Young Socceroo Capitan Ben Kantarovski Interview

Here is an exclusive interview I did with Young Socceroos Captain Ben Kantarovski (pictured above)that featured in Soccer International magazine a few months back this time in feature style and uncut from original version. The Young Socceroos will be in Columbia in a few months as the Under 20 World Cup kicks off on July 29. Best of luck to Ben and the boys.

“This could be heaven or this could be hell” is a famous lyric from the Eagles song Hotel California and it seems an apt way to introduce my article on Newcastle Jets midfielder Ben Kantarovksi. 

The Young Socceroos captain cites the Eagles as his favourite band and what better way to describe the Newcastle Jets season so far.

One moment the club cannot afford to pay their players salaries and the club is on the brink of dying and the next moment the club has it future secure for ten years with mining magnate and White Knight Nathan Tinkler riding on his steed to save the day for the Jets. Since Nathan Tinkler has taken ownership of the Jets David Beckham’s La Galaxy are on their way for an exhibition match, a new coaching structure has been installed as well as a new playing surface (although it would have helped if they had ordered grass for a full length pitch) . And in a sign of the club’s ambitions it also signed former Arsenal and England International striker Francis Jeffers. It’s never a dull time being a Jets footballer it seems.

Growing up playing Football

While still attending Lambton High school at 16 years and 208 days Ben is the youngest ever player to play in the A League and such was his impact he was named the Jets players of the season that year. Studying Psychology at University as well playing full time for the Jets you get the impression that Kantarovski is no meathead jock. 

Able to play in midfield or defence and at 18 years of age you would think he is not quite the finished product yet. However the Newcastle born Jet has already been likened to former Socceroo legends Paul Okon and Ned Zelic.  Comparisons aside Ben is one of the A-League most cultured looking players, he is elegant on the ball and plays with a composure that belies his years. 

Newcastle Jets

I was lucky to speak to the Young Socceroos Captain and asked him about his feelings regarding the events that have been happening in Newcastle lately.

“There's definitely a good feeling around the place at the moment,” Ben said. “Things are obviously a lot more settled and everyone can concentrate on winning games. I've always loved playing for the Jets so it was great to re-sign for another three years. Things are really looking up for us.”

His love for the Jets can be seen when Ben talks about how the players stuck together during the period when wages were not paid. Speaking about this difficult time the midfielder talked about the close bond between the players:

“We've got a great bunch of guys here and we're all pretty close. Obviously it wasn't a great situation but we all came together and tried to concentrate on the football side of things rather than worry too much about what was going on off the field. With the new ownership there is definitely that feeling of security and I think that is a reason we are putting in much better performances in the last few weeks.”

While most A-League players are trying their luck overseas early in their careers Ben has just signed a three year deal with the Jets. Here is the midfielder explaining his decisions why:

“I feel like the club is heading in a good direction and I wanted to be a part of that.  Our position on the ladder doesn't reflect our team's ability and I know that we've got better seasons ahead of us. Hopefully if I continue to play well, those overseas opportunities will be there for me later on. For now, I am determined to play well for the Jets and hopefully be part of something special here.”

“We have a great squad at the moment.  Last year, we were probably a bit young and inexperienced but this year we have a lot more depth to the squad which is good.  Hopefully we can come away with a better result than we achieved last year."

Just recently Ben scored his first goal for the Jets against the then league leaders Brisbane Roar on the 17 November, 2010 and his second half display against the Wellington Phoenix  just a few days later was possibly one of the best of his career, showing  off  his  range of  deft passing and some neat skills hitherto not seen before. So the Jets are slowly starting to climb the ladder.

When asked the question what was different from the person and player that made his debut in January 2008 as the youngest player in the A-League at 16 years 208 days Ben spoke about his maturity:

“My age is probably the biggest difference”, Kantarovski responded. “I was pretty young when I started and have obviously matured a little bit particularly off the field.  On the field, I think I have matured in terms of the way I play.

Like most Aussie kids Ben grew up playing all sorts of sports but lucky for football he chose the round ball game. “I was brought up playing football since I was a baby really, I have experienced every other sport having played cricket, tennis, rugby, swimming, all those sort of sports and I have had a good go at them as well but they were not really for me and football was the one that prevailed – it always came first.  “

Asked who his biggest influence in his career he doesn’t forget his playing days with local Newcastle club Broadmeadow Magic. “There are a wide number of people who contributed to my football including coaches like Richard Hartley but the biggest influence were my dad”, Ben says.

Bayern Munich calls

In March 2009 Ben caught the eye of European Giants Bayern Munich. It gave the young player a feel of what it was like to play in Europe: “Bayern Munich approached me and it was a good experience.  They had a good look at me and I got to experience the European side of football and it was great to be a part of that culture and that environment.”

Media pundits and ex players have compared Ben with former Socceroos greats like Paul Okon and Ned Zelic. When asked if it was hard to define yourself as a player with your own identity when the media loves to compare, Ben took a philosophical look at such comparisons:

“I think everybody compares in life and it is just a matter of doing your own thing and people will start to recognise that.

