A: Tony Popovic (WSW) Kevin Muscat (Victory) Paul Okon (CCM) and John Aloisi (Roar).
Source : Football Federation Australia
Against France in that game, four current Hyundai A-League senior head coaches were on the park for Australia. Name them?
Arquivo da tag: paul okon
Central Coast Mariners recruit hails Paul Okon influence
Central Coast Mariners boss Paul Okon guides his team through a training session.
With the Hyundai A-League season just three weeks away, the Mariners are keen to keep building on combinations under their new boss against the Nix at Knox Grammar on Saturday.
While the Mariners had their scheduled friendly against Brisbane Roar last weekend washed out, the Phoenix made a huge statement with a 4-1 drubbing of Melbourne City in Townsville.
For Powell – along with fellow Mariner Kwabena Appiah – it’s a first chance to get one over the club they played at in 2015/16. And he’s happy to pass on any information he can to help his side.
“I’m excited. It will be good to see all the guys again and I’m looking forward to catching up with them. Every soccer player would like bragging rights [against their former club],” Powell admitted to reporters on Thursday.
“But the main thing for me is to do my job well, if I do that I can hopefully set up other players and they can finish the job off.
Powell has been one of the Mariners most consistent performers in pre-season so far and says he’s relishing the no.10 role he’s being deployed in under Okon.
“It’s about me getting on that half turn and facing forward and playing those balls in for Connor Pain and Roy [O’Donovan] to go on and finish,” the 25-year-old said.
“We talk every day at training to try and familiarise ourselves with each other and different runs. It’s coming along well.
“I’ve seen a big improvement in the team since Paul’s come in. We’re training at a higher intensity which means our fitness is getting up there as well so we can compete,” Powell added on Okon.
“We have the talent in the team as well, so we can test ourselves against any team in the A-League.” For Appiah, he spent 18 months in Wellington but had little opportunity in the first team, with most of his 16 appearances coming off the bench. But he struck up a good friendship with Phoenix’s Dutchman Roly Bonevacia and he expects the banter to be flying between the pair on Saturday. “There’s always banter with that guy,” Appiah said with a smile. “He’s doesn’t take things in life too seriously, he just goes with it. “It will be good to play against him, he’s a good person and he helped me a lot in my time in Wellington when I wasn’t too happy.”
The livewire winger is hoping for a fresh start in Gosford after stints at the Wanderers and Phoenix, and has found the net a couple of times during pre-season. But it’s transferring that form into the Hyundai A-League which Appiah really wants, yet to find the back of the net in more than 40 appearances dating back to his debut in 2012. “I’m very, very hungry. I’m going ballistic…I need to break that A-League duck,” Appiah said. “I’ve got confidence building up from scoring goals [in pre-season] and leading into the season, given the right opportunity if I do score it will open the floodgates.”
Football Federation Australia
Uruguay victory comes back to life in ‘November 16’
‘November 16′ is a film by Ben Coonan, FFA’s videographer since 2012, in collaboration with Fox Sports presenter Richard Bayliss and has been produced with the support of Football Federation Australia (FFA) and broadcast partners Fox Sports and SBS.
The film will have its premiere at the Football Film Festival in Melbourne on 8 November, and will be broadcast on Fox Sports (16 November) and SBS (18 November).
The Socceroos’ penalty shoot out triumph over Uruguay at ANZ Stadium has become sporting folklore in Australia and ‘November 16’ tells the stories behind the events that have been immortalised since.
FFA CEO David Gallop said he’s delighted to see a growing archive of historical works on Australian football.
“Over the past few years we’ve seen a number of books published on the history of the game and these historical works are hugely important,” said Gallop.
“FFA has backed this film by Ben Coonan and Richard Bayliss because the game’s rich history is worth preserving and celebrating. I commend them on the film and I’m sure it will garner a big audience.”
The film features many of the players that played a key role on the night, alongside coach Guus Hiddink and his then assistant Graham Arnold.
Other football royalty to appear throughout the film include Socceroo greats Adrian Alston, Ray Baartz, Alan Davidson, John Kosmina, Alex Tobin, Paul Wade and Charlie Yankos, as well as exclusive interviews with 2005 Uruguayan protagonists Alvaro Recoba and Fabian Carini.
