although in Europe it is now something resembling a two day old pint of beer. It should be every player's ambition and desire to pull on the International shirt, and to relish the chance of being one of the best eleven professionals in the land. Yet, this honour has been devalued due to the so-called importance of the Champions League and the arrogance and selfishness of certain national competitions.
Being selected now means an unnecessary break from the normal club routine, and is now merely regarded as an inconvenience. Therefore, it is refreshing to see how much interest has been generated by the selection for the Socceroos training camp and opening match with Kuwait. Because of the timing of this fixture, many European leagues have not commenced their respective programmes, thereby leaving many of the top Aussie stars without match fitness and game time.
This has allowed Graham Arnold to select only from the A-League teams in Australia, who have already started their competitive season with the Knockout Cup. With the Socceroos World Cup campaign only a short hangover ago, it will be essential to build on the euphoria and excitement that Guus Hiddink's side gave to the country. It is also a terrific chance for those picked by Arnold, to stake their claim for a regular spot in the squad post Germany. There are still many European-based Aussies to possibly return later on in the year, but, nonetheless, the opportunity is there for everyone.
The pleasure when each player receives notification of selection from the FFA is unbelievable, although there was still elation on my behalf, many years ago, when always I learned of my England call up via the radio! E-mail is today's form of communication, but no matter how the news is conveyed, the message is very simple; you have been nominated as one of an elite and special group of people.
As an Englishman now plying my trade Down Under, I am extremely jealous of how much pride is evident for Australia, and of how great an honour it is to represent the country. There is no better feeling to sing the National Anthem and to follow in so many great footsteps.
To serve one's own nation is the ultimate honour, so when it was so contemptuously treated as I witnessed under Sven Goran Eriksson's English debacle, it really makes my blood boil.
England's friendlies over the past five and a half years have been an embarrassment and a joke. Steve McClaren, the new Head Coach, must raise the standard to the height set by Terry Venables and co. Then, it mattered to represent the Three Lions and was not an excuse for the Coach to cow-tow to the Premiership Managers.
There have been too many deals, too many cosy agreements and too many inept, paltry and unconvincing matches that have conned the innocent paying-through-the-nose public. This will never happen in the Southern Hemisphere, as there is nothing to rival the thrill of playing for and supporting one's own country.
Long may it continue, and I am glad that I am away from all the conniving and false nationalistic politics. Let's hope that the fans will be dancing in the streets after the latest Socceroo chapter and also that the new Head Coach can capture their imagination unlike a now unemployed Swedish gentleman who was parted from the Poms!
http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=7127
Once again it's International fixture time. It seems only a moment ago that fans were dancing in the streets and celebrating their country's victory in Germany.
National passion and pride is a heady cocktail, although in Europe it is now something resembling a two day old pint of beer. It should be every player's ambition and desire to pull on the International shirt, and to relish the chance of being one of the best eleven professionals in the land. Yet, this honour has been devalued due to the so-called importance of the Champions League and the arrogance and selfishness of certain national competitions.
Being selected now means an unnecessary break from the normal club routine, and is now merely regarded as an inconvenience. Therefore, it is refreshing to see how much interest has been generated by the selection for the Socceroos training camp and opening match with Kuwait. Because of the timing of this fixture, many European leagues have not commenced their respective programmes, thereby leaving many of the top Aussie stars without match fitness and game time.
This has allowed Graham Arnold to select only from the A-League teams in Australia, who have already started their competitive season with the Knockout Cup. With the Socceroos World Cup campaign only a short hangover ago, it will be essential to build on the euphoria and excitement that Guus Hiddink's side gave to the country. It is also a terrific chance for those picked by Arnold, to stake their claim for a regular spot in the squad post Germany. There are still many European-based Aussies to possibly return later on in the year, but, nonetheless, the opportunity is there for everyone.
The pleasure when each player receives notification of selection from the FFA is unbelievable, although there was still elation on my behalf, many years ago, when always I learned of my England call up via the radio! E-mail is today's form of communication, but no matter how the news is conveyed, the message is very simple; you have been nominated as one of an elite and special group of people.
As an Englishman now plying my trade Down Under, I am extremely jealous of how much pride is evident for Australia, and of how great an honour it is to represent the country. There is no better feeling to sing the National Anthem and to follow in so many great footsteps.
To serve one's own nation is the ultimate honour, so when it was so contemptuously treated as I witnessed under Sven Goran Eriksson's English debacle, it really makes my blood boil.
England's friendlies over the past five and a half years have been an embarrassment and a joke. Steve McClaren, the new Head Coach, must raise the standard to the height set by Terry Venables and co. Then, it mattered to represent the Three Lions and was not an excuse for the Coach to cow-tow to the Premiership Managers.
There have been too many deals, too many cosy agreements and too many inept, paltry and unconvincing matches that have conned the innocent paying-through-the-nose public. This will never happen in the Southern Hemisphere, as there is nothing to rival the thrill of playing for and supporting one's own country.
Long may it continue, and I am glad that I am away from all the conniving and false nationalistic politics. Let's hope that the fans will be dancing in the streets after the latest Socceroo chapter and also that the new Head Coach can capture their imagination unlike a now unemployed Swedish gentleman who was parted from the Poms!
http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=7127