Interview With Kalac, Popovic And Zdrilic

Three former Club team-mates at Sydney United. Three current National team-mates.Three very different football environments. Ask Zeljko Kalac (ZK), Tony Popovic (TP) and David Zdrilic (DZ) a few questions and you get three very different outlooks on football, life and the rest … or do you?

Three former Club team-mates at Sydney United. Three current National team-mates.Three very different football environments. Ask Zeljko Kalac (ZK), Tony Popovic (TP) and David Zdrilic (DZ) a few questions and you get three very different outlooks on football, life and the rest … or do you?

Q: VISION IS ALWAYS 20/20 ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN. YOU-RE ON THE INSIDE, LOOKING OUT. WHAT DOES THE VISION HOLD FOR AUSTRALIAN SOCCER?

ZK: That-s a good question - I really don-t know which way to look at that question … I think soccer-s heading in the right direction in Australia, we-re just missing something that I can-t quite put my finger on, but I think the future looks good, very good. TP: For me as a player looking out, it looks good. The main aim is to make the World Cup, and I think from there everything will expand. It-s important for our own League to kick-on and between the World Cup is the Olympics, which all in all should make sponsors and the general public more interested, wanting to know about football in Australia. It-s up to us to help kick it along basically, but once it gets started, the sky is the limit- it-s the world game, and with the amount of kids that play soccer domestically, I think it can get to where it is in Europe. DZ: I think we-re definitely going forward. Look at virtually every new talent we produce being snapped up by the overseas market, and while maybe that-s not so good for the domestic league, it-s definitely good for the National Teams, the experience that everyone at every age level is picking up. Who would have thought that we-d have players at Manchester United, Celtic, Fiorentina, winners of Player of the Year medals - now it-s becoming more common. Also, look at the likes of Brett Emerton, Joe Didulica, Stephen Laybutt, Jason Culina - these boys have been picked up by big European Clubs who are willing to give them 4 year contracts and work with them - they-re willing to invest in our talent, because they know that in 2-3 years they-ll be ready - or at least a lot better than they were.

Q: OBVIOUS AS IT MAY SOUND - WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS WITHIN THIS AUSTRALIAN SQUAD?

ZK: Very high, it-s that simple. We have to qualify and at end of day that-s the main reason we-re here - always preparing for the World Cup, and looking to take Australian soccer to new heights. TP: I think everyone-s aware of the expectations, it-s very simple for us - to make the World Cup. Along the way there-ll be a lot of preparation, and the more we get together the better we-ll be. The new coaches are putting their own stamp of authority on the side - it-s new, it-s fresh, and the boys are enjoying it - but at the end of the day it-s simple - the job at hand is to make the World Cup. And whatever it takes, we-ve got to do it. DZ: Firstly, our immediate goal is to qualify for the Confederations Cup and by doing that, give us the good preparation for the World Cup qualifiers. One thing Australia has lacked in the past is quality games at right times against right opposition to prepare for our important games, and we-ve unfortunately learned valuable lessons at a big price. If we learn these lessons in lead-up games, when the crunch comes, we-ll know what to expect.

Q: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE PART OF THIS SQUAD, AND HOW LONG TERM DO YOU THINK, PERSONALLY?

ZK: I-ve been part of the Australian scene for 10 years now, and I-d like to think that I-ve got maybe another 2 World Cup campaigns left in me. And I think every player is the same - playing for your country, the pride, the team morale and spirit here is enormous. Everyone sees what it-s like to play for Australia and the bottom line is that it-s a privilege to play for your country. TP: It-s an honour to be in the squad, every time you play for Australia you feel very proud, nothing beats playing for your Country. Long term, obviously it-s hard to look at - I want to play football as long as I can and for the National team as long as I can - the main thing for us is two years ahead, and that-s the furthest I-m looking at the moment. DZ: Personally, considering that I-ve been recalled this year after an absence of over 2 and a half years, I think it-s a very good sign that Frank sees something in me at this time. At the moment, a lot of the boys in this squad have been there and done that, that is played in other National teams. Me, I haven-t played at any level but senior level, so it-s a matter of getting used to the opportunity of playing and scoring for my country.

Q: HOW DO YOU THINK AUSTRALIA WILL GO AT THE OLYMPICS?

ZK: I think we-ll do very well. The squad has got the players, and when Raul (Blanco) decides on the overage players, I think the team will be very strong. I think they-ll get through the group comfortably, and go very close to winning it. I base that specifically on the players, you don-t need to look at anything else - at that age, players are still very even - of course you have your superstars like Kewell - but it-s a good side - the likes of Laybutt, Zane, Foxey, Danny Milosevic in goals - it-s a very strong side. TP: I think we-ll go very well. It-s a great squad, and we-re seeing the progression now with some of the squad in the Senior team. Obviously 3 over-age players coming in will strengthen the squad, and also playing at home is just a bonus, you-re going to have everyone on your side - as a player I know that helps. I definitely believe we can get a medal - once you get to the semi final stage, then the gold is there to be taken. I played in Barcelona where we made the semi finals and just missed out on the bronze which was unfortunate - but we had a great tournament to get that far, a great side. I believe this side is as good as that side, and playing at home, that might be the little bit extra that we need to go that one step further than we did. DZ: I think it-s a very hard draw that we have, but the fact that the Olympics are in Sydney is obviously a big advantage. We seem to be preparing well, but once again it-s going to come down to experience, playing the likes of Italy and Nigeria which are both established and experienced teams - but with home advantage and the euphoria that goes with Olympics, I-m sure our boys will be pumped up and will pull off some good results, and cause a few upsets on the way.

