Inside Issue 3 Cover Page: Wayne Snowden 3 About us
16 Shane Davis: Goes Double Dutch
Editorials/Opinions 4 Chris Paraskevas: takes a critical look at the A League.
18 Wayne Snowden: Is Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka on a crusade?
6 Ben Somerford: Is HTH’s Aussies abroad man in the know
19 Chippy Brady: What’s on Chippy’s shoulder this month?
8 Mike Salter: Gets nostalgic about the 2 and 3’s of Football.
20 Ben O’Neil: Says we should go Deutsch and Dutch.
10 Wayne Snowden: Is the Fisherman’s friend and HTH’s resident cartoonist. Frank Farina gets the full Snowden treatment. 12 Stuart Randal: The World game’s English Premier League blogger looks at the crazy EPL season. 14 Sunil Awasthi: Asks if Scott McDonald will ever score for Australia?
21 Usman Azad: Takes a look at Perth’s Fox in the box. 24 Celebrity HTH Interview: Canberra based political reporter Latika Bourke. 26 The HTH Back Page: List of all independent Football media in Australia
Hi football fans and welcome to HalfTime Heroes Issue 3.
Over 10,000 readers have read the first two editions of Half-Times Heroes. Thanks for supporting HTH and Australian football. HTH has a collection of football writers from the world’s biggest football websites all in one place. Chris Paraskveas the leading Australian writer from Goal.com, Stuart Randall from the World Game, Ben Somerford from 442 and the Roar. Ben O Neil also from 442. Not forgetting well known independent football writers like Mike “the football Tragic” Salter. Wait till you see who gets the Wayne Snowden’s treatment this month. His cartoons will make you lol. A massive thanks to all HTH football writers, and Wayne Snowden. Thanks to Pete Alexandrou in setting up the brand new website: www.halftimeheroes.com.au
HTH is also glad to welcome Stuart Randall, the English Premier League blogger from the World Game. Thanks to Latika Bourke, political reporter from 2UE and massive football fan, for answering some of HTH’s hard hitting questions. A big thank you must be given to Eamonn Flanagan for all his hard work and effort in creating Half Time Heroes. Eamonn is a tireless advocate of football in Australia. He is truly an inspiration. The HTH football has now been passed to me and I hope you enjoy this issue as much as the last two. This issue is dedicated to the memory of Paul Williams. Ex-SBS commentator, journalist and radio host on 2KY’s football fever. Paul sadly passed away recently. He was a true gentleman in football. His love for the game will be surely missed. Peace and Football, Con Stamocostas
Chris Paraskevas says promoting the A League is a hard sell.
N-S-L Those three letters that in a modern context are sometimes uttered with the same level of dread as when a Hobbit dares to speak of Sauron (I make no apologies for the non-nerds upon whom that analogy is lost). Yet, for all the reluctance to draw comparisons between the current incarnation of Australia’s top flight and its predecessor, the resemblance is at times striking. Not so much in the style of football, where the A-League is arguably still lagging behind, but certainly in the basic errors being made with regards to the promotion of the game and relationshipbuilding with fans.
Yours truly has increasingly sensed that the FFA and A-League bodies approached this season with overconfidence, relying on the return of Socceroos and the arrival of marquee Robbie Fowler to act in themselves as an effective promotional campaign. The Australian football public though have proven to be particularly difficult to please, ignoring the call to flock to see the likes of Culina, Coyne, Sterjovski, Burns – and to a lesser extent, Fowler. Some might argue that this reflects a lack of appreciation for the qualities that these players bring to the local game, perhaps stemming from a general lack of understanding for football itself. It is statistically shown (well, not really, I thought I’d just throw that in there to give this piece a sense of legitimacy) that vast majority of A-League fans, hardcore or casual, probably don’t have
“bar an exponential rise in the quality of football and players, the FFA cannot rely on the entertainment provided on the pitch to raise the game’s profile.” (Is the promotion of the A League good enough?) a level of knowledge of the game discerning enough to see the value in the aforementioned footballers On the flip side, there is the argument that the fact that fans north of the border in particular haven’t bankrupted themselves to see Jacob Burns snap ankles shows that they are not ready to be easily swayed by pundits glorifying the return of what are essentially unspectacular players. Regardless of which of the above views is taken, the general lack of promotion and advertising of the league in the build-up to its opening weekend was conspicuous, while the arrival of English Premier League outfits were wasted in pre-season with no broadcast of the matches. And whilst the media launch of the new A-League season was complete with party pies – gleefully accepted by Chris Coyne (and probably Charlie Miller in a quiet and dark corner of the room) if memory serves
me correctly – the one thing I couldn’t stop wondering throughout was: Why haven’t I seen the new commercial before? Perhaps I was the only one who missed it – if I didn’t though and if it only began being shown days out from the start of the new season, it is indicative of the lack of effort to engage with fans both loyal and potential. The reality of the situation is that, bar an exponential rise in the quality of football and players, the FFA cannot rely on the entertainment provided on the pitch to raise the game’s profile. Domestic football in this country is – and always has been – an exercise in marketing as much as football development. And the current mob haven’t been much more effective than their ancestors.