Socceroo Ambitions

When asked about his Socceroo’s ambitions Ben was just taking it a step at time but fans know it will be sooner rather than later.” At the moment, I have the U20 Socceroos and the World Cup in Columbia, hopefully, after that, I can make the Olyroos and we are able to qualify for the Olympics and then the Socceroos after that.”

FFA Technical director Hann Berger has gone on the record as saying that A League teams don’t give any chances to young players. When I asked if Ben thought more young players should be given a chance Ben was thoughtful in his response:

“That’s a tough one; it depends on the player and the coach.  I think most coaches in the A-League would like to give the young players but they have to show their worth and prove that they want it just as bad as anybody else.”

Young Socceroos

The Young Socceroos had a great Under 19 Asian Championships. They just missed out to North Korea in the final losing 3-2 in heartbreaking circumstances.  Getting past the Quarter Final stage meant that the Young Socceroos had qualified for their second consecutive Youth World Cup and for Ben it will be his second as captain. 

When asked about  his feelings on the tournament and his feelings going forward on the World Cup in Egypt next year it was a proud captain speaking:

“Any time you're chosen to wear the green and gold it's a special occasion, but I really do enjoy the Youth World Cup. I think it's a great way to introduce young players to international football and really develop at that level.  I think we're all pretty excited to be going to a place like Columbia for the next tournament. I'm sure the conditions will be tough but I think that will be good for us.

“The experience gained and the teams we played against in Egypt motivated me again to want to better myself and to play those sorts of teams again” 

Many football writers and pundits claim this is the best under 20 side since the teams of the 91 and 93 eras. Mathew Leckie, Tommy Oar and Kerem Bulut, when I put this to Ben he was happy to take the comparison:

“They are all great players and it's a thrill to be in the same team as them. It pushes you as a player to perform well, having guys like that in the team. I'm not sure how our side compares to the 1991 side, I wasn't even born then! But it's flattering to hear those comparisons all the same.”

On Young Socceroo Coach Jan Versleijen

Ben also gave us an insight into the Coach Jan Versleijen methods and it should get Socceroo fans excited about the future:

“The likes of Leckie, Oar and Bulut upfront with Amini in behind is a lot more attacking focused. The method really is just ball movement which is the key thing we need for the football the coach wishes us to play. It allows us to use the qualities that the front men have and play that attractive winning brand of football.”

So what about paying in Asia? Some of the senior Socceroos struggled during the 2007 Asian Cup but it seems like lessons have been learnt particularly in terms of preparation:

 “Obviously hydration is an important part of the preparation because of the heat and humidity. You just have to stay on top of it and make sure your body is getting enough water, because it can be easy to cramp up late in games if you don't. The coach doesn't usually need to say much to get us motivated, we all know what's at stake and we all want to perform well every time we take the field.”

So away from the football pitch what does Ben do to relax? Living in Newcastle the sea has a big influence on the Jets midfielder:“I go fishing, watch a lot of TV, I love Harry Potter movies, and I study psychology at University which takes up a bit of my time away from football”

Ben Kantarovski may not get the headlines like some of the A-League’s attacking players do but at only 18 years of age and already a very important player for the Newcastle Jets and the Young Socceroos his value to Australian football cannot be understated and like the guitar solo in the Eagle’s song Hotel California watch out for Ben in midfield he will keep going and going and going.

Socceroo Next Mathew Leckie Interview

Here's an interview with upcoming Australian football star Mathew Leckie that featured in Aussie football mag Soccer International a few months back.

Mathew talks Adelaide United, Young Socceroos and his Senior Socceroos ambitions.

On his way to a club in Germany but not yet confirmed Mathew Leckie can be glad he is not left footed which leaves him free to find his own destiny, free from being called the next Harry Kewell (poor Tommy Oar, Dylan Tombides and James Troisi)

Aussie fans are really looking forward to the Youth World Cup which will be played in Columbia and commence on July 29 were hopefully Mr Leckie and his young Socceroo teammates can put on a good show. The A-League is on a break for seven years and the local football football fraternity will be having major withdrawals by then.

I'm sure the last thing on your mind is talking about the injury but what is the latest news and how are you feeling?

The latest is I’ve still got my knee brace on. I’ve got that on for two and bit more weeks, and I’ve got some flexion in my leg which is promising and I’m hoping to be out on the track running in a matter of four weeks, and then it’s just a matter of how long it takes to get back into full training and full fitness.

 Tell us about your experiences in your first season as a professional footballer you were signed by ex reds coach Aurelio Vidmar from Bulleen Lions how was the step up for you?

At first the step up was tough. In my first training session I was up against Fabian Barbiero, we were playing a little small sided game and I was thinking to myself, ‘there’s no way I’m going to be able to play at this level’ because of how quick it felt and how quickly I was getting tired. So at first it was really hard but then slowly you just get used to it and just adapt.

 Growing up how did you find football and who were your biggest influences in your career so far? 

I think football was the best thing I’d ever done after I started playing. I started playing when I was 11 so it was quite late. The reason I started playing football was that people in my primary school just told me to play, we played at lunch time and they said come down to the club, and then I just went from there. So it ended up being a good decision and now football is a serious thing in my life.

