Zico Targets Socceroos

March 15th, 2006 | By: WC Bob | 4 Comments »

Brazil might be the best team in the world but it is Australia the attention of Japan coach Zico.

“We could reach the semi-finals, but beating Australia in our first game could be crucial,” Zico told Germany’s Kicker magazine. “We are 18th in the FIFA world rankings but I think we are better than that and can beat anyone on our day.”

Lest we ignore the true genius of this group, here are Guus Hiddink’s thoughts on Zico’s squad:

“It is always a fighting team, technically skilful … as a whole it is always a fighting machine with technical, well-equipped players,” Hiddink said. “I know Japan will be a good team. Their coach, Zico, was one of the most creative players in world soccer. It’s good to have those people in the game. If they can transform their philosophy in football it is for the benefit of the game all over the world.”

Should be a brilliant start to the World Cup. Australia 3 Japan 2. Take it to the bank.

Tags: Australia, Guus Hiddink, Japan, Zico

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Comments

By Euler | March 17th, 2006 at 2:17 am

Hey Jack, I was wondering, why Australians use green and yellow flags and shirts in sports while your flag is mostly blue, red and white?

Sometimes I think I’m looking at a Brazilians instead of Australians… it’s funny.

By Jack | March 21st, 2006 at 10:45 am

It was not until April 19, 1984, that green and gold were officially declared Australia’s national sports colours by the then Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen. The combination was, however, used in the jumpers, blazers and caps of the Australian cricket team to tour England in 1899, but was not ratified by the Australian Cricket Board until 1908. It was also worn by the Australian Olympic team in that year, while the Australian Rugby League adopted the colours in 1928. Green and gold were the popular choice to represent Australia internationally because the colours closely resembled those of our national emblem the golden wattle.

From this article:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/06/11/1086749885653.html?from=storyrhs

Posted from United States

By Euler | March 21st, 2006 at 11:28 am

Thanks for the article! How is it to have Englands flag in yours? I wouldn’t like Portugal’s flag to be in our Brazilian flag.

By Pedro P | March 21st, 2006 at 12:43 pm

Dear Euler, I hate being a “pentelho” but I have been here wondering were exactly do you think the white cross in the Brasilian’s National Team Logo (where the letters CBF are written on) comes from…? See where you can find one +/- like it, and then let me know…

Anyway, without turning this into publi a** kissing, let me tell you that as a portuguese I find a great honour that your language is still, after 500 years, the same as ours. Honestly, nowadays nobody in the world (+/-) knows that portuguese exists if it wasn’t for Brasil…

Posted from Netherlands