The film features seldom, or, never-before seen content from the night in question, as well as rare archive footage dating back to Australia’s first successful FIFA World Cup qualification in 1973.
‘November 16’ will premiere on the closing day of the inaugural Football Film Festival at Melbourne’s Kino Cinemas this Sunday, 8 November at 4pm. Click here for details.
Thereafter, ‘November 16’ will be broadcast on Fox Sports on the anniversary evening at 9pm, followed by broadcast on SBS on November 18 at 11pm.
November 16 Cast (alphabetical order)
John Aloisi, Adrian Alston, Graham Arnold, Ray Baartz, Mark Bresciano, Tim Cahill, Fabian Carini, Scott Chipperfield, Mike Cockerill, Jason Culina, Alan Davidson, Brett Emerton, Vince Grella, Andy Harper, Guus Hiddink, Simon Hill, Zeljko Kalac, John Kosmina, Paul Okon, Tony Popovic, Alvaro Recoba, Mark Schwarzer, Josip Skoko, Alen Stajcic, Alex Tobin, Tony Vidmar, Paul Wade and Charlie Yankos.
Broadcast Details
8 November – 4pm
Kino Cinemas, Melbourne
Fox Sports
16 November – 9pm
SBS
18 November – 11pm
Football Federation Australia
Paul Okon praises Young Socceroos after narrow Brazil loss
Speaking after his side’s narrow 1-0 loss to the South American heavyweights, Okon feels his youngsters are building nicely with the AFC under-19 championships just a few months away.
“No doubt [we took a lot of confidence out of that match],” Okon said.
“Within our dressing room and environment we don’t fear anybody. That’s why we pushed to have these games against these big nations.
“We want to prove we can play against anybody and we’ve done that. So I’m very happy.”
Adding further credence to the Young Socceroos’ performance was the fact they played more than half an hour with just 10-men following the second half dismissal of Brandon Borrello.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Okon’s side still created a number of excellent opportunities against the Samba stars, but wasteful finishing cost them what would have been a sensational result.
“[The send was] disappointing because it’s a friendly game…[Borrello] slid in late but he didn’t get him,” Okon said.
“[But] we showed determination. We weren’t going to sit back and try to defend. It’s not what we’re doing at the moment and we were unlucky not to get a goal.
“From our perspective we’re happy, results probably don’t show what we’re trying to do but we ignore that and continue to do what we’re doing.
“We gave an opportunity for these boys to play international football against quality opposition and I think everyone saw tonight we’re not inferior to any football nation.
“It’s just disappointing we didn’t end up getting a goal.”
Okon will re-assemble his squad again in July and August for two separate training camps ahead of the AFC under-19 Championships in late September.
The side is hoping to qualify for the next under-20 World Cup, which will be held in Korea in 2017.
Football Fedeation Austalia
Aussie youngsters need more games: Paul Okon
Speaking in the aftermath of the Young Socceroos’ 2-1 loss to the USA on Tuesday night, Okon said Australian players are not sufficiently exposed on both the domestic and international stage.
“Most of these boys haven’t played football for two and a half months. Not only are we playing against a very good opposition but we’re also playing against ourselves,” Okon said.
“It’s something that has to change in this country unfortunately. These players are talented, they’re the future of this country but they just don’t play enough football.
“Liam Rose I thought was outstanding. He’s the perfect example of a super talented kid but if he’s only going to play five games a year then he’s not going to get to the level we hope and believe he can get to.”
Stefan Mauk gave the Young Socceroos an early lead against the USA under-20 national side, before the visitors struck twice early in the second half to overpower a tiring Aussie outfit.
Okon admitted he was disappointed with the result but said he was impressed with his young side’s performance against a vastly more experienced oponente.
“Getting these sort of games at any time is always great but to have them here in Australia is even better,” he said.
“It gives the boys an opportunity to play international football. It’s something that we don’t think we have enough of so it’s a great experience for our young players.
“The result is disappointing because I don’t think we deserved to lose the game. It’s a learning moment for the younger boys.”