Ben Someford looks at the Socceroos future beyond 2010 Looking Beyond 2010
While the focus of most of the Australian football public’s attention is currently with the Socceroos ahead of South Africa 2010, the recent under-20’s World Cup showed an eye needs to be cast on the future of the national team especially with Brazil 2014 in mind too. The Young Socceroos left the Egypt tournament early, bottom of their group and without a point. Indeed, with Australia expected to be in transition post-2010 with ‘the golden generation’ moving into veteran status, it’s clear the Socceroos will need a changing of the guard. And this generation will be a tough act to follow. The major worry, though, is there are precious few youngsters putting their hands up like players such as Kewell and Mark Viduka did when they emerged as stars at a young age. The aforementioned pair developed their football careers in contrasting paths, with Kewell entering into the English system early while Viduka
stylishly came through ranks at NSL club Melbourne Knights before heading for Croatia.
Nowadays, with the Hyundai A-League there are new pathways for youngsters but some are still trying to crack it via Europe at a young age. Indeed, one of the ‘great hopes’ for Australia is Bolton’s 20-year-old Aaron Mooy, who has been at the Reebok since he was 14. He is a midfielder with an eye for a pass and the ability to finish as well. Mooy was in Egypt with the Young Socceroos and scored in the loss to Brazil, but he wasn’t fully able to showcase his skills in a side which struggled. But back at Bolton he’s been attracting plenty of positive reviews with suggestions he isn’t far away from pressing for the first-team, much like Kewell did at a young age. Bolton youth coach Peter Farrell said in late 2008, “He has all the ability to be a Premier League player. He isn't ready yet but he has got the attitude." And Mooy continued to make progress with Farrell commenting after the youngster’s graduation to the reserves team in June 2009, “He still needs to work on his game, like the times when he hasn't got the ball,
doubt 2010 will be an important year in his development as he tries to excel beyond Bolton’s reserves side playing against grown men. Another pair who are highly regarded Aussie youngsters are Nathan Burns, 21, and Ryan McGowan, 20, and these two have opted for similar pathways this season. Burns, who was formerly with Adelaide United, is owned by AEK Athens but struggled for opportunities last season so he’s out on loan at second tier club AO Kerkyra now and so far he’s impressed with 2 goals already.
(The Socceroos are struggling to replace Mark Viduka. pic by David Luu) but ability-wise, he oozes class. He stands out because of his technical ability and his awareness on the ball.” Mooy was famously named Player of the Tournament at the prestigious Terborg Toernooi in the Netherlands in May this year, before winning a call-up from Pim Verbeek to the Socceroos squad for August’s Ireland match. It would be unfair to expect too much of a 20-year-old, but certainly Mooy is one which Australians need to keep an eye on. And there is some thought Mooy is too small and lightweight, so there’s no
McGowan, who is from Adelaide too but joined Scottish club Hearts as a youngster, has left Edinburgh on loan for First Division club Ayr United where he impressed on his debut with a brilliant performance in midfield capped by a goal. Indeed, this pair has opted to drop down a division simply to play football and that may fast-track their progress. But there’s many more youngsters around Europe to look out for including Dean Bouzanis, Rhys Williams, Christian Esposito, Ersan Gulum, James Holland, Nikita Rukavytsya, Chris Herd and Oliver Bozanic, so hopefully they can all progress up their pathways in the next 4-5 years and take us somewhere in 2014.
