Frank Farina
Encyclopedia
Frank Farina OAM
(born 5 September 1964 in Darwin
, Northern Territory
) is a retired Australian football (soccer) player. He most currently coaches the Papua New Guinea national football team
.
His playing career spanned Australia, Belgium, France, Italy and England, and was a major player for the Australian National Team in the late 1980s and 1990s as well as subsequently managing the Australian National team in the early 2000s.
and grew up in Cairns
, north Queensland and went to school at St Augustine's College
. He won a prestigious position and scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in 1982 and played in the National Soccer League
for the Canberra Arrows
the following year.
Farina then moved to Marconi Fairfield for 1987 and 1988, where his form and ability flourished, scoring 16 and 17 goals respectively. This form led to him cementing a position in the Australian National Team, won him the 1987 NSL Player of the Year, the 1988 NSL Golden Boot and finally the 1988 Oceania Player of the Year awards as well as attracting overseas interest.
in the latter half of 1988. His finishing ability was well regarded, and he played over 70 games for Brugge, scoring 43 goals for the club, playing a major role in Club Brugge winning the Belgian First Division title in 1989/90 as well as the Belgian Cup in 1990/91 and Belgian Supercup in 1990 and 1991. Farina won the Belgian Golden Boot and Best Foreign Player awards in Club Brugge's successful 1989/90 season.
Unfortunately for Farina, his Belgian success was the high point of his European Playing Career, subsequently transferring to Bari in Italy in 1991/1992 (where he became the first Australian to play in Serie A), on loan at Notts County in England in 1991/1992 he played few games for either team, and transferred to RC Strasbourg
in France in 1992/1993 where he had 2 solid seasons in French First Division, scoring 8 goals from 24 appearances in 1992/1993, then 6 goals from 23 appearances in 1993/1994. His final season playing in Europe was for Lille OSC who finished 14th in the French First Division, Farina scoring 6 Goals from 27 appearances.
The Strikers could not back their title win however, crashing to 3rd last in the 1997/1998 season, with Farina seemingly succumbing to the pressure as he only managed a solitary goal in 18 appearances. He left the Strikers, and joined Marconi as a player/coach for a final season, with coaching being dominant, Farina only made 2 appearances for the Stallions, without scoring. However, he did coach the team to the Minor-Semi final place, eliminating the Northern Spirit, then losing 0-1 away to Perth Glory in the minor semi-final. He retired from playing that year.
The team under Farina won its first match in February 2000, with the majority of the European based players in the side, they demolished Hungary 3-0 in Budapest. In 2000, Australia played in, and won, the Oceania Nations Cup, and subsequently qualified for the Confederations Cup.
In between these matches, Australia defeated Mexico and France during the Confederation Cup group stage, then defeated Brazil 1-0 win claim 3rd Place. These results strengthened belief that the team would make the World Cup Finals, but Australia failed again at the final World Cup hurdle, losing 3-1 on Aggregate (1-0 in Australia, 0-3 in Uruguay), which meant the 1974 Australian team remained the only team to qualify for the World Cup finals.
football correspondents, accusing them of running a witch-hunt against him.
In 2005, after an unconvincing 2-1 win over Iraq
during a friendly, Farina was involved in an incident with former SBS reporter Andrew Orsatti
in an informal post-match interview conducted in a corridor outside the dressing room. After a series of curt three/four worded answers to a series of questions shown on air, it was alleged by both parties that the other instigated a fracas. Eyewitnesses said that Farina grabbed Orsatti by the throat and tried to punch him. Orsatti later dropped assault charges against Farina. It was reported that Farina was upset at suggestions by the FFA that he attend anger management classes. Leading SBS commentator Les Murray
said that Farina simply interpreted any criticism of his professional work as a coach to be a personal slight.
chairman Frank Lowy
and CEO John O'Neill
. He was replaced by the Dutchman Guus Hiddink
, who in 2005, led Australia to a successful 2006 World Cup
qualification campaign, defeating Uruguay (penalties after a 1-1 aggregate).
After his departure from the national team Farina was employed as a newspaper columnist and often conducted interviews about Australian football on talkback radio stations. He was also a radio commentator for the World Cup Qualification matches against Uruguay.