Before I became professional my biggest influence was my dad, he was always the one that would take me to the games and all of that stuff, and then after that it would probably be my agent John Grimaud. He picked me up in a summer league and it all kind of happened from then. He spoke to Adelaide , he spoke to some other A-League clubs and then Adelaide signed me.

Last season Adelaide United came last in the A-League but the end of your season and the Asian Champions League tournament showed that the team had found some form tell us about your experience:

Obviously we had a bad season last year but I think it helped me in a way because it gave me the opportunity for Viddie to give me a game and I took that opportunity, and I guess that’s how I started playing regularly in the first eleven. Then in the Asian Champions League I just think that Viddie knew what he was going to come up against and structurally we had a good setup and I think that’s why we did so well.

Tell us about your Socceroo ambitions. Pim Verbeek named you in the 25 man Socceroos squad for the AFC Asian Cup 2011 Qualifier against Indonesia in March this year. I know footballers take it a day at a time but is the Asian cup call up in the back of your mind somewhere?

At this stage now I’m injured I don’t think it’s going to happen. I think for me to come back, the amount of time for me to come back and play and perform is too short for the national team coach to pick me. Obviously it’s disappointing but now I’ve just got to move and try to get my knee as strong as ever and come back and play the rest of the season out with Adelaide and hopefully perform well.

  Many football writers and pundits claim this is the best under 20 side since the teams of the 91 and 93 era. With yourself, Tommy Oar and Kerem Bulut would be pushing some of the Senior Socceroos what's it like playing with them?

I don’t know about those last two teams that competed for the Under 20s but yeah I think we have a strong team. We have a couple of players like Tommy Oar and Ben Kantarovski who played in the last Under 20s, so it shows that they’re good enough to play at a high level with the older players. So now they’ve stepped down we’ve got them as well and as for Tommy, Kerem and myself up front, I think it’s really good. Tommy and I attack down the wings and Bulut, as he has showed, scores goals. He scored seven in six games so credit to him and hopefully he continues doing well.

 Can you give us an insight into the Coach Jan Versleijen methods. He used a very attacking line up in the final with Amini, Kantarovski and  Antonis feeding the front three of yourself Tommy Oar and Kerem Bulut upfront. It certainly makes for an exciting front third and combination play. It looked exciting to watch tell us what it was like to play?

I think Jan has always looked at it in an attacking sense. He loves to play in the 4-3-3 formation so I think it’s good. You always want to go out there and attack, especially as an attacking player. Playing that style, in the Final it was quite frustrating because Korea sat the whole team behind the ball, but I guess that’s where you’ve got to find solutions, try to break the team down and create chances.

 The tournaments biggest game is the quarterfinal which is the qualification for the World Cup tell us how you dealt with the tournament conditions and how you the coach motivated and prepared you for each big game?
We always knew we had to win the first game against Yemen , they were probably the weakest team in the group so we knew we had to come away with a win there. Iraq were probably the second strongest and if we could beat them we were almost through already, so we did that and then we came up against South Korea and got a draw. Then we came up against UAE, we knew it was going to be tough, you never know what to expect from them and they had a striker who played at the last Under 20s and was top goal scorer so we knew he was going to be dangerous, but we always knew we would run over the top of them with our fitness and I think it showed when we beat them in extra time. Jan made little changes in preparing for each game but I wouldn’t say major ones. He just told us that we were better than all of these teams, it’s just a matter of playing good football, the way we play and keeping control of the ball and control of the match.

 One of your young Socceroo teammates Tommy Oar made the move to Holland what are your overseas ambitions? Got a dream club and given a choice which club would love to play for?

I want to go overseas at some stage, hopefully it will come one day. And a dream club that I’d love to play for…probably Manchester United.

What skill do you work on the most? What skill do you need to work on the most

There is not one skill I work on more than others. I like to do shooting drills with Sergio (van Dijk) after training but overall I just do what the group does at training, which has really good. And skill I need to work on most…probably my first touch.

The Reds are top this season tell us what is different to this season and how much of an effect has the new coach Rini Coolen had on this success?

I think Rini has had a big part in it, but I also think it is down to a lot of other things as well. I think last year we had Reidy who was out for most of the year, he’s a strong part of our midfield. I think Hughesy is playing a lot better than what he was last year and I also think the additions of Sergio and Marcos ( Flores ) (pictured right) have been a big part of our improvement this year. They’re four key players in our attack and midfield, and our defence is also solid and not chopping and changing that much. But I think Rini has done a great job. We had Phil Stubbins for two months of pre season and he did a great job with us, got us all fit and ready, and then Rini came in and credit to him, he came into a team he knew nothing about and he’s done well. I think the whole coaching staff with Rini, Phil, Carl (Veart) and Peter (Blazincic), they all work hard together and it shows.

Tell us what it's like playing for the Reds? Rain hail or shine or even when you were coming last during season five they still offer passionate support?

It has been great. Last year we had a bad year, but it still showed how much the Adelaide fans love the club, whether we were last or first, we still had good crowds last year. We thank all of our supporters for sticking by us and it’s also great to see how many Adelaide United supporters have been showing up at our away games, it really helps the boys when we’ve got some of the crowd on our side.  