Football Federation Australia
Paul Okon names Young Socceroos squad for international friendly matches
Having narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, Okon is using the opportunity to play international friendly matches against nations that have qualified for U20 World Cup as part of his team’s preparations for the AFC U-19 Championship 2016 Qualifiers which will be held in from 28 September to 6 October 2015.
“This is an ideal opportunity for us to get a head start on our preparations for the AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers and the next U20 World Cup,” said Okon.
“The majority of the squad that we have selected are born in 1997 compared to our opposition who are born in 1995 to compete at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
“It’s important for us to play as many international matches against quality opposition for us to improve and give us a head start for qualifying for the next U20 World Cup.
“This is an ideal chance for this group of players to impress and show that they are capable of performing at international standard.
“A number of players from the Hyundai A-League were not considered for this tour due to the upcoming Finals Series, but they will definitely be considered for future matches,” concluded Okon.
The Young Socceroos will face New Zealand at Mount Smart Stadium in Auckland on Sunday 3 May and then Qatar at the same venue on Thursday 7 May. They will then meet Panama at theWaikato Stadium, Hamilton on Sunday 10 May before their final match of the series against Ghana on Wednesday 13 May at the same venue.
The AFC U-19 Championships 2016 held from 13-30 October 2016.
Young Socceroos Squad – International Friendly Series
| Name | Club, Country |
| Daniel ALESSI | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia |
| Daniel ARZANI | FFA Centre of Excellence, Australia |
| George BLACKWOOD | Sydney FC, Australia |
| Jesse DALEY | Brisbane Roar FC, Australia |
| Shayne D’CUNHA | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia |
| Daniel DE SILVA | Perth Glory, Australia |
| Thomas DENG | Melbourne Victory, Australia |
| Lucas DERRICK | Melbourne Victory, Australia |
| Alusine FOFANAH | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia |
| Perry FOTAKOPOULOS | FFA Centre of Excellence, Australia |
| Tom GLOVER (gk) | Tottenham Hotspur, England |
| Thomas HEWARD-BELLE (gk) | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia |
| Jordan HOLMES (gk) | AFC Bournemouth, England |
| Lachlan HUGHES | Sutherland Sharks, Australia |
| Anthony KALIK | Central Coast Mariners, Australia |
| Steve KUZMANOVSKI | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia |
| Jordan LAMPARD | Brisbane Roar FC, , Australia |
| Charles LOKOLI NGOY | Sutherland Sharks, Australia |
| Benjamin LYVIDIKOS | Brisbane Roar FC, , Australia |
| Liam McGING | Sydney United 58, Australia |
| Liam ROSE | Central Coast Mariners, Australia |
| Riley WOODCOCK | Perth Glory, Australia |
| Liam YOULLEY | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia |
Fixture Schedule
|
Date |
Team A |
Team B |
Venue |
Kick Off (local) |
Kick Off (AEST) |
|
|
03-May |
New Zealand |
v |
Australia |
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland |
7pm |
5pm |
|
04-May |
Qatar |
v |
Ghana |
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland |
1pm |
11am |
|
07-May |
Qatar |
v |
Australia |
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland |
4pm |
2pm |
|
07-May |
New Zealand |
v |
Panama |
Mount Smart Stadium, Auckland |
7pm |
5pm |
|
10-May |
Panama |
v |
Australia |
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
1pm |
11am |
|
10-May |
New Zealand |
v |
Qatar |
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
4pm |
2pm |
|
10-May |
Ghana |
v |
NZ Invitation XI |
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
TBC |
TBC |
|
13-May |
Qatar |
v |
Panama |
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
1pm |
11am |
|
13-May |
Ghana |
v |
Australia |
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
4pm |
2pm |
Football Federation Australia
Paul Okon names Young Socceroos squad for AFC U-19 Championship
Source : Football Federation Australia
Christopher Naumoff in action for Sydney FC against Sydney United 58 FC.
The bulk of Okon’s squad has been drawn from the ranks of Hyundai A-League clubs with Shayne D’Cunha from the NSW NPL competition and Cameron Burgess (Fulham FC, England), Chris Ikonomidis (SS Lazio, Italy) and Peter Skapetis (Stoke City FC, England) as the three overseas-based players.
