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Sainsbury, coach’s son-in-law, eyes Socceroos captaincy
SYDNEY, Oct 15, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Trent Sainsbury has put his hand up to be
the new Socceroos captain, but his father-in-law, new coach Graham Arnold, is
unlikely to make a long-term decision before their defence of the Asian Cup
in January.
Australia has only had two permanent skippers over the past decade —
Lucas Neill and Mile Jedinak — and Arnold is keen to make the right choice.
He oversees his first game in charge against Kuwait in Kuwait City later
Monday (Tuesday Australian time) and plans to trial three players in their
three friendlies before the Asian Cup tournament. “I’m looking to use three
different captains over the next few games,” he told the Sydney Morning
Herald Monday.
PSV Eindhoven centre back Sainsbury is likely to be one of them, having
been widely tipped as the successor to Jedinak who spearheaded the team at
two World Cups before retiring from international duties this month.
Jedinak also led Australia to the Asian Cup title in 2015 and his absence
means the Socceroos will be without him and veteran goalscorer Tim Cahill
when they defend the trophy in the United Arab Emirates.
Cahill hung up his boots in July after a stellar career for his country
that saw him go to four World Cups and score 50 international goals in 107
appearances.
Along with Sainsbury, Mark Milligan and Mat Ryan are seen as strong
contenders to be skipper, while Robbie Kruse, Mat Leckie and Aaron Mooy are
also among the senior playing group.
Sainsbury, who is married to Arnold’s daughter Elissa, is keen to get the
job.
“I’d like to be captain, no way around that,” he told reporters. “Anyone
who has the chance to captain their country, it’s a huge honour.
“But in this team we have so many players reaching the 25-30 cap mark and
they’re all leaders in their own right. Whoever gets the job will have 23
other players behind them just as strong mentally.”
After Kuwait, Australia face South Korea and Lebanon at home before the
Asian Cup kicks off on January 5.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0839 hrs