Some years ago, I wrote on this blog with regard to the esteemed Craig Foster:
It remains an inordinate pity that many gullible readers consider Planet Foster a reality, and
swallow the entire package, rather than sifting the thin grain of truth from the dross...And this, sadly, remains the case.
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From the Etihad, and Henrique's bare-chest yellow card, to the Jose Alvalade and another player to
receive that most nonsensical and infuriating of all the sanctions in the rulebook.
This time, flashing his pecs actually got the already-cautioned Simon Vukcevic sent off, just after
he had equalised.
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When the beautiful Arsenal with Ces Fabregas running the Wenger show come to Scott McDonald's
Celtic Park next week, Fozzie will want to see the style, the flowing football and the result to
match. ie Arsenal must win.
The 60,000 Celtic fans who will be watching their team assembled at around the price of a Theo
Walcott will want to see Celtic win.
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A couple of days ago, the Australian squad for the Asian U-16 qualifying series in Canberra in
October was announced. One thing that immediately catches the eye in the list is that it features
no fewer than seven players from the Sutherland Sharks club.
There may be all sorts of factors involved in this apparent anomaly (especially the very healthy
player base that the club has to choose from), but can their over-representation be put down, in
part, to the artificial pitch they have been using for the last few years?
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Over 26,000 tickets have been sold for the Brisbane Roar Celtic friendly in July.
No surprise really, people just want to see quality..eh Fozzie.
(And I'm a Celtic fan of some mileage in case you are new to the blog)
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When Manchester United play my team Celtic we are unable to get the ball.
And when Man Utd play Barcelona they are unable to get the ball.
Now given the difference in budgets between Celtic and Man United this is understandable.
But for United to be outclassed as they were this morning in the biggest game of club football, the
European Champions League Final, against Barcelona.
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Craig Foster's weekly piece in the Sun-Herald deals, naturally enough, with the new National
Football Curriculum. But what is very surprising in the article is the vicious excoriation of Han
Berger's predecessor as Technical Director, Rob Baan. When Baan was appointed, he was greeted with
open arms by Foster (and the rest of the SBS crew).
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Jan Versleijen's Young Socceroos have drawn a tough group in September's U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
As well as perennial high-flyers Brazil, there are the Czechs, runners-up in the 2007 event, and
CONCACAF loose cannon Costa Rica.
The youngsters' performance at this event will be interesting to watch, for a number of reasons.
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The a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAsckvv222g"early dismissal/a of Italy's Giampaolo
Pazzini in this week's World Cup qualifier against Ireland was another reminder that referees badly
need to develop some common sense in the matter of raised elbows. Cristiano's similarly absurd red
card in the A-League grand final leapt immediately to mind.
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Jan Versliejan the Young Socceroos Coach will move to Coach the Australian Under 17 side after the
completes his duties with the Under 19's in Saudi Arabia this year.....and the current Under 17
Coach South Australian Martyn Crook will presumabl get the flick.
Makes sense as the intake for the AIS is falling this year and most of the Young Socceroos are off
to A-League clubs.
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Craig Foster from SBS has written an explosive piece on football registration fees, coaching costs,
coaching development etc.
Here's just one issue he picks out.
The best known example is the Coerver system, a private training franchise, which
Football NSW formerly ran in what was a fundamental conflict of interest and led to a neglect of
the junior clubs and Associations who were, in essence, in competition with their own State body
for the training of young players.
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SBS Chief Football Analyst and Former Socceroo Craig Foster was interviewed recently, along with
former Socceroo and Canberra Cosmos player Paul Wade, by freelance journo Julius Ross.
Asked their thoughts on Tassie's A-League bid Fozzie revealed his support for Canberra, the
Nation's Capital and SBS will be running the Canberra A-League story next Sunday on their World
Game show around 5pm.
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Can't wait to see Melbourne and Sydney playing at home this weekend. Both of the big city clubs
have shown they have enough talent and money to keep me awake this year...
Melbourne might have the luxury of leaving Archie Thompson on the bench. Wow!
And Sydney still have John Aloisi to come in.
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Where's Arnie? Our Olyroos supremo? Anyone heard him speak? He did an interview with Channel 7,
like they'd know what to ask but nothing with our football media not even with his "very
silent" media mates who have strong links to the man. Robbie Slater and the amazingly
supportive SMH journo Mike Cockerill.
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Canberra A-League bid update. Money, support and your help?
Last week the ACT Goverment put in $2.5 million and this week I'm expecting sponsor announcements.
At least THREE possibly Four Gold Sponsors already lined up so expect news later in the week. One
is rumoured to be for half a millon dollars!