Okon is optimistic about his team’s chances heading into the tournament.
“We have had a good preparation leading into the tournament with a number of tours and camps where we have faced quality opposition,” said Okon.
“Unfortunately we have experienced a couple of injuries to the group recently, with Ben Garruccio (ankle) and Jordan Lyden (hamstring) ruled out of selection, but this has given opportunities for other players to step-up.
“We fly out tomorrow for a pre-tournament camp in Thailand where our overseas-based players will join us. This will allow us to acclimatise to similar conditions we will face in Myanmar and put the finishing touches on our game plan.
“Our goal is to qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup and to achieve this goal we will need to string together four quality performances,” concluded Okon.
The Young Socceroos have been placed in Group B and will face the United Arab Emirates in their first match of the tournament on Friday 10 October, followed by Indonesia on Sunday 12 October and then Uzbekistan in their final group match on Tuesday 14 October.
The top two teams from Group B will then advance to the quarter-finals where they will face the top two teams from Group A (Myanmar, I.R. Iran, Thailand or Yemen) on Friday 17 September. The winner of the Quarter-Finals will not only advance to the Semi-Finals stage of the competition, but will also qualify for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup which will be held in New Zealand from 30 May – 20 June.
Young Socceroos Squad – AFC U-19 CHAMPIONSHIP 2014 – Myanmar – 9-23 October 2014
| Name | Club, Country |
| Daniel Alessi | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia |
| Shannon Brady | Brisbane Roar FC, Australia |
| Brandon Borrello | Brisbane Roar FC, Australia |
| Anthony Bouzanis (gk) | Sydney FC, Australia |
| Jordan Brown | Melbourne Victory, Australia |
| Cameron Burgess | Fulham FC, England |
| Daniel De Silva | Perth Glory, Australia |
| Shayne D’Cunha | Blacktown City, Australia |
| Scott Galloway | Melbourne Victory, Australia |
| Hagi Gligor | Sydney FC, Australia |
| Chris Ikonomidis | SS Lazio, Italy |
| Paul Izzo (G/K) | Adelaide United, Australia |
| Awer Mabil | Adelaide United, Australia |
| Stefan Mauk | Melbourne City FC, Australia |
| Dylan Murnane | Melbourne Victory, Australia |
| Christopher Naumoff | Sydney FC, Australia |
| Mark Ochieng | Adelaide United, Australia |
| Liam Rose | Central Coast Mariners, Australia |
| Peter Skapetis | Stoke City FC, England |
| Jaushua Sotirio | Western Sydney Wanderers FC, Australia |
| Jordan Thurtell (gk) | Perth Glory, Australia |
| Benjamin Warland | Adelaide United, Australia |
| Riley Woodcock | Perth Glory, Australia |
AFC U-19 CHAMPIONSHIP 2014 – Myanmar – 9-23 October 2014
Group B
| DATE | MATCH | TIME (local) | TIME (AEST) |
VENUE | ||
| 10-10-2014 | UZBEKISTAN | vs | INDONESIA | 3:30pm | 8:00pm | Youth Training Centre, Yangon |
| AUSTRALIA | vs | UNITED ARAB EMIRATES | 6:30pm | 11:00pm | Youth Training Centre, Yangon | |
| 12-10-2014 | INDONESIA | vs | AUSTRALIA | 15:30 | 8:00pm | Youth Training Centre, Yangon |
| UNITED ARAB EMIRATES | vs | UZBEKISTAN | 18:30 | 11:00pm | Youth Training Centre, Yangon | |
| 14-10-2014 | UZBEKISTAN | vs | AUSTRALIA | 18:30 | 11:00pm | Youth Training Centre, Yangon |
| UNITED ARAB EMIRATES | vs | INDONESIA | 18:30 | 11:00pm | Wunna Theik Stadium, Nay Pyi Taw | |
Paul Okon names Young Socceroos squad for Youth Championship
Seventeen members of the squad have been drawn from the ranks of the Hyundai A-League clubs with Shayne D’Cunha (Blacktown City) hailing from the NSW NPL and Harry Ascroft (VVV Venlo, The Netherlands) and Peter Skapetis (Stoke City FC, England) the only overseas-based players.
