Since the Football Federation Australia replaced the Australian Soccer Association in 2005, there have been many positive changes to the state of football in Australia. These include:
·        ÂThe move from Oceania to the AFC·        ÂThe replacement of the NSL (National State League) with the A-League·        ÂThe lure of highly skilled and esteemed international coaches·        ÂImproved national standards of the game·        ÂA better appreciation for the game·        ÂAustralia qualifying for and appearing at the 2006 World Cup·        ÂThe improvement of Australia’s world ranking·        ÂQualification for the 2010 World Cup·        ÂPromotion of grass-roots football·        ÂStronger leagues for youths and women·        ÂRaised profile of the game in Australia·        ÂOverwhelming support from the nation Australia’s initial application to join Asia in 1964 was knocked back by an overwhelming majority of the FIFA board – every nation except Australia was opposed to the move. Instead, Australia and New Zealand formed the Oceania Football Federation in 1966.In 2006, Australia finally made its move form the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation – this time the votes were all in Australia’s favour! The new A-league was created in 2004 and began its first season in 2005-06. It is still well and truly in its infancy, but it has come quite a long way.·        ÂThis season 2 teams have been added to the now 10 team competition·        ÂThere are plans for at least another 2 teams·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
·        ÂThe replacement of the NSL (National State League) with the A-League·        ÂThe lure of highly skilled and esteemed international coaches·        ÂImproved national standards of the game·        ÂA better appreciation for the game·        ÂAustralia qualifying for and appearing at the 2006 World Cup·        ÂThe improvement of Australia’s world ranking·        ÂQualification for the 2010 World Cup·        ÂPromotion of grass-roots football·        ÂStronger leagues for youths and women·        ÂRaised profile of the game in Australia·        ÂOverwhelming support from the nation Australia’s initial application to join Asia in 1964 was knocked back by an overwhelming majority of the FIFA board – every nation except Australia was opposed to the move. Instead, Australia and New Zealand formed the Oceania Football Federation in 1966.In 2006, Australia finally made its move form the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation – this time the votes were all in Australia’s favour! The new A-league was created in 2004 and began its first season in 2005-06. It is still well and truly in its infancy, but it has come quite a long way.·        ÂThis season 2 teams have been added to the now 10 team competition·        ÂThere are plans for at least another 2 teams·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
·        ÂThe lure of highly skilled and esteemed international coaches·        ÂImproved national standards of the game·        ÂA better appreciation for the game·        ÂAustralia qualifying for and appearing at the 2006 World Cup·        ÂThe improvement of Australia’s world ranking·        ÂQualification for the 2010 World Cup·        ÂPromotion of grass-roots football·        ÂStronger leagues for youths and women·        ÂRaised profile of the game in Australia·        ÂOverwhelming support from the nation Australia’s initial application to join Asia in 1964 was knocked back by an overwhelming majority of the FIFA board – every nation except Australia was opposed to the move. Instead, Australia and New Zealand formed the Oceania Football Federation in 1966.In 2006, Australia finally made its move form the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation – this time the votes were all in Australia’s favour! The new A-league was created in 2004 and began its first season in 2005-06. It is still well and truly in its infancy, but it has come quite a long way.·        ÂThis season 2 teams have been added to the now 10 team competition·        ÂThere are plans for at least another 2 teams·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
·        ÂImproved national standards of the game·        ÂA better appreciation for the game·        ÂAustralia qualifying for and appearing at the 2006 World Cup·        ÂThe improvement of Australia’s world ranking·        ÂQualification for the 2010 World Cup·        ÂPromotion of grass-roots football·        ÂStronger leagues for youths and women·        ÂRaised profile of the game in Australia·        ÂOverwhelming support from the nation Australia’s initial application to join Asia in 1964 was knocked back by an overwhelming majority of the FIFA board – every nation except Australia was opposed to the move. Instead, Australia and New Zealand formed the Oceania Football Federation in 1966.In 2006, Australia finally made its move form the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation – this time the votes were all in Australia’s favour! The new A-league was created in 2004 and began its first season in 2005-06. It is still well and truly in its infancy, but it has come quite a long way.·        ÂThis season 2 teams have been added to the now 10 team competition·        ÂThere are plans for at least another 2 teams·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
