One of the West Australians representing the Socceroos at the Confederations Cup over the past fortnight was one-time Sorrento defender Shaun Murphy who now plies his trade in England's First Division with Sheffield United. The folks from Soccer Australia chatted with Murphy on the eve of Australia's second group stage fixture with France to discuss his involvement in the national team, the recently completed English season and his future ...

As a player, what is the difference between Shaun Murphy 2001, and Shaun Murphy of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics?
Family. My wife and two kids, who take up a lot of my time are a pretty big change in 10 years, because instead of focusing on just yourself and your game and performances, you have other priorities. As a footballer, I'm obviously more experienced, it's a much bigger challenge playing in Europe than at home - it's the number one game in England and a priority - it's a way of life, not just for me, but for so many of the fans.

You scored the opening goal in the game against New Zealand that got us here ... and you scored the opening goal in the game that got us off to the flying start against Mexico ... is it going to become a regular thing?
I hope so! I've scored a few goals for Sheffield United this season, and seem to be getting in the right spot at the right time. Most of my goals come from headers, although I have scored a couple - just a couple - with my feet. Against Mexico, I shouted out to Clayton (Zane) to leave it and he reckons he heard me, so he did. I didn't know if it was going in - I was a little blinded by him being in my way, and I wasn't even sure I was going to get on the end of it, I just went through the motions and it went in.

What's the feeling in camp now, with a win under your collective belts in the first game?
Everyone feels that we have it all to play for. If we'd got nothing out of that game, then the next two would be very difficult, but winning, and Korea losing puts us in a very good position to qualify for next round. Winning your opening game gives you a lot of confidence, but above all, I'd say everyone's still very level headed - games don't come much harder than against France tonight - Mexico was a challenge, but France will be something altogether different, so let's not get too ahead of ourselves just yet.

After such a long season, and with the prospect of little time off before Club duties resume, was it a tough decision to make the trip to Korea for the Confederations Cup?
No, not at 30 years of age, and having just broken into the national team- at my age you don't pick and choose when you want to play for your country. But in saying that, I just enjoy playing for Australia, it's an honour ... as simple as that.

How far can Australia go in the Confederations Cup?
Obviously we're looking to qualify for the next round - after that it becomes a bit of luck, a bit of good fortune and a lot of good play, so who knows. We're just looking at this round at the moment, and game by game.

We hear and read a lot about the English Premier League but not so much of the First Division ... in your own words, what was season 2000/2001 all about with Sheffield United?
The club has been in a bit of financial trouble for the past few years, so this season was really a consolidation season, but in the end we progressed more than we'd anticipated I think. We were consistent in the top 6 until towards the end of the season, where we fell away a bit, but it was exciting to have something to play for, not a relegation scrap. Personally, I had a great season, I played in every game and actually walked off with the Player Of The Year award, which was fantastic - it was by far my best season in England. I'm contracted with United for another two years, they renewed my contract this season, and I'm very happy where I am. It's a common cliché in football, but the lads at United are a really good bunch of lads - you can talk all you want about team spirit, but we all get on which makes the whole package very enjoyable. I've also lived just outside of Sheffield for the last 9-10 years, so things are very settled all round - why would you change anything?

Think back to the goals and ambitions you set yourself as an 18 year old - would you say you've accomplished most of them?
Obviously everyone still has goals, and I still have mine. Back then, I was studying at uni, looking to become an engineer - I never thought I'd become a professional footballer, when I left the AIS, I thought that was pretty much it, I'd go back to Perth and play part time football. I suppose looking back then, no one expected us to do so well at the Barcelona Olympics, or the qualifying games against Holland, but I was able to ride on the back of that and get a professional contract in England. It was a matter of let's see how it goes, and if it didn't go well, I'd go back to studying. I haven't been back to the studies since!! So at 30, my ambition is what we're doing right now - trying to qualify for the World Cup, seeing out my two years with Sheffield United - and hopefully getting into the Premier League with the club.

What do you see as your strengths as a defender?
I'm pretty strong in the air, and organizational at the back. We have a good understanding in the squad - we've played a fair bit together now over the years, and we all play back four at club level at the moment - so it translates well into international football.

Australia is blessed with some solid options in the backline - how do you get on with your fellow defenders, and what is the competition like for places?
The competition is very strong for places, especially with such good players coming through like Hayden Foxe and Stephen Laybutt, so no one can afford to rest on their laurels - but we all get on. There's a job to be done, we're very professional like that - but we can all sit down and have a coffee and a chat together as well.

What do you miss most about Australia?
(big sigh) - the climate. So many things, but the main one is the climate, and the beach. Yes, definitely the beach. In England, what they qualify as a beach doesn't register on my scale.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
On a beach. Teaching my kids to swim. Somewhere in Perth.

And finally Shaun, what's your tip for young players out there?
Believe in yourself, and be prepared to take the knock backs with the good stuff.

Copyright Soccer Australia, 2001. Interview reproduced with the permission of Soccer Australia.