Kosmina appointed to Socceroos

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Former national team captain and current Adelaide United coach John Kosmina has been appointed Qantas Socceroo assistant coach for the upcoming 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualifying match against Kuwait on August 16.

Former national team captain and current Adelaide United coach John Kosmina has been appointed Qantas Socceroo assistant coach for the upcoming 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualifying match against Kuwait on August 16.

Kosmina will work with acting Australian Head Coach Graham Arnold for the match which will be the first for Australia since the FIFA World Cup in Germany.

"We are delighted that we are in a position to welcome John Kosmina on board with the national team in a coaching capacity," said FFA Head of High Performance John Boultbee.

"John did a terrific job in leading Adelaide United to the premiership in the Hyundai A-League and it is important that the FFA continues to develop quality Australian coaches."

"John will give vital support to Graham Arnold and the rest of the coaching staff at the training camp next week and the match against Kuwait in Sydney."

Adelaide-born Kosmina led his home-town club to the inaugural Hyundai A-League premiership in February topping the ladder by seven points from nearest rivals Sydney FC. Kosmina, who turns 50 the day after the Kuwait match, has also coached at national league level since 1995 in Brisbane and Newcastle.

One of the most decorated Socceroos of all time and a member of the Football Federation Australia hall of fame, Kosmina represented Australia in 60 A internationals (100 matches in total) scoring 25 A International goals (42). Kosmina represented Australia over a 12-year period debuting against Hong Kong in 1976 and concluding his career at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He also captained Australia on several occasions between 1982-1988.

JOHN KOSMINA PROFILE

Socceroo Honours Total - 100 app. 42 gls. Debut: 1976 v Bologna ('A' match v Hong Kong)

Coaching Record 1995-98 - Newcastle Breakers 1998-03 - Brisbane Strikers 2003-Current - Adelaide United

Playing Record 1976 - Adelaide Polonia (SA) 1977 - West Adelaide 1977/8 - Arsenal (England) 1978 - Adelaide City 1979-80 - West Adelaide 1981-86 - Sydney City 1987-88 - Sydney Olympic 1989 - APIA-Leichhardt 1990 - Sutherland (NSW)