Simply Fútbol: Interview with Sergio García pt.1

Interview with Sergio García pt.1

Posted by Juan Arango 4.07.2010

In this two-part interview I had the pleasure of speaking about a variety of topics with Australian Football Players director Sergio García.

He was extremely open about the growth of the A-League as well as we the development and future of the game Down Under. He also talked about the expectations of the Socceroos in the upcoming World Cup in South Africa.

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Juan Arango: What is the overall sense of the Australian football audience regarding the expectations of the Socceroos in the upcoming World Cup?

Sergio García:The expectation of the football community is that they will do better than in Germany, even with a tough group. However some of the media are pleased we made to South Africa and consider this a milestone.

JA: What would Aussie football fans consider a successful World Cup? Winning their group? Getting past the second round by beating Italy?

SG: Success for the Socceroos for the football fan is to go one better than the last World Cup

JA: Group E is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. How do they see Germany, Ghana, and Serbia?
SG:Germany is Brazil : Ghana is Japan and Serbia is Croatia from the 2006 Group B World Cup. It’s a tough group, although in a World Cup many nations are able to surprise the opposition by stepping up to the occasion.

JA: Injuries have been key especially with players like Bresciano, Kewell, and Chipperfield. Which other players is Pim Verbeek looking at in order to be able to step in if need be?

SG:This is a difficult question to answer. Pim doesn’t give too much away however, with many young players now playing abroad we could see some interesting call ups such as Tommy Oar and Michael Zullo currently at Utrecht - Netherlands

JA: How different is this side compared to the one that went to Germany?
SG:We will have some experience from our last World Cup, but we will also have a few young players ready to play. It will be important for the senior players to support the new Socceroos to get the most out of their performance.

JA: Simon Colosimo comes back to Australia to have a chance to go to South Africa. What are his chances?
SG:Colosimo returns to Australia to join Melbourne Hearts and as a player he had an outstanding season with Sydney FC. I believe Colosimo must be chosen to go to South Africa. He is composed under pressure and can play out from the back.

JA: Craig Moore's situation is precarious to say the least after being released in Greece. What do you think will be done to at least give him a fair shot to be on final roster for South Africa?
SG:Perhaps Pim will have him in the roster for South Africa. Moore has the experience and although his last season was not his best with QLD Roar and he underwent treatment for cancer he is still a good player.

JA: Moore, alongside Mark Schwarzer in goal, was fundamental in Australia's defensive backline. If he were to be absent, who would be the best candidate?
SG:Simon Colosimo would be my first choice. A good scenario would be to have both Moore and Colosimo training together, this would enable Pim the luxury to choice either player.

JA: Which Socceroo should football fans be keeping an eye on during the World Cup?
SG: Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell without a doubt. Both Harry and Tim always play well for Australia and this World Cup is no different. Ofcourse injuries will play a big part in their success on the pitch.

JA: Do you think that Pim Verbeek's comments about the Socceroos job will make candidates like Frank Rijkaard to think twice?
SG: Not at all. Coaches that consider Nation Team roles understand the challenges that lie ahead in preparation for a World Cup Campaign. The comments made by Verbeek in my opinion were upfront and honest.

JA: Who is the top candidate, outside of Rijkaard, for the Australia job post-World Cup?
SG: To keep in line with the FFA’s (Football Federation Australia)master plan for grass roots to top level it has to be Dutch, or at least a Dutch style. However the FFA’s Ben Buckley stated recently that Australia would not be locked into recruiting from one nation.

check out Part two soon...