Okon will be using the AFF U19 Youth Championship as an important event in his team’s preparation for the AFC U-19 Championship which will be played in Myanmar from 9-23 October 2014. The winners of the Quarter Finals (top 4 teams) from the AFC U-19 Championship will then qualify for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup which will be held in New Zealand from 30 May – 20 June.
“This is another opportunity for us to get more international match experience against competitive opposition in the lead up to the AFC U-19 Championship,” said Okon.
“The two group matches against Vietnam and Japan within three days will be a good challenge for us in conditions we are likely to face in Myanmar in October.
“From these matches we will be able to assess the level of preparedness of each player.
“At this stage no player is assured as position in the final squad for the AFC U-19 Championship and their performance at this tournament will be an important factor when it comes to selection time,” concluded Okon,
The Young Socceroos have been placed in Group B and will face host nation Vietnam in their first match of the tournament on Friday 5 September, followed by Japan on Sunday 7 September. The top two teams from the group will then advance to the semi-finals where they will face either Myanmar, Indonesia or Thailand on Thursday 11 September. The final and 3rd place play-off will to be played on Saturday 13 September. All matches will be played at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi.
The Young Socceroos will depart for Vietnam on Monday 1 September.
Young Socceroos Squad – AFF U19 YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP 2014 – 5 to 13 SEPTEMBER 2014
Daniel Alessi (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Harry Ascroft (VVV Venlo, The Netherlands)
George Blackwood (Apia Leichhardt/Sydney FC NYL)
Shannon Brady (Brisbane Roar)
Brandon Borrello (Brisbane Roar)
Anthony Bouzanis (gk)(Sydney FC)
Jordan Brown (Melbourne Victory)
Daniel De Silva (Perth Glory)
Shayne D’Cunha (Blacktown City)
Scott Galloway (Melbourne Victory)
Ben Garuccio (Melbourne City)
Hagi Gligor (Sydney FC)
Paul Izzo (gk) Adelaide United)
Awer Mabil (Adelaide United)
Stefan Mauk (Melbourne City)
Christopher Naumoff (Sydney FC)
Liam Rose (Central Coast Mariners)
Peter Skapetis (Stoke City FC, England)
Jaushua Sotirio (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Benjamin Warland (Adelaide United)
AFF U19 YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP 2014 – HANOI, VIETNAM 5 – 13 SEPTEMBER 2014
Group A
1.Myanmar
2.Indonesia
3.Thailand
Group B
1. Japan
2. Vietnam
3. Australia
|
DATE |
MATCH |
GRP |
MATCH |
TIME (local) |
TIME |
VENUE |
||
|
5 Sept 14 |
1 |
A |
Indonesia |
vs |
Thailand |
4:30pm |
7:30pm |
My Dinh Stadium |
|
2 |
B |
Vietnam |
vs |
Australia |
7:00pm |
10:00pm |
||
|
7 Sept 14 |
3 |
B |
Australia |
vs |
Japan |
4:30pm |
7:30pm |
My Dinh Stadium |
|
4 |
B |
Thailand |
vs |
Myanmar |
7:00pm |
10:00pm |
||
|
9 Sept 14 |
5 |
A |
Myanmar |
vs |
Indonesia |
4:30pm |
7:30pm |
My Dinh Stadium |
|
6 |
B |
Japan |
vs |
Vietnam |
7:00pm |
10:00pm |
||
|
11 Sept 14 |
7 |
SF 1 |
Winner A |
vs |
Runner-up B |
4:30pm |
7:30pm |
My Dinh Stadium |
|
9 |
SF 2 |
Winner B |
vs |
Runner-up A |
7:00pm |
10:00pm |
||
|
13 Sept 14 |
9 |
3rd /4th |
Loser SF1 |
vs |
Loser SF2 |
4:30pm |
7:30pm |
My Dinh Stadium |
|
10 |
Final |
Winner SF1 |
vs |
Winner SF2 |
7:00pm |
10:00pm |
||
Image courtesy: Georgia Matts, Balanced Image Studio
Source : Football Federation Australia
Paul Okon ‘proud’ of unbeaten Young Socceroos
Australia thrashed Bermuda 4-1 in their opening game before coming back from two goals down to beat Chile 5-4 in one of the team’s greatest ever results.