Q: WHAT HAS PLAYING IN YOUR PARTICULAR LEAGUE TAUGHT YOU?

ZK: (Roda JC - Dutch First Division) How to rug up! Seriously, it-s taught me the more technical side of football - the Dutch League is a very technical type of football and that-s benefited my all round game. It opens your eyes up to what football really is. In England, it-s a lot of long ball, chase this and chase that, but it-s very different in Holland. Emo and Laybutt (Brett Emerton & Stephen Laybutt, both bound for Feyenood) will fit in well - both have the attributes to play - speed, strength and the ability to play football … they-re only two and a half hours from where I am, and they have this great nightclub in Rotterdam, so I-m sure we-ll be doing some catching up!! TP: (Sanfrecce Hiroshima - Japanese J League) When you play professionally, it obviously teaches you professionalism, discipline on and off the park. Playing in Japan, I-ve learned how particular the Japanese are, very particular with everything they do - everything must be right, no stone is left unturned, they know how to get the best out of every situation, and it-s taught me to do everything I can to be a better player personally. DZ: (SSV Ulm - German Bundesliga (relegated for next season) It-s taught me that you can always better yourself and that you will never know how good you are, unless you take the step higher. In my situation, I started off in Switzerland, thought that was a hard League and it would be hard to make next step … then I moved to the German Second Division and had the same thoughts - and before I knew it I was playing in the Bundesliga. I-ve also learned to never give up - you-re going to go through slumps and highs - players that come out of those slumps and stay on highs are the ones that make a difference.

Q: WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD - IMMEDIATELY & LONG TERM - FOR YOU?

ZK: I hope to stay in the National side, be a part of the qualifying campaign and make sure we do just that. On the Club front, I have three years left at Roda, and after that I-ll have to sit down with the family, who will be quite young then, to see what the options are - but I-m very happy at Roda. TP: Immediately - my contract is about to finish at Sanfrecce - I-d be happy to stay, and happy to go, I-m not giving away much more than that. Long term, I just want to keep playing professionally, play well, and remain fit and healthy, wherever that is. DZ: Immediately - my team has gone down to Second Division, so I-m looking for a move to a First Division team … overall, to play consistently, score consistently, then hopefully get a move to England. For the moment though, I-m quite happy to stay in Germany until that opportunity comes about, if it comes about.

Q: HOW DO YOU RELATE TO THE YOUNGER/NEWER MEMBERS OF THE SQUAD … the LAYBUTTS, ZANES, COLOSIMOS, EMERTONS, CHIPPERFIELDS, CARDOZOS etc. - and they to you?

ZK: I think with the changing structure of things, the younger players are being given more opportunity to come into the Senior squad, which is a good thing. They-re cocky though! Back in my day I didn-t say much when I first came in, but they don-t mind having their 25 cents worth! Seriously though, the future looks well and rosy with these boys coming through … they-ve fitted in very well with this group. TP: They fit in well. We-ve had a couple of quiet drinks with the young boys, they-re great lads, we-re comfortable with them, and vice versa. It-s nice to have the young blood, the new boys on the scene. When we came in, we had the Farinas and Arnolds looking after us .. now it-s our turn. DZ: I am one of the new boys! Everyone blends in really well though .. I remember when I was younger, I couldn-t say anything to the older guys - now, everyone has a laugh, everyone-s comfortable with each other.

Q: WHAT-S THE FUNNIEST THING TO HAPPEN IN THIS CAMP SO FAR?

ZK: Craig Foster trying to put his room key in the automatic bank teller machine. TP: Kevin Muscat against Paraguay in Brisbane - he was on the bench, getting ready to go on and telling all the boys how ready he was to get on the pitch - when Frank told him to get on, he took his jumper off and had no strip on underneath - he-d left it in the dressing room - don-t worry, we all let him know about it. DZ: Stan Lazaridis- impersonation of Craig Foster for the above.

Q: WHO-S THE FUNNIEST PERSON TO HAVE IN CAMP - AND WHY?

ZK: Probably Graham Arnold - he looks like the guy from Weekend at Bernies when he goes into the sun. TP: I can-t single out one …. I-d have to say Stan Lazaridis and Spider (Zeljko Kalac) and Musky (Kevin Muscat) - they-re always up to something, and always great for team spirit - keeping the boys amused. DZ: Stan Lazaridis, for his nightly story telling!

Q: WHAT PRINTABLE DIRT DO YOU HAVE ON THE OTHER TWO?!!

ZK: Nothing - Zdrilic is boring - he does nothing wrong - Popa-s been quiet, in fact very quiet … I might have to liven things up a little. TP: What do I have on Spider … there-s got to be something … haven-t got much on Zdrila - he-s one of the newer comers and he-s been too quiet, but there-s always little things with Spider, but I can-t reveal any of them. DZ: Are you crazy - they-d kill me if I had something and told you. Not that I have anything - really.

Q: FINALLY - YOUR WORDS TO THE FANS IN AUSTRALIA - and AROUND THE WORLD? ZK: Get out and support us, because we will qualify. TP: Keep supporting us - it means a lot to the players that you-re behind us, and we-ll do our best to meet your expectations, by reaching our final goal, which is the World Cup. DZ: I hope the fans do get out and support us - Australian soccer will go far - and we-re on our way now.