. He is credited for his support of young Australian footballers, having recruited Michael Zullo
and Tahj Minniecon
who, in turn, were catalysts for much of Queensland's success in the 2007-2008 season.
On 11 October 2009, Farina was suspended indefinitely by the club over drink-driving charges. He was on his way to training when he was caught. Farina was officially sacked on 14 October 2009. He was given a three-month severance package as part of the sacking, but is still fighting the club for more.
to manage the national side during the South Pacific Games in New Caledonia
.
. In 1998 he published his autobiography My World Is Round: A Personal Playing History. In 2000 Farina was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for "service to soccer as a player and coach". In October 2009 Farina was interviewed by Monica Attard on ABC Radio's Sunday Profile where he discussed the drink driving charge and his dismissal and their effect on his family.
: Belgian League Championship: 1988-1990 Belgian Cup
: 1990-1991 Belgian Supercup
: 1990, 1991
With Brisbane Strikers
: NSL Championship: 1996-1997
With Marconi Fairfield
: NSL Championship: 1988
With Sydney City
: NSL Cup: 1986
Personal Honours:
:
With Brisbane Strikers
: NSL Championship: 1996-1997
OAM
OAM is an acronym that may refer to:*OA&M, Operations, Administration, and Maintenance*Oamaru Aerodrome, New Zealand*Object access method*Observatorio Astronómico de Mallorca, an observatory in Spain*U.S...
(born 5 September 1964 in Darwin
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
, Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
) is a retired Australian football (soccer) player. He most currently coaches the Papua New Guinea national football team
Papua New Guinea national football team
The Papua New Guinea national football team is the national team of Papua New Guinea and is controlled by the Papua New Guinea Football Association....
.
His playing career spanned Australia, Belgium, France, Italy and England, and was a major player for the Australian National Team in the late 1980s and 1990s as well as subsequently managing the Australian National team in the early 2000s.
Club career
Farina spent part of his childhood in Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
and grew up in Cairns
Cairns, Queensland
Cairns is a regional city in Far North Queensland, Australia, founded 1876. The city was named after William Wellington Cairns, then-current Governor of Queensland. It was formed to serve miners heading for the Hodgkinson River goldfield, but experienced a decline when an easier route was...
, north Queensland and went to school at St Augustine's College
St Augustine's College
Saint Augustine's College, known locally as "Saints", is a Catholic boys' high school in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Saints houses boarders both from its own students and girls from Saint Monica's School.- Boarding school :...
. He won a prestigious position and scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in 1982 and played in the National Soccer League
National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
for the Canberra Arrows
Canberra City SC
Canberra City Football Club, also known for some time as the Canberra Arrows, is an Australian football club based in Canberra in the ACT...
the following year.
National Soccer League
Farina's early playing career was spent in Australia, playing the National Soccer League. He played for the Canberra Arrows, Sydney City and Marconi-Fairfield. His early seasons were solid, scoring just under 10 goals a season for Canberra in the 1983 and 1984 season. He made his full international debut as a substitute in Australia's 2-3 loss in China in 1984. Farina moved to Sydney City in 1985, and that season City made the 1985 NSL Grand Final, losing 2-0 over 2 legs to Brunswick, as well as winning the 1986 National Cup.Farina then moved to Marconi Fairfield for 1987 and 1988, where his form and ability flourished, scoring 16 and 17 goals respectively. This form led to him cementing a position in the Australian National Team, won him the 1987 NSL Player of the Year, the 1988 NSL Golden Boot and finally the 1988 Oceania Player of the Year awards as well as attracting overseas interest.
Europe
This interest led to him leaving Australia, for Belgium, and Club BruggeClub Brugge
Club Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging is a football club from Bruges in Belgium. It was founded in 1891 and is one of the top clubs in Belgium. Its home ground is the Jan Breydel Stadium, which has a capacity of 29,472....
in the latter half of 1988. His finishing ability was well regarded, and he played over 70 games for Brugge, scoring 43 goals for the club, playing a major role in Club Brugge winning the Belgian First Division title in 1989/90 as well as the Belgian Cup in 1990/91 and Belgian Supercup in 1990 and 1991. Farina won the Belgian Golden Boot and Best Foreign Player awards in Club Brugge's successful 1989/90 season.