Mike Salter the footballtragic looks at the Socceroos fullback options on the road to South Africa 2010
Embarking on competitive football for the first time in my midtwenties, I had to find a position on the field where "reading of the game" could partly make up for, well, a lack of technical ability. Centre-half? Not tall enough. Goalkeeper? Ditto, not to mention a wussy desire to save my fingers for the use of my beloved bass guitar. So right fullback it was, and I quickly found myself well-suited to the role. Three happy years with the Macquarie Dragons AA8s later, I'd improved out of sight as a player. Not that my technical qualities had undergone much of a change; my first touch remains an embarrassment to the game. But as for anticipation, positioning and a sense of when to make an overlapping run...I had, to my surprise, made plenty of progress in these areas.
And this is probably why I've always admired the great fullbacks of our era. Javier Zanetti, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Cafu, Bixente Lizarazu, and even - on his day - Stan Lazaridis. That last name brings me to the point of this article: Australian football doesn't seem to be producing fullbacks of quality anymore. This dawned on me while I was watching our Young Socceroos struggle vainly to make an impression in their World Cup in Egypt. Occupying the fullback positions were two players whom most observers would describe as central defenders by inclination: Matthew Jurman and Daniel Mullen. And it was abundantly clear, especially during their opening game against the Czech Republic, that these two were unlikely to provide the attacking support required of a good fullback.
They did not trust themselves on the ball, and their movement off it was sluggish. Then there was the international friendly against the Netherlands in October. Luke Wilkshire (pictured), a midfielder for much of his early career, has converted himself into a solid right fullback by dint of hard work and considerable tactical intelligence. But David Carney, on the other flank, is merely the latest of a number of wingers who have been "shifted" in recent years. And his unsuitability for the role was badly exposed twice in the second period, once by Eljero Elia and once by Ryan Babel. Quality opponents, certainly, but they found the former Sydney FC man easy prey. It is largely the same story in the A-League; many players occupying the wide defensive roles are converted midfielders or central defenders. Think of poor Shannon Cole, an attacker by instinct, whose positioning at
“I've always admired the great fullbacks of our era. Javier Zanetti, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Cafu, Bixente Lizarazu, and even - on his day - Stan Lazaridis.�
fullback is legendarily suspect. Or Josh McCloughan at the Roar, an archetypal central defender who is doing his best in a patently unsuitable position. The fullback role is crucial because of the linkage it provides between the defence and the midfield. A fullback who understands his role often means the difference between playing out from the back and resorting to constant long balls. The latter, of course, is the last thing anyone wants for Australian sides. If we want to become No.1 in the world game, we could do worse than develop some good No.2s and No.3s.
Stuart Randall the EPL blogger for the World Game joins HTH.
City Help Sheikh up the EPL
For years now, the Premier League’s pointy end has been the domain of four clubs. Sure Everton have had a dip, Spurs fell just short twice, but not since 90’s Newcastle has there been a genuine interloper amongst the big guns. Well this may just be the year. After all the hype and millions spent, Manchester City are proving themselves worthy challengers to the established hierarchy in this unpredictable Premier League season. For so long one of English football’s basket case clubs (Spurs and Newcastle the other foundation members. Entry requirements; nice round, poor ownership, loads of fans, rather good in the 60’s), City have become a bona fide challenger. The Old City is gone. This is i-city 2.0, if you will. And all its taken is a 200 million pound takeover by Sheikh Mansour
and an outlay of a further 100 million on proven Premier League talent. And it’s that talent that’s been the key. So often takeovers are followed by a raft of overseas signings who naturally take their time to settle. But Mark Hughes has signed players who have hit the ground running. Barry, Adebayor, Toure and Tevez. Quality additions who know the EPL inside out. And along with the shiny new stars, current players have stepped up. Shay Given, the best shot stopper in the league. Craig Bellamy, in the form of his life, and Stephen Ireland, home-grown, has not missed a beat. They may not win it this year, but believe me, City are here to stay. And that’s because while they’ve moved forward, much of the league has stayed still, or regressed. No major names arrived in the off season, as consolidation became a watch word. As a result, there could be a major shake-up at season’s end.
