Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold is looking forward to the rush of a Hyundai A-League grand final rematch against Brisbane Roar in the opening round.
Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold is looking forward to the rush of a Hyundai A-League grand final rematch against Brisbane Roar in the opening round.
The former coach of the Socceroos and Olyroos caught up with a-league.com.au before his clash at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 8 October, 7.45pm.
What are you looking forward to about the start of the new Hyundai A-League season?
After six months off, all our players as well as the staff are looking forward to getting back into the swing of the Hyundai A-League. We-ve missed the adrenalin of game situations and the rush of playing home games at Bluetongue Stadium in front of our supporters.
How important are your fans to football and the Hyundai A League?
All fans are important to every club. One of our key messages to the fans of last year was to be our 12th man, because we wanted to make Bluetongue [Stadium] a fortress. You always want to win your home games. Nothing-s different this year.
What-s your favourite football moment?
As a player, it was playing for the Socceroos and also playing in Europe.
As a coach, it was the Uruguay game on November 16, 2005. The Hyundai A-League had just commenced and a lot of the sport in this country was relying on qualification to Germany 2006. I experienced a feeling of nerves, pressure and anxiety like never before. To qualify for our first World Cup in 32 years via a penalty shoot, in that atmosphere, was simply immense.
What football means to you?
Football-s a massive part of my life; it has been my job for the past 30 years. Having been a professional player and now a coach, it-s a job I love.
Who got you into football?
Fortunately when I was a kid, my mates, including my older brother and his mates, introduced me to football. At a junior level, football was the only game I ever played, except for some cricket in the summer.
Be a part of unique football stunt and star in the official Hyundai A-League Season 7 Launch event on Tuesday 4 October at the Sydney Football Stadium.
The first 1,000 fans to arrive at the Stadium will receive a “WE ARE FOOTBALL” exclusive Hyundai A-League merchandise pack.
This FREE event during school holidays will see fans taking centre stage on the field of play, in a once in a lifetime football family photograph, alongside stars from our 10 Hyundai A-League clubs, Qantas Socceroos & Westfield Matildas stars.
To register,
click here
If you are on Twitter don’t forget to keep the #wearefootball hash tag trending Australia wide.
