01 Feb ‘Realistic’ Socceroos boss van Marwijk to take ‘creative’ approach

Bert van Martwijk has highlighted the way he wants the Australian national team to play.

The Dutchman today held his first press conference since taking the reins of the Socceroos last week.

Van Marwijk, 65, told reporters that he plans to be creative with his squad of players once he learns a little more about them individually.

“I have respect for the former coach, but I will do it my way,” van Marwijk said.

“I’m a realistic coach. I like creative football, I like to have the ball but I also like to win. That’s the most important thing.

“I think it’s important we play in a way that fits the players. Also the coach. You cannot play in a way the players cannot do.

“In modern football you have to have influence on the game when you don’t have the ball. In modern football it’s all about transition.

“It’s important for me as soon as possible to get to know the players and their qualities.

“I know a lot of players, we played against you two times in the past year and we [did] a lot of analysis of the players. But I have to learn them better.”

Regarding his hopes for the World Cup in Russia, the former Holland boss added: “I go to the World Cup with only one thing that counts – to survive the first round.

“If I didn’t have confidence in (getting to the next round of World Cup), I wouldn’t be sitting here.

“They [Australia] can play football. They try to play football. They are strong physically.

“The challenge is to let them play in a way that we have more chance to win games for example against France.”

The Socceroos will take on Norway in a friendly in Oslo on March 23 before meeting Colombia at Fulham’s Craven Cottage on March 27.

The Group C World Cup fixtures are as follows:
June 16 – France – Kazan Arena, Kazan
June 21 – Denmark – Cosmos Arena, Samara
June 26 – Peru – Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi