Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Paul Okon Okon on being 'frozen out' at Middlesborough… Diegos: 'After an excellent first up season in the English Premiership last season, you have inexplicably been frozen out of first team action at Middlesborough this season. Do you think that you have paid the ultimate price for publicly declaring your total commitment to Australia's World Cup cause?" Okon: "To be honest I have no idea and I really don't care. You're right I have been frozen out and it's been a very frustrating start to the season for me. Obviously I would've preferred to be playing regularly coming into these games but that's not to be. I've been working hard and when I've been called upon in the past to play for Australia I think I've always done my best. Hopefully that will be the case again. I have no idea what Steve McLaren has in mind. I haven't had contact with him and I haven't asked for an explanation nor has he given me an explanation as to why I haven't been playing. I think after what happened last season when Terry Venables came in, I started to play very well under him. I felt that I played a big part in helping Middlesborough stay in the Premier league. Football is all about opinions and you have to accept it and get on with it. There are plenty of players who are playing professionally who have the same problem as me. I'm going to approach the World Cup qualifiers as motivated as possible and when I return hopefully I'll have a new team." Soft Sombrero Moment November 2001
Diegos: 'When Rocky Balboa prepared for a big world title fight alone in 'Rocky II', he trained by chasing a chicken around the backyard. Now you've had to prepare alone for the big games coming up. How have you been preparing (any chickens involved) and do you think that you are up for the physical challenge ahead?' Okon: "No chickens for me. It's only been balls and cones. They call them 'doggies'. I do an extra session in the afternoon by myself with the fitness coach who puts out the cones. It seems like it's a landing strip at an airport." Soft Sombrero Moment November 2001
Diegos: 'Recent reports have you linked with at least three NSL clubs and the Diegos even started a rumour that you had agreed to turn out for our Monday night 'C' indoor soccer team just so you could gain some valuable match practice before the big games. Is there any truth to the rumours? Okon: "No not at all. I actually had a good laugh about it. Apparently the Soccer Australia website had a report about me joining NSL club, Northern Spirit. It was a good laugh because I think it's funny how rumours get started. It's beyond me how things come about. If there are any rumours out there you've got it from me, the Diegos can deny them all." Soft Sombrero Moment November 2001
Diegos: 'The Aussies fixed up the World Champions, France in the Confederations Cup in a memorable 1-0 win. They were spitting fire and seeking revenge as they announced a full strength squad for the big game at the MCG next weekend. All the big guns - Zidane, Anelka, Henry - will be there. What are your thoughts about their squad and what do think about playing such fired up opposition on the eve of two of the most important games in Australia's history?' Okon: "I think it's fantastic. I think we were a little worried that Roger Lemerre might give in to FIFA's recommendation that he doesn't pick his best side. It's great that he has picked his strongest team. To be restricted to pick certain players for us would've been a disaster. It would no good to the French team's preparations also. It's perfect preparation going into the two World Cup games. It'll be the first time in nearly four years that the Australian public gets to see a full strength Aussie team on home soil and at the same time a game against the European and World Champions. I don't think you can ask for more." Diegos: "We know that the loose cannon, temperamental, tempestuous problem child, Nicholas Anelka is also coming to play for the French. Has Frank designated anyone to whisper 'Fruit Loop, Fruit Loop, Fruit loop' in his ear during the game just to unsettle him and get him a bit emotional?" Okon: "I don't think that players of Anelka's ability can be disrupted too easily although I suppose it's a good idea Diegos." Soft Sombrero Moment November 2001
Diegos: 'A lot has happened in this current World cup campaign. Plenty of controversy, problems and difficulty. Your job as Socceroo captain is to get the guys focused and mentally ready. After the disappointment of Iran and all that has happened since what will your message to the boys be?' Okon: "I think the message would be to just stay calm and play the game as simple as possible. At the end of the day it's only a game of football. You can talk about it and analyze it; you can say so many things about it. It's going to be two games of football and may the best team win. I think that the squad that Frank has selected is probably the strongest squad ever. If you think back to 1997 and how disappointing it was, the only way to erase that would be to go out there and qualify. I'm more than confident that we can do that." Soft Sombrero Moment November 2001
