Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou is excited by the World Cup preparations announced in Sydney today and urged all Australians to share in the excitement.
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou is excited by the World Cup preparations announced in Sydney today and urged all Australians to share in the excitement as the Socceroos prepare to take on the world-s best football teams in Brazil.
The Socceroos will spend a week on the Central Coast ahead of the farewell game against South Africa at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, before flying direct to its World Cup base in Vitoria on 28 May, where it will fine-tune its preparations ahead of the World Cup opener against Chile on 13 June.
“I-m excited about the preparations we-ve managed to piece together,” Postecoglou said from London where he is with the Socceroos for Wednesday night-s friendly international against Ecuador at The Den.
“We-ll be able to spend a week moulding the squad together at a training camp on the Central Coast before we move to Sydney to embrace the public support that will help unite all of Australia behind the team ahead of the South Africa farewell match and our journey to Brazil for the World Cup.
“The 12 days in Australia will give us a solid base of training to ensure we-re ready for the challenges ahead while giving the Football Family the opportunity to get behind the Socceroos at a series of public appearances, opening training sessions and the farewell match.
“It is an exciting time for the players and staff but it is equally exciting for the fans and it is important for the team to get up close and personal with the fans and also allow the players to feel the excitement and support of the public.”
The Socceroos will then fly to Vitoria, where they will finalise preparations with a two-week training camp that includes two matches against fellow World Cup country Croatia and a local Vitoria State side.
“We-ve decided to fly straight to our base in Vitoria where we will be able to train solidly for two weeks and also play an international against Croatia and another match against a local Vitoria side,” Postecoglou said.
“I think we-ve managed to put together a balanced preparation that will enable us to go into the first match against Chile ready to represent the people of Australia on the biggest stage in world sport.”
The detailed preparations continue FFA-s determination to assist Postecoglou as he strives to create a “world class” environment off the field by putting in place resources and staff around the Socceroos.
"FFA is determined to give Ange the staffing and resources he needs to make sure we get the foundations right with preparations for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the Asian Cup on home soil and the next World Cup campaign,” said FFA CEO David Gallop.
"Ange has only had five months in the job, but already we can see a clear plan and a philosophy taking shape. There are exciting times ahead for the Socceroos as Ange embarks on a rebuilding of the Socceroos with the ultimate aim of having a new golden generation that will peak for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.” UPCOMING MATCH DETAILS: Socceroos v Ecuador The Den, London Wednesday 5 March 2014 8pm kick off (6 March 7.00am AEDT)
The Socceroos v Ecuador match will be broadcast LIVE and Exclusive on FOX Sports 3 with a 30-minute pre-game show starting at 6.30am (AEDT) ahead of the 7.00am kick off.
Socceroos 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil timeline: 16 May - Assemble for pre World Cup camp in Gosford 22 May - Move from Gosford to Sydney 26 May - Socceroos v South Africa in farewell match at ANZ Stadium, Sydney 28 May - Depart Australia for Vitoria, Brazil via Santiago 29 May - Commence training in Vitoria 6 June - Socceroos v Croatia 13 June - 2014 FIFA World Cup group stage match v Chile in Cuiaba 18 June - 2014 FIFA World Cup group stage match v Netherlands in Porto Alegre 23 June - 2014 FIFA World Cup group stage match v Spain in Curitiba
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