·        ÂA better appreciation for the game·        ÂAustralia qualifying for and appearing at the 2006 World Cup·        ÂThe improvement of Australia’s world ranking·        ÂQualification for the 2010 World Cup·        ÂPromotion of grass-roots football·        ÂStronger leagues for youths and women·        ÂRaised profile of the game in Australia·        ÂOverwhelming support from the nation Australia’s initial application to join Asia in 1964 was knocked back by an overwhelming majority of the FIFA board – every nation except Australia was opposed to the move. Instead, Australia and New Zealand formed the Oceania Football Federation in 1966.In 2006, Australia finally made its move form the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation – this time the votes were all in Australia’s favour! The new A-league was created in 2004 and began its first season in 2005-06. It is still well and truly in its infancy, but it has come quite a long way.·        ÂThis season 2 teams have been added to the now 10 team competition·        ÂThere are plans for at least another 2 teams·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
·        ÂAustralia qualifying for and appearing at the 2006 World Cup·        ÂThe improvement of Australia’s world ranking·        ÂQualification for the 2010 World Cup·        ÂPromotion of grass-roots football·        ÂStronger leagues for youths and women·        ÂRaised profile of the game in Australia·        ÂOverwhelming support from the nation Australia’s initial application to join Asia in 1964 was knocked back by an overwhelming majority of the FIFA board – every nation except Australia was opposed to the move. Instead, Australia and New Zealand formed the Oceania Football Federation in 1966.In 2006, Australia finally made its move form the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation – this time the votes were all in Australia’s favour! The new A-league was created in 2004 and began its first season in 2005-06. It is still well and truly in its infancy, but it has come quite a long way.·        ÂThis season 2 teams have been added to the now 10 team competition·        ÂThere are plans for at least another 2 teams·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
·        ÂThe improvement of Australia’s world ranking·        ÂQualification for the 2010 World Cup·        ÂPromotion of grass-roots football·        ÂStronger leagues for youths and women·        ÂRaised profile of the game in Australia·        ÂOverwhelming support from the nation Australia’s initial application to join Asia in 1964 was knocked back by an overwhelming majority of the FIFA board – every nation except Australia was opposed to the move. Instead, Australia and New Zealand formed the Oceania Football Federation in 1966.In 2006, Australia finally made its move form the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation – this time the votes were all in Australia’s favour! The new A-league was created in 2004 and began its first season in 2005-06. It is still well and truly in its infancy, but it has come quite a long way.·        ÂThis season 2 teams have been added to the now 10 team competition·        ÂThere are plans for at least another 2 teams·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
·        ÂQualification for the 2010 World Cup·        ÂPromotion of grass-roots football·        ÂStronger leagues for youths and women·        ÂRaised profile of the game in Australia·        ÂOverwhelming support from the nation Australia’s initial application to join Asia in 1964 was knocked back by an overwhelming majority of the FIFA board – every nation except Australia was opposed to the move. Instead, Australia and New Zealand formed the Oceania Football Federation in 1966.In 2006, Australia finally made its move form the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation – this time the votes were all in Australia’s favour! The new A-league was created in 2004 and began its first season in 2005-06. It is still well and truly in its infancy, but it has come quite a long way.·        ÂThis season 2 teams have been added to the now 10 team competition·        ÂThere are plans for at least another 2 teams·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
·        ÂPromotion of grass-roots football·        ÂStronger leagues for youths and women·        ÂRaised profile of the game in Australia·        ÂOverwhelming support from the nation Australia’s initial application to join Asia in 1964 was knocked back by an overwhelming majority of the FIFA board – every nation except Australia was opposed to the move. Instead, Australia and New Zealand formed the Oceania Football Federation in 1966.In 2006, Australia finally made its move form the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation – this time the votes were all in Australia’s favour! The new A-league was created in 2004 and began its first season in 2005-06. It is still well and truly in its infancy, but it has come quite a long way.·        ÂThis season 2 teams have been added to the now 10 team competition·        ÂThere are plans for at least another 2 teams·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