The Young Socceroos needed to beat the USA in their final game to win the tournament but were forced to settle for a 0-0 draw with the hosts claiming the title on goal differential.
“The match tonight was a very tough match against a top class opponent,” Okon said.
“I am very proud of the way our team have played in this tournament and we came across a difficult opponent tonight that were well organised and are a good team.
“Our players are in pre-season at the moment and the USA team players are in the middle of the MLS season and we were able to match them which is a positive sign.”
The tournament was intended to give Australian-based players international experience and Okon said he was pleased with the team’s performances in California.
“The purpose of this tournament was to come here and play 3 quality opponents that will assist in preparing the team for the AFC U-19 Championships in October,” Okon said.
“The trip has been a great success and I couldn’t be happier with our the team performed and applied themselves throughout the 10 days.
“We now look forward to continuing our preparation with a training camp in Sydney in two weeks time.”
Australian National Team Manager Simon Roberts hailed the tournament as a huge success and lauded US Soccer for running and organising the event.
“We would like to thank US Soccer and Jim Moorhouse and his team for a great run tournament, the logistics around the team operations and the tournament have been first class and it is acredit to US Soccer to put on such a successful tournament,” he said.
“The Australian U-20 National team is privileged to be part of such a great tournament and look forward to strengthening our relationship in the future.”
Source : Football Federation Australia
Paul Okon ‘thrilled’ to be part of bringing Cup to life
Paul Okon in action for Leeds United during the FA Cup third round match against Scunthorpe United back in 2003.
One only has to hear the hint of excitement in his voice about what it means to him to be involved in the inaugural Westfield FFA Cup.
As preparations for the Westfield FFA Cup’s Round of 32 draw were being put into place, Okon was asked if he would consider being involved. He did not have to think twice about his response.
Having experienced the excitement and magic of Cup ties firsthand during a decorated playing career, the former Socceroos captain and current Young Socceroos head coach feels privileged to be able to contribute to the interest and potential surrounding what is a landmark occasion inAustralian football.
Okon won a Belgian Cup while at Club Brugge and also played in the FA Cup during his time in England. It may have been some years ago but Okon’s Cup memories are still as vivid as ever when he recalls the uniqueness of playing in a knockout Cup tournament.
“It’s a completely different feeling altogether because it’s just 90 or 120 minutes of football and anything can happen,” Okon said.
“It’s not about where you are on the ladder, it’s about how you perform on the day.”
His cup success with Club Brugge is obviously one of his highlights of competing in Cup competitions as a player, and it’s in the knowledge that there is no tomorrow for the loser that reiterate why there is something special about playing in games such a what the Westfield FFA Cup is sure to provide.
“We had a disappointing season in the league and it was a consolation to win the Cup. If you have a good Cup run it can change around the fortunes of your season,” Okon said of the year he helped Club Brugge to the Belgian Cup.
“You have that mindset that you’ve got nothing to lose and you just go for it, and that’s why you see upsets of little clubs beating giants.
“Playing in a Cup, you look forward to the next round and finding out whether you’re playing at home…there’s a buzz, an excitement and that uncertainty that makes it that bit special.”
Okon was alongside fellow retired Socceroo Mile Sterjovski as the two football personalities assigned the task of determining who will face who in the opening 16 matches of the competition.
Both men were fitting choices having plied their trade in the old NSL and Australia’s present top tier competition the Hyundai A-League during their careers as well as having their experience in Cup games. Okon said it was special to be part of a landmark day.
“I’m thrilled to be part of history of what will hopefully become an iconic part of football in this country,” Okon said.
“The FFA Cup bridges those NSL and local clubs that have a lot of history to the Hyundai A-League clubs of today, so to be part of that is fantastic.”
Source :Football Federation Australia
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