The Socceroos will head to Brazil for this year’s World Cup sporting a new look.
The 2014 version of the green and gold is a tribute to the 1974 Socceroos team, the first Australians to have ever qualified for a World Cup.
Among the significant alterations to this year’s trim include a heritage green collar and a quote on the inside neck from 1974 captain Peter Wilson, “We Socceroos can do the impossible.”
“The Socceroos will take on the world in Brazil determined to represent every Australian by showing the same spirit that binds the fabric of our country,” coach Ange Postecoglou said.
“The 1974 team were trailblazers for our country and the 2014 Socceroos will wear a strip that will help inspire our players to represent the values of Australia by paying tribute to the 1974 team.“
The squad’s entire kit was created from recycled material, using on average 18 plastic bottles for each player after Nike collected some two billion bottles from landfills to complete the task.
The top will be debuted in an international friendly against Ecuador in London on May 5.
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All may not be well in Socceroos camp as stadium problems in Brazil and the looming questions over captain Lucas Neill’s spot in the squad linger over Postecoglou’s team.
The recently appointed coach suggested at trying out a “new look” side against Ecuador.
Neill has not played senior football since a divorce with Japanese club Omiya Ardija, but has been training with EPL side Blackburn Rovers in recent weeks, even suiting up for the club’s youth team.
“Players that are playing regularly, playing decent football, it’s important I give them an opportunity,” Postecoglou said on Monday.
Postecoglou will announced a squad in the coming days and Neill is among the veterans heavily rumoured to be under the pump.
In other Socceroos news, Curitiba, one of Australia’s group stage World Cup venues, could also be dumped from the tournament’s schedule due to the delayed construction of Arena da Baixada.
The city is set to host four group matches, but could be dumped as early as Tuesday when FIFA makes a decision on the current progress of the stadium.
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Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