 Many are saying this season A League is the best ever? What do you think?

I can’t really answer that because except for this year, last year and a little bit of the year before, I hadn’t watched any of the A-League so I didn’t know too much about it. But I think it’s at a high standard and is only going to get better as the years go on because they’re starting to bring in big name players to promote the game and there is also some great young talent coming up. Even having coaches from overseas like the Dutch ones in the league now makes the game better.

What is the craziest thing you have seen on a football field?

I was watching a game on TV the other day, I can’t remember the teams that were playing but it was a final and the keeper has come out and let the ball go through his legs because he thought it was going to go out, and then the striker kept it in. I was just laughing thinking what was the keeper doing, and then with an open goal, the striker has kicked it straight into the post, and then his team ended up losing in extra time, so that was pretty crazy.

Mathew Leckie Favourites:

Movie: The Hurricane

Music: Top 40

actor: Denzel Washington

actress: Jennifer Aniston

Food: Pasta

Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

Overseas Team: Manchester United

Teammate: Daniel Mullen

Australian Football Nearpost Podcast 2010 Review

Nearpost Review Part One 2010 presented by Con Stamocostas and Eamonn Flanagan. Join the pair of likely lads as they talk and spin all things Aussie football in 2010.
How many football poddies only cover Aussie football?
Part one we review the Socceroos, Australia’s World Cup bid failure and more. Relive the highs and lows of 2010.

Part One

Nearpost Review Part Two 2010 Part Two we talk and spin all things Aussie A-League football in 2010.

Part two

Also Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Half Time Heroes World Cup Bid Failure Edition

Open publication - Free publishing - More world cup 2018

David Williams Half Time Heroes Interview

At 18 years of age, David Williams arrived on the scene in 2006 playing in a couple of substitute appearance for the Queensland Roar. Soon enough David made a dream move to Brondby where he played for the next three seasons. Unfortunately for David during his third season a new manager came in and he lost his place in the side. Eager to play regular football David came back to play with the North Queensland Fury last season and fans got to see an exciting quick and dangerous attacking player.


Playing alongside Robbie Fowler the Fury did not finish last as most pundits predicted. It seemed David’s decision to move back home worked as he was included in the Socceroos squad for the Asian Cup qualifier in March against Indonesia earlier this year.

Although the young Townsville side have impressed many this season, they have only recorded one victory back in round two.

Lead by eccentric coach Franz Straka  the Fury produced some excellent early season form.
They beat champions Sydney FC  and drew with  Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory by scoring late goals. However since they beat Sydney they have not won a game and are in second last.
 position

 Away from football David also does work with Indigenous Australians. He is involved in a programme where once a week he goes to the Cleveland Detention Centre in Townsville as part of a mentoring programme. He is always attending local Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander events/programmes and will be involved in the club’s partnership with Mission Australia (the club’s front shirt sposnor ) which aims to improve the lives of Indigenous people throughout Northern Australia through sport.

I was lucky to spend some time with David and one of the first questions I asked was about his time in Denmark.


Half Time Heroes: Before you signed with Fury you spent three seasons with Brondby in Denmark. That must have been an exciting time, what was the feeling going into a new country having to deal with a new culture and language?

David Williams: I loved it. It was a different experience. For me I went over and I was in the youth team for a while then I made the first team and I was consistently playing and unfortunate events happened over there and I just found myself not making the squad so I had to do what I can to play regularly.

HTH: Some reports said the club sent you out on trial to South African club Bidvest Wits after  you demanded a place in the starting line up; can you tell us what happened?

DW: I’m pretty happy that I did make the move back. There were problems there with not playing, I needed to cement a place. I was unfortunately a part of that but I have moved one and its all part of football.  I have become better for it I know that I can learn from past experiences.

HTH: What was it like living in Denmark?

DW: I loved it. I lived right in Copenhagen - it’s such a beautiful city and even in the winter and in the summer  there  are lots of things to do. I enjoyed every day I was there. I’d love to go back, but I just want to be somewhere where I can play football.

HTH: Looking back at last season were you happy with the form you showed in your first season with the Fury?

DW: Yeah definitely. I think for us we read a few of the claims about what was written about us before the season and even during the season.

We did go further than expected, from expectation being bottom of the table I think if anyone had seen those predictions we have done very well.  We always thought that we were a good football team that could play and thought we could knock off some big teams. We did what we can and worked very hard.

HTH: How was playing with Robbie Fowler it looked like he had a good rapport with all the players? 

DW: For us seeing where he has come from to where he is now is a great journey for him. I think he is very comfortable and loves every minute of living in Australia.

 

 HTH: Your new coach seems eccentric with loud jackets and exciting antics on the sidelines; did he turn up with the white suit when you first met him?

DW: He did have some white pants on. He was very European looking; he has got a good fashion sense.  For a European I think he fits right in.  He brings a bit of a different fashion sense here, he’s a character. He didn’t have to change completely to fit into a place like this. 

HTH: With young players like Isaka Cernak, Chris Grossman ,Osama Malik ,Chris Payne and yourself he has really embraced a youth philosophy?

DW: Some of these players didn’t get their chance at other clubs so they have come here and they are good footballers. I mean you don’t sign an A-League contract because you are a bad player.

