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http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/sydney-fc-give-culina-the-nod/2007/04/22/1177180484232.html
BRANKO Culina will be confirmed today as coach of Sydney FC for the next two years, giving the team a timely boost ahead of Wednesday's Asian Champions League crunch match against Indonesian champions Persik Kediri.
After just three games in charge, Culina has made enough of an impression to have the coaching appointment brought forward. It was originally scheduled for the end of the ACL group phase late next month. Although Sydney FC are fighting for their ACL lives after the recent setback against Persik Kediri in Solo City, the club has decided Culina is the man for the job, and he will be unveiled as the full-time coach at a media conference later today.
The appointment confirms a change in philosophy at Sydney FC, with Culina becoming the first home-grown coach at the club after mixed success with foreigners Pierre Littbarski and Terry Butcher. Ironically, Culina was to have become Sydney's inaugural coach two years ago, but when Football NSW lost its stake in the club at the last moment, his appointment was overturned.
His patience has been rewarded, and the impression he has made on players and fans has clearly had an impact. With his tenure confirmed, Sydney can plan effectively for the remainder of the ACL campaign and start recruiting for the next A-League season.
His appointment improves the chances of former Dutch international Phillip Cocu becoming Sydney's next marquee signing, with Culina's son, Jason, a teammate of Cocu's at PSV Eindhoven. Culina says he does not want to fill the enlarged 23-man roster for next season by recruiting five or six minimum-wage players, but would prefer to sign two or three players who can genuinely compete for a regular-first team place.
In the meantime, Culina has the task of resurrecting the ACL campaign after the untimely setback in Solo City, and has received a boost with Terry McFlynn and Robbie Middleby cleared to play, and Mark Milligan due back from suspension. However, Ruben Zadkovich and David Carney will sit out the Anzac Day return match against Persik at Parramatta Stadium to complete one-match bans.
■ Australia's most capped international footballer, Cheryl Salisbury, has achieved another career highlight by scoring for the FIFA Women's All Stars against China, AAP reports.
The Matildas captain became the first Australian to score for a FIFA XI when she headed in from close range close to half-time to level the exhibition match 2-2.
China eventually won 3-2 with a goal in the final minute.
The match was played in Wuhan, China, as a precursor to the draw for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, for which Australia have qualified.
BRANKO Culina will be confirmed today as coach of Sydney FC for the next two years, giving the team a timely boost ahead of Wednesday's Asian Champions League crunch match against Indonesian champions Persik Kediri.
After just three games in charge, Culina has made enough of an impression to have the coaching appointment brought forward. It was originally scheduled for the end of the ACL group phase late next month. Although Sydney FC are fighting for their ACL lives after the recent setback against Persik Kediri in Solo City, the club has decided Culina is the man for the job, and he will be unveiled as the full-time coach at a media conference later today.
The appointment confirms a change in philosophy at Sydney FC, with Culina becoming the first home-grown coach at the club after mixed success with foreigners Pierre Littbarski and Terry Butcher. Ironically, Culina was to have become Sydney's inaugural coach two years ago, but when Football NSW lost its stake in the club at the last moment, his appointment was overturned.
His patience has been rewarded, and the impression he has made on players and fans has clearly had an impact. With his tenure confirmed, Sydney can plan effectively for the remainder of the ACL campaign and start recruiting for the next A-League season.
His appointment improves the chances of former Dutch international Phillip Cocu becoming Sydney's next marquee signing, with Culina's son, Jason, a teammate of Cocu's at PSV Eindhoven. Culina says he does not want to fill the enlarged 23-man roster for next season by recruiting five or six minimum-wage players, but would prefer to sign two or three players who can genuinely compete for a regular-first team place.
In the meantime, Culina has the task of resurrecting the ACL campaign after the untimely setback in Solo City, and has received a boost with Terry McFlynn and Robbie Middleby cleared to play, and Mark Milligan due back from suspension. However, Ruben Zadkovich and David Carney will sit out the Anzac Day return match against Persik at Parramatta Stadium to complete one-match bans.
■ Australia's most capped international footballer, Cheryl Salisbury, has achieved another career highlight by scoring for the FIFA Women's All Stars against China, AAP reports.
The Matildas captain became the first Australian to score for a FIFA XI when she headed in from close range close to half-time to level the exhibition match 2-2.
China eventually won 3-2 with a goal in the final minute.
The match was played in Wuhan, China, as a precursor to the draw for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, for which Australia have qualified.