Unfortunately for Farina, his Belgian success was the high point of his European Playing Career, subsequently transferring to Bari in Italy in 1991/1992 (where he became the first Australian to play in Serie A), on loan at Notts County in England in 1991/1992 he played few games for either team, and transferred to RC Strasbourg
RC Strasbourg
Racing Club de Strasbourg is a French association football club founded in 1906 and professional since 1933, based in the city of Strasbourg, in Alsace...
in France in 1992/1993 where he had 2 solid seasons in French First Division, scoring 8 goals from 24 appearances in 1992/1993, then 6 goals from 23 appearances in 1993/1994. His final season playing in Europe was for Lille OSC who finished 14th in the French First Division, Farina scoring 6 Goals from 27 appearances.
Brisbane Strikers
Farina's return to Australia was with the Brisbane Strikers, for the 1995/1996 Season, scoring 20 goals from 20 matches, coming 2nd in the Golden Boot awards behind Damien Mori (31 Goals). Brisbane finished 5th in 1995/96. In 1996/1997, the Strikers needed a new Coach, and Farina stepped up to the position as the new Player/Coach. Farina led the Strikers to their first ever NSL title that year, as they defeated Sydney United 2-0 (with Farina scoring their first goal) in the Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium in front of 40,000 fans. He was named the Coach of the Year in 1997.The Strikers could not back their title win however, crashing to 3rd last in the 1997/1998 season, with Farina seemingly succumbing to the pressure as he only managed a solitary goal in 18 appearances. He left the Strikers, and joined Marconi as a player/coach for a final season, with coaching being dominant, Farina only made 2 appearances for the Stallions, without scoring. However, he did coach the team to the Minor-Semi final place, eliminating the Northern Spirit, then losing 0-1 away to Perth Glory in the minor semi-final. He retired from playing that year.
Australia
Farina was appointed the Australian National Coach in 1999, chosen over many candidates including the then current caretaker coach Raul Blanco (who had replaced Terry Venables). His first match was a 0-2 Loss against a second string Brazilian team in Sydney, followed by a 2-2 draw with Brazil in Melbourne 3 days later.The team under Farina won its first match in February 2000, with the majority of the European based players in the side, they demolished Hungary 3-0 in Budapest. In 2000, Australia played in, and won, the Oceania Nations Cup, and subsequently qualified for the Confederations Cup.
World Cup Qualifying Campaign
In 2001, Australia began its quest to qualify for the World Cup for a 2nd time, and Farina led the team to huge victories over Tonga (22-0), and a record breaking 31-0 win against American Samoa ,Archie Thompson breaking the record for most goals in a single international with 13. Australia defeated Tonga 2-0 to win their group, then New Zealand 6-1 on Aggregate to Qualify for a World Cup Playoff against Uruguay.In between these matches, Australia defeated Mexico and France during the Confederation Cup group stage, then defeated Brazil 1-0 win claim 3rd Place. These results strengthened belief that the team would make the World Cup Finals, but Australia failed again at the final World Cup hurdle, losing 3-1 on Aggregate (1-0 in Australia, 0-3 in Uruguay), which meant the 1974 Australian team remained the only team to qualify for the World Cup finals.
Oceania Cup
2002 was a dour year, with only the Oceanian nations cup taking place, Australia sending a team composed of Australian based players to New Zealand. After comfortable early stages, Australia needed a Golden Goal to defeat Tonga in the semi-final, then losing 1-0 to New Zealand in the Final. The only game of note in 2003 was a 1-3 win against England in a friendly. In 2004, Australia progressed safely through the World Cup Oceania qualifiers.Confederations Cup
2005 was Farina's final year as coach, his failure to win a single game in the Confederations Cup signalling the end of his reign. Farina became the subject of intense media pressure, as his team were criticised for not showing tactical awareness and cohesion expected of players of their quality. Farina became agitated with SBSSpecial Broadcasting Service
The Special Broadcasting Service is a hybrid-funded Australian public broadcasting radio and television network. The stated purpose of SBS is "to provide multilingual and multicultural radio and television services that inform, educate and entertain all Australians and, in doing so, reflect...
football correspondents, accusing them of running a witch-hunt against him.
