Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Mark Byrnes Byrnes on keeping a lid on things… Diegos: "After such a magnificent achievement leading the Australian Joey's team to a World Cup final penalty shoot out against the great Brazilians, is it difficult for a young fit, good-looking, soon to be wealthy young man who has had young girls throw their underwear at you in the street, to keep a lid on things?" Byrnes: "No not really. I'm just trying to keep a level head about it. I'm back training with the Power and playing this week. So I'm just concentrating on establishing myself in the NSL at the moment. I not sure about the underwear but there was a big media response after we got the silver medal but gradually that has died down." Soft Sombrero Moment December 1999
Diegos: "You were one of the players of the tournament for Australia but perhaps what will live on in your mind is your penalty miss in that dramatic shoot out against Brazil in the final. If it helps any players of the calibre of Platini, Baggio, Zico and the Diegos have all missed penalties so you're in good company in that respect. Talk us through the experience. What were you thinking of as you were taking that long slow walk up to the penalty spot?" Byrnes: "Against the United States I slotted it in down in the bottom corner. I went for the same spot against Brazil. So as I walked up I had already picked my spot. I was in the motion of kicking and the keeper already started diving that way so I tried to place it a bit wider but unfortunately it went a bit too wide." Diegos: "One of things that stood out for the Diegos is the composure in which the Aussie boys took their penalties. The shoot out went on quite a long time with the end result being 9-7 so the pressure was actually there. Is this something you were aware of at the time?" Byrnes: "We practiced a lot so everyone was confident to take one. We also came off a win against the United States on penalties where the shoot out also went a long time so we got some confidence and experience out of that game which probably helped us in the final." Soft Sombrero Moment December 1999
Diegos: "From all reports the Brazilians didn't mind intimidating their opposition in the tunnel before the game. We know that Les Scheinflug continuously preached discipline but was there ever a time where you wanted to belt the living daylights out of the Brazilians?" Byrnes: "There was a bit of that in the hotel. They were walking around like they owned it. We had to hold our discipline otherwise there was a chance to get into trouble with the referee. There was a bit of pushing and shoving before the game and there was a little bit of spitting going on. They were clearly trying to psych us out of the game but I think it had the opposite effect and psyched us up more." Diegos: "There have been reports that the Brazilians have played overage players in past youth tournaments. Were there any indications that there were overage player this time around? For instance players rolling up in the own cars before the game?" Byrnes: "There were a few that rocked up in 'hotted' up cars I think. Only joking. All around the world I suppose develop at different ages. Against the Qatar team, they were all running around with beards. So it's hard to say. We matched it with them and if they did have older players we can't do much about it if they have the birth certificate to prove it." Soft Sombrero Moment December 1999
Diegos: "The Diegos know that team spirit and bonding plays a big part in any successful team. What happens when you take a bunch of 16-year-old boys around the world? What sort of bonding and team spirit happens?" Byrnes: "In Argentina we got into a bit of trouble. You can buy toy water guns in the shops over there and everyone was having the water fights up and down the corridors of the hotel. We got into a bit of strife with Les (Scheinflug) over that. If we get in trouble as a team I think it just brings us closer together." Diegos: " What about nightclub entry in South America how difficult is that?" Byrnes: "Not too sure. No one got out. We'd get sent home if anyone dared to leave the hotel. You have to have a lot of discipline over there. There were times where when players wanted to go out but you've got to sacrifice yourself for the good of the team." Soft Sombrero Moment December 1999
Diegos: " On the eve of the game it was reported that Les gave the boys an impassioned pep talk. What did he say? Did you understand any of it?" Byrnes: "In training the day before the final we weren't doing to well so he had a go at us over that. But that night he reminded us how far we had come, how much we had improved and that if we really wanted to we could beat the Brazilians." Soft Sombrero Moment December 1999
Diegos: "Your performances have really brought a lot of attention on the team. No doubts agents are pestering you to put pen to paper for an overseas move. What sort of worries and dilemmas are you and the boys facing at the moment when trying to plot your future?" Byrnes: "There are advantages and disadvantages of going overseas early. I'd personally like to stay here for a season and make a name for myself on the NSL first if possible. If I can do that I'll be going over as a senior player and not a junior player, which has a lot of pluses. Everyone's dream is to play overseas. If a club comes up and puts a contract in front of you its hard not to sign it. Mark Viduka went later and has done well. Harry Kewell went earlier and done well so I think in the end it's a personal decision." Soft Sombrero Moment December 1999 |