Nike launches Socceroos World Cup kit

Nike Australia and Football Federation Australia today revealed the Australian National Team kit to be worn by the Socceroos at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The new Socceroos kit captures the unique national spirit of Australia whilst also paying homage to the 1974 World Cup squad - the first Australian side to appear at a World Cup finals.

Current Socceroos Mark Bresciano and Michael Zullo were joined by Socceroos legends from every decade from the 1960s onwards, for the official launch in Walsh Bay, Sydney.


Features

The kit recreates the historic green and gold style worn during the 1974 World Cup qualifying campaign by the Socceroos. The combination of the green 'Johnny collar' as well as the new shield coat of arms are a nod to the past whilst also signally the how far the Socceroos have come in world football.

Inside the back of the neck are the words, "We Socceroos Can Do The Impossible", quoting the words of Peter Wilson, captain of the 1974 Socceroos squad.

The shorts of the new kit are green whilst the socks are returning to the traditional white, after the last two World Cup campaigns saw yellow socks being worn.

The authentic jerseys feature Nike's Dri-FIT, 'burnout' mesh and laser-cut ventilation holes, all designed to regulate body temperatures and enhance player comfort and performance. The whole kit also includes material from recycled plastic bottles.


Will we be the best looking nation at the World Cup?

We will face some stiff competition from France who yet again have a simply gorgeous jersey made by Nike. The new France home jersey features a new 1958 crest which reflects the players' feedback of wanting to 'feel the history of our country'.

Germany revealed its new away kit in February 2014, featuring thick red and black hoops - "the lines stand for team spirit and integration on the pitch", said Jurgen Rank, Chief Designer for football apparel at Adidas.









Verdict

The new Socceroos kit is plain, simple and overall very classy. It is brilliant that we get to link back to the legendary players of the 1974 World Cup campaign and honour the traditional Australian fighting spirit whilst looking good doing it.

The green collar alongside the green cuffs on the jersey are beautiful elements but the real winner is the message inside the collar.

Having seen a number of MLS (Major League Soccer) clubs have messages inside the collar of their jerseys previously, this is a small but simple reminder for players, fans, bandwagoners and kitnerds that anything is possible when a nation joins together and chants for the full 90 minutes.

There has been a cry since 2011 to see a return of the white socks to the national team kit and it seems Nike have listened to their audience. White socks also have the added value of showing the dirt on them - something which mothers across the nation are well aware of.

The reason why this can be good is that the socks will show how hard the players will be working at the World Cup in Brazil. If any player walks off the field with their socks still predominantly coloured white then we know that they haven't worked hard enough on the field.

Overall the kit looks great, the players responses to the designs have been positive and already people are pre-ordering the jersey. Signs are positive for the kitnerd population.