Ralé Rašić

Zvonimir "Ralé" Rašić OAM (born 26 December 1935 in Mostar [The Rale Rasic Story: The Socceroos First World Cup Coach, as told to Ray Gatt, New Holland Publishers, Frenchs Forest, NSW, 2006. ISBN 978-1-74110-464-6 ] , Littoral Banovina, Kingdom of Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina) is an Australian former football player, coach and media personality of Serbian descent.

Rasic migrated to Australia in 1962, but returned to Yugoslavia after 18 months to serve in the army. His obligations met, Rasic returned to Australia, and played football in the Victorian league. He revolutionised the game in Australia, he was appointed coach in 1970 at just 34 years of age, and in 1974, he led the Australia national football team to the World Cup as coach.

After a disappointing performance at the World Cup, the Australian Soccer Federation dumped him as national coach, replacing him with Englishman Brian Green. Rasic and others believe that he was dumped because he was not seen as being a real "Aussie." He has stated, "They took from me something that I was doing better than anyone else. I was a true-blue Aussie and nobody can deny that. I taught the players how to sing the national anthem." These days, as the first coach to take Australia to the World Cup finals, Rale Rasic is widely respected in Australian football.

He was a television presenter on SBS, during the Australian network's 2006 FIFA World Cup coverage. His biography, "The Rale Rasic Story," was published in 2006 by New Holland.

Greatest Socceroos side

During the broadcasting of the SBS FIFA World Cup coverage and in other media, Rasic has named his "Greatest Socceroos side" - a team of Australian players who he deems the best Australia has to offer. The team is:
* Goalkeeper: Mark Bosnich
* Defenders: Doug Utjesenovic, Colin Curran, Peter Wilson (captain), Milan Ivanovic
* Midfielders: Ray Richards, Jimmy Rooney, Jimmy Mackay
* Forwards: Ray Baartz, Adrian Alston, John Kosmina
* Bench: Johnny Warren, John Watkiss, Robert Zabica, Attila Abonyi, Zarko Odzakov, Alan Davidson.

See also

* http://www.theworldgame.com.au/aussiesabroad/index.php?pid=st&cid=69925
* http://www.insidesport.com.au/is/index?pg=adrenalin&spg=alliknow/alliknow_rale_rasic.htm
* http://www.abc.net.au/rn/australiatalksback/stories/2006/1657496.htm

References