Cetrangolo selected for first FIFA international appointment

Paul Cetrangolo talks to ABE captain Gino De Lucia during the 2011 Devine Super League Grand Final. Photo by Adam Butler

Football Federation SA referee Paul Cetrangolo has been called up to his first official FIFA international appointment for the Qantas Socceroos match against Malaysia in Canberra on Friday night.

Cetrangolo will run the line in the international friendly as Australia prepare for their 2014 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier against Oman.

The 33-year-old joined the FIFA Panel earlier this year after 10 years on the National League panel, where he will continue this Hyundai A-League campaign.

Cetrangolo admitted is looking forward to making his international debut and is anticipating a significant increase in pace and intensity compared to the local competition.

“Obviously I’m pretty excited. It has taken me 17 years to get here,” he said.

“I’m not too sure what to expect but having spoken to some of my FIFA colleagues they’ve told me just to expect a lot higher pace than what I’m used to.”

“Other than that just to do what you would normally do because that is why you are here in the first place.”

Cetrangolo said the milestone has extra significance given he will be officiating a Qantas Socceroos match on “home soil.”

The dual FFSA Young Referee of the Year winner also admitted he has one eye on selection to the Asian Football Confederation Elite panel which would open the door to AFC World Cup Qualifiers, AFC Olympic Qualifiers, AFC Asian Champions League matches as well as AFC Asian Cup games.

“It’s pretty special to have been selected to officiate Australia on home soil and travelling interstate will be a great experience,” he said.

“The next step after this is the AFC Elite panel where you would be called up for World Cup Qualifiers and not just international friendlies.”

Cetrangolo was appointed for the 2011 Hyundai A-League Semi-Final where Adelaide United defeated Wellington Phoenix 1-0 at a waterlogged Hindmarsh Stadium.

He also ran the line in the 2011 HAL Preliminary final between Central Coast Mariners and Gold Coast United which he noted was a career highlight.

A veteran of over 250 games in Football Federation SA's Men's competitions and Cetrangolo also added the 2011 Devine Super League Grand Final to his list of appointments.

Paul Cetrangolo:

 

International

•       FIFA Assistant Referee 2011 – Current

•       Australia v Malaysia – Assistant Referee 2011

•       AFC / ASEAN / FIFA Seminar Bangkok – 2011

•       Australia U/19 vs Japan U/19 Friendly - Fourth Official 1999

•       Australia U/23 vs Japan U/23 Friendly - Assistant Referee 1998

 

National

•       Hyundai A League (Formerly NSL) Assistant Referee 2000 – Current

•       HAL Preliminary Final – Assistant Referee 2011

•       HAL Semi Final – Assistant Referee 2011

•       HAL Pre-Season Grand Final – Assistant Referee 2007

•       National Youth League (Southern Division) Grand Final - Referee 1999

•       National Youth League (SA Division) Grand Final - Referee 1998

•       National Talent Identification Championships Grand Final - Assistant Referee 1997

 

Local

•         FFSA Super League Grand Final - Referee 2011

•         FFSA Premier League Grand Final - Referee 2010

•         FFSA Cup Final (Seniors) - Assistant Referee 2010

•         FFSA Super League Grand Final (Seniors) - Fourth Official 2008

•         FFSA Cup Final (Seniors) - Fourth Official 2008

•         FFSA Cup Final (Seniors) - Referee 2007

•         FFSA State League Grand Final - Assistant Referee 2005

•         FFSA Premier League Grand Final - Assistant Referee 2003

•         International Soccer Challenge Grand Final (Joey’s vs Hajduk Split) - Assistant Referee 2003

•         FFSA State League Grand Final - Referee 2001

•         FFSA Cup Final (Seniors) - Assistant Referee 2001

•         FFSA Young Referee of Year Award - 2003

•         FFSA Young Referee of Year Award - 2002

•         FFSA Class 2 Referee of the Year 1998

•         FFSA Class 3 Referee of the Year 1996

 

Match Details:

Qantas Socceroos v Malaysia
International Friendly – Friday October 7, KO 8:00pm
Canberra Stadium, Canberra

Referee: Min Hu LEE (Korea)
Assistants: Paul CETRANGOLO (Australia), Brad HOBSON (Australia)
Fourth Official: Jarrad GILLETT (Australia)