·        ÂStronger leagues for youths and women·        ÂRaised profile of the game in Australia·        ÂOverwhelming support from the nation Australia’s initial application to join Asia in 1964 was knocked back by an overwhelming majority of the FIFA board – every nation except Australia was opposed to the move. Instead, Australia and New Zealand formed the Oceania Football Federation in 1966.In 2006, Australia finally made its move form the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation – this time the votes were all in Australia’s favour! The new A-league was created in 2004 and began its first season in 2005-06. It is still well and truly in its infancy, but it has come quite a long way.·        ÂThis season 2 teams have been added to the now 10 team competition·        ÂThere are plans for at least another 2 teams·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
·        ÂRaised profile of the game in Australia·        ÂOverwhelming support from the nation Australia’s initial application to join Asia in 1964 was knocked back by an overwhelming majority of the FIFA board – every nation except Australia was opposed to the move. Instead, Australia and New Zealand formed the Oceania Football Federation in 1966.In 2006, Australia finally made its move form the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation – this time the votes were all in Australia’s favour! The new A-league was created in 2004 and began its first season in 2005-06. It is still well and truly in its infancy, but it has come quite a long way.·        ÂThis season 2 teams have been added to the now 10 team competition·        ÂThere are plans for at least another 2 teams·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
·        ÂOverwhelming support from the nation Australia’s initial application to join Asia in 1964 was knocked back by an overwhelming majority of the FIFA board – every nation except Australia was opposed to the move. Instead, Australia and New Zealand formed the Oceania Football Federation in 1966.In 2006, Australia finally made its move form the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation – this time the votes were all in Australia’s favour! The new A-league was created in 2004 and began its first season in 2005-06. It is still well and truly in its infancy, but it has come quite a long way.·        ÂThis season 2 teams have been added to the now 10 team competition·        ÂThere are plans for at least another 2 teams·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
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Australia’s initial application to join Asia in 1964 was knocked back by an overwhelming majority of the FIFA board – every nation except Australia was opposed to the move. Instead, Australia and New Zealand formed the Oceania Football Federation in 1966.
In 2006, Australia finally made its move form the Oceania Football Confederation to the Asian Football Confederation – this time the votes were all in Australia’s favour!
The new A-league was created in 2004 and began its first season in 2005-06. It is still well and truly in its infancy, but it has come quite a long way.
·        ÂThis season 2 teams have been added to the now 10 team competition·        ÂThere are plans for at least another 2 teams·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
·        ÂThere are plans for at least another 2 teams·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
·        ÂSignings such as Liverpool great Robbie Fowler and Socceroos star Jason CulinaThis season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go. Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail. Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.Â
This season has also seen the removal of the Pre-season Cup which has featured in every other season. This is in order to give the clubs more control over their pre-season preparations, and has allowed for a string of high-profile club matches with teams like Fulham FC and Celtic FC gracing these shores. The National Youth League and the W-league (women's league) have also been added to foster grass roots football and provide fresh talent for the A-league. In my opinion, the A-League is structured too similarly to the NRL and the AFL, which can be seen positively as an Australian trademark or negatively as a means of comparing us to the rest of the football world and demonstrating how far behind we are - as much as we have come a long way, there is still a very long way to go.
Australia has now qualified for 2 World Cups in a row, and this time was one of the first teams in the world to qualify. We were the surprise package at the 2006 World Cup, but we have now lost that status and are expected to both perform well AND be entertaining. The team has been scrutinised for their defensive style of play, but the players stress that results are more important and feel as if their very own success is what may lead them to fail.
Australia is currently ranked 16th on the FIFA World Rankings, our highest ranking yet.