Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Con Blatsis Blatsis on the Diegos' perception that he is an angry man… Diegos: "It's been a big year for you personally. As a defender you've had to maintain the rage for a long time and against a lot of good players on the domestic scene and on the world stage. You still need to vent your spleen for South in the NSL and then of course, unleash your wrath for the Olyroos at the Olympics in Sydney in September. Is there a time at all these days when you are not an angry man?" Blatsis: " I don't think I'm ever an angry man. I have had a fairly difficult season this year and, now that we are approaching the finals, our goal is to be able to come together as a team. We are not quite at our best yet, so hopefully we can start playing the way we did in Brazil in order to ensure that we make the final series. It's not like us to lose at home like we have on a few occasions this season but I expect we'll get it together." Soft Sombrero Moment 2000
Diegos: "The World Club Championship has come and gone. You got to exchange sweat and spit with some of the world's great strikers - Edmundo, Romario and Yorke and Cole - to name a few. What's your lasting memory of your time in Brazil and do you believe that the experience has significantly improved you as a player?" Blatsis: "I don't know if it significantly improved me as a player but I'm sure it has helped me with my composure and sense of professionalism. Over there, they are just so different; everyone has there own individual qualities compared to the players here whose styles are much more similar. I am sure the experience has helped me to an extent but I can't really say that three games in Brazil has changed me as a player." Soft Sombrero Moment 2000
Diegos: "You have been described as a player who cares little for pretty boy striker reputations. It was reported that you exchanged shirts with Vasco da Gama's, Romario not because you idolized him but instead, as proof that you claimed his scalp by keeping him scoreless at the Maracana. Do you ever go into a game worried that you may not be able to match it with an opponent?" Blatsis: "I don't tell myself that they won't definitely score on me but I am pretty familiar with the sort of talent the players have got and I work around their strengths as well as their weaknesses. It was great to have kept Romario scoreless and it was even better to get the shirt." Soft Sombrero Moment 2000
Diegos: "You were fortunate enough to be selected for the Socceroos' Tournament in Chile. On the eve of the first game against the host nation, coach, Frank Farina spoke in glowing terms about your approach, play and attitude. In fact he spoke so highly of you the Diegos were convinced that he was going to make you captain and put you on his Christmas card list.
What was the experience like anyway?" Blatsis: "I think it was a worthwhile experience. We play this game for a reason. To be selected for the squad was a dream come true for me. Getting my first call up by the Socceroos under Frank Farina was a tremendous feeling. It was a great learning experience for me. Frank is doing well in trying to get a team together. I watched a game against Hungary and the boys played well there but I'm sure there are a few things he would like to improve. He's on the right path and I'm sure he'll do well for the country." Soft Sombrero Moment 2000
Diegos: "You are an integral member of the Olyroo team. How are the boys feeling about being soundly beaten by South Korea recently and what has coach Raul Blanco got planned in the lead up to the Olympics to ensure that the boys are at their best?" Blatsis: ''I wasn't there for the Korea game so I'm not sure what the buzz was around the camp. We have a camp in next week where we spend some time in Holland and Slovakia. This is one of our most important camps leading up to the Olympics because Raul will want to get a team together here. I am sure we will begin to see a few of the older boys in the squad. Raul is a great coach and he will get the players working together as one unit. I'm sure that, under his guidance, when the Olympics arrive, we will be ready."
|