Heffernan a socceroo

[marinermick]

FFA Media Release

Thursday 30 August 2007



QANTAS SOCCEROOS NAMED FOR MATCH AGAINST ARGENTINA



The Qantas Socceroos will bring some of Victoria’s favourite sons back home for the blockbuster match against Argentina at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 11 September as the ‘Road to Africa’ gets underway.



Australia’s squad boasts several players who grew up in the Southern state including Mark Bresciano, Vincenzo Grella, Josip Skoko, Josh Kennedy, Scott McDonald and Patrick Kisnorbo while Melbourne Victory star Archie Thompson will play in front of his home fans.



The team also includes many of Australia’s World Cup and Asian Cup stars including Lucas Neill, Jason Culina, Luke Wilkshire, Michael Beauchamp and Mark Schwarzer.



The squad will see the welcome return of striker Kennedy who made a huge impact in the opening match of the 2006 World Cup against Japan. Kennedy missed all of last season after suffering an injury with his club Nuremburg during the pre-season.



For Bresciano it will a special return to his hometown following a frustrating few weeks hoping for a transfer to English Premier League club Manchester City.

“It’ll be a very big game, especially against the team we are playing (Argentina), who are a world class team,” said Bresciano.

“I think this game will pull every soccer fan in Melbourne, or even in Australia actually, as everyone would love to come and watch Argentina and our own nation play against each other.”

“This is the start of our World Cup campaign as there are only a couple of games until we get underway in February.”

Head Coach Graham Arnold said that the team will face a massive challenge taking on the number two-ranked team in World football.



“The challenge that we will face taking on Argentina is one that our players are looking forward to,” said Mr Arnold.



“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some of the players to come up against some of the best players in the world and to test themselves at this level.”




In addition to Thompson there are four other Hyundai A-League players in the squad including Dean Heffernan, Simon Colosimo, Alex Brosque and Clint Bolton.



Good tickets for Qantas Socceroos vs. Argentina are still available for the match from all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com.au or on 13 61 00.

The match will be shown live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS and available on Radio 702 ABC nationally.



QANTAS SOCCEROOS SQUAD TO PLAY ARGENTINA

MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND, 11 SEPTEMBER



Mark Bresciano (Palermo, Italy), Vincenzo Grella (Torino, Italy), Mark Schwarzer (Middlesbrough, England), Nick Carle (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Josip Skoko (Wigan, England), Michael Beauchamp (Nuremburg, Germany), Luke Wilkshire (Twente, Holland), Josh Kennedy (Nuremburg, Germany), Brett Holman (NEC Nijmegen, Holland), Carl Valeri (Grosseto, Italy), David Carney (Sheffield United, England), Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory, Australia), Jason Culina (PSV Eindhoven, Holland), Michael Thwaite (Wisla Krakow, Poland), Scott McDonald (Celtic, Scotland), Clint Bolton (Sydney FC, Australia), Alex Brosque (Sydney FC, Australia), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leicester City, England), Simon Colosimo (Perth Glory, Australia), Lucas Neill (West Ham, England), Dean Heffernan (Central Coast Mariners, Australia)

[marinermick]

FFS - Bolton and Brosque

[marinermick]

Central Coast Mariners
Media Release
Thursday, 30 August



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Heffernan earns Qantas Socceroos call-up

Central Coast Mariners defender Dean Heffernan has earned a dream date with world football giants Argentina in Melbourne next month, after winning selection in his first Qantas Socceroos squad today.

Heffernan, 27, is one of five Hyundai A-League players included in Graham Arnold’s 21-man squad, which also features Socceroo icons Lucas Neill, Mark Bresciano and Mark Schwarzer.

Heffernan’s selection is a massive endorsement for the international prospects offered by the Hyundai A-League; given the fleet-footed wingers recent return to Australia from one of the world’s top leagues – the German Bundesliga.

Barely one week after his encouraging return to the Hyundai A-League against Sydney FC at the Sydney Football Stadium, Heffernan is now on course to be rubbing shoulders with some of the luminaries of world football.



Barcelona starlet Lionel Messi, Manchester United attacker Carlos Tevez and new Real Madrid signing Gabriel Heinze have each been included in Argentina’s line up to face the Socceroos in front of an expected sell out crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"We were adamant when negotiating with Dean to return to the Mariners that his chances of Socceroo selection were greater if he was playing in Australia and we’re delighted to see his name alongside some of the country’s top talent today," said Mariners Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman.

"Dean is without question one of Australia’s outstanding and most exciting defensive prospects and I have no doubt that he will wear the green and gold with distinction if given the opportunity next month."



Heffernan is the fourth Mariners player to have been called up to a Socceroos camp since the inception of the Hyundai A-League, following on from Michael Beauchamp, Danny Vukovic and Tony Vidmar.

Should Heffernan make an appearance against Argentina at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, he will become the fifth Mariners player to have been capped at senior international level, after the aforementioned Beauchamp and Vidmar, as well as Sasho Petrovski and Tom Pondeljak.

With a packed international calendar on the horizon for the Socceroos, including the first stage of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers from February next year, Heffernan’s chances of being involved in Australia’s future plans for back-to-back FIFA World Cup qualifications have increased dramatically following his return to the Hyundai A-League.



Beyond Australia’s clash with Argentina in Melbourne, the Socceroos will be in action against Asian powerhouse China in Sydney on Saturday, 13 October, before embarking on the long road to South Africa with their opening 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier on 6 February, 2008.

"This is a tremendously exciting time for Dean and for the Central Coast Mariners and the entire club is thrilled that he has received this richly deserved recognition," said Gorman.