In 2005, after an unconvincing 2-1 win over Iraq
Iraq national football team
The Iraqi national football team represents Iraq in international football and is controlled by the Iraq Football Association. They won the 2007 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup tournament.-The Golden Generation:...
during a friendly, Farina was involved in an incident with former SBS reporter Andrew Orsatti
Andrew Orsatti
Andrew Orsatti in Sydney, Australia is a sports presenter and football commentator, based in the United States. After nearly 12 years on free-to-air television in Australia, Orsatti left the Special Broadcasting Service , to take up a position at the global headquarters of US sports giant ESPN...
in an informal post-match interview conducted in a corridor outside the dressing room. After a series of curt three/four worded answers to a series of questions shown on air, it was alleged by both parties that the other instigated a fracas. Eyewitnesses said that Farina grabbed Orsatti by the throat and tried to punch him. Orsatti later dropped assault charges against Farina. It was reported that Farina was upset at suggestions by the FFA that he attend anger management classes. Leading SBS commentator Les Murray
Les Murray (broadcaster)
Les James Murray AM is an Australian sports journalist, football broadcaster and analyst...
said that Farina simply interpreted any criticism of his professional work as a coach to be a personal slight.
Departure
Farina departed by 'mutual consent' on 29 June 2005 after his team lost all three games at the 2005 Confederations Cup. He cited a loss in confidence on the part of the FFAFFA
FFA is a three-letter acronym that may stand for:-Aviation and the military:* First Flight Airport, IATA code for the tiny airstrip in Kitty Hawk where the first flight occurred in 1903.* Free-fire area, in U.S...
chairman Frank Lowy
Frank Lowy
Frank Lowy, AC is an Australian-Israeli businessman. He is a co-founder of the Westfield Group, operator of over 100 shopping centres in Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Great Britain...
and CEO John O'Neill
John O'Neill (sport administrator)
John O'Neill is an Australian sporting administrator. He has been involved with both rugby union and football at the national level, after being head of the NSW State Bank...
. He was replaced by the Dutchman Guus Hiddink
Guus Hiddink
Guus Hiddink is a Dutch football manager and former player. He was the most recently manager of the Turkish national football team. He is considered to be one of the best managers of his generation and was the best-paid coach in international football in 2009...
, who in 2005, led Australia to a successful 2006 World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
qualification campaign, defeating Uruguay (penalties after a 1-1 aggregate).
After his departure from the national team Farina was employed as a newspaper columnist and often conducted interviews about Australian football on talkback radio stations. He was also a radio commentator for the World Cup Qualification matches against Uruguay.
Brisbane Roar
In 15 November 2006 Farina was appointed head coach of Brisbane Roar FC after the departure of Miron BleibergMiron Bleiberg
Miron Bleiberg is an Israeli-Australian football manager, currently the head coach and director of football operations at A-League club Gold Coast United.-Biography:...
. He is credited for his support of young Australian footballers, having recruited Michael Zullo
Michael Zullo
Michael Zullo is an Australian football player who plays for Utrecht in the Dutch Eredivisie.-Club career:After being signed by the former coach Frank Farina on a two year contract, Zullo played five of the six opening games of the season, coming on as a substitute...
and Tahj Minniecon
Tahj Minniecon
Tahj James Rodney Minniecon is an Indigenous Australian football striker who plays for in the A-League. He is known for his speed around the penalty box.-Early life:...
who, in turn, were catalysts for much of Queensland's success in the 2007-2008 season.
On 11 October 2009, Farina was suspended indefinitely by the club over drink-driving charges. He was on his way to training when he was caught. Farina was officially sacked on 14 October 2009. He was given a three-month severance package as part of the sacking, but is still fighting the club for more.
Papua New Guinea
On 12 February 2011 it was confirmed that he had signed a 12 week contract with Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea national football team
The Papua New Guinea national football team is the national team of Papua New Guinea and is controlled by the Papua New Guinea Football Association....
to manage the national side during the South Pacific Games in New Caledonia
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and about from Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of...
.
