Drinks With John Aloisi

Aloisi put four past Germany in the Confed Cup in ‘05.
Images: Getty Images

Surely the debate is now over with regards to video technology or the introduction of goal-line officials …

Something needs to be done – whether it’s video technology or having assistant referees behind the goals, like they

had in the Europa League. It’ll help the game come along so much because it still feels like we’re back in the ‘60s, when England scored that goal against West Germany that didn’t go over the line. I wouldn’t like to see video technology

on every decision, but I’d like to see the fourth official play more of a part. He’s sitting next to a monitor, so if he sees something very clear in such an important decision like a ball crossing the line or a penalty that’s given or not given,

he should be authorised to intervene. I don’t think you need to go upstairs, I just think the fourth official can do a bit more. What else is he doing there? Just telling the coaches to sit down when they’re standing up?

The vuvuzela:  good or bad?

Good for South Africa, but let’s leave it there. I don’t want to hear it here in Australia! Every country has a different atmosphere at games. The European crowds are different, the  South American crowds are different and Australian crowds are different, so let’s just leave  the vuvuzelas over there.

What’s been the most annoying sound you’ve heard in the terraces?

I remember playing in Belgium, they used to have marching bands playing in the stands and that used to get pretty annoying, because they used to play old folk songs. It didn’t go well.

So the right team won the World Cup?

I think so. They didn’t always play unbelievably, but they tried to play good football all of the time. They knew how to win games, even when things weren’t going right for them. To lose their first match against Switzerland and not change anything shows they have faith in what they’re doing at the moment. I think winning Euro 2008 helped them believe they could win the World Cup.