Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Paul Agostino Agostino on 'that goal' in the 1993 World Youth Cup…Agostino you beauty! Diegos: "You came to prominence in the 1993 World Youth Cup, in Australia. It was during this tournament that you twanged The Four Diegos' heart strings by launching yourself, Wayne Carey like, atop of the head of a Uruguayan defender and powered a bullet-like header into the net to keep Australia's chances alive in the competition. Do you still adopt the old Aussie Rules-type strategies when playing in Germany and if so how do you think Tony Lockett would fair in a TSV Munich shirt?" Agostino: "I reckon that 'Plugger' would fare pretty well. They like their strikers to be big and aggressive over here. I guess I still use some of those Aussie rules qualities in the German game. Its funny how a lot of people still remember that goal that I scored against Uruguay. It seems so long ago. Whenever I come home I still get people coming up to me and asking about it. I never get sick of it though. Its pretty nice to hear." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "You were considered one of the success stories of that tournament. At the time The Four Diegos even touted you as the next big thing to come out of Australia since Kylie's smash hit 'Locomotion'. Did you feel at the time that you were destined for big things and have you been satisfied with the way your career has panned out since?" Agostino: "I can't say that I've not been satisfied. I'm very happy with the way that things have gone for me so far. The only thing that I've been disappointed with is my lack of involvement with the Socceroos in the past. At the end of the day that's out of my hands. All I can do is perform well for my club and hopefully then I will get a look in." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "You had a stint with the oddly titled club 'Young Boys of Berne' in Switzerland. What was that experience like and were you really the only player over the age of 12 years old in the team?" Agostino: "A lot of people question why the hell the team is called 'Young Boys of Berne'. I think the perception is that there's something perverted about the club……" Diegos: "Are there a lot of dodgy looking male supporters who roll up wearing trench coats giving away boiled lollies in the crowd?" Agostino: "Actually there were a few of them now that you mention it. To be honest it was a good experience for me. It wasn't a hugely successful time but I learned a lot about playing in Europe, being on my own and having to fend for myself. I left Australia at the age of 16 and I soon learnt that there weren't many people who were going to give me a helping hand. If anything, some of my teammates in the past had been just waiting for me to slip up so that they could kick sand in my face. It's a real dog eat dog environment but it was a great experience and made me a better player." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "You went from yodeling and running up and down the Swiss Alps to the harsh reality of Bristol City in the English 2nd Division. Was the soccer and lifestyle in both countries extreme as the places suggest?" Agostino: "Going from the world of Swiss cheese to the cider drinking city of Bristol, was certainly a shock to the system. As you can imagine there were extreme differences in the culture and football. Having said that, as soon as I arrived in Bristol, I very felt comfortable and fitted in very well. I can't say that I grew accustomed to drinking cider but the club and the city was to my liking. I had a great coach, the legendary Joe Jordan. He took me under his wing and was one of the main reasons why I had a couple of good seasons there. My form was good and I scored quite a few goals which in turn, attracted interest from TSV 1860 Munich and as they say, the rest is history." Diegos: "Of course the Diegos remember Joe Jordan as the toothless Scottish international who could instill the fear of God into even the toughest defender. Did he try and mould you into a merciless, buffeting, hard man striker, more in keeping with his own image as a player?" Agostino: "He'd call me into his office on numerous occasions and have a go at me because I wasn't getting 'stuck in' enough. Sometimes he'd drag me in and give me a real blast. He was and probably still is a really intimidating man who used to fill me with fear. In my case his methods brought the best out of me. Some players would lose confidence or become anxious with this approach but I found it really suited me. I've really got a lot of respect for the man." Diegos: "Have you still got all your own teeth?" Agostino: "Thankfully I've still got my teeth. Unfortunately he has lost a few of his. That's definitely something about him that I don't want to emulate." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "You have had great personal success with TSV 1860 Munich in the German Bundesliga, especially last season where you played in every game. Was it your physical yet skilful style of play or watching endless re-runs of Hogan's Heroes that allowed you to adjust to top-line German football so quickly?" Agostino: "I don't know about Hogan's Heroes, but it was probably a combination of the two. Surprisingly it didn't take me long at all to settle in Germany. When I made the move I knew it was the right one. I feel I'm on a good thing here. It certainly does help having Ned Zelic at the club and I think that we are in for a big future in the Champions league or the UEFA Cup, so I'm really happy with the situation at the moment." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "You came home a few years ago to play in the Nintendo Superstars of Soccer, Channel Nine TV's quasi - extravaganza. In games that were in reality, tame hit outs to finalize Terry Venables' squad for the World Cup qualifiers, you were voted one of the best a field, yet you still didn't score an invite to El Tel's "All you can eat" World Cup party. Was not being selected in that World Cup campaign for the Socceroos a huge blow?" Agostino: "I'd be lying if I said that it didn't bother me. I was disappointed and that's the plain truth. Unfortunately this game is a very tough game and sometimes the decisions don't go your way even if you feel that you should've been selected. If I get the chance to play for the Socceroos again I will certainly jump at it. I'm not one to hold grudges. There are a lot of players playing in Europe so Venables had a lot of players to choose from. The ones he chose, in his mind, were the right ones, so I not going to have a go at anyone but if I'm given the chance, I'd love to have a crack at it." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "You get to scrub the back of a true Aussie legend, Ned Zelic, in the TSV showers after each training session and game. Has Ned finally taken The Four Diegos advice and waxed his back?" Agostino: "Let's get one thing straight - he scrubs my back! As far as Ned waxing his back is concerned, I have no comment to make about that because I'm sure it will get back to him some how and I have to see him everyday." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: "As a result of injury, you have spent much of this season coming off the bench as a substitute. It must be really frustrating for you?" Agostino: "It is frustrating. I'm not greedy though. I know when the time is right I will get a crack at playing in the first eleven again. After injury I had to get my fitness back so it has been hard, but I have no right to demand an automatic spot in the team. I have to prove at training that I'm worthy of a spot and that's what I'm trying to do." Diegos: " What do you do on the bench?
Agostino: "The last time I wrote out a transfer request my coach ripped it up and threw it in my face, so that certainly did me no good. I think I'll be patient and keep working hard. " Soft Sombrero Moment 1999 |