Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Mark Schwarzer Schwarzer on that save against Canada and the kiss and cuddles afterwards… Diegos: " Back in 1993, in the cut throat World Cup qualifier against Canada, it seemed that your winning penalty shoot out save and subsequent hot and spicy kiss from teammate, Aurelio Vidmar, triggered a professional career overseas. After a low spell with Kaiserslautern in the German Bundesliga, you have developed into one of the best goalkeepers in the English premiership with Middlesborough. Looking back, was it the save against Canada or Aurelio's kiss that did it for you?" Schwarzer: " It was a bit of both, l must say. The save obviously did help me but the kiss inspired me." Soft Sombrero Moment 1998
Diegos: " Recently your team stunned every fanatical, partisan, two-headed Manchester United supporter by beating their beloved team 3-2 at Old Trafford. Was that the best win that you've been involved with as a player?" Schwarzer: "It would have to be up there with one of my best wins that's for sure. It was a totally unexpected result in the eyes of many of the soccer pundits. I think we were the only people who believed that we could win at Old Trafford. It was great to be able to transmit that belief into a terrific performance on the pitch." Diegos: " In that game the Red Devils fought their way back from a 3-0 deficit to 3-2 and in the dying minutes, peppered your goal searching for the equalizer. At one stage when you made a difficult save, there were no less than four goal-ravenous Manchester United predators ready to snap up any crumbs from a potential fumble. Do you get the shakes in these pressure situations?" Schwarzer: " Not really while your playing. I think the shakes appear more so, when you're watching the video of the game latter. You think 'Oh my God what if l had dropped the ball…' but that doesn't go through my mind when l playing thankfully. You are aware that your team is one goal ahead and the opposition is bearing down on you but you get used to it. I've grown to realize this sort of pressure is all part and parcel of the game."
Diegos: " Your manager at Middlesborough, Bryan Robson has recently rewarded you with a long term movie star contract. He is a bona-fide English soccer legend. What's he like as a manager and now that Glenn Hoddle is gone, is he ready to lead England?" Schwarzer: " In my opinion, he would be more than capable of taking over the job. From a selfish point of view though, l think it would be great if he doesn't go because he is doing such a great job with Middlesborough. He has already stated in the press that he is not interested in taking over the position at the moment. I think the more experience he can gain in the premier league, the better prepared he will be when the job comes up again in the future. Bryan Robson the man is a very friendly, approachable person, who is very easy to get on with. He has the ability to relax his team which is very important nowadays, with all the constant pressure from the fans and the media."
Diegos: "You have spent time playing in Germany and England at the elite level. What are some of the biggest adjustments that you have had to make to ensure success in the English Premier league?" Schwarzer: " For me it's been quite easy to come over to England. The time l spent in Germany was a big culture shock and difficult to come to grips with. Coming over to England and joining a big Premier league club was a piece of cake in comparison. Playing here is almost like playing at home. The culture and the people are very similar to what I'm used to in Australia. The weather though, leaves a lot to be desired but everything else is very similar, so it was very easy for me to fit in."
Diegos: " Middlesborough was the home of one of the first Aussie's abroad to make his mark, Craig Johnston, in the 70's and early 80's. Is there any evidence at the club that he is still remembered?" Schwarzer: "Yes definitely. Obviously there are a few pictures of him around the place. People still tell me stories about Craig Johnston as a Middlesborough player. I think that he is more remembered for his move to Liverpool and the success he had there. Once he moved on and established himself at Anfield, l think it was then, that Middlesborough people put their hand up and claimed him as one of their own." Soft Sombrero Moment 1998
Diegos: " You were quoted on the eve of the Australia V Iran World Cup qualifier in 1997, that your non selection in the squad amounted to 'a Socceroo plot against you'. To the average soccer fan, it sounded more like an episode of the X-files where 'Mulder' argues that it's all a conspiracy. Do you still aspire to be part of future Socceroo teams and what do you think about the team having to play through South America to get to the World Cup in 2002?" Schwarzer: " Yes definitely, l would love to play for Australia. I was fortunate enough to have Tony Labbozetta and Les Scienflug visit me last week. They wanted to know whether l was still interested in playing for Australia and l told them that l was and that l would be available to play for the Socceroos against the World XI in June, for the opening of the new Olympic stadium in Sydney. Qualifying for the World cup has never been easy for us. I think the best chance we had was against Iran last time around. We've played through South America before, when we tried to qualify for USA 94, so from that point of view, we know what it's all about and it should hold no surprises for us. It's definitely going to be difficult but if you're vying for a spot in the World Cup you're always going to face tough opposition. It's no good getting to the finals via an easy route and getting beaten every time. Hopefully if you go through a difficult qualifying schedule it will better prepare you for the big guns in the finals." Soft Sombrero Moment 1998
Diegos: " There are many young Aussies in this country who look at you and say, 'I want to be like Mark Schwarzer'. How does that make you feel and are there any pitfalls in being a mega-rich, pampered, lusted after, superstar soccer player?" Schwarzer: "I don't look at myself as a superstar footballer. Obviously you come to realize that you do have a lot of fans out there and people who look up to you. But for me it's a hobby that just happens to be my profession. I just really enjoy playing. Whatever comes along with that, I've just got to take in my stride." Soft Sombrero Moment 1998 |