Simon Hill headlines Ten’s commentary team for World Cup qualifiers
Network Ten has named a series of experienced football commentators and former players as part of the team presenting the forthcoming coverage of Socceroos World Cup qualifying matches in September.
The team is headlined by the ‘voice of Australian football’, Simon Hill, who after years of calling the A-League and Socceroos internationals was sensationally sacked by Fox Sports in 2020. He has since called UEFA Champions League matches for Optus Sport.
It also includes former Fox Sports regulars and former players Andy Harper and Alex Brosque, and the recently retired Mark Milligan who also spent time commentating European football for Optus Sport last season.
Former Socceroo Bruce Djite and ex-Matildas player Georgia Yeoman-Dae will make up the core of the team for the matches, which will begin with the Socceroos taking on China PR on 3 September, broadcast live on Channel 10 and 10Play.
Hill and Brosque are also the hosts of SEN radio show The Global Game.
Australia will play two games apiece against China PR, Vietnam, Oman, Japan and Saudi Arabia, with “home” matches to take place in Doha, Qatar due to local COVID-19 restrictions.
All games will be shown across Network Ten’s free-to-air channels, with the next game seeing the Socceroos taking on Vietnam on Tuesday, 7 September, to be shown on 10 Bold.
Hill said: “The FIFA World CupTM is the pinnacle of football, and the Socceroos haven’t missed a finals in two decades. This is a tough but winnable group, and a good performance could set the tone for their return in 2022.
“The squad is a good blend of youth and experience and the Socceroos have a track record of being difficult to beat in these qualifiers. They’ll need that resilience in this marathon qualifying campaign.
“The Socceroos are about to make some exciting new World Cup memories, and the countdown to Qatar officially starts here.”
ViacomCBS signed a rights deal in June to broadcast all matches played by Australia’s national football teams, the Socceroos and Matildas, on Network Ten.
ViacomCBS also has the rights to the forthcoming Australian domestic football season, with the A-League, W-League and Y-League.
Hill confirmed on twitter that he would be a part of the forthcoming domestic season as well.
Delighted to announce I’ve signed for @10FootballAU – we kick off with the @Socceroos next week, then onto @ALeague & @WLeague! Exciting new era for ⚽️ – thanks to @Channel10AU for asking me to be part of the journey. Let’s go! https://t.co/Cw8GkFe8O3
— simonhill1894 (@simonhill1894) August 27, 2021
The start date of the 2021/22 A-League season has been set, commencing on 30 October, with all games to be available across Ten and ViacomCBS streaming platform Paramount+.
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Zanda Wilson was a reporter and podcast producer at Mumbrella, specialising in radio reporting. He left Mumbrella in September 2021.
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