Brazil-Australia Football according to Frank Farina
Cristina Talacko interviews Frank Farina, previous coach for the Soceroos and current coach of Australian A-League football team Queensland Roar FC.
C: From the time you were captain of the Soceroos to coaching the National team until the early 2000s, how often have you played against Brazil?
F: As a player, my first encounter with the Brazilian national team was in 1982, when the Soceroos played against Brazil in Acapulco, Mexico. As National coach, we played against Brazil in Australia twice in 1999, when Luxemburgo was coach and Dunga was captain.
C: You have been to Brazil last year. Why did you initially look at Brazil for players?
F: Brazil has a fantastic football tradition. Australia in comparison is still small and looking at renowned countries like Brazil that have good players.
My first time in Brazil was only last year in April, when I visited Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro for 9 days. We decided to look for young Brazilian players that are passionate, who may not have had the chance to play for the Brazilian top teams but have talent and potential. There is a massive number of talented players in Brazil not being utilized by the local clubs that can be valuable to Australian teams. In return, Australia can offer them the opportunity to travel and live overseas, experience a different culture, learn about Australia and play football professionally. It’s a win-win situation.
C: What do you look for from a Brazilian player?
F: Personally, I am not interested so much in well-established players who have been to Europe or played for major clubs. I look for players that are young, hungry and that can develop their football further in Australia, as a stepping-stone to go for bigger and better things. We have just signed another young Brazilian to the team, a striker from Belo Horizonte in his early 20s.
C: How do Brazilian players integrate with the team and adapt to the Australian life style?
F: The Australian lifestyle, particularly in Brisbane, makes it easy for Brazilians. The climate and outdoor living helps. Language can be a problem but the local players do as much as they can to assist. The Brazilian community also supports the players and make them feel at home. Our Club’s aim is to integrate them not just with the team, but also with the community so they have a pleasant and easy stay.
C: Have you been to a football match during your visit to Brazil and if so, what is the difference between Brazilian and Australian matches?
F: I went to 3 State league matches in Brazil including the Atletico Mineiro FC. For me it was a completely different world because although I was in the VIP box, everyone there was partying, singing, dancing and supporting the teams with passion. Brazilians do not just go to a football match, they go to a party and they live the game.
C: Do you believe that there will be more growth in football exchange between Brazil and Australia?
F: I believe the relationship between Brazil and Australia is a two-way street, where Brazilian players can benefit from the experience of playing overseas (in a way, Australia is very similar to the European countries) and use Australia as a platform. Australia can benefit from the passion and skills of Brazilian players, who can show us more about their culture and about Brazil. Australia offers a new market for Brazilian players to display their talents.
C: How do you see the future of football in Australia?
F: Australia is a very young country and although historically football is still small compared to other sports, it will grow further as the biggest sport in the country. In numbers of registered players, football is already ahead of other sports. It is fundamental for the development of Australian football that we keep qualifying for the World Cups and that we qualify for South Africa.
A bit about Frank Farina:
Frank was born in Darwin, Northern Territory and has spent most his childhood in Papua New Guinea. His playing career spanned Australia, Belgium, France, Italy and England, and he was a major player for Australian National Team in the late 1980s and early/mid 1990s as well as subsequently managing the Australian National team in the early 2000s. He was considered an effective Striker in Australia and Europe, as well as a Manager.
Career as a player:
With Club Brugge:
Belgian League Championship: 1988-1990
Belgian Cup: 1990-1991
Belgian Supercup: 1990, 1991
With Brisbane Strikers:
NSL Championship: 1996-1997
With Marconi Fairfield:
NSL Championship: 1988
With Sydney City:
NSL Cup: 1986
Career as Manager:
With Australia:
OFC Nations Cup: 2000, 2004
With Brisbane Strikers:
NSL Championship: 1996-1997
Personal Honours:
FFA Hall of Champions Inductee - 2001
Oceania Footballer of the Year: 1988
Belgian League Top Scorer: 1989-1990
NSL Player of the Year: 1987 with Marconi Fairfield
NSL Player of the Year: 1988 with Marconi Fairfield
NSL Top Scorer: 1987 with Marconi Fairfield - 16 goals
NSL Top Scorer: 1988 with Marconi Fairfield - 16 goals
