Post by omni on May 18, 2006 21:52:38 GMT 10
From the Northern Star
Defender the only bolter in Socceroos
18.05.2006
By STEVE SPINKS
THE Central Coast's Michael Beauchamp should consider himself lucky to be in the Australian World Cup squad, according to Lismore�s former Socceroo captain Craig Foster.
Foster, who was back in his home town earlier this week attending the 30th anniversary celebrations of his former school Kadina High, said there weren�t too many surprises in the 23-man squad announced by Australia�s Dutch coach Guus Hiddink last week.
But in a frank assessment, Foster believes Beauchamp, a defender, should not have been selected over the Swiss-based Ljubo Milicevic.
"He (Beauchamp) is lucky to be there," Foster told The Northern Star.
"He's a very, very good young player but inexperienced, and while he's one for the future his selection is the only one I think can be seriously questioned.
"I'd make a straight swap with Milicevic.
"While I understand the reasons why Beauchamp was selected and I'd never like to be too critical of the kid because he�s had a good season in the A-League � Milicevic is a very experienced player.
"He�s played in the Champions League, he�s captain of his Swiss club side and he�s doing extremely well.
"Some big European teams from Spain and Italy are looking at him so it's difficult to see how he could miss out."
However, it would seem Beauchamp�s selection does give some credibility to the A-League.
"Absolutely it does," Foster agreed.
"But you have to wonder whether that played a part in it (Beauchamp�s selection).
"While it is good, these decisions also affect careers.
"You look at someone like Milicevic and he says �Look, I�m performing at a level where how can I possibly be out of that team�."
Foster, who now works for SBS Television as a soccer analyst and commentator, will head to Germany on June 1.
SBS will televise all the Australian games live including the three warm-up games starting next week in Australia.
"We have the Greece game next week in Melbourne," Foster said.
"Then we go to Rotterdam for the Holland game, which is really going to be quality, then on to Ulm for the match against Lichtenstein.
"To get to go to a World Cup and be there with the Aussie team watching every match is just amazing.
"In some ways going (as a commentator) is even better than playing.
"You don�t have pressure to perform and you don�t have to train every day, you just have to do your research and you get to watch every game."
The former Goonellabah Hornets star is also looking forward to seeing the reaction of Australia during the biggest sporting event in the world.
"We�ve never been there in modern times," Foster said.
"The young generation of Australian who loves sport so much has never had the experience and now we get to compete at that level.
"I'll tell you, if we (the Socceroos) get a couple of decent results, the country is going to go mad."
Defender the only bolter in Socceroos
18.05.2006
By STEVE SPINKS
THE Central Coast's Michael Beauchamp should consider himself lucky to be in the Australian World Cup squad, according to Lismore�s former Socceroo captain Craig Foster.
Foster, who was back in his home town earlier this week attending the 30th anniversary celebrations of his former school Kadina High, said there weren�t too many surprises in the 23-man squad announced by Australia�s Dutch coach Guus Hiddink last week.
But in a frank assessment, Foster believes Beauchamp, a defender, should not have been selected over the Swiss-based Ljubo Milicevic.
"He (Beauchamp) is lucky to be there," Foster told The Northern Star.
"He's a very, very good young player but inexperienced, and while he's one for the future his selection is the only one I think can be seriously questioned.
"I'd make a straight swap with Milicevic.
"While I understand the reasons why Beauchamp was selected and I'd never like to be too critical of the kid because he�s had a good season in the A-League � Milicevic is a very experienced player.
"He�s played in the Champions League, he�s captain of his Swiss club side and he�s doing extremely well.
"Some big European teams from Spain and Italy are looking at him so it's difficult to see how he could miss out."
However, it would seem Beauchamp�s selection does give some credibility to the A-League.
"Absolutely it does," Foster agreed.
"But you have to wonder whether that played a part in it (Beauchamp�s selection).
"While it is good, these decisions also affect careers.
"You look at someone like Milicevic and he says �Look, I�m performing at a level where how can I possibly be out of that team�."
Foster, who now works for SBS Television as a soccer analyst and commentator, will head to Germany on June 1.
SBS will televise all the Australian games live including the three warm-up games starting next week in Australia.
"We have the Greece game next week in Melbourne," Foster said.
"Then we go to Rotterdam for the Holland game, which is really going to be quality, then on to Ulm for the match against Lichtenstein.
"To get to go to a World Cup and be there with the Aussie team watching every match is just amazing.
"In some ways going (as a commentator) is even better than playing.
"You don�t have pressure to perform and you don�t have to train every day, you just have to do your research and you get to watch every game."
The former Goonellabah Hornets star is also looking forward to seeing the reaction of Australia during the biggest sporting event in the world.
"We�ve never been there in modern times," Foster said.
"The young generation of Australian who loves sport so much has never had the experience and now we get to compete at that level.
"I'll tell you, if we (the Socceroos) get a couple of decent results, the country is going to go mad."
