Australia will sport a new look when they take to the field for their World Cup qualifier against Tajikistan this week after a new national strip was unveiled in Adelaide to mixed reviews.
The new, all-gold home kit with just a hint of green – in collar detail and stripes down the side of the shirts and shorts – will be given its first airing when the Socceroos play their penultimate qualifier at Adelaide Oval on Thursday evening.
The Matildas will wear an identical design – which Football Federation Australia say features “a subtle graphic representing the iconic Wave Rock in Western Australia” for their tilt at Olympic glory later this year in Rio, albeit in a women’s cut.
The golden ensemble is matched with green socks, while the dark obsidian blue shirt and shorts of the away kit, which “celebrates the country’s surf culture”, is paired with gold socks.
Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak, Matthew Leckie and Aaron Mooy modelled the new designs along with Matildas skipper Lisa de Vanna and star player Steph Catley at the launch at Henley Beach.
An excited Leckie said the lightness of the shirts would help the Socceroos when playing in hot conditions around the world. “I can’t wait to wear it on Thursday night for the first time,” he added.
Manufacturers Nike have used recycled polyester to make the kits, with an estimated 16 recycled plastic bottles – which are melted down to produced fine yarn – in each strip.
“The design and technology used in this new strip is fantastic and I know the girls are excited about bringing both national teams together to wear identical strips,” Catley said.
But not all reaction to the release was positive, with several posts on social media critical of the new designs. Early reviews ranged from “crap” and “terrible” to “beyond horrible, a nadir for football kits” and “a monstrosity”.
New Socceroos kit looks like pajamas. 👎🏼
— NotKate. (@qldcate) March 22, 2016
Has anyone actually said "you know what would be a great way to make the Socceroos kits better: instead of green shorts, how about gold?"
— Nick Welch (@NickWelch51) March 22, 2016
One unhappy fan went as far as to say it was “a crime against humanity”.
The new kit will go on sale on 24 March. No price has been indicated yet but the previous design currently retails at $99.99.