Arsenal have been at their beguiling best at times, but after losing twice in Manchester, the old doubts about their resilience and squad strength remain. But it’s Liverpool’s demise that is most shocking. Swaggeringly brilliant against Stoke and Hull. Awfully inadequate in defeats against Spurs, Villa, Chelsea and Sunderland. Alonso’s departure has hit them hard, and the pressure on Gerrard and Torres to perform is suffocating. Benitez is facing his toughest task yet as the critics pounce on everything from his demeanor to team selection, and with 4 defeats already this season, the title may well be gone. Along with City, Spurs have been impressive, scoring for fun but tellingly slipped to defeat against United and Chelsea. They are also undermanned in
“it’s Liverpool’s demise that
is most shocking. Swaggeringly brilliant against Stoke and Hull. Awfully inadequate in defeats against Spurs, Villa, Chelsea and Sunderland.”
key positions but have goals aplenty and the shrewd hand of ‘Arry on the tiller. Aston Villa who pushed hard for the 4th and final Champions League spot last season have shown in victories over Liverpool and Chelsea that they are well equipped to break the glass ceiling, along with a resurgent Sunderland as the Premier League settles down for what could be a dramatic campaign
Sunil Awasthi says that with a World Cup looming, Australian football desperately needs one of its big guns to start firing in the green and gold.
The McDonald Malady You don’t need to be a numbers freak to know about one of the most discussed facts in Australian football of late: that Scott McDonald, as of this writing, has 15 appearances for the Socceroos and (gasp) no goals. Nada. Nothing. Zilch. Zero. The ol’ onion bag ain’t bulged once. It’s puzzling. How does a guy in the prime of his career (he’s 26), who’s the third-highest scorer in the history of the Scottish Premier League, a guy who was SPL Golden Boot as his team won the title two seasons ago, a guy who’s scored key goals against giants like Manchester United and AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League…how does he stay quiet in the green and gold? How does our best striker at club level not end up on the score sheet at international level? He made his debut in the green and gold in early 2006 in Bahrain. Considered
slightly unlucky to not make the 2006 World Cup squad or the 2007 Asian Cup squad, the Socceroo career of ‘Macca’ only took off, at least in terms of appearances, in the post-Mark Viduka era, co-inciding with his move to Celtic. Sure, we have seen some sparks from the little fella, like his assist for Mark Bresciano’s goal in the 3-0 rout of Qatar in our opening 2010 World Cup qualifier, or his good performance as a lone striker in the recent friendly win against Ireland, or his meritorious outof-position performance in a poor Socceroo side away to South Korea. But generally, there have been too many ineffective efforts. Too much of say, the World Cup qualifier v Iraq in Brisbane last year, or the qualifier v Uzbekistan in Sydney earlier this year. Starting, playing around an hour, struggling to get involved, perhaps even in the most basic way, and then being subbed. And that’s not even counting, say, his game v Bahrain in June, where he missed a good chance set up for him by (gasp!) Brett Holman. It’s frustrating for all involved.
“Australia is not a country that is presently blessed with a lot of striking options. They can’t always rely on the likes of attacking midfielders Cahill and Kewell as well as Kennedy…..to get goals”
(I only like scoring against Milan and Rangers!) (Photo by Cam W) Improving McDonald’s (pictured) lot in the green and gold mainly rests in the hands of two people. The first is the Socceroo manager, Pim Verbeek. Much to the disgust of many, the Dutchman generally favours a formation with a lone striker. This is a role, friendly v Ireland excluded, that is not to McDonald’s strength. We have seen previously that a twostriker Josh Kennedy-Macca combination up front can be very effective (indeed, the only games they started together in World Cup qualification resulted in Australia’s two biggest wins of the campaign: the 3-0 and 4-0 home wins v Qatar). If only Verbeek started with two strikers more often, we would surely see better performances for the national team from McDonald. He is well-suited to play off the taller Kennedy.
The second is, well, Scotty Mac himself. Many will tell you that so much of greatness comes from within. Whether he’s been well-served by his manager or not, McDonald needs to personally lift his performances in the green and gold. Perhaps standing up to some of the opposition from his club manager to some of his trips to play in the green and gold would be a start. He can’t expect other people to serve him better if he won’t serve himself better. The emergence of McDonald is a key, and underrated perhaps, factor as we begin to size up the Socceroos’ prospects at South Africa 2010. Australia is not a country that is presently blessed with a lot of striking options. They can’t always rely on the likes of attacking midfielders Cahill and Kewell, as well as Kennedy, to get goals. Most other nations have their top club-level striker contributing for the national team. So too it should be for us. Because a misfiring ‘Macca’ may well be the misfire that, on world football’s biggest stage next year, Australia cannot afford.
