SYDNEY, Australia -- Ange Postecoglou has been hired as head coach of the Socceroos in a five-year deal that could involve two World Cups. Jakob Silfverberg Jersey . The 48-year-old Postecoglou, who led Brisbane Roar to two domestic A-League titles before moving to Melbourne Victory last year, is the first Australian head coach of the Socceroos since Frank Farina in 2005. Holger Osieck, a German, was fired earlier this month after back-to-back 6-0 defeats to Brazil and France, despite helping Australia qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy confirmed the widely expected appointment of Postecoglou on Wednesday, announcing a deal running through the 2014 World Cup, the 2015 Asian Cup and qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup. Postecoglou, who migrated to Australia from Greece with his family when he was five and played four times for the Socceroos, will be in charge for the international friendly against Costa Rica on Nov. 19. "I was proud to represent my country as a player and I have the same immense feeling of pride today," Postecoglou said. "The Socceroos belong to the people of this nation. Its my job to make sure we represent all thats good in Australian football." Australia narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2002 World Cup and then, with Dutchman Guus Hiddink at the helm, qualified for Germany 2006 and reached the second round before a contentious defeat to eventual champion Italy. Pim Verbeek was the next full-time coach, but his tenure ended with Australias disappointing first-round exit at South Africa 2010. Osieck got the Australians through qualifying for Brazil, but the Socceroos playing stocks and rankings have plummeted since the so-called "golden era" in 2006 and theres been constant criticism domestically about a lack of regeneration in the national team. Lowy made no secret of the fact an Australian candidate would be preferred to replace Osieck and drew up a shortlist including Postecoglou, who was national youth coach from 2000-2007, and Graham Arnold, who was interim Socceroos coach in 2007 between the contracts of Hiddink and Verbeek. "I have never taken the view that the coach should be an Australian for the sake of having an Australian," Lowy said Wednesday. "I have always believed we should get the best person we can for the job. "The fact that Ange is the best qualified, and an Australian, achieves our objective." Andrew Cogliano Jersey . Levante, which had lost five straight including a Copa del Rey game last weekend, fell behind at its Ciutat de Valencia stadium when Ionut Sapanura opened the scoring for Elche in the 26th minute. Julius Nattinen Jersey . There, I saw a teenaged boy with tears in his eyes, being consoled by strength and conditioning coach Randy Lee. http://www.officialduckshockeyauthentic.com/ryan-getzlaf-jersey/ . - Connor Brown and Dane Fox both scored in regulation and in the shootout, as the Erie Otters extended their win streak to 10 games by defeating the London Knights 4-3 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca! Hi Kerry, In Saturdays game between Detroit and Ottawa, some Red Wing players - especially Pavel Datsyuk - were the recipients of some vicious checking by Ottawa. Late in the game, Datsyuk received an elbow to the jaw from Jared Cowen. Datsyuk will miss at least two games and possibly more. The NHL described the hit as accidental and stated that Cowen will not be punished. If we want to clean up the game and protect star players as the NHL professes to do, are they not being hypocritical - especially when hits to the head occur? Perhaps the impending law suit might awaken them from their slumber? Tony Boodhoo, Ingersoll --- Hey Kerry, As a former amateur official, I always enjoy your articles. Wondering about your take on the non-call on Jared Cowens elbow/forearm to the chin of Pavel Datsyuk. Looked to me to be a clear fly by elbow from Cowen as he skated by Datsyuk who had pulled up along the boards. I assume the on-ice officials did not see it has it was quick and sneaky, but no doubt deliberate. I dont understand why there was no discipline from Player Safety. Datsyuk has missed two games as of this email waiting for symptoms to clear. Isnt this the kind of gratuitous and deliberate head shot the League is trying to remove from the game, coincidentally on the eve of the concussion class action suit? Thanks for your thoughts and keep up the good work. David W. Barton ---Hi Kerry, Can you help the hockey world understannd how Jared Cowens elbowing Pavel Datsyuk in the face was neither penalized on the ice and was not suspended for it? Datsyuk has what appears to now be a concussion, missing his second game. Ryan Miller Jersey. . The league has made an issue of hits to the head, and this to me appears as blatant as they come. If you havent seen it, here it is: Pavel is a several time Lady Byng winner, and one of the best players in the world, and the message sent from the league is its open season again on star players. I just dont get it anymore with these attempts to injure and non calls. Thanks! Tom from Los Angeles Tony, David and Tom: By describing Jared Cowens extended elbow on this play as accidental, we are led to believe that Cowen didnt intend to make contact with Pavel Datsyuks chin/head. That might be the case, since no one other than Jared Cowen knows his true intention. The penalty was most likely missed by the referee since the hit was late and well after Datsyuk had dished the puck up the wall to Brendan Smith at the point. This resulted in a natural shift in the refs focus of attention. A more detailed explanation of the incident and utilizing language from Rule 48.1 (iii) to describe why a suspension did not result from the play might go something like this: Jared Cowen set up to attempt a legal shoulder check on Pavel Datsyuk. Datsyuk became aware of the impending contact and materially changed the position of his body (stopping/pulling up) and his head (dropped/lowered) prior to or simultaneously with the hit in a way that significantly contributed to the head contact. Jared Cowen recognized that his intended legal contact was going to be avoided by Pavel Datsyuks material change in body/head position and Cowen extended his elbow thereby striking Datsyuk in the head. The Player Safety Committee might have concluded that Jared Cowen extended his elbow in a reflex move and as a byproduct of Pavels last second avoidance to being hit thereby deeming it accidental. We know from previously broadcast decisions the language of Rule 48 is often referred to and utilized as a reference and guideline by the PSC. I say its time to alter the thought process in situations such as this. No matter how you spin it, the irrefutable evidence is that Pavel Datsyuks head became the sole point of contact when Jared Cowen made a poor decision to extend his elbow and delivered the late, illegal contact. Datsyuk sustained an injury resulting from Cowens elbow to the head. The wrong message is sent to the rank and file when players are not held accountable and avoid suspension for hits to the head of an opponent similar to this incident. It also matters not whether the injured player is a Lady Byng Trophy winner and a star performer in the NHL. All players are entitled to equal protection and their safety reasonably and responsibly provide for. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '