| Wednesday, May 31, 2006 |
| Mark Viduka World Cup |
Viduka Socceroos captain - AAP
> Mark Viduka and Guus Hiddink at the press conference in Melbourne's Grand Hyatt Hotel in which the striker was confirmed as Socceroos captain for the World Cup Photo AAP
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Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink appointed his captain for the World Cup finals and anointed his own successor beyond Germany.
As expected, Hiddink kept faith with striker Mark Viduka as the man to skipper the Socceroos to the World Cup.
But the 59-year-old Dutch master also publicly endorsed assistant Graham Arnold as the best man to take over when Hiddink departs after the World Cup - saying it was important for Australian football to build on the foundation created in the lead-up to Germany.
"It's important for the FFA (Football Federation Australia) to go into the same direction in the upcoming time - the way we have been working in the last period," Hiddink said.
"If the FFA can continue in that direction with the people who are in charge now, the future of Australian football is improving a lot."
"I'm not the board, I'm not making the decision ... but it's important to have people equipped and already in your own organisation. They know every in and out and what has to be improved."
The FFA is believed to favour another big-name appointment to succeed Hiddink when he leaves the Socceroos to coach Russia.
But it could find its hand forced should Hiddink - who already enjoys messiah-like status after getting Australia to Germany - and his lieutenant Arnold manufacture a brilliant World Cup performance next month.
The FFA could also decide to play safe and appoint Arnold on a two-year deal, guiding the Socceroos to the 2007 Asian Cup and the Olyroos to the 2008 Olympics.
They could then re-assess the position ahead of the 2010 World Cup campaign, which starts in late 2008.
Arnold, who was also assistant coach under previous boss Frank Farina, said he was thrilled with Hiddink's endorsement.
"It's wonderful to get an endorsement like that off Guus, but at the moment I'm the Olympic team coach and I'm delighted to do that and assist Guus and I'm looking forward immensely to the next seven weeks," Arnold said. "Whatever happens after that, it's not my decision."
Viduka, who skippered Australia in its World Cup playoff win over Uruguay last November was appointed captain ahead of former skipper Craig Moore and will lead the side against Greece at the MCG on Thursday and in Germany.
Moore was the long-time captain under Farina but missed the Uruguay games through injury.
Hiddink said the 30-year-old Middlesbrough striker deserved the honour because he had done so well leading the team against Uruguay.
"He did very well in the qualification rounds and took his responsibility very seriously," Hiddink said. "From day one he worked very hard not only on himself but the team to get the job done."
"For Craig, we considered it more convenient for him as he comes back from injury to concentrate on getting his role in the team because he was a long time out."
Viduka said he was excited by the honour, but accepted the job with mixed emotions because of his friendship with Moore.
"Craig and I are good mates. It's a difficult situation to be in because we both enjoy leading the team," Viduka said.
"Whether it was him or myself as captain, we were going to be happy for each other. The main thing is we are all one team and that's how we both feel." |
posted by ZanZiBaRi @ 8:01 AM  |
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