Baptism of fire is what many would call coach Frank Farina's introduction to the
helm of Australia's Senior National Team, but he's come through it all � and he's
still smiling.
Farina's mission statement is simple - qualify for
the 2002 World Cup.
To that end, he's made an excellent start, with
the LG Socceroos going through the Oceania Nations Cup in Tahiti undefeated,
and beating arch rival New Zealand 2-0 in the Final, to qualify for the lucrative
Confederations Cup in June next year.
Ironically, Australia won't
meet any of the Oceania neighbours it beat during the round-robin and semi-finals
of the Oceania Nations Cup, in the World Cup Qualifiers next April � but
looking positively forward, it will meet the fifth best placed South American team
over two legs as the final hurdle.
And to that end, there's been
plenty of sussing out of the possible competition.
Farina was introduced
to the world of National Team coaching with a 2-match series against Brazil
last November � the LG Socceroos have faced Chile in Chile earlier this year
� and Paraguay was the latest of the South American opponents, in Australia
for a 3-match series, which Australia won 1-0.
In between, the LG Socceroos
have come up against the likes of Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czech Republic,
Kuwait and South Korea, with the National Team expecting more quality
overseas opposition before next year's Qualifiers.
With every match
played, the LG Socceroos are gaining more and more respect on the international
circuit, and are, deservedly, clear favourites in the Oceania Qualifying Tournament,
for the 2002 World Cup.
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