Shane Davis is a football writer and statistician in Brisbane. This month he looks at the Dutch 433 or is it 442? Double Dutch The Socceroos' friendly against the Netherlands on October 10 was a particularly well publicised occasion given the technical direction Australia is striving for and there was plenty of debate over the lessons it provided for the home team. But rather than any reality check being provided by the quality in passing and movement by the team in orange (sorry, blue) on the night, perhaps the most important lesson in the current climate lies in the tactical history of the Oranje. As the country's senior national team they are a more genuine and accountable part of Dutch football than their myriad of advisers and coaches hired by Football Federation Australia. The 4-3-3 formation that Australian football has even mandated to some extent wasn't exactly on show by Bert van Marwijk's team this month. Without the quality of ball players in defence and deep in midfield they had a decade ago, it was replaced by a more condensed 42-3-1 early last year. But 10 years ago, even when the Netherlands had the likes of Frank de
Boer, Edgar Davids and Phillip Cocu to initiate thoughtful passages of play, a 43-3 wasn't in use. The semi-final teams of Guus Hiddink in the 1998 World Cup and Frank Rijkaard in Euro 2000, both of which were the last Dutch teams to truly look like championship material, adopted a 4-4-2. It was also in use when the Netherlands won their only major trophy to date in Euro 1988 and when Rinus Michels' team went close again four years later after an impressive qualifying campaign and group stage. Otherwise, when playing a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 in the past 15 years, they struggled somewhat in the mid-1990s when trying to replicate the all-conquering Ajax team and early this decade. This is not all to broadly say that a front three doesn't suit the Dutch national team. In the last half of this decade, for instance, a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 has been a good fit given the drop off of top-line strikers, the lone striker capabilities of Ruud van Nistelrooij and (once he regains form and confidence) Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and the attacking strengths of wingers Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie.
“It’s 433 divided by 422, then take away the striker”
But a key point that can be taken away from the national team history of the country Australia is looking to for guidance is the importance of adjusting tactics to suit the personnel at hand and that their suitability will ebb and flow. When Australia made the 1974 World Cup, had a gallant World Cup qualification campaign for Mexico '86 and got to the 1988 (fully senior) Olympics quarter-finals, a front three was in use. Terry Venables' impressive 1997 outfit deployed what could loosely be termed a 3-4-3. In all those sides, however, the three frontmen were mostly more strikers than anything else and gave each other adequate support. Otherwise, for so much of the Socceroos' past 20 years, the more cautious deployment of a lone striker has been a common and lamentable sight.
The Dutch semi-final teams of Guus Hiddink in the 1998 World Cup and Frank Rijkaard in Euro 2000……adopted a 4-4-2. On the rare occasions Australia has played two natural strikers (in a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2), they have invariably benefited. So while Australia looks to the Dutch for the next step its football can take and dips into the mandating of a certain formation, there is a touch of irony in the air. The attacking system that the Netherlands have been most successful with in the past two-dozen years isn't the one Australia sees as traditionally Oranje and the way forward. The real lesson for Australia is not a particularly nationalised one, yet ironically it's shown as well as anyone by the Dutch themselves.
He’s all Free-toChippy B has a chip air TV. Rugby League every on his shoulder! Friday and Saturday. He can’t wait, to watch and then to play.
Why Jayden loves Rugby League, the game he never plays.
Of course he watches football, cricket, league and even Union. But does he ever see an Aussie footballer?
Spare a thought for my mate Jayden. He’s ten.
He gets his FourFourTwo magazine each month and knows all the stars...of Europe and the World. Kofi Danning? Ben Kanterovski? Carlos Hernandez? He’s hardly heard of them.
Ever since he, his brother, his mum and his old fella got up to watch the mighty Socceroos against Japan, Brazil, Croatia and Italy in the World Cup; his Dad told him it was his duty even at six, he’s been hooked on the game. Last year he played Under 9; he used to score even when placed in the keeper position and then backed up with an Under 10 game. He’s that keen that good. And Futsal! He’s all over it. So when his outdoor season ended he’s looking for more football, desperate to improve, so off he goes to Coerver three times a week. Occasionally the little Aussie tacker comes over to my place to watch the Socceroos if his folks let him stay up. I’ve got the Fox, he doesn’t. And A-League? He’s heard of it but has never seen it. Not a game, hardly a goal.