We are professionals here and we get paid to do our thing and some of the players here are loving life and loving playing football regularly. So if you are happy and things are going well for you on the field you are going to be playing well. 

For me playing with Chris and Isaka up front, it’s very exciting for us. We never what’s going on, and we never if Chris Payne is going to pass it or not.

HTH: Well yeah, Chris has set up a few goals this season, he seems determined after his move from Sydney FC?

DW: Yeah it’s very impressive and same with Isaka as well. He’s got a bag full of tricks and someone very unpredictable, you don’t know whether he’s going to run down the left, run down the right or take you on , he’s always got something and even if you know what he’s going to do he can still fool a defender. 

It’s very very exciting to watch them , from my side of the field looking over sometimes it puts a smile on my face knowing they are doing all they can do. I am just happy to be a part of the attacking line up that we have up here in the new Fury.

 HTH: You have had a great start to the season, did the expectations change after such a good start and after having your first loss how have you handled that?

DW: It’s only one loss.  I mean you might be able to go 26 something games without a loss but eventually every team loses in this league.  It’s very tight. The coach explained to us that we have to carry on and lift ourselves up.  He never believed from the start that we should be on the bottom of the table. I don’t think anyone should. I don’t know what they are thinking if they think we should be on the bottom of the table

Our Coach puts a lot of confidence and belief into the players. If he puts belief into the players I think it goes into the whole squad believing we are a good football team. 

There is never an easy game in this league, for us it’s all about getting those three points it’s disappointing to have a loss at home and lose three points. We are kicking ourselves for it. I mean that’s football you accept it  and you try to see what went wrong and  look at your mistakes. We  have a video session and try and improve on that  and in training in the lead up to the game as well. 

HTH: Thoughts On Adelaide United?

DW:I think Adelaide did play some good football they capitalised on our mistakes. Flores goal was excellent he should be congratulated for that.

Adelaide is a good team and they should be congratulated as well. As I said before this league is very tight. You never know who is going to win games and lose games and it’s very exciting to be a part of. I just love the lead up to the games. The Thursday the Friday and the Saturday and getting  out on that pitch on the weekend is a great feeling.

HTH:You have got a couple of African players in the squad this year adding a different international flavour how are they adapting to life in Townsville?

DW:The experience of Eric Akoto and Eugene Supaya adds to the team no matter where they come from . If you see Eric in his game he is very calm 

and it’s excellent to have someone so calming and 

having a big strong presence at the back and leading the defensive line for us.

HTH: Do you feel like a bit of an unofficial leader with your experience at the club? 

DW: I do feel like I know a lot of the ropes, especially in Townsville. Knowing a few people is good just to help out the boys. I feel comfortable in that role because I have been here, you just know a bit more but once everyone fits in the team and finds their own feet then everyone is all equal.

 It’s not about who knows who or who knows the most people or anything like that. If we all work as a team I guess it doesn’t matter how long you have been at the club.  If w can get results on the field and play well together then that is what I want to be a part of.

HTH: Tell us about your Socceroo ambitions?

 

 DW: Hopefully if I can keep scoring a few more goals and playing as well as I can I’ll just scrape over the line and get into the national team and hopefully get a chance when I get into the squad to do what I can. 

Hopefully some of the other boys in our team an get over the line as well. 

Any national team honours is a privilege to play and wear that shirt for the county.

HTH: With Pim Verbeek gone and with new hope that the new coach will turn his eye towards some  A-League players, what do you think about reports that this year the A-League has taken a step up in standard? 

DW: It’s difficult to say maybe it has or maybe the teams are fairer now and it’s more exciting that is why it seems that the standard has raised. You got football analysts and coaches looking at the games differently. As a player bottom teams are competing against top teams. 

It’s exciting that people have labelled this the most exciting A-League season ever and to be a part of that is excellent and hopefully I can do my part and make that exciting and enjoyable for people to watch.

I know us at the Fury we want to play entertaining football so people can watch us. We want to draw a crowd especially at our home games, and have that extra sense of atmosphere. This A League season I do see a higher level in that we have a few more international players, obviously we lost a few. There are more South Americans which is cool, but hopefully in a few more years we get some younger kids like us in the Fury starting regularly whichwould be nice for the local community and the local fans to see some of what they can produce.

This sixth season of the A-League, I’m proud to be a part of it and play regularly for the Fury.

HTH: Tell us about being a role model for Aboriginal kids and do you think the talent identification system for young Aboriginal players can be improved for example how were you discovered?

DW: For me I don’t think I was discovered, I was just brought up in the right path way to make it to the right teams. The local clubs first, then Brisbane Roar, then Queensland, then Australia. So I was right in the midst of it. I wasn’t discovered because I was some talented Aboriginal, I was in the mix with all the other boys. 

As a role model I like having my name next to that. 

I love doing what I can with these kids, just hanging out and talking even if it’s just sitting there and talking and sitting at desks while they are at school.

I go to Cleveland Street Detention Centre every week  and that’s great, I love looking after a few boys there. It’s just a nice little group to be involved with.

