The Socceroos will compete on the global stage this year wearing a new away kit augmented with the best in performance innovation as well as design details that reflect their proud football history.
The Socceroos will compete on the global stage this year wearing a new away kit augmented with the best in performance innovation as well as design details that reflect their proud football history.
“We are now used to seeing the Socceroos at the highest levels of international competition, so we wanted to create an inspirational kit that looks back and pays homage to the first time they qualified for the world tournament in 1974. This new kit reflects the fighting spirit and pioneering can-do attitude of that famous side,” said Martin Lotti, Nike Football Global Creative Director.
When Australia reached the 1974 finals for the first time in West Germany it was a remarkable achievement, and to this day the players from that era are revered as pioneers and heroes.
The new Australian away jersey is dark obsidian blue, and has been inspired by the design worn by Australia when they qualified for their first ever final 40 years ago.
The design team has also placed the Australian coat of arms on the chest of the jersey within a new shield that replicates the shape of the crest worn on the jerseys at the 1974 tournament, and fulfills the players- stated desire to “feel the history of our country.”
Inside the back of the neck is a woven pennant tab featuring Football Federation Australia-s (FFA) logo surrounded by the famous and inspiring quote, “We Socceroos can do the impossible,” from Peter Wilson, the captain of the 1974 Australian World Cup squad.
Talented midfielder, Tom Rogic said of the kit: “The team-s comfort and performance on-pitch was clearly front of mind when designing the kit. The reference to the 1974 squad in the kit design is a reminder of the history and heritage of the Socceroos which will give us added motivation in Brazil.”
The new away shorts are in obsidian blue. Simple and iconic, the fit is slimmer and more tailored to the body based on fit research with a cut specifically designed to aid movement and comfort. The centre back of the shorts feature Nike-s signature laser vents to aid in cooling and allow for moisture management. The new away socks are also obsidian blue.
FFA Chief Executive Officer David Gallop applauded the design and its recognition of the past deeds of the 1974 Socceroo heroes.
“The away design compliments our home strip and allows the Socceroos to take on the world-s best in Brazil in a strip that shows respect to the past but also reflects the future in what is an exciting time for the Socceroos,” Gallop said.
The Socceroos away strip is available as a special pre order today (2 April) by logging onto http://shop.footballaustralia.com.au/world-cup-2014-nike-range/2014-jerseys/away-jerseys/ before it goes on sale to the general public on 3 April.