Like the Foxless 70% of Australians Jayden can watch Champions League all year on SBS; but there’s never an Aussie in sight. And of course should he ever stumble on Matt Simon, Robbie Fowler, Matthew Leckie, Kevin Muscat on the boys he has something to compare them with. Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo! So when the FFA says it’s a fair price to watch the Socceroos in Melbourne and 20,000 turn-up, they are missing the point. This is the only chance many fans of all ages have to see our Socceroos? Grassroots are our biggest opportunity bar none, but what have the FFA done to access our little players in the last four years. Judging by the Socceroos crowd against Oman, and recent A-League attendances.........not enough.
Ben O’Neil thinks the Socceroos need a bit of German.
We often hear of the big three in reference to the Premier League, La Liga and Seria A, but it is Germany who attracts the biggest average season crowds over this lot.
How do they do it? They make tickets cheap as buggery.
Let’s go Deutsch, as well as Dutch
During the Socceroos verse Netherlands clash at the SFS, Simon Hill commented that it was a case of ‘Master verse Apprentice’. While the Dutch system has quite obviously been adopted by Football Federation Australia, and now a forthcoming A-League franchise off their own bat, I’m of the opinion there are even better mentors we should be seeking to learn from. And, it’s the Oranje’s most fervent foes, the Deutsch, who I believe may prove a good source of influence. As three time World Cup Champions and runners up, and with the exact same achievements in European Championships, “Die Mannschaft’s” record speaks for itself…and simply shits all over Holland’s. What’s more, Germany’s league – the Bundesliga – is one of the most underrated in Europe.
I was fortunate enough to attend a Bundesliga match in late 2007 between BVB Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich – a massive clash. My ticket, standing with ‘The Unity’ in the Signal Iduna Park “Südkurve”, was a meagre 15 Euros (about AUD$25). This is relatively the same price as entry to an A-League game, but compare watching the likes of Frank Ribery, Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni to players of A-League quality (no disrespect intended), and there’s no argument which represents the greater value. Don’t ask me how they do it, but the German system is also one that keeps class players coming off the production line, while their scouting structure is also sound with excellent, previously unknown foreigners from Africa, South America and Eastern Europe frequently making names for themselves in the league. And, with a culture that supports the concept of integrating football into people’s daily lives via classic matches on free TV on weeknights, don’t we at least owe it to ourselves to explore how other nations beside the Dutch have made the game prosper on all levels?
The Fox in the Box
BRANKO Jelic is one of my favourite players. Before he arrived, little was known about the Serbian, except that he scored a brace against Bayern Munich in a game - impressive, though hardly enough for people to get excited about. In fact, Perth were lucky to get him at all. Jelic's wife was born in Perth and wanted to return home, and the striker wanted to continue playing football. Perth Glory was his only real choice to do so. So how has he done in 11 rounds of the A-League? If you want a real testament to the impact he has made since he has joined the club, consider this fact - he has been able to keep last season's leading goalscorer and fan favourite Eugene Dadi firmly on the pine pony. In my blog I call him the "fox-in-the-box" and Fox Sport's Andy Harper has dubbed him the "six-yard sniper". All his four goals this season have come from no more than 10 yards out - though all have been important. He scored a brace against Melbourne
Usman Azad gets emotional about Perth’s Serbian striker Branko Jelic
Victory, his second was the matchwinner in a 2-1 win. He scored an early goal against Gold Coast United and a late one against Brisbane Roar. In all fairness he probably should have scored even more, and probably had one goal unfairly disallowed by the linesman. But what is it that makes Branko Jelic such an effective striker? He's no Archie Thompson, though he has showed glimpses of a hidden rocket fuel of pace. He's no Carlos Hernandez, but he has threatened from long-range. But every game he has looked dangerous, and more importantly, knows how to score a goal. Maybe not a pretty goal, but a goal all the same. He's Perth's leading goal scorer this season, and as long as he keeps finding the net, he could become a new cult hero for the Glory faithful.