Diegos: "Last November prior to the friendly against Scotland you talked about the importance of the Socceroos earning more respect on the world stage. Well in the space of a fortnight, Australia has beaten the No.1, 2 and 13th ranked teams in the world and sent shock waves around the globe. Has these results gone some way to earning the respect that you were referring to?" Okon: "Hopefully they will have. Certainly I know from being a close friend of Christian Karembu that the French national soccer team got a lot of stick back home for their loss against us. Playing in a tournament like the Confederations cup and getting the results we did would've definitely grabbed the attention of anyone would didn't know about us before. The only way really to stand up and be noticed though is to qualify for the World cup. That begins again against New Zealand and everybody is looking forward to it." Soft Sombrero Moment June 2001
Diegos: "Publicly Frank Farina is an intense, focused performer whose mad stare would even scare Freddy Kruger. This group of Socceroos seems very committed and motivated under him. Has the fact that Frankie is an Aussie born coach added that bit of extra edge to the team in your opinion?" Okon: "Maybe so. I think the players have taken a lot of credit for the results but Frank shouldn't be forgotten. What he has done in such a short space of time with this national team is exceptional. The results have been fantastic and I think with Frank being Australian and having played for the Australian national team it may well make everyone work that little bit harder. He is very committed and he is doing a fantastic job. When you leave the day in day out pressure of club football and come into camp with the Socceroos you feel very relaxed even though there are important games to play with a lot to lose. All the players feel comfortable coming back and that is a tribute to Frank because he makes everybody feel welcome and treats everybody the same. He unfortunately as a player never made it to the World cup and I think he would like to be the first coach since 1974 to lead Australia to a World cup." Soft Sombrero Moment June 2001
Diegos: "We know the sacrifices Aussie players have to make to be available for the national team these days. All the players are coming off long and stressful seasons and are now expected to do the business for their country. Harry Kewell has been targeted for criticism for regularly not making himself available whilst others have. From a Socceroos captain's point of view, is this criticism harsh?" Okon: "I disagree. I don't think it is a sacrifice to represent your country. Most of us face the same problem when we are selected. Clubs complain saying that it' too far to travel and that the game aren't important enough etc but really it should be like that. I think the thing that we can't lose sight of is that this national team is not made up of individuals. There's more to it than just three or four players. We've got a fantastic group and in any team sport it's the group that's going to get you through. Whether or not Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell or Mark Bosnich is playing, every body has to have their decision respected. It is a problem that we face but I think at the moment we are coping with it and it has given others an opportunity to step in and do a job." Soft Sombrero Moment June 2001 Okon on the Socceroos 1-0 win over World and European Champions France in the 2001 Confederations Cup… Diegos: "The Diegos want to take you back to a very special moment in the Confederation's Cup 1-0 win against France. In all your years of playing with and against some of the best players in the world, have you ever seen anyone more surprised after having scored than 'Clacker' Zane was that night?" Okon: "I'll be honest, while you were asking me that question I started to get goose bumps. When I think back it was a fantastic moment certainly for Clayton scoring the goal but also everybody else involved with the team. 'Clacker' surprised a lot of people with his performances in the tournament and really capped a tremendous day by scoring against the World champions. The most impressive thing that stands out in my mind from the tournament was not only that we beat France but the way we did it. At international level there are a lot of qualities that a team needs and I think that we do have the right ingredients at the moment. To play for 90 minutes against France, matching them physically, mentally and tactically and being stronger than them in every department, it was pleasing that the team is capable of putting in performances like that." Soft Sombrero Moment June 2001
Diegos: "Do you currently have any time at all to think about your club future next season? The Diegos can tell you that Barcelona, Valencia and Tottenham have already spoken to us about you and we told them that once they've signed us you also wouldn't be a bad player to add to the squad. Any thoughts at all about next season?" Okon: "Really the only thought that I've had is how long my vacation is going to be after these qualifiers. From a personal point of view I had a very good season. The last time I played five consecutive games was in 1996. This year was very important for me to prove my fitness to everybody and to erase the tag that I'm injury prone. My name has been linked to those clubs but I've been in the game too long to know that unless someone puts a contract in front of you to sign, not to take the talk too seriously. I honestly don't have a real reason to leave Middlesborough. I enjoyed my year there. The club has treated me very well but unfortunately Terry Venables has moved on. I'm happy where I am but I'd like to dedicate the next six months to the national team. I want to be in the best form possible because I like many others would like to play in the World cup. For me it's not a question of where I'm playing but more a question of how often I'm playing." Soft Sombrero Moment June 2001 |