Former Socceroos goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac slams ‘haters’ of Matildas and coach Ante Milicic

If you thought Sam Kerr saying “suck on that” was inflammatory, former Socceroos star Zeljko Kalac has upped it with a vitriolic spray.

Former Socceroos and AC Milan goalkeeper Zeljko Kalac has sensationally lashed the Australian footballing public after the Matildas turned their World Cup campaign around.

Kalac leapt to the defence of not just the side but also under-siege manager Ante Milicic in a stunning blast delivered on Unibet’s At Odds panel.

The 46-year-old former shot-stopper was particularly vocal in attacking those who suggested his former Sydney United teammate Ante Milicic was not the right man to lead the Matildas in a sensational and at times vitriolic spray.

“There was a lot of talk before the tournament that things weren’t good and the old manager was getting a lot of publicity,” Kalac said,

“The Matildas are very, very lucky that they have a head coach like Ante Milicic. Fantastic manager, with a lot of experience at international football.”

Zeljko Kalac engulfs Ante Milicic in a hug at Socceroos training in 2004.

It was then that Kalac, the current Melbourne City goalkeeping coach, really stuck the boot in to any Australian who dared to suggest Milicic — who he spent several years at Sydney United with in the old National Soccer League — wasn’t up to the job.

“My problem is with people here in Australia,” Kalac said.

“We want to bag people too quickly and people are trying to climb the ladder and they need to stop and let people who know what they’re doing, do their job.

“He has a great philosophy, the girls have bought into what he is doing and they lost the first game — yes they weren’t great. Were they great the second game? No, they weren’t.

“But they have a philosophy and as the tournament has gone on they have got better and better and the haters and the slaggers — shut up and support!”

Asked if the Matildas were good enough to go all the way to World Cup glory, Kalac was adamant that the team led by Sam Kerr, who netted a sensational four goals against Jamaica, could become champions in France.

“They’re good enough to win it, they’re style of football is good enough to win it,” he said.

“Yes, they’re going to give away chances but they’re entertaining, they’re good to watch, they’re not boring — they’re much better to watch than what they were before and they’re doing it at the World Cup.”

“Ante has got this siege mentality happening at the moment and I think it is working.”

FITTLER’S JOB ON THE LINE

Latrell Mitchell being axed could cost Brad Fittler his job.

The sensational calls have kept coming in the State of Origin series and none were more shocking than NSW coach Brad Fittler axing Sydney Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell for Game II of the series.

It was a selection shock that seemed to suggest even more was at play but Mark Waugh believes that a loss of the series in Perth could see Fittler gone for his massive gambit.

“Freddy Fittler’s job is on the line,” Waugh said.

“Six changes, three forced, three unforced but the big thing is dropping Latrell Mitchell — he is one of the most dangerous players in Australia.”

Kalac agreed with Waugh but felt there might be more to dropping Mitchell, perhaps leaning into issues around off the field dramas or perhaps even his refusal to sing the National Anthem ahead of Game I.

“It’s a strange one because he is a tryscoring machine and in big games like this he normally comes good,” Kalac said.

“There has got to be something more to it.

“It can’t be just form and it can’t be just that first match, but obviously they are keeping that quiet.”

UZZIE ON THE OUTER

Usman Khawaja has been ducking the selectors’ axe … and bouncers.

Sometimes it’s tough at the top and Australia are there at the World Cup.

The green and gold are looking good to make the final four but there is plenty of tinkering still being done to determine our best XI.

That has only been complicated further with the return to the side and form of David Warner and Steve Smith, which might just leave Usman Khawaja on the outer due to him struggling when he’s not opening the batting — and Waugh has said he would drop Khawaja for Shaun Marsh.

“Australia are doing well but I don’t think we’ve reached our peak yet,” Waugh said.

“What has been good is our three top bats in (Aaron) Finch, Warner and Smith have found a bit of form.

“Khawaja and Shaun Marsh, I don’t think you can have them both in the team and Khawaja — if he is in the team needs to open, and I don’t think that is going to happen — so I think Marsh is the better option over Khawaja, batting at No.4.”

Waugh also felt that while the Aussies have been good they are far from the top pick for the tournament.

“We will make the semi-finals but I think India and England are the favourites.”