This Interview was featureless in Half Time Heroes October 2010

World Cup 2022 Sour Grapes Edition

Ahhh shit!!!

What can you say about Fifa's decision to award the World Cup hosting rights to Russia and Qatar in 2018 and 2022 respectively.

Russia is a country renowned for being cold,  godless, corrupt, and full of alcoholics with a dodgy history of human rights; while Qatar is known as being hot, damn hot, full of god botherers, alcoholic dodgers and also with a dubious history of human rights.

Taking a critical look at Australia's bid the first finger point and fuck you goes to the Cypriot Andrew Demetriou for making the legacy for the World Cup about AFL. Stadiums in Perth, West of Sydney, Geelong, Gold Coast,  and the MCG all would helped the AFL. Well done to Andrew Demetriou and his cronies for wedging themselves into the bid. And for getting footage of AFL in the bid video, I would assume that he'd be pissed off that GWS and Gold Coast side were not incuded in the video.

The second fuck you finger goes to the Australian Mainstream media's fixation on the 45 million bucks Australia was spending on the bid. "It's a waste of tax payers money," they cried.

My initial response to the final World Cup bid presentation was one of indifference, we have always sold ourselves to the world as an irreverent bunch with a laid back attitude and a kooky sense of humor but the message of the video should have been how much we love football, how much we love our football people, not how much we love ourselves, sure we are great at saying we are the greatest country in the world but we are more than thieves and cartoon kangaroo's.

Frank Lowy has a great story but I thought including it in the  bid video was a waste. What about Johhny Warren's story or Tim Cahill's story or Harry Kewell or Mark Viduka experience? Instead Elle and Frank were getting down with some rather public displays of foreplay, and where the bloody hell was Julia Gillard for the final presentation?

So as they say in the journo game "it will be interesting to see what will happen now". It could be blessing in disguise that we didn't get the World Cup. We can prove that we can sell Australia to the world but perhaps we should concentrate on selling Australian football to the world next time.

Half Time Heroes OCTOBER 2010

Open publication - Free publishing - More tim cahill

A-League Needs New Clothes

An Emperor who cares for nothing but football hires two executives who promise him the finest of football leagues from a group of clubs invisible to anyone who is unfit for his position or "just hopelessly stupid". The Emperor cannot see the players  or clubs himself, but pretends that he can for fear of appearing unfit for his position or stupid; his work colleagues do the same.

When the executives report that the league is complete, they dress the new clubs up in different colours and the Emperor and the new teams march in procession before his subjects. A child in the crowd calls out that the Emperor and new clubs are not wearing new colours at all and the cry is taken up by others. The Emperor cringes, suspecting the assertion is true, but holds himself up proudly and continues the procession.

This tale with a few characters switched is the children’s story The Emperor's New Clothes by a Danish dude called Hans Christian Andersen. I’m sure you have worked out the analogy, metaphor or whatever clever literary concept I have used to parallel the A League with the Hans Christian Andersen’s tale.

Frank Lowy is the Emperor, the two executives are John O’Neil and Ben Buckley and the new clothes are the A league clubs. The kid shouting that the Emperor is not wearing new colours/ clothes are old, new and bandwagon footballs fans.

I probably read this book as a kid as I remember having a hard back cover of Hans Christian Andersen tales, but I must have forgotten I had read it. Recently I have been hearing the phrase Emperor’s New Clothes everywhere. What finally made me fire off a Google search of Emperor’s New clothes was the song "Ready to Start" by The Arcade Fire.  The lyric in the song "All the kids have always known, that the Emperor wears no clothes / but they bow down to him anyway, 'cause it's better than being alone” struck a massive chord in me.

That is how I look at the A-League.  Six years ago an invisible cloth was put on top of the NSL and it was called the A-League. Five seasons in fans are starting see that the old problems of the NSL are being revisited. But this time the problems seem bigger. The Crawford report which gave instructions on how to fix football's problems is starting to rear its ugly head again because none of those problems were really fixed to begin with.

The Arcade Fire lyric just sums it all up for me. At the beginning of the A-League we could see that there were problems but like the song says we bow down to it because it’s better than being alone(having no football)

I am possibly drawing a long bow with my analogy but I like the story and Jack Zipes who wrote Hans Christian Andersen: The Misunderstood Storyteller, says that seeing is presented in the tale as the courage of one's convictions; Zipes believe this is the reason the story is popular with children. Sight becomes insight, which, in turn, prompts action.

Another interpretation by Maria Tatar who wrote The Annotated Hans Christian Andersen (2008), indicates the invisible cloth as "a successful enchantment"

So the A- League was a successful enchantment for close to five seasons now the clubs are going broke, some are reportedly close to death. Never has the spotlight been held on the governors of the game since “new football” started hopefully they get some insight from the fans, players, coaches and commentators about what needs to be done.  An invisible cloth is not going to work anymore; everyone knows that the A- League needs new clothes.

click to read Emperor's New Clothes Original story

Half Time Heroes Q & A with Kofi Danning

In early 2009 a raw 18-year old called Kofi Danning came off the bench for Sydney FC and playing in his home debut scored the winning goal against the Wellington Phoenix . The A League season four was coming to an end and the goal and subsequent celebration in front of the Cove ensured that a cult following had began

The wider Australian football community now also knew who Kofi was. Not just for his skill and composure in scoring that goal but the big smile that he had on his face- he was not a sour faced footballer.

