Preparation For The 2006 FIFA World Cup - Australia

On 7 December 2005, USA National coach Bruce Arena sparked controversy among the Australian supporters after saying that Australia, along with Trinidad & Tobago, were "the weaker sides in the competition". Days later, Arena released a statement saying that he was misinterpreted.

On 9 December 2005, Australia was placed into World Cup Group F along with defending champions Brazil, Croatia and Japan. Both the Australian & Croatian media are heavily anticipating the Australia-Croatia match, which will be the final Group game for the 2 teams, because several players on both sides have close ties to the other country. Among the Australian players of Croatian background are Mark Viduka, Zeljko Kalac, Ante Covic, Tony Popovic and Josip Skoko. Conversely, three Croatian players were born in Australia—regular starter Josip Simunic and fringe players Joey Didulica and Anthony Seric.

In late December 2005, Coach Guus Hiddink appointed former Dutch player Johan Neeskens as Assistant Coach who will work alongside Graham Arnold, Ron Smith, Tony Franken and Anthony Crea.

On 13 February 2006, Australia launched a new home and away strip for the World Cup. The home strip, similar to the 1974 outfit, is an entirely yellow shirt with green shorts. The away strip is entirely navy blue with yellow trimmings. The jerseys were launched at a lavish ceremony at the Berlin Olympic Stadium in Berlin.

On 17 March 2006, The FIFA World Cup trophy visited Sydney on its tour around the world.

In April 2006, Brazilian striker Ronaldo attempted to intimidate the Socceroos before their World Cup match, by claiming that he had never heard of Socceroo players Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell, despite having twice played against them.

As part of a national support effort for the Socceroos in Australia, the television network SBS put on a competition, "Song for the Socceroos", in order to select a World Cup anthem for the Socceroos. The winner, Green And Gold by Freedom Of Thought was announced on 16 May 2006. [1]