I first saw Latika Bourke in the background of a Chaser sketch laughing her head off while Craig Ruecastle was typically making fun of a politician. Laitika works in Canberra as a political reporter for radio station 2UE. Instead of her asking the questions this time Latika was kind enough to answer some of ours Half Time Heroes: So first off tell us how you got to be a fan of the beautiful game? Latika Bourke: I fell in love with football when I spent 2001/2 in London. My British (and not so British) friends took me to the pub early one morning to watch England beat Argentina When David Beckham scored his winning goal the entire pub jumped and cheered. Their love and, fanaticism for the game seduced me then and ever since.
Celebrity Football Fan. Interview with Latika Bourke. political reporter for 2UE. HTH: You favourite overseas player? LB: I know it's clichĂŠ but I can't take my eyes off Cristiano Ronaldo when he's on my telly. While you often hear of football crowds going ballistic after games, I've found football unites far more than it divides. HTH: Which A League team do you support? LB: Sydney FC all the way. I couldn't support another team if I tried HTH: Do you have a favourite overseas team/league? LB: Not really. But I do keep an eye on how Everton fares. Politics dominates far too much of my time, but I do often rue I don't have enough hours in my day to stay up and watch the English Premier League.
HTH: Favourite Socceroos player? LB: I’m going to rise above the superficial (ignore previous answer) and go Cahill here. I fell in love with Timmy during the World Cup 2006, during the Socceroos v Japan match. Although he can often play for himself, he's so creative and some of those goals he's scored for us and Everton are truly stunning, to my ill-informed eyes. HTH: How excited are you about the Socceroos playing at the World Cup in South Africa next year, any plans to go? LB: It's just awesome that the Socceroos are contesting back to back World Cups for the first time ever. I get the feeling it will soon be expected that we qualify. Unfortunately, politics is my first love and as next year is an election year I'll be staying home. But bring on Brazil...and Australia! HTH: Australia is bidding to host the world cup in 2018/2022, What would it mean to you if the World Cup was played in Australia? LB: Hosting the World Cup would be, quite literally, a dream come true. To
have the biggest global sporting event here, in our backyard would, I believe, be bigger than the 2000 Olympics. I also believe, some of those AFL and NRL lovers just might be seduced by the Beautiful Game if the world's fanatics and best talent descended on our doorstep. HTH: The very late penalty decision that knocked the Socceroos was unforgettable for the wrong reasons. What about a favourite moment from the last World Cup in Germany 2006? LB: You had to bring that up? *reaches for tissues* I spent the early hours of t that morning crying my hours out being comforted by randoms at Circular Quay. Some say we would never have beaten Italy if it went to a shootout, but we held our own so valiantly that game, and togo out the way we did still generates a horrid sick feeling in my stomach. My favourite moment was our first goal in the Japan game. It was our first breakthrough and a brilliant debut onto the World stage. I think at that point, everyone sat up and said, 'hello, Australia's arrived.
Thanks to everyone who contributed. All who work on this fanzine do it as a labour of love with no payment. Web Designer/Logo Designer Peter Alexandrou Cartoonist/Logo Designer Wayne Snowden
Sunil Awshi: Usman Azad: www.footballperth.blogspot.com, Shane Davis: www.hiraldo.wordpress.com More Football talk: Nearpost radio: www.2xxfm.org Streamed Tuesday 6.30pm Podcast at www.nearpost.blogspot.com and on itunes.
http://www.happinessforsale.org/ff/
Editors: Con Stamocostas, Photo’s: Phillip Stamocostas
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Send comments/feedback or if want to write for Half Time Heroes contribute: cstamocostas@gmail.com We support recycling. We re-use the same screens every month. Distribution: Available at halftimeheroes.com.au Find more from our writers: Chris Pareskevas: www.goal.com, www.au.442.com, www.footballblogdaily.blogspot.com/ Ben Somerford: www.theroar.com.au, www.euroo.blogspot.com, insidefutbol.com,theroar.com.au Con Stamocostas:au.fourfourtwo.com/, www.afootballstory.com, www.elevationradio.com/author/global correspondent/, Mike Salter:www.footballtragic.blogsp ot.com Stuart Randall:,theworldgame.com.au, www.stuartrandallandthecrowdgoeswild.bl ogspot.com/
Ben O’Neil: au.fourfourtwo.com
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