Kofi ended the year with another goal and was in the winning side as the Sydney FC youth team won the inaugural Youth League Grand Final. Kofi’s second season began where he finished it.

Creating more headlines.

Kofi impressed against the Fury as he set up one goal and scored the second, an undoubted screamer showing some deft dribbling skills and a powerful shot. Unfortunately, in late December 2009 playing a youth league match Kofi injured his right knee which ruled him out for the season. Now fully fit, and ready to play football again Kofi spoke to HTH in an exclusive interview.

Half Time Heroes: Hey Kofi, how are you feeling? Would you say you are back to full fitness?
Kofi Danning: Yeah I would say I’m back to full fitness. I feel good, I feel strong, I feel confident, all the positives are coming back , I’ve been doing a lot of rehab in the pre-season , it just made everything easier and the coach is right behind me.


HTH: You come from the second biggest city in Ghana, Kumasi which has a proud football history. It has produced its fair share of national greats like Tony Yeboah (ex Leeds, Hamburg), Tony Baffoe (ex Black Stars and many German clubs) and Samuel Osei Kuffour (ex Bayern). First off, what was it like growing up and playing football as a young kid in Kumasi?
KD: It was great growing up in Ghana, probably one of the most exciting times of my childhood. I had a very happy childhood. I remember everyday just playing football. I would come home from school; first thing I’d do was chuck my bag down, run and get my soccer ball and go kick it, play with the kids on the streets and do tricks. I just wanted to be like my heroes.

HTH: So did you miss a lot of school playing football. Were you a good kid?
KD:Yeah I was a good kid, cause I knew I’d get in trouble if I missed school, I knew I wouldn’t have my soccer ball around me anymore, I knew if I’d go home it would be somewhere hidden away.

HTH: I read somewhere that your grandmother would threaten you with a stick - it sounds like my upbringing!
KD: Yeah, my grandmother used to scare me a little, so I had to be good in order to do what I wanted.

HTH: Your mother came out to Australia first and you lived with your grandmother until you came to Australia aged seven? What was it like coming to Australia at such a young age with a new country and culture?
KD: It was a very different experience. I have never been to a place that was so multicultural - everything was so different compared to Ghana. People are just so different here, it was kind of a surprise,  it felt like I was in another world.

HTH: How long did it take for you to get comfortable in your surroundings?
KD: Probably about three years because when I first got here I couldn’t speak much English. All I knew was “thank you” and “hello” and that’s about it. When I was in Canberra I had to do ESL classes, because English was a second language. I did that for three years and all through schooling, and after five years I could speak English very well

HTH: What was your support network like - you said your mother was here with you?
KD: I had my uncle and his family was here, my mum basically came because my uncle was here. My uncle supported us until we got on to our feet. And also my stepdad was with my mum and they got married about four years ago, and he’s been really good for us as well. I had cousins here and everything was there from the beginning.

HTH: You played at the under 20 World Cup in Egypt after a long and drawn out case with FIFA. Australia lost all three games and in an interview with FIFA you said “ I just don’t think we’ve had that same attitude that ‘Yeah, we’re going to do whatever it takes to win this game’”. The question is, a winning mentality is usually one of Australia’s strengths, so  did the players find it hard to adapt to the Dutch mentality in that tournament, as there was lots of talk about a new playing system?
KD: I don’t think we found it hard at all, I just think we found it hard with each other. Knowing what each other was going to do, trusting each other, and that is the biggest thing in a team environment. If you don’t trust each other and if you don’t want to work for each other, it’s not going to work. No matter what the coach says, no matter what anyone says, critics whatever, if the team doesn’t form together and work as unit everthing is going to fall apart.

HTH: Why do you think the team didn’t gel in Egypt?
KD: I think maybe the preparation towards the World Cup, there was a structured team and in that team throughout the qualification there wasn’t that many changes. And when the squad for the World Cup was chosen there was such a big change, a lot of players didn’t expect to be chosen and other players wanted other players in the team.  When the squad was chosen it was a big shock. I think that maybe that might have been because of differences in the team, but I don’t know, that that is just how I felt.

HTH: You have already reached cult status with the Sydney FC supporters group ( The Cove) and a lot of people have predicated big things for you what expectations have you set for yourself and how do you cope with those expectations especially the outside influence of media, fans and coaches? And don’t say I take it a day a time....(hehehe)
KD: I just try and set myself goals.  I set myself goals when I first signed with Sydney FC youth. My goal was to make the under 20’s team and play in the World Cup and also score goals for Sydney FC and start games for Sydney. I did all that, I didn’t want to get injured, and it’s just something that happens - I achieved all those goals. I have set myself new goals to be in the Olyroos, hopefully get a cap for the Socceroos if I keep playing well. Hopefully go overseas to Europe. But that won’t happen if I don’t get match time and keep improving as a player and keep learning.