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Football. Gordon Bray is a Rugby Union game caller. And a good one at that. But could you imagine
anything more unprofessional than getting Les Murray, Craig Foster or Simon Hill to call the
Wallabies/All Blacks game.
Channel 7, it's a farce. You know it, we all know it.
Still I remember listening.
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Greame Arnold has the appearance of a man under siege. Seemingly frustrated at the continuing
criticism of his squad selection for the upcoming Olympics he was again in the press yesterday
defending his selections.
It seems he has backtracked from earlier comments where he appeared to dismiss the idea that Rob
Baan and Pim Verbeek had input to the squad and has made it clear that the directive from the FFA
executive is to bring home a medal (a clear indication that development of players for the
Socceroos is not the priority).
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Come back Craig we loved you as a critic:)
SBS Commentator Craig Foster has written a piece in the SMH, see full article below, on the
Dutchification of Aussie football.
In general it's fine but there are a few glaring mis-placed passes.
While the Socceroos' performances against Iraq raise concerns about their ability
against stronger opposition, Verbeek has answered every question put to him, and his management of
the logistical challenges of Asia has been perfect.
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"Get rid of it", "kick it out", "don't do that", "tackle
him" and "pass it"
Craig Foster says, "all of these messages restrictive, telling a youngster what not to do and
often telling them to take the most basic and, in fact, incorrect option."
Craig Foster highlights how Parents/Coaches can hinder our children's development on the football
field.
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So we all know the best team in Europe, Barcelona, are out.
Why because Fozzie has been telling anyone who is listening that the best football team is never
English. Even if they have a load of foreigners in their side.
"Manchester United could never outplay Barcelona," said Fozzie this morning.
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Good job Fozzie. SBS Commentator Craig Foster has hit at the heart of many, many people's thoughts
in his recent article. Craig Foster discusses registrations fees, State and Club coffers and FFA's
"our hands our tied," response.
Indeed I'm forever having to defend the cost to friends of football registration compared to other
codes.
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Fans and Youth Coaches would have groaned, thumped the TV, or just watched in stunned silence as
Socceroo David Carney missed that chance in the dying minutes of the recent game against China.
In his recent article on the World Game website Craig Foster gives a specific piece of advice for
kids and coaches.
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I missed The World game last week and yesterday I was catching up via the The World game website
which posts clips of the show. I came across a piece by Craig Foster and Les Murray discussing the
China Match. There is nobody within the Football media that inspires as much polarization of
opinion as Craig Foster.
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SBS are reporting that Melbourne Victory are aiming to play Beckham in a glamour game in Melbourne
later this year.
But BETTER than that they are trying to fix a game with Celtic for July.
Take that Craig Foster:)
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SBS Football Analyst and Former Socceroo Craig Foster was a guest on the Nearpost this week.
Fozzie, as he's known to many, gave us his views of a range of topics.
On the A-League Grand Final between Central Coast Mariners and Newcastle Jets.
"I'm hoping for a good game of football, crowds are up, exceptional atmospheres, and
I hope we get another record crowd at the SFS (Sydney Football Stadium).
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Part One:
How successful is the A-League.
Mr Anti-Football Peter FitzSimons Fomer Wallaby and SMH Columnist thinks football is probably here
to stay. Peter talks about how he was booed in Germany when he was on the bandwagon, I got to boo
him on air too. Loved it:)
Matildas Star Lisa De Vanna
A-League Grand Final
Part Two
Craig Foster talks football tactics, Coaches and his vision for the future.
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On Narpos radio Tuesday and on the pod and the blog tomorrow SBS expert Craig Foster discusses the
Salary Cap, Celtic FC, Scottish Football and Coaches, John Kosmina, Frank Farina, Gus Hiddink, Why
Perth Glory are Rubbish, Why the Mariners are not the best side to watch...
and you'll be glad to know he put me, my team Celtic, Scottish football in our place, but I loved
the chat, and Craig's passion for the game.
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Nearpost talks Grand Final this week.
We've interviews with SBS Craig Foster, Former Wallaby SMH's football's biggest bagger and
bandwagoner Peter FitzSimons, Matildas Star Lisa De Vanna, Geordie John from BelNorth, Host and
Jets fan Michella Bertrand, and our studio expert Arif Hossein.
Tuesday 6.
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bandwagon
Because I have a ticket for the Grand Final. Can't wait..even before the Semi.
And I reckon the atmosphere will be that bit more special for a Jets/Mariners final.
It will be close but my head says the Roar by one but my heart wants the Jets!
Don't miss it today, this will be the most passionate emotional semi-final we've had.
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