Australia v Oman - My Day With The Socceroos
by The Stinger on Oct.15, 2009, under Australian, Football
Last week I was lucky enough to win a competition that gave me two tickets to the Australian Socceroos versus Oman Asian Cup Qualifier in Melbourne at Etihad Stadium. But not only that, it also gave me two passes to the final closed training sessionthe day before. The media was kicked out ten minutes after the session started and it was all left to myself and the nine other winners and their lucky friend.
We arrived to be greeted by Melbourne Victory captain and former Socceroo, Kevin Muscat who gave us a tour of the lockerroom area and talked about what the players go through in their preparations before a match. Some players like to joke around and have music playing and others just like to be left alone to focus.
We then wandered out onto the Etihad Stadium pitch and then took our seats on the sideline to await the players coming out for their warmup. As the players ran out and were being put through their paces by the assistant coaches, Australian Head Coach Pim Verbeek came over to have a quick chat with us.
He ran us through a little of his coaching philosophy and how he expected the game with Oman to turn out. It was a nice insight into the complexity of how to balance the expectations of his team with how he expected the other team to play. It was only for a few minutes but it was great to hear from the boss.
Once the media was kicked out we were priviledged to see the starting team play a 10 v 11 practice match against the reserves. The idea behind this was to simulate Oman playing behind the ball and clogging up the midfield, so by giving the “Oman team” an extra player it forced the attacking team to work harder to break them down.
There were many other drills being performed as the players broke into their individual groups of forwards, midfielders and defenders. Some were practicing corners and others were taking high balls onto their chests and then hoofing it back to their partner. Everyone knew exactly what they should be doing and they were all serious about it but there was also a relaxed atmosphere around as some of the players laughed and joked with each other if someone screwed something up.
At the end of the session we were invited to come out onto the pitch and lineup and get an shirt, or whatever you had brought, signed and also an opportunity for photos with the players. It was all very orderly and the players were only too happy to give you a photo or answer a quick question.
All in all this was a great experience and a once in a lifetime opportunity…..well at least up until now. And the next night the Socceroos beat the Omanis 1-0 to round off a great couple of days.
Here are some photos of the experience.
Tim Cahill’s shirt in the locker-room
Me and Timmeh’s shirt
Me and Schwarzer’s goalkeeper shirt…..I put it back….honest.
The Etihad Stadium pitch
The manager, Pim Verbeek
Mark Milligan training
David Carney signing my shirt
Mile Jedinak signing
Scott Chipperfield
Patrick Kisnorbo
Mark Schwarzer
Me and the great man Mark Schwarzer
The Man, The Myth, The Legend…Tim Cahill
Me and Tim Cahill
My favourite player…Brett Emerton
Me and Pim Verbeek
Harry Kewell and I (proper grammar needed for the great man)
The Captain, Lucas Neill
My cousin and Josh Kennedy
Me and Nicky Carle
Our esteemed host Kevin Muscat and me punching him (he is the enemy of Adelaide United after all)
If I find more photos I will post them up later.
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October 17th, 2009 on 7:12 am
Lucky bugger. Great photos but I still say you should have kicked him where it hurts. Punches won’t hurt that rock he calls a head.