HTH: I remember the first interview after your debut senior game for Sydney FC where you scored.  You gave an interview similar to Jeff Fenech infamous “I love you’s all”. How good must it be to have that relationship with the fans? When you play at home hearing the fans chant your name and have the crowd on your side it must be a good feeling?
KD: It’s the best feeling in the world. I mean they come to watch us play, I know how they feel because when I watch the European players play I’m a fan, I just love what they do and you appreciate when someone comes up to you and says “you are my favourite player” or “I really like watching you play” because they go out of their way, and when we go out of our way to score goals and to clap them and stuff like that, they love it and I just like showing that appreciation back to them.


HTH: What is your favourite position to play and what skill do you work on the most? 
KD: My favourite position to play is striker. I think I probably work on my speed and dribbling skills the most because I like to take players on and create opportunities, for us to be dangerous in attacking third.

HTH:When you read about Maradona or Tim Cahill as a kid there is a common theme where they always had the ball with them? Did you sleep with the football as a young child?
KD: I always had the ball with me. I always dreamt about soccer things, Id have dreams where I would run the whole field and beat players and score and then I’d wake up and get my soccer ball and just go train and practise what happened in the dream.

HTH: Your junior coach Mal Barac took responsibility for driving you  from Canberra to Sydney and back for training with the Sydney youth team. How important is it for a young player to have that support?
KD: It’s very important. Mal was my junior coach in Canberra he helped me a lot to develop as a player. As a young kid, if you have someone to always help and push you along it makes a big difference because you can get side tracked. And it’s not good when you do so - he was there for me  and help me change the way as I grew up. I felt very confident having him around and I still do.

HTH: Who else has aided your football education? Another player or coach?
KD: The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) helped me a lot. When I was at the institute I learnt a lot of things, I became more confident, I think I grew as a player, coming through the youth league and training with the first grade boys like John Aloisi and Steve Corica I learnt a lot off them, they’ve taught me a lot of things, so I’m getting all this information and trying to put in myself and try and become a better player.

HTH: When was the moment you realised that you could do something with football - when did you think “I can make a career out of this”?
KD: I think when I started playing youth league for Sydney FC.  Because I knew I wasn’t that far away from being in the first squad, I came to training sessions where they all would be there (the first team) together in a group talking, and I had a chance to watch them, to be that close to them, you know you have a chance, and you know if you keep going you will get a chance. I got that chance, and I guess I took it and everything went on from there.

HTH: A lot of young African immigrants are showing up in the A-League and in Australia’s youth system. Tell us what is it like being an African Australian?
KD: I think it’s great, I love Australian culture; I think at the start it’s hard to accept it. I had trouble accepting it, I think once you accept it, you learn to love it because you feel a part of it and things just become different, if you don’t accept it its just going to become harder for you. I just love it now being an Aussie.


HTH: Got any advice for young kids who want to make it in the A-League and in football generally?
KD: I think kids shouldn’t put too much pressure on themselves to practise every day and do everything perfect like the professionals do. I think they should just have fun and not put too much pressure on themselves. Because if they do, their game changes and things like that. I found that it happened to me when I put too much pressure on myself - I wasn’t myself, I think for them to be themselves and have fun they will get the chance to get noticed, just keep doing what they are doing.

HTH: How do you relieve that pressure?
KD: By doing things that don’t even involve football, going out with your friends to the movies stuff like that, going somewhere that makes you humble and peaceful I think gets focus off what you want to do with football and when you come back you are a at stage where you go ohhh I missed it that much I want to play and you forget all about the pressures.

HTH: So one day you score a goal and your name is the papers, everyone is talking about you and and it’s back to training, your coach makes you run laps or whatever. So would you say it’s a learning experience juggling  all that?
KD: Definitely it’s a learning experience, it’s what you want the most out of yourself and I think, once you figure that out everything becomes a lot easier.


HTH:  Who is the hardest opponent you faced?
KD: The hardest opponent I have faced has probably been Danny Tiatto. I’ve heard he has retired now so it’s a bit easier for me to play. I’ve never played against a player who was so aggressive and so threatening.

HTH: You probably have never seen studs so close before?
KD: Yeah that’s right I have never seen studs so close. I think fear was in my mind when he was there. But I’ve got past that stage where I’m scared of people and just proving to them that I’m not scared. Now I want to make them scared of me.


HTH: A-League players that have caught your eye?
KD: I think the players we have got here are very talented; Terry Mcflynn is a very good player, Alex Brosque is the backbone of Sydney FC and Mark Bridge, Nicky Carle is brilliant on the ball. And when I think of our team, the champions of last year, I think I can learn off those players and be like them. Those boys I look up to.


Kofi’s Favourites:

Movie: Cool Running’s, because it’s so funny, just pointless.
Band/Music: I love Akon. I’m a Hip Hop man I also like Rock music too like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Actor: I like Hugh Jackman
Actress: I would say Jessica Alba but she’s overrated now. But that’s a hard one too many.
Food: I love Italian food, and different types of ethnic food. I grew up with ethnic food and I love African food.
TV Programme: I watch a lot of TV, like Family Guy, I love the Simpsons, I love shows that make me laugh I have a very good sense of humour.
Your number one relaxation activity is?  Sleeping, I love sleeping, sleeping is amazing.