"Dean’s experience on the world stage against a truly world class opposition in Argentina will only serve to benefit both his own professional development, and our club."


Heffernan and his Socceroo team mates will face the might of Argentina at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday, 11 September. Kick off is at 7.30pm.



The Mariners, including Socceroo Heffernan, will play their first Hyundai A-League 2007/08 match at Bluetongue Stadium this Friday, 31 August, when they welcome the challenge of newcomers the Wellington Phoenix. Kick off is at 8pm.

Tickets are on sale now from Ticketek outlets, from the Ticketek website – www.ticketek.com.au, or via phone on 132 849.



Mariners Memberships for the Hyundai A-League 2007/08 season are now available for purchase online at www.ccmariners.com.au, or from Rebel Sports outlets at Erina and Tuggerah.


Ends

[EGGBA]

They using bolton instead of danny what is that rubbish well done the heff fire up on those Argentinian wannabes

[djebella]

marinermick said:

FFS - Bolton and Brosque

My thoughts exactly! Both are completely out of form. Brosque couldn't score a goal to save his life at the moment.

[serious14]

Alex Brosque. Clint F*ckup Bolton.

No, really, come on - are they kidding?? What exactly are they basing this on?? Their name?? What a f*cking joke. (Eggy - Danny is away on Olyroos duty at the time of this game)

I can just see it now - "Lionel Messi is ruled out for the season after copping a shoulder barge from Dean Heffernan"

;D

[marinermick]

eggsta said:

They using bolton instead of danny what is that rubbish well done the heff fire up on those Argentinian wannabes

danny has olyroo commitments but surely covic would have been a better choice

[serious14]

Good to see they stuck with Carle and Carney after the Asia Cup - they did really well during that tournament. Even better to see the names Valeri, Kennedy (he saves!!!), and McDonald make an appearance.

As for persisting with Schwarzer....... wwwwhhhhhhhyyyyyyyyyyy??

[dibo (pron. "DIB-OH")]

marinermick said:

eggsta said:

They using bolton instead of danny what is that rubbish well done the heff fire up on those Argentinian wannabes

danny has olyroo commitments but surely covic would have been a better choice

retired, no?

[Pete]

Oh this could be so sweet for Dean.
One of the reasons for him not being able to crack into the Nurnberg first team was an Argentinean international playing in his spot! Hope he gets a run at LB and shows he can do the job well.
A backline with Beauchamp and Heff alongside each other should make folks like Lawrie very bloody proud I'd say. And send a message to d'heads like Slater that he should give CCM a fair bit more respect too.

[marinermick]

dibo said:

marinermick said:

danny has olyroo commitments but surely covic would have been a better choice

retired, no?

not at all

only last week said he was keen to get back in the fold

[dibo (pron. "DIB-OH")]

marinermick said:

dibo said:

retired, no?

not at all

only last week said he was keen to get back in the fold

fair enough

[newieutd]

Now dont get me wrong here, im not bashing Heffernan cause he is a CC player.
But was he getting a game in Germany? I mean he wouldn't have had much game time recently? Maybe he is in there for learning experience (i.e. sarkies, musalik WC training)

But i guess on the flip side no A-League player has recently been getting game time

[serious14]

Our main problem during the Asian Cup was the lack of a recognised left back remember?? This is a good start on the road to fixing that......

I just read somewhere else that Chippers is keen to get back into it on the road to 2010 as well.

[Bearinator]

WAKE UP TO YOURSELFS YOU f***ing WANKERS, BOLTON IS OLD, SHIT, AND WASHED UP, AND BROSQUE IS UNRELIABLE, THEY HAVE BOTH DONE NOTHING TO DESERVE A CALL UP, WHY CAN ALL OFF AUSTRALIA SEE THIS BUT YOU???

Go heff

[Pete]

newieutd said:

Now dont get me wrong here, im not bashing Heffernan cause he is a CC player.
But was he getting a game in Germany? I mean he wouldn't have had much game time recently? Maybe he is in there for learning experience (i.e. sarkies, musalik WC training)

But i guess on the flip side no A-League player has recently been getting game time

Newie:
I tend to agree with your comments but am hopeful that Heff may, just may, get a run. I'm realistic enough to accept that he's only there to train on with the squad etc., but stranger things have happened.

Heff does have the advantage of having played a fair bit of football with Beauchamp, both in v1 Mariners then training with Nurnberg last year -and Beauchamp is definitely short listed for the starting 11.

If Arnie wants to look at better cohesion in the backline, Arnie may think of putting Heff on at LB with Beauchamp minding him at CB. But throwing a debutant on in defence against one of the world's best teams is a hell of a big risk.

[shift2]

It's just the "squad" I guarentee you Brosque will not be on the bench, let alone on the park at kickoff.

I think Heff will be on the bench. To be one of onyl 5 A-League players selected is pretty good.

[DJ]

Congrats to Heff - left back is certainly a weak position, may as well try him out at that level before qualifiers for the WC.

Clint Bolton lol - how many mistakes is he allowed to make?

[Bearinator]

shift2 said:

It's just the "squad" I guarentee you Brosque will not be on the bench, let alone on the park at kickoff.

I think Heff will be on the bench. To be one of onyl 5 A-League players selected is pretty good.

How will you guarentee it???

[newieutd]

bearinator said:

shift2 said:

It's just the "squad" I guarentee you Brosque will not be on the bench, let alone on the park at kickoff.

I think Heff will be on the bench. To be one of onyl 5 A-League players selected is pretty good.

How will you guarentee it???

A Cricket bat to the head???