Michael Lynch
Michael Lynch, The Age's expert on soccer, has had extensive experience of high level journalism in the UK and Australia. Michael has covered the Socceroos through Asia, Europe and South America in their past three World Cup campaigns. He has also reported on Grands Prix and top class motor sport from Asia and Europe. He has won several national media awards for both sports and industry journalism.
Football
It's easy to forget the pain of past failures
Michael Lynch Such was the ease of the Socceroos' qualifying effort for the 2010 World Cup - Pim Verbeek's squad made it with several games to spare - it's easy to forget that where major tournaments are...
Soccer
Socceroos fans can at least dare to dream
Michael Lynch Tuesday night's must-win clash with Iraq in Sydney should hold no terrors.
Soccer
Socceroos facing nemesis in plucky opponent
Michael Lynch For a country ravaged by war, terror, occupation and religious and sectarian violence, soccer is not the highest priority, other than as a diversion or a morale boost for a public wearied by years of...
Soccer
Socceroos' ageing warriors
Michael Lynch The sun is setting on Australia's golden generation. The next nine days will determine whether darkness settles on their international careers by mid-June, or the sun sits above the horizon for a...
World Cup
Socceroos know the score to make it to Rio
Michael Lynch So how did it come to this? Australia could, by tonight, be virtually out of World Cup calculations. But at least Holger Osieck's men have their destiny in their own hands.
Soccer
Socceroos look for wintry advantage
Michael Lynch Socceroo coach Holger Osieck has found a practical use for Melbourne's infamously cold, showery winter weather, requesting that Etihad Stadium's retractable roof remain open during tonight's crucial...
Soccer
Socceroos warm up with '12th man'
Michael Lynch Is Australia ready to fall back in love with the Socceroos?
Soccer
New brigade hit by blowback
Michael Lynch The game of soccer was reformed in Australia a decade ago, but not without casualties.
Osieck offers a glimpse of the future without stars
Michael Lynch Necessity is the mother of invention, as Holger Osieck, the Socceroos coach, is fast discovering.
Osieck finally takes the plunge and now he needs to take risks
Michael Lynch Socceroos boss experiments with new faces for a winning result.
Soccer
Socceroos call in big guns
Michael Lynch Holger Osieck mixes it up for Australia's clash with South Korea in a friendly.
Soccer
No room for complacency
Michael Lynch The Socceroos still have much to do, not least is reinvigorating an ageing team.
Soccer
Osieck opts for Cahill, youngsters
Michael Lynch Holger Osieck has brought midfielder James Holland into the Socceroos squad, kept faith with youngsters Jason Davidson and Ryan McGowan and recalled the now New York-based Tim Cahill for the coming...
Soccer
Socceroos face 'new' challenge
Michael Lynch The squad for the friendly against Lebanon next week shows Australia is rebuilding slowly.
Soccer
Osieck resists talk of fresh faces
Michael Lynch Socceroos boss makes it clear he will not be pressured into picking a host of fresh faces for international friendlies.
Soccer
The tough choices
Michael Lynch Tim Cahill's decision to move to the US rather than the A-League isn't the end of the world.
Soccer
Squad shows Osieck has locals sussed
Michael Lynch When it comes to watching A-League players, Holger Osieck likes to lurk in the shadows.
Late burst seals it for Socceroos
Michael Lynch Australia produces remarkable three goals in as many minutes to destroy Saudi Arabia.
Football
Full-strength Danes too strong for Socceroos
Michael Lynch A game from which there was plenty to learn with two critical World Cup qualifiers against Oman and Japan to follow in the next ten days.
