GOAL! Soccer Info, News & Updates

The Australian Online Soccer Museum is a great online source of information for Australian Soccer History & Facts. One interesting article I noticed that's worth the read The Road to World Cup 1974

Here's an excerpt:
"1973 was the year that Australia would be facing World Cup eliminators, so the Australian Soccer Federation arranged for the Bulgarian national side to tour for three games as a
warm-up for these matches. The Bulgarians were the first European national team in Australia since 1969 and provided the Australians with high class opposition from which coach Rasic would be able to build up his team. The first game was played midweek in Sydney..."

If you're keen on learning a bit about the golden days of Australian Soccer, I'd recommend you visit this site

Click to visit the Australian Online Soccer Museum

As if that wasnt to be expected.

The world cup is the biggest tournament/competition/event in the world. Soccer (aka Football) is truly a world sport. Check out this article @ FootballAustralia.com.au for more information.

Let me be the first to say that I know for sure I dont have any so dont come knocking on my door. I know a few people that have put in an application. For those who have, good luck!

JC

Those Brazillians are unstoppable. Player of the year again.

He deserves it, with skill like his, his career ahead is going to be awesome.

I wonder where I can sign up for his fan club?

Soccer Stress Balls - I think we'll all need one for the World Cup in 2006. You can get your club logo printed on the stress ball in 1 colour. They are a very cost effective solution for marketing your club to the younger players

Contact JEM Promotional Products for pricing

Tickets for the Socceroos in the 2006 World Cup in Germany go on sale Tuesday 20/12/2005. For information on ticket prices and packages available follow this link.

I say any aussies thinking of traveling abroad in the next year should be re-scheduling your life around those few games, I know I will be (although it will be from the comfort of my own living room). You will know its me when I am decked out in Australian Soccer Merchandise from head to toe.

I know a few people that will have the football fever (probably 3 billion world wide), so check out the link and get behind those Aussies.

JEM Promotional Products have launched an awesome special for soccer merchandise. This is perfect as a gift to all players at registration time. It's a great deal!

Getting all the players and spectators behind the club is important. Creating a good atmosphere at all your games, will boost player morale - and hopefully help win more games! Crowd support is always talked about by players - helping them lift to that next level.

So get involved and check out the Soccer Merchandise and Soccer Gear on offer from JEM Promotional Products.

If you want more information send an e-mail or you can also call 0418 421 230

Follow the link above, for information on the World Cup 2006 Finalists.

Information includes:

• Federation
• World Ranking
• Group
• Fixtures
• Coach
• Player to Watch
• Road to Finals
• World Cup Record

Take a peak

Follow the link above to go to the world cup draw.

Australia has Japan for their first match. I think this will be a good introduction to the world cup and excellent preperation for the BIG GAME against Brazil.

Japan is no easy beat, but they are no Brazil. Considering also that Australia will also be playing in the Asian cup, the possibility of a win in the openning game is increasing. From there lets hope getting second place is around the corner.

My dream is that Australia beats Brazil. I still want Brazil to qualify, it doesn't feel like a World Cup unless Brazil is up there. But if Asutralia beats Brazil, imagine what the soccer world will have to say about that. Yeah, that is a nice dream.

We will see. Not long now.

So the Brazilian coach is thinking about the Aussies. He says Australia is a very physical team.

This is good. I would say very good. I like to see other countries underestimate the skills the boys from down under have.

We have high class players playing in some of the top leagues all around the world. Passing us off as a physical team is ignoring the high caliber of football Australia can play.

The only reason Australia has previously struggled internationally is because there was always a distinct lack of the International players having game time together.

With the lead up to the world cup, that is all going to change as Australia will be playing in the Asian Nations Cup. This will give Australia some hard games against quality opponents.

Brazil is thinking we are a tough opponent. I am sure Japan and Croatia are taking a long hard look at us. All I can say now, is that there is going to be a lot of edge of your seat action coming up for all Australian football fans.

I cant wait.

JC

With all the positive attention the Australian Socceroos have received this year, successfully qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, you can safely expect registration numbers to increase for 2006. JEM Promotional Products have put together a promotion to help you club with New Player Registrations (click below to view)


JEM Promotional Products can also source all your soccer merchandise products, including soccer strips & uniforms, supporters merchandise, training gear etc. Contact JEM Promotional Products

The Socceroos have been drafted in to Group F for the World Cup 2006 in Germany.

Group F:

• Brazil 1st
• Croatia 20th
• Australia 49th
• Japan 15th

Australia's World Cup Draw:
Matches:

12	12-Jun-06	Kaiserslautern		AUS:JPN		15:00
27	18-Jun-06	Munich		BRA:AUS		18:00
44	22-Jun-06	Stuttgart		CRO:AUS		21:00

Australia's Coach, Guus Hiddink, led the Netherlands to the 1998 semi-finals and Korea Republic to the last four in 2002 - if that is any indication as to Australia's fate in the World Cup 2006!

Being drafted with Brazil, Hiddink is aiming for a second-spot finish in Group F for the Socceroos.

Interesting fact: As trainer of his native Netherlands, Australia coach Guus Hiddink lost to both Brazil and Croatia at France 98.

(source: FIFA World Cup 2006)

Manchester United crashed out of the Champions League after a 2-1 loss to Benfica in Lisbon's Stadium of Light. Click to see full article

(source: BBC Sport, Wednesday, 7 December 2005, 21:39 GMT)

Now here's something interesting!

"At the June Council of Associations Executive Committee meeting, concern was raised in relation to clubs attempting to have a predominantly black coloured playing strips approved.

Following this meeting, it was confirmed to all Associations (In a memo dated 18 July 2005), that predominantly black coloured playing strips are not permitted and such strips are not to be approved by Associations.

At the meeting it was clarified by the Chairman of the Council of Associations and the President of NSW Referees Inc., that, where a coloured shirt worn by a referee clashes with the shirts worn by either team, then the referee is responsible for changing into a black shirt.

Any clubs with the colour black in their strip who require clarification as to whether their team strip is acceptable should contact their relevant Association. "

Something to consider

(source: Soccer NSW -Thu 18th Aug 2005 at 12:21pm)