Personal life
Farina is of Italian descent and is the uncle of footballer Zenon CaravellaZenon Caravella
Zenon Caravella is an Australian football midfielder who plays for .-Club career:After the demise of the NSL in Caravella played for Sydney Olympic in the NSW Premier League becoming one of their best players...
. In 1998 he published his autobiography My World Is Round: A Personal Playing History. In 2000 Farina was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for "service to soccer as a player and coach". In October 2009 Farina was interviewed by Monica Attard on ABC Radio's Sunday Profile where he discussed the drink driving charge and his dismissal and their effect on his family.
Player
With Club BruggeClub Brugge
Club Brugge Koninklijke Voetbalvereniging is a football club from Bruges in Belgium. It was founded in 1891 and is one of the top clubs in Belgium. Its home ground is the Jan Breydel Stadium, which has a capacity of 29,472....
: Belgian League Championship: 1988-1990 Belgian Cup
Belgian Cup
The Belgian Cup is the main knockout football competition in Belgium, run by the Belgian Football Association. The first cup was held in 1911-12. The most successful cup club is Club Brugge KV with 10 titles followed by RSC Anderlecht and R Standard de Liège...
: 1990-1991 Belgian Supercup
Belgian Supercup
The Belgian Supercup is a Belgian club competition played on a single match at the league champion venue since 2004 and formerly at the Stade Roi Baudouin, between the winner of the last Belgian Pro League and that of the last Belgian Cup. If both teams are the same, the opponent is declared to...
: 1990, 1991
With Brisbane Strikers
Brisbane Strikers
The Brisbane Strikers are an Australian football club from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia who play in the Queensland State League.-National Soccer League:...
: NSL Championship: 1996-1997
With Marconi Fairfield
Marconi Stallions
The Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC...
: NSL Championship: 1988
With Sydney City
Sydney City Soccer Club
Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
: NSL Cup: 1986
Personal Honours:
- FFA Hall of ChampionsFootball Federation Australia - Football Hall of FameThe Football Federation Australia's Football Hall of Fame was formed in 1996 as the Soccer Hall of Fame to honour outstanding services to association football in Australia....
Inductee - 2001 - Oceania Footballer of the YearOceania Footballer of the YearThe Oceania Footballer of the Year award is presented to the best football player from the Oceania region. The winner is chosen by a forum of journalists. The award is dominated by Australian players, though New Zealand's Wynton Rufer is tied with Harry Kewell for the most titles with 3...
: 1988 - Belgian League Top Scorer: 1989-1990
- NSLNational Soccer LeagueThe National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
Player of the Year: 1987 with Marconi FairfieldMarconi StallionsThe Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC... - NSLNational Soccer LeagueThe National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
Player of the Year: 1988 with Marconi FairfieldMarconi StallionsThe Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC... - NSLNational Soccer LeagueThe National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
Top Scorer: 1987 with Marconi FairfieldMarconi StallionsThe Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC...
- 16 goals - NSLNational Soccer LeagueThe National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
Top Scorer: 1988 with Marconi FairfieldMarconi StallionsThe Marconi Stallions Football Club is an Australian football club located in Sydney, Australia. The club won the National Soccer League title a record four times, along with South Melbourne FC and Sydney City SC...
- 16 goals
Manager
With AustraliaAustralia national football (soccer) team
The Australia national association football team represents Australia in international association football competitions. Its official nickname is the "Socceroos"...
:
- OFC Nations CupOFC Nations CupThe OFC Nations Cup is an international association football tournament held among the Oceania Football Confederation member nations. It was held every two years from 1996 to 2004; before 1996 there were two other tournaments held at irregular intervals, under the name Oceania Nations Cup...
: 20002000 OFC Nations CupSolomon Islands and Vanuatu* qualified for Oceania Nations Cup 2000* Fiji were replaced by Vanuatu .-Polynesia Cup 2000:--------------------------------------------...
, 20042004 OFC Nations CupThe 2004 OFC Nations Cup doubled as the qualification tournament to the 2006 FIFA World Cup, except the two-legged final ....
With Brisbane Strikers
Brisbane Strikers
The Brisbane Strikers are an Australian football club from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia who play in the Queensland State League.-National Soccer League:...
: NSL Championship: 1996-1997